nymphing verses swinging the fly

I have spent the last couple of weeks fishing the penninsula with a buddy who is a trout guide on the Green river in utah. He consistantly out fished me nymphing glo-bugs under an indicator. Everything I have ever seen about flyfishing for steelhead was the downstream swing. I have caught a lot of fish doing this, but he schooled me with his trout fishing tecniques. Anyone have experience with this?

I fly fish in the summer and in late spring sometimes. Nymphing is a pretty good technique for those slower holes and deep slots. It seems this is a better method for hatchery fish, cause they don't seem to chase a fly like the nates. You have to get the fly down to them with a slower presentation. Swinging seems to work well for the nates, as does nymphing, Nates seem to chase flies more in the colder water, than hatchery fish. This is just what I have found from my fishing experiences. But In the summer, when the water is warmer, Hatchery steelhead will chase a fly, and swinging works well.
--good luck
--Mike Korenko

Nymphing can be an effective method, but there is something about the swing and "grab" that leaves you weak in the knees.

[This message has been edited by Rich (edited 01-11-2000).]

I use nymphing quite a bit especially for sea run cutts in the fall. I think it works better when the fish are lethargic and you can drift the fly right in front of them. That way them having to move for it doesn't cross there minds when they think about eating it.

I'm with you Rich. There's nothing like the grab on the swing. Weak in the knees is right! I've taken several unwanted baths because my leg-to-brain connection has failed.

There really is nothing better than the traditional swing. However, a weighted fly under a indicator will fish water that is almost impossible to approach any other way.Always cracks me up to hear the term "indicator" when it applies to heavy weighted flies and a dink float. We used to call that "bobber fishing".Don't get me wrong. I do break out the jig flies occasionally.(don't tell Russ Miller

Joe
Glad you could put your friend on fish. Talked to a couple of friends who saw you guys fishing (they are still shaking there heads). I have not fished this method, but can easily see how it could have its advantages over swing fishing. Especially in the winter when a slow presentation is important. I also think he can cover more water using this technique. Is it time to switch your spey swing presentation to spey nymphing? Are the glowbugs underwrapped with lead or is the split shot on there? Can't beat them join them.
Tight lines

------------------
Marty
www.steelheader.net
marty@steelheader.net

It's all in the presentation. As with anything. As long as your are nymphing properly you will catch fish. My buddy and I have been using this technique on the penisula this winter. So far we have had good success doing this.

When trout fishing we often use a two nymph rig, Is this legal steelheading outside special regs areas?

I know the plunkers use a double setup all the time. Not sure though