TwoHanded Revolution

[Dejon Hamann]

This is more a fly fishing philosophical statement rather than hard tactics essay.

Lately I've really been leaning toward TwoHanded Rods and what I some time refer to as the "Lazy Swing."  Mind you I don't mean the latter description in any derogatory light, in fact it is a very positive attribute.  Spending so many hours perfecting the "rat race" of inland competitive fly fishing my tastes have been progressively changing over the years when it comes to chasing Chrome.  No longer am I really intrigued by "big numbers" and "huge catch rates."  In fact, I've noticed throughout my last 5 years of Steelheading that the best days, the most vivid memories upon stream, were those where I usually caught under 15 fish.  The days of 25, or 50, and most certainly 75 fish days have melted into the non existence of the things I can not see.

There is something very magical and serene about 2 stepping your way down a large river.  The artistic form your line takes as it effortlessly glides over 100 feet through the air.  The strong long bow form of a graceful D-Loop uncoiling like a snake to the far reaches of glassy glides and sweeping pools. 

You really have to change your mindset to dance the 2 step.  Leave all those "up river" woes behind.  The "hustle and bustle" of false casting; the big back breaking lines splattered with yarn and lead are no longer a part of your commute.  Instead you've found a special little lane for those heading out of the city... a lane towards a piece of mind.  Once you find you've traveled past all those honking horns your brow begins to unfurl and your chin lifts toward the sky.  No longer do you have to follow that "bouncing ball."  You're writing your own script now.  Each cast is a new line in your sonnet.  Once the line spreads true and you make that mend there is an eternity to see the wild like you've never seen it before.  To investigate those beasts that are watching you.  To take in the navigation of clouds and the route of the sun.  The way Eagles sweep along the coast.  But most importantly you now have time to investigate your self.  It can be a scary place, but you'll be a better man for it.

Now all this poetic garbage doesn't mean Swinging Wet Flies can't be extremely effective.  There is most certainly as much technique as their is art to the "fish catching" as well as the "casting".  When you've refined the craft just a tad you'll be covering 2 and 3 times as much water as you did with the single hander.  Adjusting sinking heads and learning the fine art of mending you'll be sweeping, running, stalling, lifting, and jittering your fly through the hot zone in no time at all.  But make no mistake.  Swinging Wet Flies is a players game.  You're making a decision to target "Hot Fish" or at least provoke luke warm ones.  In doing so your catch rate may fall... it may fall dramatically, but I don't think you'll even notice.  Because the memory of just 1 fish caught with a piece of mind is more vivid than 100 forgotten battles.

Nice little site with a bit of info and some good articles:
http://www.rajeffsports.com/two_hand_rev.php

[Rashed Abdullah]

This sentiment you expressed is actually why I bought my two handed rod. I have done great with the cp outfit but there is something magical about the two handed rod and the beauty of the cast and the fluid momentum. Also there is that fly fisherman in me that cant get the nagging feeling of not having caught a fish yet with this method..I cant bring my self to calling me a good fly fisherman until I have mastered this method.

R

[Mark Hanes]

I have been wanting to get into this but have no clue where to start.  The PA Steelhead streams are small.  I have thought of using this method to fish for smallmouth on the Clarion which is a big river in the lower stretches. 

[Paul Bourcq]

Get Ed Wards Skagit Master......switch casting is my new obsession.  I use it with my 2 weight up to the double hander 8 weight.