Jerry's Swing Thing

Over the years, I've tied and fished just about every variation of a string leech you can imagine. Along the way, I kept making small changes—removing things I didn't like and refining the things that consistently produced fish. The result is the Swing Thing.

This fly brings together everything I've learned about designing a modern steelhead fly. By combining rabbit and ostrich, I created a pattern with incredible movement that comes alive with very little current. Every material, every length, and every tie-in point is intentional, creating a fly that swims naturally, casts easily, and fishes exactly the way I want it to.

One of my biggest goals was creating a fly with a predictable sink and rise rate. When I'm swinging for steelhead, I want complete confidence that my fly is traveling through the zone where fish are holding—not riding too high or dropping too quickly. The Swing Thing gives me that confidence.

The AquaTalon Size 2 Swing Hook is hitched to the rabbit strip using 50-pound braided line, creating a durable, free-swinging connection that lets the hook move naturally with the fly. The rigging also allows the hook to be replaced easily without damaging the fly.

Why I Fish the Swing Thing
Rabbit and ostrich create incredible swimming action.
Intentionally balanced materials produce a predictable sink and rise.
Sheds water quickly for effortless casting.
The free-swinging AquaTalon hook improves movement and makes hook replacement simple.
Designed to stay in the strike zone throughout the swing.
When I tie a fly, I don't add materials because they look good in the vise—I add them because they make the fly fish better. The Swing Thing is the culmination of years spent watching flies in the water and learning what steelhead respond to. Every detail has a purpose.

I designed this fly to give anglers the same confidence I have every time I step into the river: confidence that the fly is swimming naturally, fishing at the right depth, and looking exactly like something a steelhead wants to chase.