Perfect flow for wading the Lower American R.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

It will be 2,000 cfs on September 1, 2012.

Get out there early and late in the day for Half-pounders.

Cast across and down with a floating line, mend a little and let it swing through to the bottom.

Keep moving slowly down stream to cover more water.

[Scott V]

Watch out for the man eating beavers. Better yet, just stay home or go up to the mountains for cooler weather.

Nothing to fish here, move along, just move along.

[craigfalk]

Bill,

I finally caught a few Half-pounders on the swing over the last week. I didn't have a sink tip with me so I just used a split shot. I'm not sure how much to mend. In other words, how fast do you want the fly to swing? Thanks.

[burl51]

Swing speed per the Medford boys the term they use and taught me is slow painfully slow

[craigfalk]

Burl51,

Thanks for the tip. "Slow, painfully slow" will be in my mind from now on. I'm pretty sure I've been allowing the fly to swing much too quickly.

[Scott V]

Swing speed per the Medford boys the term they use and taught me is slow painfully slow

How do you make the swing go slower than the flow of the current? Or are you meaning something else?

[aaron]

Upstream mend can help slow it down, although if you botch the mend then it will severely shorten your swing. I'd rather my fly make a complete swing at a faster rate than only swing through part of the zone slowly. Doug will go over all this at the half pounder clinic on the 8th.

[burl51]

ok here I go
Casting down and across big mend try not to move the fly upstream. During the mend let out a small amount of line for mending to allow the fly to sink. Point the rod tip at the fly and follow the fly. Slow I mean slow. Irritate the fish. Keep a loop of line between your rod hand and the reel.
Kind hard to explain with out visuals.

Burl

[Scott V]

The fly is still going to move at the same speed of the water. I was always taught that the fly should flow at the same speed of the water or the fish will notice that it might not be natural. If the line goes slower than the fly then the fly will be dragged and will not keep its depth.

These are just my thoughts, I am not trying to argue with you or anyone.

[Darian]

In general, a fly will tend to drift with the current (at the same speed). However, currents are rarely uniform between top and bottom or from side to side of the water column due to many factors (bottom structure in the main).

I think the "painfully slow" mantra applies more to and comes from using nymphing techniques. It's important to get down deep near structure where fish hold out of the way of the main current. Not sure swinging a fly will ever be as slow but slowing it down is entirely possible. For example, choose lines that will allow a deep presentation and allow mending as well (sink-tips or sinking heads). Choose water that has a slower current and mend the line as it swings. Cast quartering upstream and across (instead of down and across) allowing the fly to reach depth before the start of the swing and, last, add weight to the leader (split shot) and/or fly (heavier or weighted hooks).

Just some ideas to try....

[Scott V]

I got a wild 12 incher last night on the American. May be small but it was a wild one!!

[burl51]

Scott
I think you are talking about indicator not swinging. When it swings you can control the speed of the swing regardless of current speed. With an indicator ya want the same speed as the current to make the most natural presentation. Just sayin Kinda hard to explain,

Burl

[craigfalk]

Well done Scott.

Thank you everyone for your advice regarding swing speed. I've found there are subtleties to every fly fishing technique. When I was a teenager I fished dry flies exclusively. It worked when the conditions were right. I was also willing to hike like a mad man to find gullible fish. Later I learned to fish with indicators. Next I became determined to catch trout with a streamer. This past summer I spent a lot of time learning to short-line nymph and then last week I caught my first fish on the swing. I've noticed that until I actually have some success with a new method, I have no confidence it will work. Once I finally prove to myself a new technique can work, my learning curve steepens as the points I've read about finally make sense. I can't wait to get back to the river and start implementing the ideas everyone has suggested.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I like those suicidal fish that will chase the fly up onto the bank and eat them.

Some of the smallest Steelhead are caught on the back cast?

I like rolling fish too.

When I was young these old timers who are most passed on now told me "to keep my fly wet" or "to keep my fly in the water". Think about it for a while...........

I just love water........

[Jed Peters]

Got a buddy who has been out every evening getting after em.

2-4 fish per session, but all have been small. (12-14)

He's just waiting for that 5 pounder!

[Jgoding]

Lets clarify right now... if you ain't catching them on top it doesn't count... what's all this mending and split shot talk...