Do I need to Spey Cast?

**AuSableTrophyhunter** · 10-25-2010, 03:50 PM

I have been getting back into salmon and steelhead fishing in the last couple of years. While I was away, Spey casting has become popular. What would be the advantage of spey casting and could I learn it from a dvd? If yes, what dvd do you recommend? I mainly fish the St Mary's in the U.P. Long casts are not often required and it is always extremely windy. No matter when I fish, the wind is always blowing in the wrong direction. lol The reason I am considering two handed casting is because I assume that it would be less tiring than casting one handed all day long.
I cannot say that I have seen anyone on the St Mary's spey casting, but the steelhead magazines seem to be spreading a meme that everyone is doing it. That might be simply a way of selling me a new rod, too!
When fishing a wet for Atlantics, I did have to make very long casts but I just double hauled, no problem with the SA steelhead line that shoots like a rocket.

**VTflyfishing** · 10-25-2010, 04:42 PM

I steelhead and salmon fish. I don't use a spey rod. something to keep in mind when you are reading about steelhead fishing they are most likely talking about out west were the rivers are huge. So casting a great distance adds to what you can do. I have seen a few spey guys on the Salmon river in the spring. They just swing flies. I do not know if you can nymph with a spey? You could always look into a switch rod.

**Esopus Guy** · 10-25-2010, 05:22 PM

You can absolutely nymph with a spey rod, indi or bouncing. You can also do some spey casting with single handed rod.
The advantages of it are that it is generally less tiring. Easier to do a few anchor casts single or double handed all day. Great for when you have little room to back cast and need a bit of distance as well.

Another advantage is in winter you tend to have less line running in and out of your guides so you get less ice up.

If you see some idiot in the winter on the Farmington single hand spey casting it's me..lol

**AaronJasper** · 10-25-2010, 09:09 PM

A switch or shorter Spey rod is great for nymphing for steelhead and browns, especially on the larger tributaries. I have a 12 foot 7 weight that is going to get broken in soon. Before that an 11 foot 7 weight was my go to rod.

**Esopus Guy** · 10-25-2010, 09:29 PM

Aaron I did'nt know you were into that. 8) I think Loren is breaking me in on that tip this winter. I'm a little anxious to say the least........

**Adam** · 10-26-2010, 09:18 AM

If you see some idiot in the winter on the Farmington single hand spey casting it's me..lol

You aren't the only one...guilty of that as well.

**AuSableTrophyhunter** · 10-26-2010, 09:50 AM

I am considering a switch rod in part because I am expecting that one day I will break my venerable Orvis 9ft, 8 wt that I bought in the 80s. It is unbelievable that it has NOT broken with the big fish and swift current. I feel I should have a backup rod in the car so a trip is not spoiled. A guide told me he had a client whose fly rod blew up near the cork handle and sprayed graphite into his face. Likely a defect in the blank because the butt section is less likey to break than the tip, right? But overall, rods and reels really take a beating steelhead and salmon fishing with the rivers, fish and weather.

**bill de brooklyn** · 10-27-2010, 04:43 PM

it can't hurt to have a spey or switch rod. If you learned to roll cast correctly you are on your way to spey casting. that being said, i still see anglers who try to force a roll cast. this year Rio and Wulff came out with fly lines designed for spey casting with a single hand rod; the Rio LT trout line & the wulff ambush taper.