
Icons: Simon Gawesworth
Icons, a web series from Swing the Fly, looks at the most influential figures in spey casting and swinging flies from North America and beyond in the 21st century. In this installment, we visit with Simon Gawesworth, one of the greatest Spey casting instructors and authors to grace our sport. Simon talks in this article about his latest book, his favorite rivers in both the U.K. and the U.S., his memories of times fishing on his own, and the Miracle of Istanbul.
Latest articles
Spey 101
Building a basic understanding of Spey casting, including techniques, equipment, terminology, and history. All Spey 101 content is free to view for non-members. Learn and Enjoy!
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Spey Terminology and Rigging
Entering into the world of Spey and a swung fly can be daunting. The terminology and various equipment/rigging options act as a deterrent or even…
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Off the Cuff with Kapitan Kruk: Hands in Front
Kaptain Kanudia talks hand position.
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Top 10 Swung Fly Presentation Mistakes
Swinging a fly is a simple technique – when it’s done right. But, in truth, there’s also a lot that can go wrong and harm…
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Coming Next Week: Bruce Kruk video series begins
We'll launch the first instructional episode of the Bruce Kruk series next week, Aug. 11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0SoZ1emsJc
Conservation
Passing on healthy rivers and fish populations to the next generation is a responsibility all swung fly anglers must be committed to. Keep tabs here on the latest news from our conservation partners and learn how you can help.
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Better Late Than Never: Opportunities Appear For North Umpqua, Winchester Dam
Every angler and advocate for the health and wellbeing of the North Umpqua and its iconic steelhead will have an opportunity to lend their voice…
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Patagonia Films Presents Tom
A film by Asher Koles and Chase White Rivers and fish need friends. Tom Derry has spent his lifetime being that friend. Conservation and wild fish…
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Salmon School Event Sept. 9/10 Tacoma, WA
From The Salmon School:COME JOIN THE SALMON SCHOOL ON SEPTEMBER 9 AND 10 AT MUSEUM OF GLASS, TACOMA.This newsletter is dedicated to The Salmon School and its…

River Rambler recent podcasts
Atlantic Salmon
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Episode 66 – David Bishop
https://www.spreaker.com/user/11272357/episode-066 I got the chance to speak with David Bishop this week. Listen in as we discuss fishing at two-years-old, the beauty of casting, working…
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The Last Salmon
I sometimes feel as if Angler #1 (Dry Fly Guy) is perched on my left shoulder and Angler #2 (Bottom Ranger) sits on my right…
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Terminal Thinking
Terminal thinking seems especially prevalent as we contemplate the changes to our lives in a post-COVID-19 world. It’s a tough time to be a swinger…
Great Lakes
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Two-Handed Overhead Casting for Musky
For a number of years before I took to the two-hander for musky, my fishing partner Nick Pionessa utilized two hand casting to effectively deliver…
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Adding Movement to the Swung Fly
Controlling fly speed and depth through casting angle and line manipulation typically provides the presentation enhancements that result in success.
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Spey Casting Class with Rick Kustich & Topher Browne!
Don't miss this one of a kind opportunity to improve your casting with Rick and Topher!
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Outfitters North
"It's great to see the fly fishing community putting more of a focus on us as Great Lakes steelheaders and designing these products for the…
International
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An Adventure in Argentina
Southern Patagonia is known for its windy days.
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The P.T. Slow Swing
So simple and so effective, I cannot say how often it‘s saved my day, from my rivers at home, to along the classic rivers in…
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The Green Machine and the Rio Grande
Last January, Michael and I finally stood on the banks of the Rio Grande in Tierra del Fuego. Like always, we booked on a relatively…
Spey Casting
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Casting with Joe
“Hey, look at what I got today,” Joe said. And he rushed to bring out two new bamboo rods—big rods—one 13 feet long, the other…
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Kruk’s Spey Casting Secrets II: Line Follows Rod Tip
He's back here in 2023 with a 1-part follow up to the popular series from 2022.
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Teaser: Kruk’s Spey Casting Secrets II
Coming in a couple weeks for Swing the Fly members: Bruce expands on "Line Follows Rod Tip"
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Linespeed Jedi Exclusive: Spiral Single Spey
Mr. Linespeed is back with some tips and tricks for the spiral single spey.
West Coast
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Guide Gossip #12: When Do You Go Subsurface?
As a guide or avid angler, you start to learn the river intimately and eventually figure out what works. What you are left with is…