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This steamer presentation is what streamer anglers probably do most — swinging the flies. From what I see on the water, what I read in articles and watch in videos, I think it’s fair to say, swinging is a pretty popular look.
But it’s also fair to say that swinging is what we do the least. I think part of that is regional.
Swinging streamers is a good tactic. It’s not our preferred method, but that might not matter to you and to the trout in your waters. That’s kind of the point to this whole Streamer Presentations series — I think it’s best to be armed with a wide range of tactics — or presentations. Try them all, and then let the fish decide.
I mix in swings every day that I fish streamers. I give swings a chance. Sometimes a swing suits the moment better than anything else. And sometimes I let a slow slide or cross current strips finish out below me, allowing tension to change the head angle, and I finish by letting the fly swing out.
Swinging is arguably the easiest presentation on a streamer. That also might make it the most relaxing. It’s a great way to cover a lot of water, and it’s an easy way to stay in rhythm.
We get more refusals with a swing than with most other tactics. We also average smaller trout to the net. That might have a lot to do with a swinging presentation being more attractive than natural. And when we do get a solid take on a swing, clean hooks sets can be challenging and we’re in a bad place to start fighting a good fish.
My friend, Austin Dando, and I cover all of that and more in this episode.
Resources
READ: Troutbitten | Category | Streamers
READ: Troutbitten | Natural vs Attractive Presentations
PODCAST: Troutbitten | Night Fishing for Trout – Swinging and Drifting
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Season Fourteen of the Troutbitten Podcast continues next week with jigging the flies. So look for episode six in your Troutbitten podcast feed.
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Enjoy the day.
Domenick Swentosky
T R O U T B I T T E N
domenick@troutbitten.com
Hi Dom and Austin, just listened to the podcast Streamer Presentation #5 on swinging streamers. This is a great series and I am looking forward to trying some of the different presentations described in each episode.
I had a couple of thoughts on swinging streamers that I wanted to run by the two of you. I agree swinging streamers is not usually as effective as other techniques but I think there is an exception. When fishing large streams or rivers with migrating fish, swinging a streamer can be (maybe not always) the most effective technique. I’m not referring to just steelhead or other anadromous species but any trout that spends the winter in deep lakes (think Alaska or Great Lakes region among others) and migrates up streams in the spring. They may be returning to their summer holding spots or looking for spawning salmon but they move in fairly large numbers. In this situation it’s been my experience that a swinging streamer is really effective. While many times they hit on the swing they also will chase a streamer as it is stripped up stream. Finally striking just as you start to raise the rod tip for the next cast. My last trip with this situation (June in AK) we were using pretty heavy sinking lines (relatively big fast rivers) and the streamer bite was very much on and the swing was far and away the most effective technique.
I can only speculate that the migrating trout see the streamer as baitfish moving along with them and they think that’s normal since they are on the move too. When the streamer slows on the swing or stalls between strips they grab it. Not really sure but I have caught some very big rainbows using the swing!
I haven’t researched it but I’m guessing swinging streamers for trout was a natural evolution from swinging wet flies for salmon another migrating fish. What do you guys think?
Thanks, Mark. Good stuff. We agree with you. As we said a few times through the conversation, the are plenty of times and places when a swing actually is the best tactic. Your migration theory might be a good one.
This part, I don’t agree with. Baitfish don’t move like that, in my opinion. So I think trout eat it because they are aggressive at the moment.
Agreed. We mentioned that too. Bows seem more willing on the swing, likewise steelhead.
This is true. And old habits and tradition die hard.
Cheers.
Dom
I spent 30+ minutes in disbelief that you guys didn’t mention night fishing. You pulled it off at the end. I nearly unsubscribed to the podcast. It didn’t help that Austin was so low energy. Come on man.
Ha. Very good, buddy.