The Wet Fly Swing

The wet fly swing sounds like something one does at the square dance hall. Instead the wet fly swing is one of the oldest fly fishing techniques. It is used for all types of fish, where ever there is a current. Winter steelhead, salmon, big trout in big rivers, and even striped bass, are all prey that often require the use of the' wet-fly swing'.

When to use it

The wet fly swing is designed to get the fly down deep quickly and swing it in front of the desired fish. Trout anglers use it when fish are holding deep, and not rising for any particular hatch. Winter steelheaders use it when steelhead loathe to move in the cold water and sit in between the feeding lanes or lie in the pocket water. Striped bass anglers find the wet fly swing works the baitfish imitations in the current, to give them a lifelike presentation, that fools fish again and again.

The wet fly swing is most often used with streamers, like the Woolly Bugger or Muddler Minnow and sometimes wet flies, like soft hackles or nymphs. It is used whenever the fly fisher wants his presentation to appear to be swimming freely in the current. Preferably broadside to the current, while the fish will be waiting either in pocket water behind big rocks, or in a seam where the current changes speed. It can also be used in tailouts below pools.

Rigging

Most fly fishing anglers will use the wet fly swing with a sinking tip line. The weight will depend on the species of fish and the size of the water. Steelheaders and salmon anglers will be using 8 or above, and it goes on down for the other game fish. The point is you will want to rig fairly big, as you will not only be fighting the fish, but the current as well, and often times current that is deep. The leaders tend to be shorter than average, as you want the fly to follow sinking tip line, and not rise up in the current. As the take will be deep, you don't want to have to set the hook with a lot of slack leader.

Depth is of importance, as generally this technique is used for fish lying deep. If you aren't getting the depth you want, than try adding more weight, a larger fly, or switching lines. I try to avoid a sinking line, as I like the line to lie on the water, for ease of control, casting, and of course, setting that hook.

The Technique

The wet fly swing at its simplest is this. Find the water you want, and cast across stream, to slightly downstream. Mend your line immediately, usually upstream. This allows the fly to sink. Then follow your line with your rod tip downstream. Lowering your rod tip as the fly swings across the current, so the fly will not have any drag. Some anglers like to impart action on their presentation with their rod tip, but if fishing in current the action is often done all by itself.

When the fly has reached the end of its swing. Lift the line up, by doing a small roll cast, and then cast it out again. For deeper presentation, cast further upstream,. for shallower presentation cast more downstream. If floating lines are what you are used to, casting the sinking tip line or even a shooting head line can take a little practice. Slowing down the entire casting stroke will be required, and allow the back cast to fully extend. But with a little practice, distance can be greatly improved allowing the fly fisher to reach water, unreachable by using other fly fishing techniques.

The wet fly swing is great for extending the season of fly fishing. When most other techniques prove to be ineffective, due to high or cold water. One can still entice those hesitant fish using this time tested technique.

This article will appear in the January 2005 edition of the Big Y Flyfishing E-Zine at http://www.bigyflyco.com/Bigyflyfishingeine.html

About The Author

Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company. Http://www.bigyflyco.com. He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com. The above article will appear in the Big Y Fly Fishing E-Zine at Http://www.bigyflyco.com/Bigyflyfishingezine.html.

---

Do Fish See in Color

Fish do indeed perceive color. Every fly fisher knows that or ought to know that. Like humans, the retina of a fish have rods and cones. Cones... Read More

The Major Benefit Of Night Fishing

Number One Benefit to Night FishingI think the best thing about night fishing is that the conditions are generally the same as day fishing, but the results... Read More

Choosing the Right Fly Fishing Rod

Choosing a good rod is a major decision for the fly fishing angler. Shopping for that new rod can also be allot of fun. But how do... Read More

The Sublime Pleasure of Fly Fishing

Fly fishing has a history stretching back to the ancient Greeks, whose historians record people fishing for "spotted fishes" with fixed-line wooden poles. They used... Read More

