How do you fly for s & s?

[Spydeyrch]

So, how do you do it? :think: How do you fly fish for s&s (salmon & steelhead)?

What rod do you use? Make, model, length, wt? Single hand, double, switch, spey?

What line do you use? Floating, sink tip, shooting, skagit,?

What casting technique(s) do you use? Do you spey cast?

Do you use dries, nymphs, streamers?

Do you swing?

Have I left anything out?

I am interested in see how everyone does their s&s fly fishing. I want to try and get a good picture of what people use and how they use it. I am going to be getting some s&s gear come the new year and I want to take into account how others do it to see what works and what doesn't. Plus it will help give me a better understanding of what is out there, how it is used, how it is done, and what I really want.

Thanks again to everyone!! :clap:

-Spydey

 

[redhawk50]

I use a 7/8 14foot Spey with Skagit head for swinging bu since I don't have a boat I always bring along my 8 weight 9.5 foot single hand rod if the water looks better for nymphing. Got the rio changeable line for that to cover most situations. So I am lucky enough to have the gear to do what ever seems to fit the water. If I could I would swing with my Spey all day but finding space to do that doesn't always work out. Of course swinging Spey is not really because it catches more fish but more of I enjoy doing it and it helps me relax.

 

[halibuthitman]

8wt lami mated with a Ross CLa 5 filled with Royal wulff Ambush. (swing)
8wt sage RPL mated with either a Konic or pfluegar trion filled with 444 ( drift/swing )
7wt Hardy Demon assorted reel/line pairings of reels and SA Mastery series lines ( nymphing )
6wt Sage SFL Hardy perfect filled with SA double taper ( bead rod )

 

[brandon4455]

i use a 9ft 8wt rod and i usually nymph or dredge but i will swing.

I really want a 10ft 8wt switch though

 

[mlw]

13'-2"" 7wt(DH) Beulah Platinum Spey, Meiser/SGS Mendmaster running line, Rio Flight skagit head, for big stuff
10-8 7wt(SH) Switch, from a Rainshadow blank. Meiser/SGS Skandit line for the lighter stuff.
Michael

 

[ninja2010]

i have 2 tfo deer creeks - a 13' 7wt paired with a hardy reel spooled with airflo compact skagit line; an 11' 9wt paired with a lamson reel spooled with airflo skagit switch line. i carry several tips in various lengths and ranging from floating to extra fast sink.

most, if not all, of my casts are water borne that do not require much back room to launch the big nasties.

i'm reworking my winter box right now, but for the most part, i chuck intruders and leeches. summer flies range from skunks to shrimps.

i choose to swing coz i've never experienced the grab on a tight line yet... so don't listen to a word i say...

 

[Irishrover]

13' St Croix 7/8 spey rod with a Teton Tioga loaded with 540 grain airflo compact skagit line. I swing flies and sometimes hunt the pocket water. I uses a single hand 7wt for smaller water. I like swinging with the spey rod because It's a lot of fun and relaxing.

 

[john montana]

I used to fish for summers and coho with a single hand st Croix 8 wt (avid). This year I picked up a 7 wt echo sr switch. Fishing a generic fish field reel and a wt forward 9 wt floating line. The trick will be if I can figure out how to use this sucker to actually catch something.

 

[waco]

My set up is the cheapest of the cheapest but I have catch a lot of fish with it
I have a 9' 7-8wt martin mountain brook (I paid $100 for the whole set up) I'm looking for a better one this 2012!

 

[Van]

I have an 8/9wt TFO NXT, 8 wt Redington Crosswater, 7wt Cabelas 3 Forks and im pretty sure i will have an Echo Ion this time tomorrow. I really want to pick up a switch rod and learn some spey techniques just so i have the knowledge and the option if conditions on site call for it. I think that will happen soon too but i am mainly focused on 1 handed casting and swinging streamers and dries. I will use nymphs occasionally but generally dont care to.