Fly Fishing Tips - High-Sticking and the Pendulum Swing

This guide covers two effective techniques in fly fishing: High-Sticking and the Pendulum Swing. Both are invaluable for controlling your fly's drift and presentation, especially in moving water.

High-Sticking Technique

High-Sticking is a technique used primarily to maintain a drag-free drift of your fly, especially in fast-moving or turbulent water. The goal is to lift as much of your fly line off the water as possible, using the rod tip to control the fly's speed and direction.

Key Elements of High-Sticking

• Rod Position: Keep your rod tip high—often pointing slightly up and forward. This elevation minimizes the amount of line contacting the water, reducing drag caused by differing current speeds.
• Line Management: Only the leader and a minimal amount of fly line should be on the water. This allows the fly to drift naturally at the current's speed, presenting a realistic, non-suspicious meal to the fish.
• Follow-Through: As your fly drifts downstream, you must slowly lower your rod and angle it to follow the fly's path. This prevents the fly from prematurely accelerating or slowing down, which can happen if the line tightens or piles up.

When to Use High-Sticking

Scenario	Benefit
Fast, Pocket Water	Maintains a natural drift in complex currents
Short Drifts	Maximizes the limited time the fly is in the strike zone
Indicator Nymphing	Keeps the indicator and leader above the surface currents

The Pendulum Swing Technique

The Pendulum Swing is an advanced technique used when fishing wet flies, streamers, or soft hackles. It relies on the current to swing the fly across the river, mimicking a hatching insect or a small, moving baitfish.

Executing the Pendulum Swing

1. Cast: Cast your fly slightly upstream and across the current, allowing the fly line to land without a tight curve.
2. Initial Drift: Allow a brief, natural drift downstream, keeping your rod tip low. This lets the fly sink to the desired depth.
3. The Swing: As the fly line straightens, the current will catch the line and begin to pull the fly in an arc across the river. This is the "swing."
4. Rod Control: As the fly swings, keep your rod tip pointed toward the fly line. You may need to lead the fly with the rod tip to manage the tension and ensure the swing is smooth.
5. The Hang: The most crucial point is often the end of the swing, known as the "hang." As the fly reaches the end of its arc and hangs momentarily in the current before being retrieved, it frequently triggers a strike from an opportunistic fish.

Common Applications

This technique is especially effective for:

• Streamer fishing in fast runs
• Fishing soft hackles in a riffle
• Covering a wide area of water quickly

Application	Fly Type	Technique Goal
Fast Runs	Streamers	Mimic baitfish darting across the current
Riffles	Soft Hackles	Imitate emerging insects rising to the surface
Wide Water	Wet Flies	Search for fish actively feeding mid-water