Tim, I think this is one of, if not the best, video's you've posted. Some of your thoughts are exactly what has gone through my own brain and I'm sure many others. You actually spoke to me, although not by name, when you answered some of my queries several months ago about scandi lines and fly weight on one of your videos. I really appreciated that. I lived in so called Steelhead Valhalla, Terrace BC for 45 years, surrounded by legendary rivers. I've fished the Skeena, Bulkley, Zymoetz (locally known as the Copper), the lesser known Lakelse, and others in the hay days of the runs. It was very difficult to leave that all behind when I retired and moved closer to my kids. Back in the 70's through the 90's, I was very successful with lures, floats, and bottom bouncing. I moved to fly fishing because it was much more challenging with its casting, its choice of lines, tips, and flies. I love tying that one fly that will deceive the fish, and bring it to shore, but after days with no bites I've often thought about throwing up my hands and going back to baits and hardware. I became obsessed with fly fishing after watching a big male steelhead follow my skated fly and finally gobble it down one cold September morning on the Bulkley. It was then I decided, the fly was going to be the only offering I put out there. We complicate our fly fishing. I know I do. As you said Tim, we attribute so much mysticism to our quarry that we forget steelhead, as beautiful and elusive as they are, are only big trout. I don't know how many times I've questioned my lines, sinktips, fly, and casting. I do every time I'm out on the river. So thank you for letting us know that most fly fisherman deal with this when simplicity and slowing down is often the way to success and the joy of experiencing that tug on the line that we all pray for.
Great stuff Tim! Casting is part of the challenge in swinging up a steelhead, and learning how to soak your fly, whether using a sink tip or not, and learning to slow it down. Also, figuring out grain windows for the type of rod your are using, is another big lesson I’ve learn or the last 35yrs+ Spey casting. What the industry recommends isn’t always the best for you and your casting style. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to many of the great PNW rod builders and own several rods from them all, and they all agree that the grain window depends on your casting stroke. I was on a recent BC trip and a gentleman that I was paired with was struggling with his cast. The head he was using was match to the grain for his rod, but he really was struggling. After a couple of days, I asked him if I could swap out the head to about a 50 grain lighter head and when he tried it, he was banging him out as far as he wanted with beautiful loops. Swinging for steelhead is really a true love, and you have to love the journey. Love your videos. Happy Holidays!
Great video Tim and great advice! I know I’ll get better with every cast I make, it just takes time and good advice like this. Thanks for doing what you do. Cheers!
Agree with Robert West. Spot on Tim! When I go slow and don't try to power through my cast, they just fly out there (Did you see that one, Moments). Lol I've caught lot of fish in my life, just enjoying trying another way to enjoy my time on the water! Thanks for your inspiration and education on my journey! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and your Family!
I think you summed it up perfectly. I’m about 4 or 5 years into it (single hand for most of my life). It is so easy to let your head get all wrapped around the axle especially when it’s not going well. I was lucky enough to live near the San Francisco casting ponds so I got to practice a lot and see amazing casters. That helped but still, things fall apart. I recently discovered that if I’m chatting with my guide, my casting is usually pretty good. Probably because I’m not thinking about it or running through mental checklists. Thanks for all the great videos and advice. Merry Christmas
The rush to the catch is killing the anglers path to the control and the intended flow state Tim. Just enjoy the journey from your vise to only the 🐟 take guys, the catch is the end of the game, is nothing to learn from it, is always more value behind a 🐟short take than 1000 🐟 pictures. Happy New Year Tim
I’d say it’s about catching a fish on our own terms. If I wanted to catch a steelhead above all else, I’d pick bait and a treble hook. Instead, it took me about 3 years to catch my first fish on the swing. Style over substance? Maybe but the satisfaction of doing it the hard way and proving to yourself that you could is a huge part of the drive
When I was younger I would go to the casting pond in our town. I would drive by the golf course and the driving range and golfers were out there practicing. At the pond I was 98% of the time out there alone. Steelhead head are not hard to catch they just need to be where you are fishing. I heard many anglers say that fishing was there practice.😂. Sorry but you have to put in the time and effort practicing.
Tim, I think this is one of, if not the best, video's you've posted. Some of your thoughts are exactly what has gone through my own brain and I'm sure many others. You actually spoke to me, although not by name, when you answered some of my queries several months ago about scandi lines and fly weight on one of your videos. I really appreciated that.
