Swinging for Yellows

[Ko7Ad]

I have been wondering if any of you actively swing streamers or other flies for yellows (not talking largies here) on sinking lines and if so what flies and basic gear & technique do you employ?

I am not all that familiar with swinging flies and wondered if it has any application on our waters, especially getting flies down in faster currents.

[Korrie]

Soft hackles and spider patterns have been very succesful for me.

[JadeDsantos]

I have caught quite a few fish on this technique.

I was screwing around on the Orange, changed to an inter-line, and tied on a Dragon as a control fly and then a soft hackle at point. It work really well, you control the drift like most long range nymphing techniques, but then lift and swing across the current at the tail of the run out. I found that sometime the fish like some artificial drag on the flies to induce the take.

[Andre]

You don't need sinking lines, a normal floater, will work fine, its a great technique that has been used for years by many people. the trick is to try and keep the line as straight as possible, and keep in touck, a few twitches on the line also works well. I love this technique.

I have been wondering if any of you actively swing streamers or other flies for yellows (not talking largies here) on sinking lines and if so what flies and basic gear & technique do you employ?

I am not all that familiar with swinging flies and wondered if it has any application on our waters, especially getting flies down in faster currents.

[yella]

I have never done or seen this - can someone please explain the basics to me? Would love to try something new.

[firephish]

google "wet fly downstream"

[Andre]

Its more like "upstream, across and down". You still want to get the longest possible drift.

google "wet fly downstream"

[Andre]

Basics are easy, and not new at all. Been done for years, in fact it was the "de facto method that some yellowfish pioneers used to catch yellows on the Vaal and Orange until Czech nymphing was discovered. Cast out about 45 degrees upstream, allow the flies to drift, while keeping the line straight by drawing in excess line, and mending with the current. Let the flies drift past you, and come across the current downstream... Once the line has straightened behind you, give a few twitches as this is very often when you might get a fish.

I have never done or seen this - can someone please explain the basics to me? Would love to try something new.

[Bryan]

And once your line is directly downstream from you let it lie there a bit. The way the water catches your fly line gives the fly loads of movement and you will be surprised how many fish you can pick up like this.

[Andre]

Yes, also one of the reasons, is that as the line straightens behind you, the flies rise. The fish seem to like this. Make sure when doing this technique, that the you lift as much line off the water as possible, so as to stay directly in touch with the flies. The straighter the line between flies and rod tip, the better you will feel the touches.

And once your line is directly downstream from you let it lie there a bit. The way the water catches your fly line gives the fly loads of movement and you will be surprised how many fish you can pick up like this.