Melissa and I had so much fun in Argentina we're looking into a trip to Alaska in September. It's a hosted trip organized by a local fly shop. We'll be fishing primarily for big rainbows and perhaps some late season silver salmon.

We visited with the shop guy who organizes the trips and he suggested taking a cheapo spey rod. I'm completely ignorant on the subject and we'll have time to look on Ebay for a used rig. Anybody want to share their knowledge? Thanks.

Interesting topic. Following in case some resident posters fly fish with Spey rods. I'm just now getting into a decent double haul on a skiff. Not ready to throw a two handed rod in the mix though.

Mega Lops said:

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Interesting topic. Following in case some resident posters fly fish with Spey rods. I'm just now getting into a decent double haul on a skiff. Not ready to throw a two handed rod in the mix though.

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I'm not sure I am either.

I am traveling to the Kispiox River in Skeena Drainage, BC in October and will be spey casting (for real) the first time. I am buying a 3 weight trout spey outfit and planning to connect with a casting instructor for a day on the water going through the casting motion. I will then leave the rod at my place in Santa Fe and simply slip into the Rio Grande when I am there to practice with a real fly in tow. Usually good for a handful of smallmouth if not a pike. Hopefully I will be comfortable enough by the fall to not look like an idiot. I am planning on borrowing the spey rods and lines from my friend who is hosting the trip. I can't justify $2,000 for a rod I will likely use one week every few years if I can borrow better than what I would be willing to purchase in the first place.

Spey casting is more than just fly fishing with a style of rod. The cast is completely different than a single hand cast. Spey casts are redirected roll casts that use water tension to load the rod. With a traditional fly cast we use the double haul to add a little extra power, with a spey cast you use your off hand to pull the butt of the spey rod into your chest. Oh yeah, the technique changes depending on if the current is flowing from your off hand or strong hand.

I recommend you take spey lessons before you buy a rod and get advice on the purchase. There may be others now; but a few years ago Gulf Coast Spey at Lake Conroe and my buddy Capt. Steve Hollensed near Lake Texoma (903) 546-6237 were the only qualified Spey instructors in Texas.

Can you give me a rundown on why spey casting isn't used for tarpon, for example, more? I've seen high end rod makers like Hardy offer 11 or 12 wt spey rods but never see them (and my experience is limited to tarpon sportfishing shows on tv or YouTube) publicized for such popular sportfishing.

It would work for blind casting in deeper water to rolling Tarpon from a boat or in the surf, especially on windy days. But would probably not be a good idea in the classic flats sight casting situation. The Spey lines are pretty much a heavy double taper line so they make noise and disturb the water as they roll cast over the surface of the water. Spey casts in general aren't as accurate as traditional casts.

87Flyfisher said:

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It would work for blind casting in deeper water to rolling Tarpon from a boat or in the surf, especially on windy days. But would probably not be a good idea in the classic flats sight casting situation. The Spey lines are pretty much a heavy double taper line so they make noise and disturb the water as they roll cast over the surface of the water. Spey casts in general aren't as accurate as traditional casts.

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thank you! you have have to wade through a bunch of garbage sometimes for real knowledge sharing on Texags, so I'm not sure I could have gleaned this info, out of pure curiosity, from a simple internet search.

Edited: I'll just stick to my normal repertoire of spooking juvenile tarpon, blowing shots on big girls and not strip setting hard enough on the few I do get a bite from.

Sorry to hijack the thread.

Wow. I am totally amazed at all the talent and mastery of techniques that you guys have to fly fish like that. I feel accomplished just getting a crank bait to get somewhere close to where I'm throwing it with my bass rods.
If I tried what you guys have mastered I would look like a deranged Spider-Man that lost all motor control and lines would be everywhere.

Spey casting is an excellent way to meticulously cover a lot of water in big western rivers with very little effort. The caster falls into the rhythm of the cast, the swing, the step, the next cast... try doing that all day while casting a single handed rod and weighted sinking line. I promise you will not be able to do it again the following day. And you don't need a back cast, making fishing with tight cover at your back possible.

However, spey rods have tremendous limitations. For instance, you cannot really cast them effectively from a boat or from any stationary, dry object. The spey cast is really just a variation on a roll cast - you must therefore be where you can effectively water-load your rod.

There are folks in the NE and NW who use spey rods in the surf for stripers, bluefish, etc.with great success. Again, spey casting should shine in any situation where you can stand in the water and need to cover a lot of ground without killing yourself in the process.

Does Steve still do lessons?

My only advice is to slow your casting motion down more than you think, and let the line, water, and rod do the work for you.

Hey, you know that hobby that is challenging and expensive, lets make it more challenging and expensive.

Fly fishing "I got this."

Speywhatever " hold my beer and check this out."

Spey isn't too hard to learn in the yard, if you already know how to roll cast etc.

Tarponfly said:

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I am traveling to the Kispiox River in Skeena Drainage, BC in October and will be spey casting (for real) the first time. I am buying a 3 weight trout spey outfit and planning to connect with a casting instructor for a day on the water going through the casting motion. I will then leave the rod at my place in Santa Fe and simply slip into the Rio Grande when I am there to practice with a real fly in tow. Usually good for a handful of smallmouth if not a pike. Hopefully I will be comfortable enough by the fall to not look like an idiot. I am planning on borrowing the spey rods and lines from my friend who is hosting the trip. I can't justify $2,000 for a rod I will likely use one week every few years if I can borrow better than what I would be willing to purchase in the first place.

