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Swing the Fly

The Voice of Spey

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West Coast

The storied waters of the West Coast of North America, from the Skagit to the Clearwater and North Umpqua, to the famed Skeena tributaries of BC, are home to a deeply rooted tradition of chasing steelhead with a swung fly. From the fly patterns to the anglers and guides, Swing the Fly will pay tribute to this history.

No Fish Harmed: Travis Johnson
West Coast

No Fish Harmed: Travis Johnson

by Daniel Ritz

In the next installment of his No Fish Harmed series, Kirk Gilchrist and Tight Line Films introduces us to guide, Spey-O-Rama champion and friend of Swing The Fly, Travis Johnson.

April 3, 2024 by Daniel RitzTagged No Fish Harmed
Dry Fly Fishing With Stuart Warren
West Coast

Dry Fly Fishing With Stuart Warren

by Kait Sampsel

Kait Sampsel discusses the difficult yet effective art of dry fly fishing for steelhead with Stuart Warren.

March 1, 2024 by Kait SampselTagged Kait Sampsel, Stuart Warren
No Fish Harmed: Ryan Heitz, Michael & Young Fly Shop
Gear & Travel, West Coast

No Fish Harmed: Ryan Heitz, Michael & Young Fly Shop

by Zack Williams

In this installment of No Fish Harmed from Tight Line Films, Kirk sits down with Ryan Heitz, longtime manager of Michael & Young Fly Shop.

We learn about his motivations for angling, fly fishing industry trends, and see him fish some incredible water.

Thanks for watching.

January 2, 2024 by Zack Williams
The Fall of Testosterone and the Rise of Civility
Art, Poetry & Fiction, West Coast

The Fall of Testosterone and the Rise of Civility

by Craig Laurie

This less brave new world is coming for most of us boys. Not all of us. In an idle moment nearly freezing to death one morning on the Naknek this year, I sought counsel about these changes from my guide, being knowledgeable about both crazed steelheaders and estrogen.

December 21, 2023 by Craig Laurie
No Fish Harmed: Mia Sheppard
Conservation, West Coast

No Fish Harmed: Mia Sheppard

by Zack Williams

“WE are the voice for the river and the fish.”

In part II of this new video series, No Fish Harmed, from Swing the Fly and Tight Line Films, we visit with our friend Mia Sheppard to learn more about fly fishing culture and conservation and “nervous energy” and how it relates to catching steelhead on a spey rod.

November 1, 2023 by Zack WilliamsTagged No Fish Harmed
Icons: Kerry Burkheimer
Spey Rods, West Coast

Icons: Kerry Burkheimer

by Daniel Ritz

In this installment, we visit with Kerry Burkheimer in his shop on main Street in Washougal, WA, where he shares the meaning of “hand rolled soul,” explains how he became one of the most innovative spey rod designers in the world and why his mom slept in the trunk on fishing trips.

May 15, 2023 by Daniel RitzTagged icons
Guide Gossip #12:  When Do You Go Subsurface?
West Coast

Guide Gossip #12: When Do You Go Subsurface?

by Kait Sampsel

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 “well… I know this works, but will this?” You find yourself down a long dark rabbit hole that is twisted and sometimes hilarious. The journey is what keeps me feeling connected and curious.

January 16, 2023 by Kait SampselTagged guide gossip
Icons: Mike Kinney
West Coast

Icons: Mike Kinney

by Zack Williams

Mike Kinney, known as the “Godfather of Skagit” to many, is quietly and humbly one of the most respected legends of Pacific Northwest steelheading.

January 10, 2023 by Zack WilliamsTagged icons
Icons:  John Shewey
West Coast

Icons: John Shewey

by Mitch Baker

ertainly at the same time—in Oregon, Washington, BC, and on other streams in CA—fly anglers were succeeding in catching these enigmatic fish on flies, but on the Eel, with John Benn in the forefront, the sport really found its legs…and its founding flies.

December 7, 2022 by Mitch BakerTagged icons
Guide Gossip #11:  The Most Difficult Thing About Steelhead Fishing
West Coast

Guide Gossip #11: The Most Difficult Thing About Steelhead Fishing

by Kait Sampsel

I believe people who chose to fish for steelhead with a swung fly choose more than just the species itself. It is about the connection with the river, with the community of stewards and friends, the moments of laughter and pause, the difficult chase at hand, the long days of slow fishing, and the new zest that the river life brings to you.

August 29, 2022 by Kait SampselTagged guide gossip
Guide Gossip #10: Dealing with Pressure
West Coast

Guide Gossip #10: Dealing with Pressure

by Kait Sampsel

How can you better your odds, when the odds are against you? I always think creatively and have a positive attitude, and that seems to help with most anything. However, these helpful tips below from guides might find you thinking outside of the box.

May 10, 2022 by Kait SampselTagged guide gossip
Mossy’s Fly Shop:  Addiction to the Swing
Gear & Travel, Lodges and Guides, West Coast

Mossy’s Fly Shop: Addiction to the Swing

by Zack Williams

Mossy’s Fly Shop provides two-handed expertise in the heart of Alaska

February 15, 2022 by Zack Williams

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Swing The Fly

PO Box 2578
Missoula, MT 59806

info@swingthefly.com

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