FISHING SINK-TIPS: THE FUNDAMENTALS

FISHING SINK-TIPS FOR WINTER STEELHEAD

Written by Deschutes Angler Guide Evan Unti

The Challenge of Sink-Tip Fishing

Sink-tip fishing presents many challenges to any angler because of all the variables involved from selecting the proper tip to presenting the fly as slowly as possible. What really makes sink-tip fishing difficult is coming to grips with where exactly your fly is in relationship to your line. Floating line fishing is much easier because the line and fly are in the same strata of the water column making it easier to assess where the fly is. Once the fly begins to drop through the water column, it enters strata that is moving at a slower pace then the surface strata. And because we can't see the fly it is easy to lose track of where the fly is and whether it is swinging slowly.

Common Misperception about Sink-Tip Fishing

Typically, if you cast the fly across the river and throw a big mend into it and then let the fly swing around, unbeknownst to you, the fly and sink-tip have a giant belly. Even if the visible floating section is straight, this does not mean the tip and fly are in a straight line with the floating section because of the slower sub-surface currents. Obviously if the fly and tip are lagging behind the line, the fly is not swinging slowly throughout presentation. You certainly can cast straight across to help get the fly down once you have a good feel for the relationship of the fly and sink-tip to your Skagit belly, but this takes time. Depth is not as important as the speed of the fly which is always something to keep in mind.

Getting In Touch With Your Fly

To get in touch with your fly requires time on the water and the more you fish the better understanding you will have. To start the process, the easiest way to get in touch with your fly is to feel the fly pulling on the rod tip before you allow the fly to start the full swing. The easiest way to facilitate this process is to cast the fly at 45 degree angle down and across and then throw one mend into the line to allow the fly to sink a little and make sure the line, sink-tip and fly are in a straight line. After making the mend, keep the rod perpendicular to the main current until you really feel the fly pulling on the rod tip and then allow the rod to come around nice and slow maintaining tension. By maintaining tension you should be able to feel the fly pulling on the rod tip throughout the swing.

Casting Angle and Water Types

Different water types demand different casting angles and presentation. For example, a heavy riffle with a defined current seam demands a more straight across presentation to get the fly to move through the main seam. Fortunately, you have faster currents in the middle of the river to help straighten the fly out making this kind of water fairly easy to get a good presentation. But there are many great pieces of water that are more open flats and tail outs where the current speed is fairly even from bank to bank. This kind of water requires more attention to make sure everything is lined up straight to facilitate a slow swing. The best casting angle is going to be more down and across to make sure everything is straight.

Get Out on the Water Alot

The better you get at detecting the fly and sink-tip and making the necessary adjustments to straighten everything out, the more opportunities you are going to have. The more opportunities you have the more likely you are to bump into an often allusive Winter Steelhead. Of course this requires time, so get out as much as possible and keep it straight.