FISHING TECHNIQUE; SPIN, CENTERPIN, FLY

i prefer to spin fish... seems like every time i see a fly guy it causes such a disturbance on the water by constantly yanking like they have a bite and the flourescent line in the water.... center pin does seem intersting tho.... im content with spin fishing so i stick with that... thoughts, opinions, anything?

Almost all of my shore based fishing anymore is with a fly rod. Used to spin fish for Trout and tried it for steelhead last season, but it's just so limiting. With fly fishing, it feels more natural to cast and work fish, the presentations are much more fluid, and the flies used often imitate natural forage for the fish. Not to mention, the fight is 10X better on a fly rod and requires more skill to play a fish. But, I have nothing against spin fishermen and know some really nice ones, it's just not my thing anymore (other than open water casting). Fly fishing is an addiction for me and is overall (again, to me) more fun.

fishfashfush
roll casting on crowded streams is easier than trying to control a 10+ noodle rod with combat fishin conditions.

Above is what I always thought for the Erie tribs, at least for 90% of conditions.  Just easier to roll cast & mend line in the current, over and over again, rather than cast and retrieve line to keep tight with a noodle/spin rod.  To me, fly fishing the tribs is just a more efficient way to fish.  You cover more water, presentation is in the water longer and more often, and the little kids and those that don't know better think you are some sort of Gawd, if you catch fish on a fly rod...  In the lake, completely opposite.  Unless just roll casting the same offerings under a float 20' from you over and over.  For getting the fish that are out further, spin is much easier.  Those that fly fish the lake, double hauling, are likely having fun doing so, but not nearly as efficient as a spinning outfit.  Same thing with those using spinning gear in the creek, still having fun, but not as efficient of a tool.  Usually, the difference of someone using a fly rod in the lake vs. a spinning rod in the stream, is the fly fisherman is looking for more of a challenge.  They are lying their teeth off if they use that line about fishing in the streams though.
 
The constant yanking like a bite, is a smart thing to do.  Try it with your spin gear.  Often times your bobber (or in Erie, insecure fishermen refer to as a strike indicator) stops or makes a slightly different movement, it is a fish.  Steelhead 101, when in doubt, set the hook.  With a fly rod, you can just pull the slack and slight set (almost jigging motion), if you feel resistance, finish the set, if not can let it keep floating and got a little jigging action.  Not really as easily done with a spinning rod, unless you happen to have your line tight every drift, then open your bail and let drift more.  Like said, just easier with the fly rod.  Not sure if an offering pulled from the water is any more spooky than an offering reeled in at 20mph?  
 
I would think in complete gin conditions, someone fishing a spin outfit, sneaking up on a pool of fish, might have an advantage of someone using a bright colored floating line.  When in the Erie tribs are you able to sneak up on a pool of fish, that someone isn't already standing over?  Maybe 5AM, when they usually aren't as skittish?
 
With the amount of rain Pgh got today, Erie is going to be a zoo this weekend.  Doesn't even matter if Erie got a drop...
 
 

Spinning all the way for me...had a 13' noodle rod built..no casting just use it like a cane pole.

It's always been spin . On Steel I use a custom made 8 ' G Loomis light action rod. Tried longer rods just don't care for the buggy whip feel and seems like your hitting everything with the longer rods. 8' seems just right for the lighter line and fighting fish on our smaller creeks.
 
These creeks are so small just seems like fly fishing should be about laying that fly way out, not dipping and flipping.
I think people who tie their own fly's are the true fly guys.
When I see guys with fly rods using skein or bait I'm thinking why ? Might as well just use a light spinning rod same feel.
 
One thing I know is with fly rods you kind of need that current, with spinning you can jig up that strike, current or no current. 
 
If our creeks were wide open like Tionesta Creek or like out West I'd grab a fly rod for sure. Dry fly fishing would be the tops for me if I would fly fish.
 

I'm not going to get into numbers as in what tool catches more fish.
Some of the pinners I know are catching machines while some are so so.
I know many who can school you on fishing the spin rod and some fly guys that pull fish out in the toughest conditions. 
 It all comes down to your skill level which equals time on the water.
Even the best pinners I see don't use the same floats, setups and offerings time after time. The better fly guys are always making the smallest of adjustments.
You might prefer spin fishing. But have you mastered all the techniques available with that rod. 
Do you know when to downsize, lighten up, shed the float or aggressively jig?
There's not one tool that does it all. Pick the one your best at and If you master it and get bored from catching too many fish, pick another tool and start at the bottom again. 
 

fishfashfush
Cap, its funny you say 8' rod, I couldn't agree more! Years ago I had an 8' ish rod that was perfect for any creek/tight spots up there.

I broke it a few years ago and haven't been able to find the same size/model anywhere. I used it more than my noodle and then I got into bug tossing and downsized on my number of spin equipment. 8-9' is more than enough for the tribs.

Couple years ago I got an 8' Pinnacle noodle rod from FishUSA for my son. Now that he's 12 I make him use my 9' while I steal his 8'.

I find that with those shorter-than-standard noodle rods that I can do a sort of modified roll cast. With that technique and the size of most tribs in Erie, unless I'm throwing jigs I rarely open the bail and cast.

Each is the best if one knows when to use either to their ability and/or conditions. Once knowing how to work a pin, you can work anything but plugs or spinners (though I'm sure a few can, Jiggy!) This is so long as we're talking about S-noids.....
 
 
Smitty

Tenkara...its like a knife fight.

Leaving the creek this morning, I got interrogated by a gentleman on which fly I was using and how much weight, etc...
 I showed him and then told him I wouldn't recommend that setup anymore. Conditions changed and the fish quit moving....... "Oh really"? "what should I do"?
Go fishing and figure it out. I guarantee you'll learn something. 
 
The all time best line:
Fishing slowed down quite a bit but Glen was still on it pretty good.
I guy walks up from down stream and asks Glen "Sir, can I ask you what you're using"?
Glen says "Skill".

Lol an old timer I grew up fishing with is retired and absolutely slaughters stocked trout as a retirement hobby. If he went out and didn't catch 100 every single time it's because he drank natural ice too fast lol.

Anyways, apparently his favorite thing to use is "technique" boy did he get some mean mugs. The old man wasn't lying though, he would hand you his rod, you can make the exact same cast/drift as him and not even get a nibble. He would laugh take his rod back and continue to catch fish. I guess he was right. It wasn't bait, setups or anything but "technique"

I use them all.  But my go to is a 10ft noodle rod, spin outfit. I can drift nearly as well as with a centerpin, flip flies if that is what conditions call for (a small shot or indicator is needed for weight since you don't have the weight of the line).
Over the years, like most who responded, my ideas and tackle have changed.  The one constant is...I just love to fish.

Hard to beat a center pin when there is some flow.Long drifts that stay in the zone the whole time.However, with the ridiculous crowds on Pa tribs it loses its advantage.

"I agree Thunder, some Pinners like to hog the whole drift but there is a cure..........
just wait till your lines cross and tangle then pull as hard and fast as you can and yell Fish On !
After about a hundred yards of line "explodes out of his free spooling reel" he'll get the message !"     
 
Seen this on Elk ! LMAO  the whole time ! Pin Guy had it coming.

Its the way the line was loaded on the reel crawler.