Spey Casting Instruction
Amy Hazel, Deschutes Anglers, casting a Two Hand rod
A Spey Cast is a dynamic roll cast...
A Spey cast is a dynamic roll cast with a change of direction; and, it can be accomplished with either a single hand rod or a two-handed rod.
Two-Handed casting is dominated by either modern Short Spey rods (13' and under); or, even shorter Switch rods (11'-9" and under).
Originating in Scotland on the Spey River, two-hand rods are commonly referred to in the United States as Spey rods. Modern Short Spey Rods are typically in the 13' range. Switch Rods normally do not exceed 11"-9" in length. Trout Spey rods are lightweight Switch rods designed to pursue trout and other species such as Smallmouth Bass.
Trout Spey rods come in sizes #2, #3, and #4 and don't exceed 11'-6". These
are ideal trout rods allowing you to cover more water with less effort. Casts like the Snap-T, Double Spey, and the Snake Roll can help you when casting in tight situations with trees or bushes right behind you.
Micro Skagit Casting, pioneered by fly line designers and experts, Ed Ward and Jerry French, has been introduced for the Trout and Smallmouth world using both Single Hand rods and Two-Hand Switch rods. The company that is bringing us this new technology is Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics (OPST). Now, even small Trout and Smallmouth streams can be easily fished with a lot less effort. This capability uses the Commando line system. Similar set ups can take place with Rio and Airflo products; but, OPST set ups can be implemented on very short tradional Single Hand rods (7’-6" feet and greater) as well as two-handed Trout Spey rods.
Casting with a Two-Handed Rod utilizes a "longer lever" and the power of the "D-Loop" to help load the rod and deliver the fly with a forward cast.
Two-Handed Rods are used primarily in streams and rivers with moving water to pursue Trout, Bass, Steelhead, and Salmon.
Spey Casting Rate per Class Choice
$250 per person / 3-Hour Session
(PayPal price $258)
We introduce students to Spey casting by offering four (4) class choices: Single Hand Spey, Trout Spey, Switch Rods, or Short Speys.
CLASS CHOICES:
1. Master Single Hand Spey Casting
(5, 6, or 7 wt. rods)
Spey casting with a Single Hand fly rod using Weight Forward-Floating, Intermediate, or a Single Hand Spey fly line. Basically, the same traditional fly rod that most trout anglers use.
2. Introduction to Trout Spey
(#2-#4 wt. two handed rods up to 11'-6")
Lightweight Spey rods for all trout waters.
3. Spey Casting with Switch rods
(#5-#7 wt. two hand rods up to 11’-9")
Target Great Lakes Steelhead with either Scandi or Skagit setups.
4. Spey Casting with Short Speys
(#6-#8 wt. two hand rods) 12'-6" to 13’ modern Spey rods
Pursue Steelhead and Salmon in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Spey Casting Instruction takes place any time during the year, weather permitting (not offered during the Summer months in GA); but, is available in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York during the Summer months with an advance reservation.
Boots, waders, a wading belt, and polarized sunglasses are required and must be provided by the participant. A fishing license is also required. On-water practice is key to mastering all Two Handed Casting techniques.
