5 Tips - Swinging for Kings

Jeff with a Big October Salmon River King

  Salmon Season is just right around the corner for us here in the Northeast. Every Fishing Forum is seeing a lot of traffic along with Face book pages for that first King to be caught. If you plan on swinging flies for kings this season here are 5 tips to help you.

• Cast down and across - With lower flows, a shallow river and heavy flies you don't need to straight across and mend the heck out of it to get it down to King level.
• Keep the fly line in a straight line - Kings like the fly slow and in their face. Cast, mend and hang on.
• Don't set to quick - A king take is head shake, head shake, pull and turn. Wait for the pull before you set the hook. Remember to set low and hard to the bank.
• Put the boots to them - Kings are big, strong fish. The longer the fight lasts, the longer the hook has to work itself free. After the first run or two, Walk backwards and get yourself near the bank. This will help get the fish into shallow water and make it easier to land.
•  Revive the fish - Water temperatures are pretty warm in early September, take the time to revive the fish and make sure they swim off on their own.

  
  



Pineville Bridge progress

Here is a picture of the New Pineville Bridge on July 24th.  The water is flowing at 750 cfs in this shot from the north side of the Salmon River.

White Mouse

"The White Mouse"

                    That spray of water is called "The White Mouse" it's a big part of Spey casting.

Perfect Fly

This fly has been very productive on the Salmon River, is it the perfect fly?  No pun intended.

Start Them Young

"LOCKED"

11 Year old Jessica locked in to a fish with a spey rod on the Salmon River.  Jessica is on her second year with the two handed rod and loves skating dry flies for trout in the summer.

What's in the vise???

Salmon River Caddis-

Hook: AJ size 5
Thread: UTC 140
Tag: Med Holographic Tinsel
Body: Brown Mini flat braid
Wing: Squirrel tail
Hackle: Brown saddle hackle

This is a good fly for the Summer on the Salmon River fished on a floating line.

Spey Nation - June 25, 2011

                                                           
 
Spey Nation offers the unique opportunity for enthusiasts and manufacturers of 2 handed rods to gather in a streamside setting. The Location is the Pineville Boat Launch on the Salmon River in Pineville, NY. And yes, the rumors are true; we are sending one of you to British Columbia again in April of 2012 courtesy of The Spey Lodge!

Spey Nation features a full BBQ sponsored by the Oak Orchard Flyshop, raffles, “On the water” demonstrations, and interaction with some of the biggest names in 2 handed casting from the East and West Coasts. Mixing styles, knowledge, and backgrounds, Great Lakes anglers finally have the opportunity to learn Traditional Spey, Scandinavian, and Skagit techniques from the experts, try specialized equipment on the water and talk with other fishermen in an atmosphere dedicated exclusively to 2-handed casting while enjoying a burger and a brew. Please visit and support our supporters.


The Spey Lodge, Frank Swarner III, Paul’s Guide Service, The West Branch Angler,Scott, Guideline, CND, CF Burkheimer, Airflo, Wild Water Fly Rods, Orvis, The Spey Company, Hardy, Temple Forks Outfitters, Echo, JP Ross, Buelah, Sage, Thomas And Thomas, Ross Reels, No Float Stix, Castle Arms/Heritage Fly Rods, Hatch Reels, Loop Fly Fishing, DTX Mackenzie, Mad River Dubbing Company, The Red Shed Fly Shop, Malindas Fly Shop, Isle-Fish Guide Service, Snake River Oufitters, Tight Lines Fly Shop, The Oak Orchard Fly Shop, River Time Guide Service, Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters, Neversink River Fly Fishing Guide Service.

- Paul