| Cameron Larsen | | | | average, as you want the fly to follow sinking tip |
| The wet fly swing sounds like something one | | | | line, and not rise up in the current. As the take will |
| does at the square dance hall. Instead the wet fly | | | | be deep, you don't want to have to set the hook |
| swing is one of the oldest fly fishing techniques. It | | | | with a lot of slack leader. |
| is used for all types of fish, where ever there is a | | | | Depth is of importance, as generally this technique |
| current. Winter steelhead, salmon, big trout in big | | | | is used for fish lying deep. If you aren't getting |
| rivers, and even striped bass, are all prey that | | | | the depth you want, than try adding more weight, |
| often require the use of the' wet-fly swing'. | | | | a larger fly, or switching lines. I try to avoid a |
| | | | sinking line, as I like the line to lie on the water, |
| The wet fly swing is designed to get the fly | | | | for ease of control, casting, and of course, setting |
| down deep quickly and swing it in front of the | | | | that hook. |
| desired fish. Trout anglers use it when fish are | | | | The Technique |
| holding deep, and not rising for any particular | | | | The wet fly swing at its simplest is this. Find the |
| hatch. Winter steelheaders use it when steelhead | | | | water you want, and cast across stream, to |
| loathe to move in the cold water and sit in | | | | slightly downstream. Mend your line immediately, |
| between the feeding lanes or lie in the pocket | | | | usually upstream. This allows the fly to sink. Then |
| water. Striped bass anglers find the wet fly swing | | | | follow your line with your rod tip downstream. |
| works the baitfish imitations in the current, to give | | | | Lowering your rod tip as the fly swings across |
| them a lifelike presentation, that fools fish again | | | | the current, so the fly will not have any drag. |
| and again. | | | | Some anglers like to impart action on their |
| The wet fly swing is most often used with | | | | presentation with their rod tip, but if fishing in |
| streamers, like the Woolly Bugger or Muddler | | | | current the action is often done all by itself. |
| Minnow and sometimes wet flies, like soft hackles | | | | When the fly has reached the end of its swing. |
| or nymphs. It is used whenever the fly fisher | | | | Lift the line up, by doing a small roll cast, and then |
| wants his presentation to appear to be swimming | | | | cast it out again. For deeper presentation, cast |
| freely in the current. Preferably broadside to the | | | | further upstream,. for shallower presentation cast |
| current, while the fish will be waiting either in | | | | more downstream. If floating lines are what you |
| pocket water behind big rocks, or in a seam | | | | are used to, casting the sinking tip line or even a |
| where the current changes speed. It can also be | | | | shooting head line can take a little practice. Slowing |
| used in tailouts below pools. | | | | down the entire casting stroke will be required, |
| Rigging | | | | and allow the back cast to fully extend. But with a |
| Most fly fishing anglers will use the wet fly swing | | | | little practice, distance can be greatly improved |
| with a sinking tip line. The weight will depend on | | | | allowing the fly fisher to reach water, unreachable |
| the species of fish and the size of the water. | | | | by using other fly fishing techniques. |
| Steelheaders and salmon anglers will be using 8 or | | | | The wet fly swing is great for extending the |
| above, and it goes on down for the other game | | | | season of fly fishing. When most other techniques |
| fish. The point is you will want to rig fairly big, as | | | | prove to be ineffective, due to high or cold water. |
| you will not only be fighting the fish, but the | | | | One can still entice those hesitant fish using this |
| current as well, and often times current that is | | | | time tested technique. |
| deep. The leaders tend to be shorter than | | | | |