Today we’ve got a video tip segment for those of you who like to swing flies for steelhead and salmon.
Tom Larimer, Oregon guide and host at Alaska West, BC West and Andros South, gives us a quick rundown on his approach to setting the hook.
In the video, Tom covers
- Holding a loop when fishing a dry line
- Fishing a tight line when fishing sinktips, and
- Direction of the rod when setting the hook in each situation.
Have a look!
NOTE: If you’re viewing this in a newsletter or a reader, click here to see Tom’s video on our web site.
The audio cuts out in the last 30 seconds of this video…BOOOO!!!
Thanks for pointing that out, Jonathan. We re-did the video upload and you should have full audio now.
What about using strip setting the hook? I’ve gotten used to using a strip set from targeting larger species with bony mouths. Will that work for steelhead and salmon?
Ok Tom and other pro’s, I like to keep a loop when I am casting short with the sink tip so I have some “slack” to allow the fish to grab the fly and turn. There’ve been a few times where I think I’ve missed fish because they weren’t able to fully pull the fly into their mouths. What do you think of that?
Two great questions… NYC, I have given the strip set idea a lot of thought. During the swing, I think strip setting could end very badly. It all depends on how the fish eats the fly. If he nukes it, I’m 99% sure you would break him off instantly. I’ve spent countless hours watching steelhead eat flies from the high banks of the Deschutes. When they really blast the fly, they typically blitz their target from the inside out. In other words, they swim past the fly, turn, and eat the fly heading back into deep water. This is especially true with large flies fished on sink-tips. I once witnessed a fish swim 20′ past the fly, turn on a dime and nuke the fly all within 1 second. If I had blinked I would have missed it. Strip setting with 10 or 12 pound Maxima on one of those super charged grabs would certainly end in slumped shoulders followed by many profanities echoing down the river. The problem is, you never know how they’re going to eat. However, I do think strip setting on the hang-down has some merit. This past season I got in the habit of grabbing my line near the end of my swing and strip setting on fish straight below me. I got a lot of practice during my hosted trip to BC West because the fish were traveling very close to the bank that week. We had a lot of eats near or at the end of the swing. I know I got the irons into more fish stripping than lifting the rod. I also feel the risk of breaking tippet is minimal because the fish doesn’t have any momentum at that point. Give it a try in your own fishing and let me know the results. I’d love to hear how it works for you!
Mark J, holding a loop on shorter casts, especially in a riffle couldn’t hurt. My theory on not holding a loop for sink-tip fishing is predicated on the idea that when a fish grabs the fly, their is enough lag in the sink-tip hanging off the Skagit head to give the fish ample time to eat. My opinion is also based on watching the results of my clients. I’ve noticed when I have them hold a loop with sink-tips, we hook just as many as without. The difference is, they land more fish not holding a loop. That being said, on a shorter cast -like in a riffle as you work line out, the tip isn’t getting very deep -you’re tight to the fly. Because there isn’t the lag of a longer, deeper swing, a loop isn’t a bad idea. I personally fish my drag very light and let the fish take a few extra turns off the reel before blast-off. Hope this helps! -TL
Tom: I’m interested in the relationship between drag setting and loops/no loops. My theory is that if you are holding a loop, you should keep a higher drag setting. If the fish takes the loop, he’s going someplace and you are not going to get a “set” into him–you need the drag to do that. If, on the other hand, you are not fishing a loop, you should use a light drag–the fish is less likely to drop the fly if he feels resistance and you should still be holding the line and can apply some resistance to get a set. Either way, the issues are whether the fish feeling resistance could cause it to drop the fly, how you get a set into the fish’s mouth, and whether the first run has any resistance. I’d like your comments on this if possible. Thank you!
Tom
Tom,
You bring up a valid point. I agree with the thought of fishing a tighter drag while fishing a loop with floating lines. However, this does open a big ol’ can of worms. Consider the river you’re fishing, the water conditions and the attitude of the fish. For example, when I’m fishing the Dean, the fish see very little pressure, I usually have ideal water temperatures and those Dean River chrome missiles typically grab the fly with authority. I definitely fish with a fairly stout drag setting. As head guide Scott Baker-McGarva says, “Set for stun…” With those fish, you know your drag is too light when your fly line becomes an instant afro within a nanosecond of a fish eating your fly. However, if I’m on the Deschutes in mid-summer, it’s a totally different ball game. I’m dealing with pressured fish and high water temperatures. Consequently, there are times when I get soft grabs on dry line presentations. Fishing a loop with a light drag is critical for getting shy fish to commit. Like everything in this crazy sport, there’s always exceptions to the rule. The key to being a consistent steelhead angler is observing the conditions of the day and adjusting your technique accordingly.
Happy Hunting!
-TL
So it looks like we have to decide which species we want to break off when we set the hook. Maybe we should just give up fly fishing and use sticks of dynamite. 😉
http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/fly-fishing-photography/strip-set/