Oh. Bloody. Hell.
It's that time again, the swinging vs nymphing debate
A couple of the fly fishing boards that I frequent are alive with multiple page threads about swinging vs nymphing for steelhead. This horse is so freaking tenderized, you could pass it off as filet.
In a nutshell, to get it right out there, here's my stance on the issue.
WHO GIVES A SHIT
As long as you are a good steward of the river, play well with others, work to minimize stress and impact on the wild stock, teach others good river habits, work on conservation issues ...then you're good to me.
The super sanctimonious rhetoric just sucks. It makes us as a whole group look really, really dumb. The funny thing is, it seems like the people who rock a stonefly and an egg trailer are the most open minded while the guys who stick to their dry lines only are the ones who are the most close minded.
To be the best fisherman possible, I think it prudent to be able to master both methods.
Last year OMR and I picked up Spey Rods for the first time and fell in love. Given the chance, it's the method we prefer.
But if conditions dictate that nymphing is better, both of us will not hesitate to rock a bobber set up.
So little boys and girls, when someone argues with you over what is best, you know what the right answer is?
Whatever you choose it to be!
Now go fish!
