Top Five Trout Spey Flies for Summer
I like to swing flies, a lot.
It is not always the best technique, but it’s not in my nature to put down the spey rod for long. Beyond effectiveness, it is an enjoyable style of fishing. It’s deliberate. It’s laid back. It’s showing a fly to the fish and giving them ample opportunity to eat it. If they like it, they will respond and when they eat, it’s a jolt on a tight line.
Another thing about swinging is it covers water. When fish are rising, you can pin-point them, but when they are rising sporadically, you can often search them out with a swung fly easier than with a dry.
No. 1. Bead Head Caddis Pupa
Fly number one on my list is the Umpqua Bead Head Caddis Pupa in #14 or #16. An olive bead head caddis is a summertime staple, and this fly typically runs point followed by fly choice numbers two or three. The gold bead supplies just enough weight to sink the unweighted fly trailing behind. At times of heavy caddis emergence, fish eat it like popcorn.
no. 2. Translucent Caddis Pupa
Fly number two is Solitude’s Translucent Caddis Pupa in #14 or #16. This is currently my favorite trailing fly. You can run it behind just about anything and it will get plenty of eats with caddis around, which means it’s a good fly throughout much of the late spring and summer. Leading it with the bead head pupa adds some attraction and supplies the initial sink needed for a corresponding lift at the swings end. Whether or not that's what the fish think, I find this combination to be effective.
No. 3. PMD Soft Hackle
Rainy’s PMD Biot Soft Hackle in #14 or #16 fills the summer mayfly genre. When PMD hatches are rolling, this one's a winner. I typically trail it behind the Bead Head Caddis Pupa when I want to get it deeper. If fish are seen working near the surface, I will sometimes fish this one solo without the leading bead head pattern. The fun thing about swinging the film is the eats will be visual.
no. 4. Fly Project BAM BAM Minnow
You always need some streamers in the arsenal and the Fly Project BAM BAM Minnow has become a top producer on the swing. It's not flashy. It’s not too big. It’s a general minnow or juvenile gamefish that fills the niche when predators are looking for something a little more protein packed than an insect. It simply hunts trout. I swing this one early and late in the day when the sun is off the water, or when I just want to get a connection and nothing else is happening.
No. 5. Fly Project Flash N’ Grab
The TFP Flash N’ Grab is a flashy reaction fly that comes in top form when flows are low late in the summer. Cast it across riffles or shallow bucket runs and let her rip. You can’t swing this one too fast. I will often throw in a downstream mend and give the fly some pulses as it swings. The eats can be exhilarating. Fish it though skinny hopper water and watch fish light it up. This is a great fly to swing when insects are not showing or after the daily hatches are over.
If you employ these five flies in your summertime arsenal, I expect you will have some success. Swinging flies is not a technique employed by many anglers. All I can say is that they are missing out on some great action and enjoyment. Swing the fly.
