Many Great Lakes steelhead anglers limit themselves to the widely practiced dead drifting techniques such as bottom bouncing and nymphing with an indicator.  Although dead drifting techniques are highly effective for hooking up with silver they are not the only way to probe the depths of our streams.  Despite the efficiency of this technique after using it for many years I grew tired of the repetitiveness; I was desperately searching for a new and challenging method that would still result in the familiar thrashing headshake of a feisty steelhead on the end of my line.  My search ended as I began to delve into the art of swinging streamers.

Swinging streamers for steelhead is one of the most exciting ways to fish the Great Lakes tributaries.  This technique brings an age old school West coast traditional method and applies it to a new region, steelhead alley.  This article will outline the timing, basic methods, tackle, flies, and overall approach of swinging flies for steel.

Topics covered in this article are as follows:

• Timing

• Gear and Rigging

• Fly Selection

• Techniques of Swinging Flies

Timing: Some people say that everything in life is about timing.  I’m far too young to comment on that, but I do believe that timing is everything when it comes to swinging flies.  Steelheads, like any other organism, are very conscious of their surroundings which can significantly influence their affinity to striking a swung fly. 

            Probably the most important of all these factors influencing the steelhead is water temperature.  Water temperatures in our Lake Erie tributaries can range from the 90’s in the summer heat to the 30’s in the dead of winter.  Once water temperatures begin to dip into the lower 60’s steelhead begin their migration into our area streams.  These fresh fish often referred to as “chromers” due to their dime bright coloration, are prime targets for fly fisherman due to their aggressive nature and willingness to take flies.  The best time to fish for chromers is when streams are on the drop after a period of precipitation or run-off.  Area waters will often change from muddy to a greenish coloration as flows subside towards more normal and fisherman friendly levels.  Visibility in the 1-2 foot range is ideal for fly fishing, and specifically for swinging streamer patters.  Optimal conditions are often hard to time, but the angler who is willing to invest time in studying stream conditions as well as being in contact with area fly shops will often know what stream is fishing well at any particular time.

Gear and Rigging:  Swinging for steelhead can be accomplished with the same gear one uses for nymphing.  Rods ranging from 9-10 feet in the 6-8 wt range are perfect for employing the swinging technique.  Recently spey rods have become more popular on Erie tributaries.  This technique was pioneered in Europe and then transplanted to the West cost utilizes a very long rod that is cast using both hands.  This technique is not quite as useful on our local rivers due to their small size, but one-handed spey fishing as well as shorter two-handed spey rods in the 10-12 foot and 7-9 wt range have gained a great deal of popularity as their shorter lengths allow fisherman to swing using spey techniques despite our smaller river sizes.  It is usually best to line rods with a line weight which is in tune with manufacturer recommendations.  The weight-forward floating lines are the most versatile however, having a selection of sink tips available is crucial towards success swinging flies.  Due to the shallow nature of our streams, rarely is a sink tip longer than 7 feet required.  I carry sink tips of 2 feet, 4 feet, and 7 feet with me when I plan to swing flies and will change the tips as the depth of the water I’m fishing changes.  Leaders are fairly simple and typically consist of a 2-4 foot section of straight 12 lb. test clear monofilament.  In clearer conditions when fish have been pressured and are spooky I will add a section of 0X fluorocarbon tippet; usually 16 inches is sufficient.  A loop or clinch knot is sufficient to attach the fly to your leader.  Now you’re geared up to start swinging.

Fly Selection: Over the years I have found that one of the least important things that steelhead fisherman probably spend most of their time discussing.  Steelhead are not selective, however they are sensitive to presentation, particularly in low and clear water conditions.  Often flies used should somewhat attempt to emulate food that steelhead would encounter in their environment.  Minnow and emerald shiner imitations can be particularly effective; anglers wishing to imitate these food sources should try clouser, muddler, or other baitfish streamer patterns.  Traditional saltwater patterns should not be overlooked either.  Flies such as deceivers and epoxy streamers also have the potential to be great flies for the steelhead fisherman looking to swing.  Leech patterns can also be effective to fish for steel.  Many anglers like to buy or tie these patterns using rabbit strips as the motion in the water is phenomenal.  Egg sucking leech tied with a bright orange or chartreuse head and a purple, black, or olive body can provoke some rod-ripping strikes when swung through a steelhead lie.  Large woolly buggers are also a time proven pattern that all fly anglers should have in their possession in a variety of colors.  Traditional west coast and Alaskan patterns all have their days as well.

The Technique Itself:  The basic, old-school technique of swinging streamers is perfectly recognizable today: Cast across or quartering downstream, and then let the fly swing with the current. The current will soon pull against your fly as it flutters through the water column below you.  It really is that simple.  It’s the way most fly fishers fish wet flies as well, and it's fine, as far as it goes; however many anglers simply blind-cast, drift, swing, and retrieve, paying little or no attention to where they're placing the fly or what it's drifting past.  These two variables separate those who swing with success from those who swing and don’t experience the heart-stopping hits and throbbing headshakes of steelhead on the swing.  What the anglers who aren’t seeing success don't consider is that trout chase streamers because the big morsels seem worth the effort in ways that a little wet fly or a small drifting sucker spawn doesn't. Few monster steelhead will charge from behind a rock to intercept a size two woolly bugger from ten feet away. They key within this technique is to mend your line in such a way so that you line up your fly with a particular holding spot so that when your line goes tight and the swing begins, your presentation will pass as close as possible to the potential steelhead lie.  Anglers should practice this “aiming” of the swing as it will greatly benefit them on-stream when they try to target a particular current seam, eddy, or drop off that holds steelhead.   The key to successfully fishing a wet fly is to put the pattern right in front of the fish. If you know how to read the water and have a decent command of casting, you can ensure that your presentation swings past all the prime lies and holds in a particular stretch of river. You should also alter the action of the fly until you get a response. If a standard swing doesn't provoke any strikes, try presenting the fly so that it starts to rise towards the surface just as it reaches a good lie or holding spot (a technique known as the Leisenring lift). Making these kinds of adjustments is the difference between fishing a streamer and really working a streamer in an effective manner. The angler who pays more attention to how their fly looks to individual fish in specific lies will see their catch rate of steelhead rise sharply.

Swinging flies for steelhead is a great way to catch these phenomenal game fish; this article has outlined the basics of this technique.   This new style is a great way to avoid the monotonous dead-drifting that fly fisherman so often do in their search of steel.  The strikes are jaw dropping, the fish are explosive, and the experience is incredible.  Get out there on our beautiful streams and get yourself some swing-caught silver.       

~ Brett McCrae