Swinging flies in low, clear water - Fish further away

Deneki Outdoors

We’ve said it many times before, but when swinging flies for salmon and steelhead a common mistake made by many spey anglers is actually casting too far – often missing out on the good fishy water right in front of them.

However, casting far is fun! And today our own Jason Whiting lends a tip when it might be a good idea to actually chuck a little further, and extend the distance between you and the water you’re covering.

Low and clear water? Fish further away.

When swinging flies for anadromous fish, low or clear water can create many challenges. Fish can see you much easier and tend to be far more spooky. Well, if you’re fishing such conditions, and you feel like you are fishing well, but just can’t get those fish to eat, try making a longer cast to your target!

Don’t change the area you want to fish, but let’s say you’re standing 40 feet from point ‘X’ that you want your fly to land on. Keep that same target, but try moving upstream so that you are now positioned say 70 feet from the same target. This will allow you and all the movements you are making to be just that much farther from those spooky fish.

Of course, one thing to take note of is that this will change your swing angle, speed, and depth considerably, so adjust how you let your fly sink accordingly.

In the end, there is no definite science on how to approach those spooky fish when water conditions aren’t ideal, but the next time you find yourself fishing low or clear water and just can’t get those fish to eat, give this a try.

Originally published here.