THE BLUE LINE FALL TROUT SPEY STARTER PACK
By A.M. Giacoletto
Hi, I’m Alec and I’m a swinger. No, no, no… no… not that kind of swinger, but the fly swinger. A Spey fisherman; a provocateur of the two-handed fly rod and associated tactics; a sultan of swing; a member of the entourage of intruders; a man of maribou and a big line bomber. It matches the artistry and delicacy of dry flies and the efficiency and broad applications of nymphs. Originally a tackle method designed for Atlantic salmon in post-renaissance Europe (named after the River Spey in Scotland), Spey fishing is arguably the longest standing fly fishing tradition. Today, anglers use it as a primary tactic in pursuing Pacific salmon and steelhead, and recently, rod and line manufacturers designed products around trout (a.k.a, micro) Spey methods with lighter rods, lines, and sink tips compared to those of anadromous fish.
I jumped on the bandwagon in 2018 while working at a fly shop in West Yellowstone, Montana, which put on an annual Spey event every September known as Trout Spey Days. Companies from around the fly fishing industry sent sales representatives and manned booths to feature Spey related products while attendees took classes, sought private casting instruction, tested associated products, and mingled with like-minded Spey enthusiasts. On the banks of the Madison River upstream of Hebgen Lake and downstream of Yellowstone Park’s boundary, a fabled trout Spey destination, I fell in love with the methodical casting techniques and the satisfaction of nailing a perfect anchor, sweep, and cast into a shooting fly line across the river.
By no means am I a swing expert, but I know more experienced swingers – I mean Spey fishermen who are willing to help anglers feel more comfortable and confident in their journey… as a Spey fisherman… and technically as swingers… but not the gross kind.
As per usual, one who wishes to try the Spey (swinger) lifestyle needs appropriate tools for the job, which includes flies, and who better to supply those flies than your favorite online fly shop Blue Line Co. (no, “flies,” are not a euphemism for something else in this case), so here are my recommendations for the unofficial Blue Line Trout Spey-Boy Starter Pack:
Concepts and Approach
Before I bloviate about my perspective on Blue Line focused Spey flies, I desire to share my approach and thought process in the tactics and tackle I consider. Before I continue, if you are as unfamiliar with two-hand fly rod techniques (Spey or switch rod principles and tactics), research one of the numerous articles introducing the concepts found online. This list is for those already familiar with Spey fishing, or for those with a general understanding of it who are curious what flies to throw. First, my standard trout Spey combo is a three-weight, 11-11.5-foot rod with a large arbor machined reel (a 5-6 weight one-hander line capacity) and a 240 grain Skagit head fully integrated into the running line. My leader wallet, which carries various tips in differing sink rates; personally, my tip line-up includes an intermediate, S-2, S-4, and S-6. I own a line with a Scandi head, but I rarely use it as the Skagic head casts streamers and heavy flies better than the long, progressive taper of the Scandi. For trout Spey, all my lines are fully integrated as opposed to detachable heads looped to laser lines. It’s more convenient to the trout Spey realm, but, as a downside, it reduces the maximum casting range. In most micro and Trout Spey scenarios, the fully integrated heads and lines cast far enough to effectively fish a run even on wide rivers. Keep in mind, swinging flies on a Spey rod, on average, doesn’t produce more fish but it allows anglers to show their flies to more fish.
Schlap Dawg
Let’s start with the first Blue Line fly I confidently fished on my trout Spey: Schlap(-ah-dah-base) Dawg. This zonker-strip menace with a pulsating, thin profile boasts so much natural movement in its materials that it throws a better swing party than a hedonistic movie star couple from Hollywood (okay, that’s the last one – I promise – I’ll stop). I’ve had particular luck hitting fall run rainbows (yes, those exist in certain places) with this puppy, but it works in most all trout Spey scenarios. Olive and white is the most consistent color choice, in my experience, in terms of a swung streamer, but that isn’t to say chartreuse and natural are a bad option. This fly is not weighted, so I generally use an S-4 or S-6 sink tip to keep it down in the water column.
The Zonk
How does that song go? Zonk-Zonk Riot? That’s it right? Yeah, that’s it. The jazzy funk tune about the irresistible nature of this fly whenever it crosses a trout's line of sight, and that overwhelming temptation only multiplies when swung (by a swinger – damnit, I can’t stop) on a trout Spey. It’s a compact streamer with, similar to the Schlap Dawg, a wispy zonker-strip tail that causes pulsation and fluttering. The Zonk is tied with a heavy dumbbell head with thicker materials, so it pushes water more aggressively and sinks independently at a faster rate than ol’ Schalpy. Olive, white, and natural all work. Whatever process of cycling through streamer colors you use, apply it here.
