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.”
Sink-Tip Leaders
How long should the distance be between the end of the sinking tip or sinking leader and the fly?
Book: Matching Baitfish by Kevin Feenstra
Matching Baitfish is so much more than what the title lets on. In fact, I’m not sure any title could do justice to what lies within: incredible photography, an education on baitfish you won’t find in a lifetime elsewhere, innovative techniques and tactics for the swung fly angler, and one of a kind fly patterns.
Webinar: Getting Ready for Great Lakes Spring Steelhead
Watch the great recorded presentation by Rick Kustich here!
Down and Dirty
“I call this scenario the “Down and Dirty.” If you can wade the river safely without going for a swim, you can still hook steelhead on the swung fly. The first thing you will need to do is change your gear. You’re going to need to fish the fly as slow as you can and closer to the bottom. The water is cold and dirty, hanging that fly in front of their face is crucial. Teasing the fish with a slower swing in these conditions is the best way to get that tug.” -Jeff Hubbard
Non-Typical Lies
This article originally appeared in the 2019.1 issue of Swing the Fly magazine and is free to view. Enjoy, and if you’re not already a member, consider joining to get access to all the member content and the Anthology book. As Spey fishers, we dream of the perfect pool. At the head of the pool, where […]
Going Short
As we roll into a new decade, the options for short two-handed, switch, or even one-handed Spey rods has never been greater, and the interest in going short clearly on the rise. I have seen a consistent decline in the size of my “go to” rods over the last few years with lengths of 11 feet or less being regularly matched with much of my home waters. There are many advantages to shorter rods – both tactically and esthetically – that drive this preference.
Cold Water Strategies
As the colder side of fall begins to settle in, occasionally an acquaintance or distant family member aware of my “fascination” with fishing will ask, “Is your fishing over for the year?” When I answer, “Nope, it’s just getting started,” I get that look of confusion. It’s an expression that seems to… Become a member […]