Spey: The Swing

Atlantic salmon brought about the origin of the spey cast. The Steelhead is largely responsible for the modern revolution. And the swing is what started it all. For many people, what it is all about today. The spey rod was specifically created for the wet fly swing method of fly fishing for Atlantic salmon. Without the wet fly swing, there would have been no need for a spey rod as a tool to deliver the fly several hundred years ago on the river Spey. The beginnings of fly fishing (originally for trout) with a wet fly started in a very simple manner. The fly was cast across the current in the area where the fish were holding and allowed to “swing” across that current. As the fly was “swinging” across the current, it created a certain action and movement on the fly that enticed the trout to take the fly, because it looked like an aquatic insect, small fish or some other tasty morsel. Anglers fishing for Atlantic salmon took this productive trout technique and applied it successfully in pursuit of their quarry. This became the fundamental method used to take trout and salmon on a fly and with only small refinements remained that way for centuries right on through today. The swing is a very simple method when compared to the fly fishing techniques of today. The basic method is not nearly as complicated and doesn’t require the equipment of many other modern techniques. All it takes is a rod, reel, line, leader and fly. It is fly fishing in its most simple form: cast across a current, mend the fly when necessary to slow it down, let the current “swing” the fly across and wait for a fish to take. Although simple, there are many intricacies of the swing that have consumed entire books that anglers could spend years trying to master: the types of water the swing is productive in, how fast the fly swings at different length casts, the effect of rod position on fly speed, mending frequency, the size of the mend, and on and on. Each of these subtle factors can greatly influence the productivity of your fishing. For many spey casters, including myself, that is part of the allure of spey fishing. Above all, it is the take on the swing that possesses you to keep casting and fishing; like someone pulling on your shirt–sometimes very aggressive and sudden, other times almost reluctant and tenuous. Regardless, it is the moment when something alive is suddenly felt on the other end of your line and the ensuing moments when all hell breaks loose. As has been said many times, “the tug is the drug.”