You’ve got your spey rod in hand, ready to cast a mile and hit that perfect spot where the fish are waiting. You step into the run, eager to start casting, and before you know it, your fly is only 10 feet away from you—yet it gets hammered by a fish. The surprise of it all might lead to a missed opportunity. Sound familiar? If not, just wait; it happens more often than you’d think.
Fish aren’t always out in the middle of the river. In fact, there are areas, often in the middle, where the current is rougher and fish tend to avoid. They don’t want to battle those stronger currents. And let’s not forget—before spey fishing became popular in the U.S., anglers were catching steelhead on single-hand rods for generations. So what’s the takeaway? Fish the shorter distances first before trying to cover the entire run with long casts.
I can’t count how many times I’ve witnessed fish caught on short casts. Often, the calmer, slower-moving water where steelhead like to rest is only a few feet from your rod tip. While certain water types require specific approaches, most traditional steelhead runs can be effectively fished with both long and short casts. Trying to cover the entire run with one long cast is often less effective than approaching it with two shorter casts targeting different sections.
Why is this? The action of your fly is heavily influenced by how much line is outside the rod tip. The longer the cast, the less control you have over your drift. Long casts often span multiple current types, making it harder to keep the fly moving smoothly and deliberately. Your fly might swing well at the beginning of the drift, but by the time it reaches the fish-holding water, it can turn into a tangled mess. Casting long lengths of line requires excellent line control and insight to keep the fly in the correct action throughout the swing. However, even with perfect control, the fly will likely lose momentum during the last third of the swing. Think of it like tetherball—the shorter the line, the faster the ball moves around the pole. In fishing, this means a shorter line maintains speed and action throughout the entire swing. This is especially true when fishing sink tips. A longer cast can cause your fly to lose its momentum too soon, reducing its effectiveness.
Fishing short is particularly effective during early mornings. Fish traveling at night often pull in close to shore to rest, making them more likely to be found near the bank. Similarly, during the midday sun, fish may hold in the top of riffles, where they enjoy the protection of surface chop. The bottom line is that steelhead often hold close to shore because the current is slower and more comfortable for them.
If you have the time, try fishing through the run with a short line first, and then go through again with a longer cast. If you're fishing with a partner, one person can wade shallower and fish the closer sections, while the other takes a deeper position to cover the farther parts of the river. By thoroughly working each piece of water this way, you'll present your fly to more fish in a more enticing manner. Not only does this increase your chances of a hook-up, but it helps you learn where the fish are holding for future trips. Remember, a shorter line gives you more control over your presentation and allows you to focus your energy more effectively. You can fish a large section of water in an okay manner, or you can fish smaller sections really well. Given how tricky steelhead can be, I choose to fish well.