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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swinging flies
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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Fly Tying: Composite Loop Intruder
Ah…King Salmon season. We love King Salmon season. The might King or Chinook Salmon is one of the most sought-after game fish across the world. When it comes to King flies, materials, colors, profile, and movement are the most attributes in a productive King Salmon fly. Does size matter? Sure, depending on conditions. Just because…
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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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Fly Tying: Fox Alevin
Well, it’s springtime. Streams and rivers are starting to open up, and water is beginning to flow. (Channel your best David Attenborough while reading this next part) During this time, a beautiful natural phenomenon occurs; salmon alevin starts to arise from the bottoms of the river. Alevin is the second stage of a salmon’s life…
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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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Fly Tying: Tools You Need
Today’s post is from Mike Brown. Mike is the owner of Mossy’s Fly Shop in Anchorage, Alaska. A lifelong Alaskan with a passion for family, fly fishing, and fly tying. In today’s fly tying world, materials and tools are changing and advancing constantly. You see all kinds of ads telling you about how great this…
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Deneki Chronicles: Spey Fishing – Finish Your Swing with Some Action
Here’s a scenario that most two-handed anglers can relate to; You’ve made a nice cast to the opposite bank, kicked over a big mend, and stepped down the run setting up your swing to perfection. Your fly tracks through the gut of the run at that magical speed at what you’re confident in the perfect…
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Selecting Sink Tips
When swinging flies for salmon and steelhead, a question we get asked a lot is ‘what sink tip should I use?’ or ‘how do I know what sink tip to start with?’ Like all things fly fishing, there is no rule of thumb that pertains to every situation. There are far too many variables…
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Deneki Chronicles: Spey Fishing – Watch How Your Fly Lands
When swinging flies for salmon and steelhead, we talk a lot about the importance of ‘fly profile,’ the broadside silhouette the fly takes on while in the water. Many fly tyers go to great lengths trying to achieve the desired profile, and it is this idea that has stemmed many modern steelhead and salmon patterns….
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