SKAGIT CASTING: KEY TIPS

SCANDINAVIAN SHOOTING HEADS TO SKAGIT SHOOTING HEADS

Written by Deschutes Angler Guide Evan Unti

Transitioning from Scandinavian Heads to Skagit Heads

It is now that time of year to pull out the Skagit Head, Sink-Tips and Big Flies and start chasing those stunning Winter monsters.  The heavy rains, swollen river and variable conditions are few things that make Winter Steelhead fishing so attractive. But I often find the transition difficult from casting elegant and effortless floating lines to the heavy and often clunky Skagit heads .  I understand it's commonly stated that your casting stroke shouldn't change from Scandi to Skagit, but the fact of the matter it does and has to, to utilize the power of the Skagit head.

Shortening the Casting Stroke

The number one thing to remember is that your Skagit head is shorter and heavier which means you have less line to move and you don't need to move very quickly to generate tremendous load on the rod. This is one of the many reasons Skagit heads have become so popular among Steelhead anglers. Because the line is short, it is necessary to slow and shorten your stroke to maintain a continuous load on the rod from start to finish.  As opposed to a Scandi head, you don't want to hesitate between the sweep of the cast and the forward stroke.  With a Scandi head, a hesitation is required to make sure the line and leader are in a straight line pointed at the target. Because Skagit heads are short when you sweep the rod around to the forward casting position, the line, sink-tip and leader will be in a straight line so just move into the forward stroke with no hesitation. If you hesitate between the sweep and forward cast, your D-Loop will collapse and thus you will lose the load on the rod.

Sustaining the Load for Maximum Skagit Head Power

Another key component to sustaining the load throughout the cast is making sure you let your sink-tip sink after setting the line up either for a Double Spey, Snap-T or Perry Poke. By letting the sink-tip sink you are ensuring that the Skagit head has a lot of resistance as you sweep the rod around to ensure maximum load. The amount of sink needed is largely based on the tip and fly you are using.  A heavy fly and sink-tip don't require much sink time, while a light tip and fly require more sink time to get the same amount of resistance.  You will have to play around with the various set-ups you use based on river conditions to gauge how much sink time is required for each set up. 

Use Your Body to Move the Spey Rod

The last ingredient to making a smooth transition from Scandi to Skagit is to fight the urge to lift your arms as you sweep the rod around your body.  Remember that the line, sink-tip and leader follow your rod tip.  This means if you begin to lift the rod during the sweep, the line, sink-tip and leader will also begin to lift translating into a blown anchor. Be sure you sweep the rod around your body smoothly on an even plane ensuring that the anchor will not leave the water during the sweep.  I typically try to keep my elbows glued to the side of my body and use my body rather than my arms to move the rod.  If you focus on using your body, the rod has no choice but to travel smoothly on an even plane which translates into consistent casting.  The more consistent you cast, the more efficiently you will cover the water which usually means more fish. 

Let Your Spey Cast Rip

Now get out on the river with your skagit line and ease yourself back into the game by keeping the cast shorter and controlled so you can focus on the fundamentals of the cast.  Once you are dialed back in then begin to the lengthen the cast to the necessary length and fire your way into a beautiful Winter Steelhead. 

CHASING DESCHUTES STEELHEAD

TACTICS FOR CHASING LATE DESCHUTES STEELHEAD

Written By Deschutes Angler Guide Steve Light

Are There Still Steelhead In The Deschutes River?

No need to hang up the cleats just yet. The Summer Steelhead season has a little life left in her. Now’s the time to dig deep. The river is up, cold, colored and void of anglers. But the hope of chrome is still alive and kicking. For those die-hard Deschutes Steelheaders this is the time for a late Summer-Run beast. And I mean a real BEAST! No need to be at the 'Moss Hole' at 4:15 am to reserve your rock. There hasn’t been anyone around since the end of October.

What Do You Want To Bring To The Deschutes?

Don’t bring your Floating Lines and Small Wet Flies to this show. Think “dump truck”. AIRFLO’s Intermediate Compact Skagit Heads, RIO's Skagit Intermediate Head, RIO’s Heavy MOW Tips, Black and Gold Cold Medicine, 12lb Maxima Ultragreen, and a flask of Single Malt Scotch.  Alright now, let’s find a juicy tank to run this through.

Deschutes Angler Fly Shop Late Steelhead Essentials

Where To Look For The Late Deschutes Steelhead?