Scooter Pie Sculpin
The Scooter Pie Sculpin is the Zonk tied at a larger size with more bells, whistles, and dramatic flare swingers love (I know, it’s old – I know). I use this fly in most situations and applications I use a Zonk, but when the Zonk isn’t big enough, for whatever reason, yet I can keep the presentation, so if I feel the need to fish a fly with more size but the same profile, I grab a slice of Scooter Pie (hold the ice cream).
The Stinger Minnow
Of all the flies on this list, the Stinger Minnow is the one actually designed with swingers in mind (similar to the “errotic” forum on the now-defunct Backpage.com – c’mon, at least give me credit for this one). This bad boy is a depth charge of pulsating maribou, flashy fibers, a forceful, water pushing head, and thiqq (yes, two qs) dumbbell eyes to initiate an instant plunge into the depths. As mentioned, Spey is a traditionally salmon and steelhead fishing technique, and it’s believed one is not a real Spey fisherman until he lands a steelhead on a two-handed rod (I’m certain there’s a joke, reference, euphemism related to swingers I’m missing here, but I can’t put my finger on it), so by that logic I am not a real Spey fisherman, nor have I ever claimed to be (yet I aspire to become one soon). On that same logic, the Stinger Minnow is technically the truest Spey fly on this list because a white stinger minnow caught a steelhead in Idaho two years ago – oh yeah, ‘tis true. For those Spey (swing) purists out there who thumb their nose at “These lowly trout streamers, I do say, my good sir, I do, haven’t-eth the lineage of his majesty’s steelhead flies;” que pinkies in the air. Well, my good sir, I present a tried and true Spey fly tested and certified on chrome. Oh, and it catches trout like a magnet, so have one in your micro Spey box, too. One thing to note, it is heavy enough to cause issues for a three weight trout Spey when casted. In the micro swing world (ha, ha), this fly is best fished on a four or five-weight two-hander.
Mini-Meat
In numerous ways, one of the smallest articulated streamers on the market is the opposite of the aforementioned Stinger Minnow: it’s light, the materials are sparsely tied, and the action creates a darting motion rather than a jigging or plunging. The Mini-Meat fishes well on nearly any sized rod and its versatility allows it to be swung and swam efficiently. This pattern holds a permanent place in my fly line up, regardless of my use of a one-handed rod or a two-hander. Essentially two hooks wrapped in marabou, the Mini-Meat is a simple, yet elegant pattern designed for a more civilized age. Marabou is as quality of a natural movement material when in the water as anything else, so the slim profile, fluttering fibers, and castability make it a perfect streamer to swing consistently throughout the day. Not to mention fish eat it about everywhere I’ve ever used it. On a slow day, swing a Mini-Meat.
The BLC Leech
Anyone who reads the blog consistently knows this one is on the list. The Larry Bird of flies – the Blue Line Swiss Army Knife – the creme de la creme of streamers. This fly crushes trout to carp and everything in between. Some of my biggest browns, most of my carp, and my biggest smallmouth bass this year came on a black BLC Leech. Additionally, and more pertinent to this article, it’s one of my top Spey flies because it's a leech pattern. Leech patterns do everything. Whether it operates as a streamer, nymph, or dropper, leeches are the duct tape of the fly world – it works on everything. Confidence is crucial in all aspects of fishing, and new Spey fishermen (a.k.a., inexperienced swingers – I’ve only begun) need a series of confidence flies built on early, consistent success. If I had to pick one fly to use with my trout Spey to catch a fish, and that fate of the universe depends on my success, I’m checking Larry Bird into the game; I’m fishing the BLC Leech.
Schlappen Bugger
What fly list would be complete without a Wooly Bugger variation? Enter the Schlappen Bugger, a bugger tied with a schlappen wrap around the head from Blue Line. I keep a full color line-up in my swing box as it's rarely a poor option. It's light, easy to cast, and swings similar to the old school Spey lines from its Atlantic salmon days. A Scandi line easily casts this fly, so for those into soft hackles and light, touch-and-go swinging, this one is worth taking with you.
If you don’t own a trout Spey, fix yo-self. If you do, give my fly line-up a spin. Spey fishing is another way to enjoy sport fishing and most who attempt it find the casting, swinging, and angled downstream fishing tactics enjoyable. If you don’t catch any fish, you can still enjoy the casting. Well, that’s my go-to excuse whenever I don’t catch anything. Be experimental – and try swinging… a fly – swing a fly… with a Spey rod.