I'm new to the board and have a question regarding the "emerger swing" that so many of you have mentioned in past posts to be so effective while fishing putah creek. And since I plan to fish the creek this weekend I was hoping that you could help clarify some questions for me.
I've searched around the net for more info on the swing... how best to set up the presentation, hand-rolls vs. stripping, & what type of fly is best... and I have to say that I am thoroughly confused :)
Some recommend ermergers for the fly, some nymphs, and others flymphs or wet flies. What works best in your opinion?
As for the presentation is it a dead-drift with a swing at the end? Or do you strip in line during the swing? I even read of one guide who swears by twitching the end of the rod while it swings. I guess I lack the fundamental understanding of what the nymph is doing when they emerge to understand why you would do any of any of these things.
Can any of you guys help this humble novice out? Or do you have any books that you recommend I should read? Any info would be much appreciated.
I am by no means an expert but i'll do my best here. First of all I usually use an emerger pattern for swinging or a caddis poopah, I like hares ear emergers personally. When your deaddrifting under an indicator your of course going to be quatering your casts upstream, the further upstream you cast the deeper the fly is going to go, basic stuff. But if your going to fish the swing your gonna wanna cast directly across stream or even slightly down from were you are standing, Use no indicator and keep a somewhat tight line and let the fly swing across stream until it is directly below you, i usually let it sit there for a good 10 to 20 seconds, Sometimes i give the fly a little action by giving slight pulls on my fly line, I dont use the rod to twitch I give slight pulls on the flyline, sometimes big pulls, sometimes small pulls, sometimes no pulls. You are trying to mimic a fly emerging from the bottom that is surface bound. The fish also tend to hit this type of presentation pretty hard so hang on. I hope this helps, Like i said I am no expert and i am sure others can add more info.
I agree with Cap'n. Caddis patterns like Fox pupae and Mercer trigger bug are meant for swinging. Just like my old girlfriend. Caddis are very good swimmers and often rocket across the water column to find something to latch on to. Numerous times at Putah I have caught fish on a recast. My line direstly below me my bug pretty much on the surface and wack!! A lot of guys who fish Putah swing on every cast at the end and it pays.
