Skagit style rod and casting - what is it?

[Richard]

I'm very new to spey fishing and casting, and I've heard reference to Skagit style casting, lines, rods, etc. What does that mean, and why and how are they different than, oh, traditional spey?

Thanks!

[Steve Buckner]

The Skagit casting style is generally a style that encompasses compact casting movements. It requires shorter, more compact motions because of the length of the fly lines used. Skagit lines are very heavy, short bellied lines (27' or so) that are designed for throwing heavy tips and/or heavy flies. Rod lengths are typically between 13' and 14'.

Traditional style encompasses larger motions and longer rods. Longer bellied lines are more typical, belly lengths range from 45' to 70' or so. Rods are 14' to 15' average.

The same casts are used regardless of style, they are the single spey, the snake-roll, the double-spey, and the c-spey. The mechanics for completing each cast remain roughly the same.

Each style has their pluses and minuses.

Long-bellied lines, as used with the traditional style, such as the XLT from SA, are great for casting long distances with minimal line retrieval between casts. The down side is that it doesn't throw heavy flies as well. (The front taper of this line is very long) Likewise, it is not the best line when there is minimal backcast room for a large d-loop. I like to throw long/mid-bellied lines in the summer/fall on big rivers.

Skagit lines (heavy, short bellied lines) are great for throwing heavy flies and heavy tips. They are also great when there is minimal room for creating a d-loop behind the caster. The down side is that the caster has to retrieve a long length of shooting line prior to each cast.

It is easier for a person first venturing into spey casting to gain control of a shorter bellied line such as the Skagit or Windcutter. Because the weight of the line is concentrated in the short head it is easier for the caster to feel the rod load. Longer bellied lines require the caster to have better line control, a skill that may be better developed using short/mid length lines.

Each river, each season, and the skill of the caster will help determine what a better line choice would be. I wouldn't want to throw a long bellied line during the winter and I also wouldn't want to necessarily throw a skagit line during the summer based upon the rivers/conditions that I fish under.

[Philster]

Steve provided the pro answer. Very thorough. Now, here's a super short answer for those who may not have the experience to understand Steve's answer, even though it is clear and wonderfully worded. He's probably very effective as a teacher. Communication and observation is more important than casting skills in a teacher.

Skagit rods tend to be shorter.

Skagit rods often have "softer" feeling actions, bending down into the cork. Don't confuse that with "slow" action. The good ones recover FAST!

Skagit rods are designed to throw much shorter, heavier lines. All things considered shorter lines are easier to control to get into position. If you want to lift your line off the water and put your fly line tip in a 3 foot circle 12 feet away from you, it's just easier with 35 feet of line than it is for 65 feet. Beginner or pro, it's easier and more consistent.

Most importantly you can skagit cast on almost any spey or single hand rod. I do it on a 15 foot scott 10 weight, and a 10.5 foot 7/8 switch rod on the two handed side. The old formula was the line should be 3 to 3.5 times the length of the rod to qualify as a "true" skagit line. But like all rules, they are there to be broken:thumb: The hard part is the weight of the line. Talking to folks and trying what's out there is the trick in choosing a line...

[Rick Baerg]

Hi all, new to the forum! I have a simple question about Skagit casting. All books and videos all stress using slower action rods for Skagit casting, why is this? Why not faster action rods? I my self prefer the faster action rods with skagit casting, just trying to ease my curiosity!

[fredaevans]

Rick, my simple answer based upon what you've read above, is the 'skagit cast' uses a 'slow/compact' casting stroke, far less dynamic that what you'd use on a long belly line. A slower action rod allows the rod to load far deeper without much in the way of 'tip action.' (As in large tip movements.)
Fred

[Rick Baerg]

Thanks Fred! I appriciate your reply. That I know, I guess what I am saying is if you "skagit cast" with a fast action rod is that not skagit casting? I have fished both slow and fast rods with the Airflo and Rio Skagit lines. I have found; maybe its just me but with a faster action rod you can achive exactly the same cast but with tighter loops. Now, I have done this with Rio's 15' 129 grains factory sink tips but not with T14 or T8 and a super heavy fly. I know this is what the Skagit cast is designed on! When using a faster action rod, will this make it harder to roll out T14 with a weighted fly?

[Rob Zelk]

Rick- You can surely skagit cast with fast rods. Faster action rods can be used if you want to speed your stroke up; the problem with faster rods and skagit casting tends to be in the experience of the caster. A faster stroke is required for faster rods, so you have to be able to execute your casts with more precision, unlike the slower rods which allow much more "play" when timing your casts. Its best to start out with a slower rod for a beginner until movements are mastered, then upgrade to a faster if your thirst for a fast rod continues. The reason i like the slower action of rods designed for skagit casting myself ( i use a glx dredger now, i started with the slower kispiox) is that they allow you to relax more and make casting the whole day easier. When i get lazy, i don't have to put as much effort into having a good cast.

[Rick Baerg]

Thank's Rob, that make sense!

[Brian Thomas]

Hey Rick , have you tried any Skagit lines on your 9140 greenie ? I tried my Airflow Skagit on mine , and was suprided to find that it worked quite well , especially since the line is light for that rod .

OTOH , that Guidelines rod ROCKS:thumb: with the Airflow

Brian

[Rick Baerg]

Hey Brian, yes the 8/9 Airflo Skagit is a great match with the greenie 9140:beer2: Under weighting the rod with the Airflo Skagit makes the cast almost effortless! Glad you are still enjoying that guideline! Have you been to the T yet? It's been fishing great. Im going up on Saturday, can't wait, been busy on the bench tying lots of Intruders, with that nice Dyna King Barracuda, thanks :) Was talking to Paul in Nelson, he mentioned that he was going to come down some time in March. I'll have make a trip down!