The Wet Fly SwingWritten by Cameron Larsen
The wet fly swing sounds like something one does at square dance hall. Instead wet fly swing is one of oldest fly fishing techniques. It is used for all types of fish, where ever there is a current. Winter steelhead, salmon, big trout in big rivers, and even striped bass, are all prey that often require use of the’ wet-fly swing’. When to use it The wet fly swing is designed to get fly down deep quickly and swing it in front of desired fish. Trout anglers use it when fish are holding deep, and not rising for any particular hatch. Winter steelheaders use it when steelhead loathe to move in cold water and sit in between feeding lanes or lie in pocket water. Striped bass anglers find wet fly swing works baitfish imitations in current, to give them a lifelike presentation, that fools fish again and again. The wet fly swing is most often used with streamers, like Woolly Bugger or Muddler Minnow and sometimes wet flies, like soft hackles or nymphs. It is used whenever fly fisher wants his presentation to appear to be swimming freely in current. Preferably broadside to current, while fish will be waiting either in pocket water behind big rocks, or in a seam where current changes speed. It can also be used in tailouts below pools. Rigging Most fly fishing anglers will use wet fly swing with a sinking tip line. The weight will depend on species of fish and size of water. Steelheaders and salmon anglers will be using 8 or above, and it goes on down for other game fish. The point is you will want to rig fairly big, as you will not only be fighting fish, but current as well, and often times current that is deep. The leaders tend to be shorter than average, as you want fly to follow sinking tip line, and not rise up in current. As take will be deep, you don’t want to have to set hook with a lot of slack leader. Depth is of importance, as generally this technique is used for fish lying deep. If you aren’t getting depth you want, than try adding more weight, a larger fly, or switching lines. I try to avoid a sinking line, as I like line to lie on water, for ease of control, casting, and of course, setting that hook.
| | Sailing Hints & TipsWritten by Yannis Moraitis
I spend almost all my summers sailing around Greek islands. With this small article I would like to share some sailing hints with you that will help you enjoy most out of your sailing holidays. • When moored or anchored, use your sun tent and stay under it most of time. Our friend, Sun, sometimes can be dangerous, especially during summertime. • Be cautious on board and if possible, always wear a pair of soft boat shoes. This way you will protect your feet and deck surface. When sailing, avoid walking on deck without particular reason and in rough weather, remember to use your life belt. • If you have children on board, let them sit outside but always in cockpit wearing a life vest. • Before operating electric anchor winch, start motor and run it at aprox 1.200 to 1.500 rpm in neutral. This is necessary in order not to exhaust service battery, as consumption of winch is extremely high. Our recommendation is to low your anchor manually and collect it using remote control. Whenever using anchor winch (dropping or collecting your anchor) be very careful with your fingers. An electric anchor winch is a great facility but also extremely danger with careless use. • Remember to use electric refrigerator only with motor running. • Many yachts are equipped with a switch with which you may connect two batteries, to have more power to start your motor. You can keep them connected, as long as your motor is running. When you stop motor, remember to disconnect them. This will protect you, to be without electric power in case that you will forget, for example, electric refrigerator running. • When you moor in a port, always have a fender between your yacht and quay, so even if your anchor for any reason is unable to keep you in position, yacht will not touch quay. Take care of swell that big ferries cause and avoid mooring yacht close to place these boats anchor.
|
