You’re likely to hear the words “swing season,” “trout Spey,” or even “Micro Spey” if you speak with enthusiastic trout fly-fishing anglers across the nation. Swinging for trout gives fly anglers an alternative method of fishing and a different pace to chase trout during trout season. Trout Spey is essentially just the standard two-handed Spey fishing technique commonly used in steelhead and salmon fishing circles, sized appropriately for use with trout.
This results in a syncopated, almost meditative method of fishing familiar runs differently. Anglers often mend downstream after casting to add tension to the line, unlike dry fly fishing, where the goal is to eliminate all line drag so the fly may float freely. With Trout Spey, the fly “swings” down and across the run and through the water. The way we see it is Trout Spey is a fun alternative way we can fish for Alaskan Trout.
You Can Fish in Tight Spaces
Not all fishing spots have nice, open air with no obstacles like trees and brush to get in the way of your single-hand cast, especially here in Alaska. It’s in those tight quarters where Trout Spey shines. Trout Spey allows you to fish water from the banks you usually couldn’t with a single-hand fly rod. It’s a great option when fishing in confined spaces without room for a back cast. Many fly anglers carry a single-handed fly rod and a Trout Spey rod to cover all the territory you may face while fishing in Alaska.
You Can Manage Bigger Fish
In Alaska, trout and salmon are big, and fly anglers can be leary when it comes to rod sizes in Alaska. Some believe their 5-weight fly rod will manage any fish in Alaska, but that is a topic for another day. The size range of 1-weight to 6-weight rods prevents many anglers from even considering them at a fly shop because they think of the rod weights translating the same way single-hand rods do.
For instance, a 7-weight single-hand rod is not suitable for fishing for King Salmon, but specific 7-weight two-handed rods may work well. You need to add three to a Trout Spey rod to convert it to a single-hand rod. To put it another way, a 5-weight Trout Spey will handle fish that an 8-weight single-handed rod would target (5-weight Trout Spey + 3 = 8-weight single-handed rod). The most common single-handed fly rod in Alaska is probably an 8-weight. Take that for what you will. To achieve effective water coverage, anglers can walk down a step after each throw while also extending out a bit further with each one. The traditional “down and across” movement—the same thing—may be known to traditional Spey fishermen.
You Can Find a Place to Trout Spey Almost Anywhere in Alaska
Large, open rivers, like the Kanektok River in Western Alaska, are ideal for Trout Spey because they give fishermen plenty of room to walk through runs. The same goes for parts of the Kenai River, some tundra creeks in Bristol Bay, the pristine waters of interior Alaska, and even parts of the Naknek River during the right time. Alaska is in no shortage of places to use a Trout Spey setup. Trout Spey is a phenomenal method to catch fish from South Central through Western Alaska watersheds. There is no denying that a Trout Spey rod is highly successful as well as practical and enjoyable on various waterways in Alaska.
You can Mouse for Rainbow Trout with a Trout Spey
For rainbow trout, mice, lemmings, and voles are significant food sources. Spey mousing is one of the most thrilling methods for pursuing large rainbow trout because to the visual element of fishing a mouse pattern and the fact that huge ‘bows go far for a mouse.
Make prudent water selections. Near grassy banks is where little furry creatures most regularly jump or fall into rivers. Mouse flies often do well in waters with somewhat deeper depths and slow to moderate current speeds. Slowly swinging a mouse pattern to produce a traditional v-wake is a great way to attract a Rainbow Trout. Try irregular, brief, and rapid strips if Rainbows appear to desire a bit twitchier presentation. Small rodents can’t swim quickly, so avoid long, swift strips. Even try swinging over a log that in not completely submerged. You may get a rise behind it.
Well, there you have it. Four reasons we like Trout Spey in Alaska. Pretty sure there are more reasons. If you have any reasons, we’d like to hear your story. Or If you have any questions about Trout Spey in Alaska, please send us an email to into@deneki.com or leave a comment, and we’ll happily answer the best way we can!
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