When swinging flies for salmon and steelhead, we find setting the hook to the side (as opposed to straight up) will result in more fish to the net. We often use the phrase ‘set towards the bank,’ however we realize this can be confusing when fishing anywhere other than a big long gravel bar. The…
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Steelhead
Exactly What You Wanted
We have a soft spot in our hearts for pictures of people taking pictures of people with fish. Why? Yeah, the whole thing is kind of funny, but also – somehow these shots seem to capture the whole situation that we all hope to find ourselves in prior to a trip. Perfectly composed cover shots…
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Great Fish, Jim.
Hot of the presses, here’s BC West guest Jim Hund last week with his second steelhead ever. The Dean can be kind sometimes! More on Steelhead 6 Ways to Catch More Steelhead Top Posts on Steelhead Steelheading Simplified
First Fish
We’ve caught our first steelhead of the year on the Dean River. On June 6th, BC West guide Cody Haggard captured early chrome. Nice work, Cody. See everybody soon! Steelhead Fly Fishing Tips – 16 Ways Edition 6 Ways to Catch More Steelhead 5 Ways to Avoid Tangles in Your Running Line 5 Ways to…
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5 Ways to Control the Speed of Your Swing
When swinging for anadramous species like king salmon or steelhead, more often than not, the slower the swing the better. As long as it is moving just enough to suggest life in your fly, odds are you are in the game. However, from time to time, increasing the speed of your swing can be just…
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Steelheading Simplified
Today we have a few steelheading tips coming at you from our own Kara Knight. Kara is our lodge manager at B.C. West on the Dean River and knows a thing or two about swinging for steelhead. We asked Kara for a few tips she’s picked up from her time on the Dean that might…
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Slow Your Swing Down First
When you’re swinging flies for steelhead or salmon, there are times when ‘the perfect swing’ doesn’t elicit the response you were hoping for. We’ve all been there, right? Perhaps the presentation goes unnoticed through the bucket, or you feel the slightest hint of a grab, but no fish to follow. Your first thought might be…
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Top Posts on Steelhead
Right about every month or so we run a post where we list for you some of the top content on our site about a particular topic. Today’s topic: steelhead. Why? Because steelhead are awesome. Top Posts on Steelhead Steelhead Rig Roundup. Handy links to the steelhead rigs of expert anglers. Dean River Steelhead Flies…
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It’s How Your Fly Swims That Matters
For anglers learning the basics of swinging flies for steelhead and salmon, the simplest way to think about presentation is to watch the head of the fly line during the swing and make adjustments. We’re taught that, for example, you can speed up your fly by mending in a downstream belly – meaning that the…
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Easy to Swap Leaders
If you’re bouncing around a river swinging flies for steelhead or salmon, you’re probably going to need to swap sinktips every once in a while. You’re hopefully not making a change every 20 minutes, but when you move from a ripping boulder garden to a glassy tailout, you need to make a change. Today’s tip…
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