A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques - Part II

Method 1EquipmentI fish baits at all depths, not just the bottom, in wide-open water. I always set up and fish deep lake structures. Besides an understanding of... Read More

Grandpas Pond

We can learn alot from kids.Last Friday, which incidently was St. Jean Baptiste Day in Quebec, was also the day we decided to have Grandpa's Pond day... Read More

A Big Fish Story

Ketchikan, located in southeast Alaska, is a good place to fish for halibut. Sally and John Balch live in Ketchikan and have a favorite spot nearby to... Read More

Fishing Grubs, The React Lure for all Seasons

One of the most versatile of all lures, the grub mimics baitfish better than almost any other soft plastic bait, and they can be fished many different... Read More

North to Alaska

For many fishermen Alaska is the ultimate "mecca" of fishing. Early childhood dreams of Salmon choked rivers and Bears of every shape and size basking in the... Read More

Saltwater Fly Fishing -- A Tide Runs Through It

Saltwater fly fishing is all the rage these days. This excitement is quite understandable because there's hardly anything more thrilling to a saltwater fly rodder than a... Read More

Make Small Fortune In The Fishing Industry

Make Small Fortune In Fishing Industry.......now there is a headline you don't see very often. In fact, I have never seen it.Unless you start out with a... Read More

Where The Bassalo Roam

Have you ever thought why fishing timbers is so productive? Well, for one, most anglers don't want to fish them because they're afraid of losing a $5.00... Read More

Why The Moon Is Your Key To Night Fishing Success

Want To Catch More Fish At Night, Watch the Moon!Sounds like a crazy idea, doesn't it?I thought so to, until I experienced it first hand.Using the moon,... Read More

Swordfishing Fort lauderdale Style

I was laying down on the bow of the boat gazing at the brilliant stars on this moonless night. All of the rods were set out, staggered... Read More

Tips To Getting Sponsored For Fishing Tournaments

One of the most important steps in getting sponsored to fish tournaments (whether you fish for bass, walleye, crappie, musky, redfish, marlin, etc.) is to focus on... Read More

The Alaskan Experience

"FISH ON!!"I yelled, as my seven weight fly rod bent over and the line played it's magical tune of "zinging in the rain". It was hard to... Read More

Fishing For Bass In Deep Water

When fishing for bass in deep water try a spinnerbait that you have confidence in and have used to catch fish before. If the fish are inactive... Read More

Get Ready For Bed....Bedding Bass That Is!

It's getting near the time bass will be on their beds. Not just any bass, but trophy size bass in Ohio. So, what are you going to... Read More

A Technique To Catch Trophy Size Bass

There is a craze going on that produces big bass, it's called flippin. Flippin puts the lure where the big bass are.....in cover! You will want a... Read More

Colorado Fly Fishing ? Bait Huckin vs. Fly Fishin

It was one of those fishing trips. You know, everyone catches fish but you, you loose six or eight of your most expensive streamers, it rains buckets,... Read More

Online Fishing Forums Change the Way Anglers Fish For Information and Photos

As the landscape of the World Wide Web changes at lightning speed, so do many online trends. Communication and the exchange of information have become instantaneous and... Read More

Stories From the Heartland (Pt.1)

Every River Tells a StoryThe next time you begin a journey or fishing expedition on one of your favorite rivers or streams, take the time to look... Read More

The Fishing Mark of Mablethorpe on the East Coast of England

MABLETHORPE, is a beach resort on the East coast of England. The beach is a long stretch of clean sands with some great fishing. The clean and... Read More

The Joys of Trout Fishing

The thrill of trout fishing! It is the best, isn't it? No matter where you plan to go trout fishing, you know you are more than likely... Read More

Fly Fishing Rods ? Getting The Bends

Picking a fly fishing rod is a tricky endeavor. Do you go with your ego, expected fishing environment or something else? While length is a factor, the... Read More

The Value of Observation

The beginner must learn to look with eyes that see. Occurrences of apparently little importance at the moment may, after consideration, assume proportions of great value. The... Read More