Swinging for Steel

[msmith14]

Awww, its that time of year again...waiting for the first steelhead to enter the New York tribs, watching all the same youtube videos and reading all the same articles I did last year. Tying egg patterns and nymphs like crazy because I put it off to the last minute...like always haha. but this year I set a goal for myself, getting tired of running eggs and nymphs under an indicator. I have always wanted to feel the tug on the end of my line when a beautiful silver steelhead takes a fly on the swing. I know it can be done I just have know idea how to achieve this goal. Thats where I need some help, can anyone share some tips and effective flies I can use in this area?

Thanks, and good luck on the water

 

[MACFLY]

You came to the right place. Lots of guys on this site swing flies for steelhead. I'm sure they will reply

Awww, its that time of year again...waiting for the first steelhead to enter the New York tribs, watching all the same youtube videos and reading all the same articles I did last year. Tying egg patterns and nymphs like crazy because I put it off to the last minute...like always haha. but this year I set a goal for myself, getting tired of running eggs and nymphs under an indicator. I have always wanted to feel the tug on the end of my line when a beautiful silver steelhead takes a fly on the swing. I know it can be done I just have know idea how to achieve this goal. Thats where I need some help, can anyone share some tips and effective flies I can use in this area?

Thanks, and good luck on the water

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Hello msmith14 ! If you are fishing near and around Pulaski tye yourself some olive and olive and black buggers in larger sizes to start. Buggers are easy to tye and always work up there.Soft hackles in sizes 6,8 and 10 work as well gold ribbed hares ear with a nice soft hackle collar produce as well as many other color combinations. Most all the classic atlantic salmon flies work as well hair wings of squirrel olive and black bodies silver or gold tinsel. these are best tied in sizes 6-1/0.With the water predicted to be low through out most of the season you won't need much weight. Light sink tips or a AB-BB slit shot will do the trick as well as dry lining.What type of fly rod will you be fishing single hand,switch or spey ?

 

[Twism]

You can swing a bug or egg too

 

[lightenup]

You can swing a bug or egg too

Your avatar on that other site is MUCH better!!!!!

 

[msmith14]

Thanks, this helps alot. Im fishing singlehanded rods.

 

[Tight Louper]

Your avatar on that other site is MUCH better!!!!!

Agreed. Probably smells better too.

 

[LyNcH]

There are some swingers on this site for sure and Broadhead nailed it on the head.

Keep it simple at first. If you are swinging with a single hand rod, buy yourself a few Orvis 7' sinking polyleaders (int., fast & super fast), tie on 3' of 10lb Maxima Ultragreen and a size 6 Olive bugger.

Fly Fishing Leader Line / 7' Trout and 10' Salmon PolyLeader -- Orvis

You'll get a tug, it's like a drug, and when it happens, come on back and we'll start prepping you for your first spey rod. Just accept in now, it's gonna happen........

 

[msmith14]

You'll get a tug, it's like a drug, and when it happens, come on back and we'll start prepping you for your first spey rod. Just accept in now, it's gonna happen........

Hahaha, we will see about that and thanks a lot man, just one more question. Is swinging for steelhead just as effective as nymphing?

 

[Broadheadscreek]

At times yes early season is the best as the water is warm , as it cools off nymphing becomes a better game but swinging flies will get you fish as well I swing all season long and most always take a fish or two..When the water gets cold the fish won't move real far to take a fly so it is important to be in the zone and slow down your presentation to have success..

 

[msmith14]

Going up to the Salmon Creek in Pultneyville this Sunday, from what I hear its full of steelhead. Cant wait, ill tell you how I make out.

O yeah, has anyone been up there recently? and does anyone know why always they come in there so early?

 

[LyNcH]

I'll be in Pittsford this weekend, wish I could join you.

The steel are following the salmon in to chomp on eggs. If there are salmon and steel, there will be goons this time of year, so wear a helmet, and without a doubt, eye protection.

 

[msmith14]

The steel are following the salmon in to chomp on eggs. If there are salmon and steel, there will be goons this time of year, so wear a helmet, and without a doubt, eye protection.[/QUOTE]

O yeah I know what you mean, it sickens me watching how people treat the fish always snaging them and talking over there limit. I let all my fish go and I always have people tell me im crazy, they cant understand why I fish if I dont keep them and if they arnt snagging fish they will sang you if your not paying attention lol

 

[LyNcH]

I'm an early riser, the rest of the house was asleep so I decided to take a drive from Penfield to the Salmon Creek to check it out, without fly gear, which was a good thing as I would not have been able to use it.

First off, the water in the inlet is low, due to the lake being low. Talking with the guys fishing there it's about 3' lower than usual. Because it was so low and no real rain to speak of, the creek was not running more than a trickle & these guys were fishing the marina with spin gear, floats and egg sacks. Let me tell you, there are a lot steelhead in there, and it sounds like they stay in all winter with domestic rainbow showing up in late August, leaving right about now. A guy there confirmed a few other spots within 20 minutes of that location that I surely will be checking out next time we visit. The brown trout were starting to show up as well, and they were all slabs, 24" and larger. There were a few steelhead in there pushing the 36" mark.

It's only about 20 minutes from the brother/sister in law's house. My wife already suggested next time we go up, it'll be Friday night so we can fish the following AM. I can't wait and I have my homework/research cut out for me. Now we don't have to make the drive to Oak Orchard. There were no out of towners at this small location, and only a few locals, all nice guys willing to talk.....probably because I didn't have a rod in hand.

We also visited the Genesee brewery last night, they have opened up a decent restaurant and taproom. I didn't know they brewed Dundee beer. I enjoyed the Dundee October brew and IPA with dinner. Purchased a growler filled with the IPA for only $7 and enjoyed a nice cigar and the growler with my brother-in-law last night.

 

[CTobias]

I was swinging for steelhead all by myself. Only Eric and my buddy know where,and they better not spill the beans!

Here is a state record I didn't want to hurt.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Was up to New York this weekend took a trip to several of the tribs there and there were fish in every one of them . That being said I was watching a few guys taking fish from Orwell which I could piss harder than it was running what sport is there in that.The other tribs were much the same condition so not much fun to be had yet come on rain!!Did swing up two decent steel this weekend so it shaln't be to far away..

 

[LyNcH]

Was up to New York this weekend took a trip to several of the tribs there and there were fish in every one of them . That being said I was watching a few guys taking fish from Orwell which I could piss harder than it was running what sport is there in that.The other tribs were much the same condition so not much fun to be had yet come on rain!!Did swing up two decent steel this weekend so it shaln't be to far away..

Nice. Two on the swing is a great day with all those salmon in the mix. I'll be trib pecking this Friday away from the SR but in the area and can't wait. Going back up on Monday as well, haven't solidified where I am going to go. I guess Fridays adventures will help make that determination. I know where the steelhead will be hanging in the DSR in this low water on Monday, but it'll be crowded, real crowded. That's were early access is a bonus with season pass. I finally have a rod/line setup that'll allow me to swap between indicator and swinging with just a leader change up. The Sage TCX 8119 lined with the Rio 8/9 switch using polyleaders for swinging, regular leaders for indi fishing. It sucks carrying 2 rods when there is a ton of walking involved.

 

[Crackerjack]

Swinging sucks. Don't do it. Nothing worse then walking up on a pool that 100 other guys swung their fly through and now the fish won't bite my fly.

 

[CTobias]

Swinging sucks. Don't do it. Nothing worse then walking up on a pool that 100 other guys swung their fly through and now the fish won't bite my fly.

That's probably because you have the wrong fly.

 

[Crackerjack]

I tie big tube flies.