Two-handed Techniques: Step When You Streamer

Two-handed Techniques: Step When You Streamer

The fall is when we think about two-handed rods, swinging flies and anadromous fish runs. We plan to cover a lot more about two-handed fly rods, lines and casting techniques in the months ahead, but here’s a great tip to think about when covering water as a wading angler… 

I learned this swinging, fly-fishing tip from “Mad Max” Mamaev, a Russian guide who splits the months of every given year between Kau Taupen, guiding for sea-run browns in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, and the Ponoi on the Kola Peninsula of Russia–arguably the most productive Atlantic salmon fishery in the world.

Max is probably the most innovative fishing guide I have ever met. He even fashioned his first waders out of a chemical warfare military suit from the Cold War era. So, we were wading and casting at sea-run browns on the Rio Grande in Argentina. It was the “witching hour,” meaning about 11 at night, as the sun was starting to fade. That’s when the browns start to become really active. I would cast, take a tentative step downstream and cast again, but this approach wasn’t connecting with many fish.

We were swinging big, articulated black streamers on floating lines, using two-hand rods to cover the swath. Max said, “Step more and move!” and I thought he was full of beans, so I handed him the rod. Of course, two casts later, he was tied into a sixteen-pound sea-run brown.

The lesson learned, and the point is this: If you diddle your way along as you’re swinging streamers, you only telegraph your presence to the fish. They don’t want to see the fly approach in five different ways. For a fish to attack a swung streamer, they want it to appear all of the sudden.

Move too fast, and you blow by the fish. Move too slow, and you telegraph your presence.

I took this lesson home, and it works whether I’m swinging streamers on the Pere Marquette in Michigan or the Upper Colorado River. Stick and move with streamers. Make the cast and drift you like, then take three giant steps downstream before you fire again. This applies to steelhead or any other fish you are swinging for.

Thoughtful, but aggressive, wading increases your odds of finding active fish, not the opposite. – Kirk Deeter

Castwork Profile: Tim Mosolf

Tim was fishing the Smith River during a fall steelhead run many years ago. A father and son were walking up the riverside, just as Tim had hooked into a large buck.

“The little kid couldn’t have been much more than seven,” Tim recalls. “And he looks and points at me with this fish banging on the rod, and shouts, ‘Look Dad, a hippie’s got a steelhead!’”

Tim, in fact, did play a part in the Northern California hippie scene. He is a music aficionado. When he lived in Carmel, he drove to San Francisco to see many epic Fillmore West concerts. He maintained a string of going to the legendary Grateful Dead New Years eve concerts, and points out that he saw the mid-seventies appearances, when the Dead were running on all cylinders.

These days, Tim still enjoys music, but rather than sold out-stadium shows, he simply prefers playing his banjo on the front porch.

Read the entire essay from Castwork: Reflections of Fly Fishing Guides and the American West (2002).

Product Buzz

We review the IcyBreeze Ultimate Cooler, Winston PURE 2 8-foot 3-inch 4-weight Fly Rod, Patagonia Guidewater Backpack (29L), Ross Animas Fly Reel, RIO Elite Gold Fly Line and Cheeky All-Day Freshwater Fly Line. GearJunkie reviews the Best Camping Hatchets of 2024. MidCurrent reviews the Orvis Guide Sling Pack: a reasonably priced sling made from “100% recycled CORDURA.” Hatch reviews the Hardy Averon fly reel: “significantly better reel than the Ultradisc ULDA, with a smoother drag and better frame design. It flawlessly handled big trout, and balanced a variety of rods.” Men’s Journal researches the Best Technical Clothing for Fall Fly Fishing and reviews a pair of Bajio Sunglasses. From Field & Stream: Big Fall Pike On Surface Flies, Choosing the Right Rod for Fish and Fly Size and an Interview with Tanner Sutton, the Founder of Free Fly (a Charleston-based outdoor apparel company).

Fly-fishing News

Check out the BONEDALE FISHING REPORTS thirteen and fourteen, featuring legendary guide, Kea Hause, from Colorado’s Roaring Fork valley. The Braker Bros have a deep passion for brook trout conservation in the Appalachian Mountains–check out their story about how AI data collection and OnWater are joining forces to help save the species. Some classic two-handed videos: Desert Dries on the roadless Lower Deschutes River with steelhead devotee, Jeff Hickman; swinging flies for sea run browns on Argentina’s Rio Grande River; Hannah Belford (Flylab Pro) owns and runs Damdochax River Lodge, one of the world’s most remote, pristine and private steelhead lodges in British Columbia. Help Florida fishing guides devastated by the hurricanes by checking out the Captains Collective Guide Relief Initiative. Exploring the middle reaches of the Rio Blanco River with angler Eduardo Barrueto from Coyhaique, Chile: “Big browns lying under complex woody debris that’s common in these rainforest rivers of coastal Chile eagerly followed streamers cast tight to the banks.”

Recent Press

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Scott, we couldn’t agree more–hit us up for a membership sign-up code…

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“Love to see you guys roll out travel and lodge discounts–then you’d have my attention.” – Chris, Flylab Fan

Chris, we’re constantly adding to our partner list and know a lot of consumers are thinking about travel. More to come soon…

We’re always looking for Flylab feedback–send any comments, thoughts, suggestions, and we’d love to hear from you.

Scouting Report

We’re hard at work hunting down the coolest new products, brands and partners you’ve never heard of.

Jans Mountain Outfitters

Since 1980, JANS has provided expertise in outdoor equipment, apparel, tuning and guiding for alpine skiing, nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, road biking, fly fishing, hiking and rock climbing in Park City, Utah. They proudly consider themselves the biggest, oldest and most experienced outdoor recreation store in the area, with a staff happy to share their knowledge and expertise.

Flylab discount: 10% off all products (fishing, snow, outdoors).

Partner Spotlight

Vail Valley Anglers

Vail Valley Anglers is managed by JP Modderno and Andy Leister and their team of expert fly fishermen. They have been operating fly-fishing outfitting businesses in the Vail area for over 25 years. VVA has rebuilt operations with the industry best in gear, clothing and outfitting and are focused on providing the highest level of in-store service and guided trips.

Flylab discount: 10% off all products. 

If you’re a fly shop, outfitter, fishing lodge or outdoor brand and interested in becoming a new Flylab partner, learn more about our program here. Join the best partner network in fly fishing.