Ebi fisher Vedder river steelhead on swing

Ebi fisher Vedder river steelhead on swing 

Vedder river steelhead

Vedder river steelhead 

 

Ebi fisher

 Ebi fisher

Ebi fisher

 Ebi fisher

Ebi fisher

https://youtu.be/OR4I86_Np-0?si=FgvvKe_2vlEIgwkP

صید ماهی استیل هد با چوب فلای فیشینگ دبل هند

 صید ماهی استیل هد با چوب فلای فیشینگ دبل هند

Swing flies for winter steelhead vedder river

 Swing flies for winter steelhead vedder river

This season, I had the incredible experience of catching five fish using the swing technique, all during the dangle phase. The dangle, often overlooked by many fly anglers, proved to be an essential moment where fish committed to the fly.

Three of these fish were caught when my fly, leader, and line had come to a complete stop in the water—no movement, no retrieval, just a perfect stillness at the end of the swing. This reinforces the idea that fish often strike when the fly remains suspended naturally, giving them a final chance to attack before it leaves their zone.

The other two fish struck just after the dangle, as I began to retrieve my line. This suggests that even the slightest movement after a long pause can trigger a reaction from waiting fish.

To achieve these catches, I used different sink tips to match the water conditions and fish depth. Two fish were caught using T-8 tips, which allowed for a slower sink rate and more subtle presentation. Two others were landed using T-11 tips, giving a slightly deeper presentation. Finally, one fish took the fly while I was using a T-14 tip, which allowed the fly to reach even deeper in the water column before stopping at the dangle.

These experiences have reinforced my belief in the importance of the dangle phase. Rather than rushing to retrieve the line after a swing, allowing the fly to sit motionless, even for a few extra moments, can make all the difference in hooking fish. Understanding how different sink tips influence presentation at this stage has also been a game-changer in my approach.

Totem Fly Fishers gathering Art Lingren

 Totem Fly Fishers gathering Art Lingren

Honored to join the Totem Fly Fishers gathering, where the legendary Art Lingren shared insights from his upcoming book. Proud to be part of a club that values every talent and fosters growth in fly fishing. Thrilled and honored to be part of this group!