Swinging Flies – Pulsing the Swing | Spey Presentation Tips

Pulsing the rod while swinging flies for salmon and steelhead — *Watch why you should pulse the swing below.*

The “tug” might be the “drug,” but most anglers would agree that a tug that stays attached is ideal. Unfortunately, when swinging flies for salmon and steelhead, that’s not always the case. Quick strikes, followed by an unanswered swing, are common when spey fishing, and can be frustrating at the very least.

So what do you do when you feel the quick tap of a fish followed by nothing thereafter? We’re big believers in changing up the presentation for one more cast to the same spot. Our favorite method of changing up our presentation on the swing? Pulsing the rod.

Make a cast in the same spot, mend, allow your swing to come under tension, and as your fly begins to swim, slowly pulse the rod back and forth. Doing gives your fly a little more action through the swing, occasionally exciting the fish for a second strike, or enticing another fish in the same lie.

Don’t believe us? Take a peek at the video below courtesy of Alaska West guide, Greg Houska, of team member, Ryan Gossett, swinging flies for king salmon. ‘Nuff said.