This way of fly fishing begins to be used at the 1.800s by atlantic salmon fly fishermen in Scotland, it begans in the river that gives the name to the rods. Nowadays this technique is used by few, but the number of people that is beginning to discover its advantages is growing up.
After last progress of fly fishing as sport or outdoor activity ocurred in the last 30 years maybe more, I think there are many fly anglers that have a pending task. Something that is important of considering, it’s not for nothing, many and me included think that a complete fly fisherman must learn each technique that this discipline offers, maybe some would not think exactly same, but definitively and this is a common thought, to be a consummate fly fisher it imposes to accept this challenge of dominating this and each technique of fly fishing.
Some of the things that would change the mentality are some of the reasons that are taking more fly anglers to learn Spey casting. First one, you are able to cover a lot more water, interesting…!!! second one, you don’t need to make a backcast, this is a considerable help when even you fish low cut banks with some buches behind, or high cut banks, or simply when you fish with a forest behind; and finally and not less importat, many or most Spey casters get generally much less fatigue.
To be introduced in the Spey techniques you must change some erroneous concepts. First one people think that Spey mean rod of…… Some people consider that Spey is not a rod, more than that, Spey is better says a type of casting. Huge difference of concept, the base of the everything that concerns on this. Also there is a paraphrase that says, “All spey rods are two-handed rods, but not all two-handed rods are spey rods.” Steve Rajeff. As important as to know or understand that Spey is casting, it is to understand that these rods have a special construction that can differentiate it to other two handed rods. As well most of us know, the action of the rod can make us to think that there are many different kind of one handed rod. The action also plays an important list or paper for Spey rods. So there are several things to learn when you begin this.
There are several different lengths, weights and actions that make each model a different choice. Depending on the requirements that the anglers ask to the rod, it will be the correct combination of length, weight and action. The same as one handed rods, this is the reason why the rods manufacturers produce several different specifications. There is bellow a complete list of brands and specifications. It is a helpful guide to have at the moment of beginning to investigate on this.
|
Brand |
Model |
Weight |
Length |
Pieces |
Cost |
Web Site |
|
Abel |
Spey |
9 |
14′ |
4 |
$495 |
|
|
Diamondback |
SSR31389 |
8/9 |
13′ |
3 |
$395 |
|
|
G. Loomis |
FR165889 |
8/9 |
13′ 9″ |
4 |
$420 |
|
|
Lamiglas |
CST 12989 |
8/9 |
12′ 9″ |
6 |
$450 |
|
|
Orvis |
1368/9-3 |
8/9 |
13′ 6″ |
3 |
$350 |
|
|
Redington |
DHRS31408 |
8 |
14′ |
4 |
$350 |
|
|
Sage |
FLI8140-4 |
8 |
14′ |
4 |
$425 |
|
|
Scott |
LS21408/4 |
8 |
14′ |
4 |
$595 |
|
|
St. Croix |
IF1308 |
7/8 |
13′ |
3 |
$260 |
|
|
Temple Fork |
TF091404 |
9 |
14′ |
4 |
$250 |
|
|
Thomas & Thomas |
DH1309-3 |
9 |
13′ |
3 |
$780 |
|
|
Winston |
Boron IIX |
8/9 |
13/14 |
4 |
$795 |
I push all fly fishermen that didn’t try Spey casting before, to learn this classic, old and effective way to fly fish wide rivers for Salmon or trophy migratory trout. This is for me, the way to find sense of fishing for big fish. For sure many of you think dry fly fishing is the top class, for me was too, after to learn more about Spey maybe most would not have that pre-concept. Definitively Spey casting makes big fishing more interesting.
By these days we are recommending to fanatic of Spey cast¡ng to come to our country, and to attempt to fly fish King and Atlantic Salmon by Spey techniques. Chile offers oportunities of fishing for these trophies, what better to have a chance of finding out new experiences on the edge of the world. The experts and beginners of Spey have this chance on their hands, just this implies to dare to a decision.
By Francisco Castaño
trespiedrasffchile
Francisco,
Excellent, I am going to have to visit again and bring my two-handed rods. I primarily now fish two handed rods for trout. I fish a Beluah 6/7wt 10′-6″ “switch rod”, a Burkheimer 7134 (7wt 13′-4″) and an Echo 8136 (8/9wt 13’6″). These rods work well to cover most everything in Alaska, and I think will do the same in Chile.
You should note too that the cast: speycast, can be very effective with a single hand rod. They are the cast to use when you cannot make an overhand cast such as when backed into the brush, cliff or other obstruction behind you. I made a double spey cast out of the back of a Panga boat in a 25 knot wind with my line trailing in the water with a Beluah 11wt Bluewater rod to busting Tarpon in Belize to get the fly to the fish on short notice. Landed a 65lb Poon with that spey cast!!
Another great spey website to visit is http://www.speypages.com
Mike Schoder
Shell Lake, Alaska
http://www.flyboy2.wordpress.com