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Double check on 3 wt for kispiox in October … seems mighty small. Would guess 7 wt. but have not fished the kispiox. Have fished a lot of places in the Skeena drainage and can't really get my head wrapped around a 3 wt.

One-Eyed Fat Man said:

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Melissa and I had so much fun in Argentina we're looking into a trip to Alaska in September. It's a hosted trip organized by a local fly shop. We'll be fishing primarily for big rainbows and perhaps some late season silver salmon.

We visited with the shop guy who organizes the trips and he suggested taking a cheapo spey rod. I'm completely ignorant on the subject and we'll have time to look on Ebay for a used rig. Anybody want to share their knowledge? Thanks.

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OEFM I'm no expert but I've chased steelhead 1-2 a year for the last ten years in BC.

The Spey cast can simply be thought of as a big roll cast and you can fish on a Spey trip even if you are a beginner but there's a lot more to it than that. As mentioned the water tension on the line created by a D loop loads the rod and enables you to shoot the line w/o a back cast. I think the story is … the river Spey had bushes etc along the banks and therefore the Spey cast or Spey fishing came to be. You do need some room but not nearly as a commensurate traditional fly cast. In addition to the shorter space required… it's more efficient and a longer cast… so you cover more water with less effort. It's a swing or a swung fly … you shoot out a wet fly and the water puts the line in tension and it swings across the river until it gets downstream from you. You hope a hot one hammers it mid swing … hooking itself due to the speed of the water and the fly line and the fish turning to swim away. Fish on the dangle… when the line is below you can be a little tricky as there's nothing really to hook them … it can be a grab and no hook up. Steelhead bites can be subtle and you don't trout set… you let the fish grab and go before pulling rod toward the bank. Some say you need to see line come off the reel and some hold a loop of line in their hand and wait for that to disappear. See my earlier point about hammered on mid swing without any doubt…. Nothing to do on those. You methodically work your way through a run… casting and then stepping down river … and repeat. I love it but it's not for everyone. Gotta love just standing in the river and casting. The hookups are hard to come by but man when you do … like hooking into a big hit bonefish in the river.

I am rambling a bit so tell me a little more about what you're wondering about and I'll try to help.

I would guess you would be using a skagit set up but you should check with outfitter. There are lots of different types of lines and setups.

I have collected a few rods over the years and do have a temple fork 7-8 wt Spey that I bought as a backup. It is gathering dust and I would let it go at a reasonable price if u were interested.

From AI

Spey casting is a specialized fly fishing technique that originated on the River Spey in Scotland. Here's an overview based on the available information:

### **Origins and Purpose:**
- **Historical Context**: Spey casting was developed in the 19th century to fish for salmon and trout in large, fast-flowing rivers where casting space behind the angler was limited due to high banks or other obstacles.
- **Core Concept**: Unlike traditional fly casting, Spey casting does not require a backcast; instead, it uses the water's surface to help load the rod for the forward cast.

### **Basic Technique:**
- **Dynamic Roll Cast**: Spey casting essentially involves a dynamic version of the roll cast, where the line is kept in motion rather than pausing for an anchor set.
- **Anchor Point**: The fly line briefly touches or "anchors" on the water, which helps in loading the rod for the forward cast.

### **Casts and Techniques:**
- **Single Spey**: Used for changing direction with the line, typically when fishing from the right bank looking downstream. It involves a lift, a sweep to form the D-loop, and then a forward cast.
- **Double Spey**: Similar to the Single Spey but used for changing direction from the left bank. It offers more time between setting the anchor and the forward cast, making it easier for beginners.
- **Snap-T**: An alternative to the Single Spey, it involves snapping the rod tip under the line to form the anchor, useful in various wind conditions.
- **Snake Roll**: An alternative to the Double Spey, executed with a motion that forms an 'e' shape with the rod tip, effective in downstream winds.

### **Equipment:**
- **Rods**: Double-handed or two-handed rods, ranging from 10.5 to 16 feet in length, are used. They provide more leverage and control for casting longer distances.
- **Lines**: Spey casting uses specialized fly lines like Skagit, Scandi, or long belly lines, each suited for different casting styles and fishing conditions.
- **Skagit**: Heavier, shorter heads for casting large flies with sink tips.
- **Scandi**: Lighter, designed for casting smaller flies on floating lines.
- **Long Belly**: Traditional, used for long casts with classic spey techniques.

### **Learning and Mastery:**
- **Practice**: Spey casting requires practice to master due to the nuanced control of the anchor point, timing, and the smooth execution of the various casts.
- **Instruction**: Many find it helpful to learn from experienced casters or through instructional videos and courses to understand the biomechanics and techniques involved.

### **Advantages:**
- **Casting Distance**: Allows for longer casts with less effort compared to single-handed rods.
- **Obstacle Management**: Effective in scenarios with limited backspace due to its forward casting nature.
- **Line Control**: Enhanced control over line presentation and mending.

Spey casting has evolved significantly from its origins, becoming a popular technique worldwide for both salmon and trout fishing, especially in rivers where traditional casting is challenging. If you're interested in learning more or seeing Spey casting in action, consider looking into local workshops or online resources for demonstrations and tutorials.

Well how about all that.