I lived in so called Steelhead Valhalla, Terrace BC for 45 years, surrounded by legendary rivers. I've fished the Skeena, Bulkley, Zymoetz (locally known as the Copper), the lesser known Lakelse, and others in the hay days of the runs. It was very difficult to leave that all behind when I retired and moved closer to my kids. Back in the 70's through the 90's, I was very successful with lures, floats, and bottom bouncing. I moved to fly fishing because it was much more challenging with its casting, its choice of lines, tips, and flies. I love tying that one fly that will deceive the fish, and bring it to shore, but after days with no bites I've often thought about throwing up my hands and going back to baits and hardware. I became obsessed with fly fishing after watching a big male steelhead follow my skated fly and finally gobble it down one cold September morning on the Bulkley. It was then I decided, the fly was going to be the only offering I put out there.
We complicate our fly fishing. I know I do. As you said Tim, we attribute so much mysticism to our quarry that we forget steelhead, as beautiful and elusive as they are, are only big trout.
I don't know how many times I've questioned my lines, sinktips, fly, and casting. I do every time I'm out on the river. So thank you for letting us know that most fly fisherman deal with this when simplicity and slowing down is often the way to success and the joy of experiencing that tug on the line that we all pray for.
Wow! Thanks man! That is so great to hear! Makes my day! Tight lines friend. Thanks so much for the support.
Great stuff Tim! Casting is part of the challenge in swinging up a steelhead, and learning how to soak your fly, whether using a sink tip or not, and learning to slow it down. Also, figuring out grain windows for the type of rod your are using, is another big lesson I’ve learn or the last 35yrs+ Spey casting. What the industry recommends isn’t always the best for you and your casting style. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to many of the great PNW rod builders and own several rods from them all, and they all agree that the grain window depends on your casting stroke. I was on a recent BC trip and a gentleman that I was paired with was struggling with his cast. The head he was using was match to the grain for his rod, but he really was struggling. After a couple of days, I asked him if I could swap out the head to about a 50 grain lighter head and when he tried it, he was banging him out as far as he wanted with beautiful loops.
Swinging for steelhead is really a true love, and you have to love the journey.
Love your videos. Happy Holidays!
Thanks, that's an awesome story! I appreciate you sharing it!
Great video Tim and great advice! I know I’ll get better with every cast I make, it just takes time and good advice like this. Thanks for doing what you do. Cheers!
Appreciate you watching! Practice is essential! Get those reps in!
Agree with Robert West. Spot on Tim! When I go slow and don't try to power through my cast, they just fly out there (Did you see that one, Moments). Lol I've caught lot of fish in my life, just enjoying trying another way to enjoy my time on the water! Thanks for your inspiration and education on my journey! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and your Family!
Merry Christmas to you and your family as well! That’s so much!
Thanks Tim! I agree and identify with everything you’ve said.
Thanks for watching! Appreciate your support and the comment you left on the live video last night. Much appreciated brutha!
@@LineSpeedJediTimRawlins it’s easy to support a good man
I think you summed it up perfectly. I’m about 4 or 5 years into it (single hand for most of my life). It is so easy to let your head get all wrapped around the axle especially when it’s not going well. I was lucky enough to live near the San Francisco casting ponds so I got to practice a lot and see amazing casters. That helped but still, things fall apart. I recently discovered that if I’m chatting with my guide, my casting is usually pretty good. Probably because I’m not thinking about it or running through mental checklists.
Thanks for all the great videos and advice. Merry Christmas
The rush to the catch is killing the anglers path to the control and the intended flow state Tim. Just enjoy the journey from your vise to only the 🐟 take guys, the catch is the end of the game, is nothing to learn from it, is always more value behind a 🐟short take than 1000 🐟 pictures.
Happy New Year Tim
Well said! Love this perspective. Thanks buddy!
Totally agree with slow AND watch the D loop, not the target.
I seem to catch more fish with shorter casts. When I get it way out there, I never manage to hook anything.
Makes sense to me! Thanks man!
I want to catch a dam fish too! I don't like it when people say fly fishing isn't about catching fish.
You and me both bro! Fly fishing and double handed fishing is exactly about catching the dang fish 👊🤙
I’d say it’s about catching a fish on our own terms. If I wanted to catch a steelhead above all else, I’d pick bait and a treble hook. Instead, it took me about 3 years to catch my first fish on the swing. Style over substance? Maybe but the satisfaction of doing it the hard way and proving to yourself that you could is a huge part of the drive
When I was younger I would go to the casting pond in our town. I would drive by the golf course and the driving range and golfers were out there practicing. At the pond I was 98% of the time out there alone. Steelhead head are not hard to catch they just need to be where you are fishing. I heard many anglers say that fishing was there practice.😂. Sorry but you have to put in the time and effort practicing.
Exactly! Thanks for that!