North 40 Fly Shop eMagazine August 2016 | Seite 18

DRY LINE

SEASON
The Joy Of Swinging For Summer Steelhead With A Floating Line
BY JOE O'BRIEN - LEWISTON FLY SHOP MANAGER

Whether you have only caught bits of a
discussion on lines for two hand rods in a
fly shop, or have been chasing steelhead
with them since their modern conception,
it is quite obvious everyone has an
opinion on which line system is the proper
tool for certain steelheading scenarios.
Unfortunately, many speak in terms of
absolutes. In such a complex sport there is
no such thing, rather just a preferred method
to maximize enjoyment and appreciation for
the fish we pursue. And finally, there is more
than one way to catch a fish.
I believe if one wants to have the fullest
appreciation for the natural abilities of
Snake River basin steelhead, you must
encounter one, with a fly, somewhere near
the surface. Making the connection to a
summer steelhead, a fish that has little to

no business eating anything on a migration
ultimately to spawn, with this method is
unlike anything else.
Trying to conceptualize the phenomenon of
a sea run fish as wary as the steelhead rising
to somewhere near the surface to take a
swung fly, is only understood when one takes
a closer look at their life cycle in its entirety.
Not every steelhead in the river will be in the
right mood to rise to a fly just under or on the
surface. In fact, very few will. But when you
do raise a fish with your swung fly, chances
are it will take you for a wild ride.
The floating line system is delightfully
simple. Hooking a fish with this system is a
primal connection. I can’t speak for everyone,
but having a fly in the water with the
potential to raise a summer steelhead, brings
me pure joy. It’s dry line season.