“What is the best rod configuration for the Great Lakes region? ”
Great Lakes Editor Rick Kustich’s answer: It depends!
Icons – Jeff Liskay
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 Jeff Liskay, who lives and guides in the Great Lakes region and swings flies on the Cuyahoga River in the […]
The Stealthy Swing
A little can go a long way.
Photos: Spey Nation 2025
Three days of spey community, education, and demonstration on the Salmon River in New York.
Covering the Water
As spey anglers, we are often most focused on the cast. And why not, spey casting is an enjoyable, engaging process. Sure, it can be frustrating, but those drawn to this sport are typically energized by the challenge as well as the tactical advantage of a cast that allows for ultimate efficiency in changing direction […]
Icons – Rick Kustich
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 Rick Kustich, a pioneer of swinging flies in the Great Lakes region, an author of multiple flyfishing books, and a huge fan […]
Great Lakes Run Timing
Understanding the nuances of when and how the various species migrate on Great Lakes rivers can directly impact the quality of the fishing experience.
Playing in the Mud
Rick Kustich gives us hope when the water turns muddy. Check out this article and perhaps you will have new strategies when other fly fishers are staying at home.
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 big flies in a range of wind and weather conditions. After hanging on to the single-hand approach for too many years, I finally saw the light and moved to two-handed casting. And I will never go back.
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.
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!
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 way we fish our Great Lakes streams and rivers.”