Dry Line Season: The Joy of Swinging For Summer Steelhead with a Floating Line
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.
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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.