Leisenring’s simple, deceptively subtle technique is truly killing and worthwhile to practice, either over visibly feeding trout, or targeting a particularly sweet spot of water when fishing blind. And the fly need not rise all the way from the bottom. If trout are visibly feeding on emergers near the surface, the fly rising only a few inches will do the trick. And the Leisenring Lift isn’t limited to practice with wee flies alone, it also works to activate larger wetflies and streamers as well.
Great Lakes Flies: Then and Now
Part I It has been nearly 150 years since the ova were imported from a tributary of California’s McCloud River to the Caledonia fish hatchery near Mumford, New York, that initiated the Great Lakes steelhead fishery. And whether you consider these creatures steelhead or simply lake-run rainbows, ther… Become a member of Swing the Fly […]
Prichard’s Western Angler
By Sean Dahlquist I love my fly tying books. I’ve collected dozens over the years and am always seeking more. They are the first thing I reach for in my library; every so often I’ll be flipping through the pages of an old favorite for the hundredth time when, suddenly, I am struck by a […]
Tips for a Smoother Snakeroll
We all have at least tried the snakeroll; some have mastered it and some have given up. But, learning and knowing the coolest cast in Spey casting is something we should all aspire to. The snakeroll is a modern two-handed cast developed by Simon Gawesworth. The cast has since grown into use in all p… […]
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 of flies. On the West Coast, steelhead guides and fishermen lost a good chunk of their season due to the closure of rivers and non-essential businesses…. Become a member of […]
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A Handful of Flies from the Kola Peninsula: Part I
The Belousiha River Lodge is a small fishing camp on Russia’s Kola Peninsula.