Forget about the water that you fished in August. Well, not entirely anyway. Right about where you got out of the run is where you now get in. Sure it’s up to your arm pits, and 40 degrees but these are the honey spots. On top of that, you’re also going to be fishing greasy, super-soft, gushy, slow water that oooozes its way towards the Columbia River. I think I could empty my flask whilst the fly slowly finds its way.  Keep in mind that these fish lay up in this water as temperatures plummet from a spunky 56 degrees to a frosty 40. Slow and low is the theme for these late Deschutes Summer runs. The integrity of the water will also require a slower pace as you creep your way through the run. So pay close attention to how your fly reaches the bank below you.

Critical Points And Presentation

Line management is critical to the presentation for these late Deschutes Summer run Steelhead.  Lots and lots of mending and straightening.  The Deschutes Angler Guides have found that the key to sniffing out these Steelhead is to keep a direct connection to the fly so you can feel the most subtle of grabs. The typical summer take feels like a Burlington Northern hit a cow on the tracks and the late fall bruisers can sometimes feel like a kitten playing with a ball of yarn. Be patient! Wait for it ... wait ... OK, NOW!

How We Stay Warm While Catching These Late Run Steelhead

Nope, it's not August anymore so outside of different tackle, you'll need some dry, toasty warm, bad-ass winter gear from top to bottom. I don't think you can top a Merino Wool Beanie to keep your cranium lucid. Cover your torso up with Simms' new Bulkley Jacket. This GORE-TEX and Primaloft Insulation can tackle the burliest of what Mother Nature tosses your way. Throw your old crusty leaky Neoprene Waders away, you'll need to fit yourself with Simms' New redesigned G4 Pro Wader to keep the cold flowing Deschutes out. Layer up with Patagonias' Insulated Pant atop of Patagonia's Marino Wool bottoms. You can keep your tootsies warm with a pair of Simms Super Toasty Wader Socks. Since falling in the river is not in the program, keep yourself upright with Simms Felt Guide Boots and a Collapsible Wading Staff as an added insurance policy.

Stay Toasty My Friends.

HAZEL TUBE FLIES FOR WINTER STEELHEAD

Casting Big Flies For Winter Steelhead

Most of us here at Deschutes Angler Fly Shop love fishing larger flies in the Winter for Steelhead, not because they can be more potent, but because they allow us to create and tie flies which exhibit movement i.e. articulation, that we know the Steelhead can't resist. The key with Big Steelhead Flies has been finding the right materials to make them come to life.  Flies which hold a large profile and are still fairly easy to cast are optimal for Winter Steelhead Fishing. There are so many Winter Steelhead Flies on the market right now with lots of fantastic characteristics but most feel like wet towels when you try to cast them (ex. MOAL Leech). Finding the balance between materials, weight, bulk, size and cast-ability is a difficult proposition.

Tube Fly System And Materials That Work The Best?

Along with Amy, the majority of the Guiding Crew and Staff at Deschutes Angler have been tying Winter Tube Flies.  Pro Tube Fly System has given us a unique platform for creative fly tying.  All the parts of the Pro Tube Fly System fit together like Legos - easy, fun and convenient when tying multiple Tube Flies.  While tying the Pro Tube Steelhead Flies, we utilize materials like Barred Ostrich Plumes, Rhea Plumes, Golden Pheasant, Amherst Head and Finn Raccoon which pulsate in the water with bulk, but without unnecessary water absorption.  These Tube Flies are also great to tie because you have multiple weight and head options.  For instance, if one prefers, dumbbell eyes can be substituted in place of the Tube Fly System weights.  Another advantage of the Tube Fly is that it utilizes a short-shanked hook.  When casting a Steelhead Tube Fly, the hook stays in line with the body of the fly.  The advantage being, it is very unlikely that the angler will foul hook his own leader, as he can easily do when casting an articulated Intruder Style Fly.  With these short-shanked hooks, fishermen can play their fish without fear that a long-shanked hook is working its way loose with every jump and head-shake.

Stay tuned for more on the Pro Tube Fly System and these Winter Steelhead Tube Flies.  We will be putting up a few video's in the next few days to show how we tie these magical fruits.

Beautiful Steelhead Tube Fly Tied By Amy Hazel

Beautiful Steelhead Tube Fly Tied By Amy Hazel