In any avenue of fly fishing, one thing that separates successful anglers from not-so-successful anglers is complete, undivided, fully engaged, focus whenever your fly is in the water. Many fish are lost (or perhaps never hooked at all) from anglers who’s minds were wandering or whom were not expecting a fish to eat the fly in…
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Spey
Deneki Chronicles: Spey Casting – The Lift
Many spey casting faults can be traced all the way back to the very beginning of the cast, that’s right, on the lift. It’s the lift that sets the stage for a well executed cast, yet it receives little attention from those looking to fine-tune their casting. However, we won’t waste time trying to convince you…
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Deneki Chronicles: When to Set the Hook When Swinging Flies – North 40 Video
When swinging flies for salmon and steelhead, one of the most common faults we see on a regular basis from our anglers is setting the hook too early. In most avenues of fly fishing (trout, bass, bonefish, you name it), setting the hook quickly is critical in order to establish tension and ensure a solid…
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Deneki Chronicles: Spey Fishing – Pulsing the Swing (Video)
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…
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Deneki Chronicles: 5 Ways to Avoid Tangles in Your Running Line
One of the most frustrating things about fishing with any kind of shooting head system (spey casting Skagit heads comes to mind) is the tangling that inevitably, occasionally, happens in your running line. You make what was otherwise a beautiful cast, it stops suddenly way short of its target, you say some bad words, and…
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Deneki Chronicles: Swinging for Trout – The Tumble Rig
In this week’s Deneki Chronicles, we revisit a handy, DIY tool that will help your swung fly get down when you need to get down and deep. The Tumble Rig will help you get down and get down fast to put your fly in front of the fish. Tie up a few of these at…
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Deneki Chronicles: Swinging for Kings – 10 Tips
It’s coming up on King Salmon Season here in Alaska. The might King Salmon is a challenge for any angler, regardless your level of experience. So here are 10 tips that to help you hook and land one of the most sought after game fish. Planning on swinging flies for king salmon this summer, maybe…
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Understanding Spey Lines
So you got a Spey rod. Awesome! Now you looking to find the right line set up for your Spey rod. Whether you’re new to Spey fishing or a seasoned veteran, selecting a line set up to match your Spey rod can be a daunting task, especially with the variety of lines on the market…
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Fly Tying: Critter Sculpin
During the October and November months in Alaska, it is the ideal time to fish with two handed rods. The water is low, the scenery is majestic and with less pressure on the river, it is downright peaceful and serene. A swing fly every two hander junky needs to have in their fly box is…
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Deneki Chronicles: Spey Fishing – The ‘Engaged Fly’
This episode of Deneki Chronicles comes to use from our friend George Cook. George has forgotten more about fly fishing than a lot of people think they know. This post about the ‘Engaged Fly’ gives pertinent things go consider and strategy while Spey fishing. Ever wondered whether your fly is swinging at the right depth,…
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