Lawn spey tips

[Jerry Robillard]

I have heard of a tip that can be used on a spey line that give the friction needed when practicing in grass. Does anyone know where to get these?

Jerry

[doublespey]

Hi Jerry,

No need to buy one - just string a progressively lighter leader together, leaving the tag ends on the blood knots about 1/2" long.

These spikes grab the grass and give you a pseudo-anchor then spey casting on grass.

As you can probably guess, the longer the tags you leave the more 'stick' you'll get.

Start longer and shorten as needed - what works for you will be determined by the grass you're casting on. Heavier un-mowed grass will require less tag, while a closely trimmed lawn will require more.

Happy Casting!

Brian

[Marty]

I use 25 lb maxima to build my grass leaders. I use a blood knot every 4 to 6 inches and leader is 9 to 10 feet long. I clip the tag end same as doublespey. Casting on grass can very helpful, it teaches you how important the anchor is.

[fredaevans]

I use 25 lb maxima to build my grass leaders. I use a blood knot every 4 to 6 inches and leader is 9 to 10 feet long. I clip the tag end same as doublespey. Casting on grass can very helpful, it teaches you how important the anchor is.iagree

Both of the folks above are 'dead on' the building of a 'grass leader.' Thing you have to keep in mind is this is still a very different 'feel' than water loading, but it does allow you to practice your timing; big difference is in the front end during the beginning 'lift' which is all important with any spey cast.

[Panhandle]

So can you adequately practice the single spey with this tag method?

[DoubleL]

So can you adequately practice the single spey with this tag method?

For the most part yes, but practicing on the water is always better and the grass will make your lines somewhat dirty.

[Panhandle]

I'm not worried about my line. if I were lawn practicing, i'd be using a secondary line anyway. I have a huge yard-- Just wondering if I can work on my single spey this way.

[Marty]

You can practice all of the different casts. Casting on grass will actually improve your casting. Because you are working with only 9 feet of grab you have to slow down and make sure the line is in the right position in all stages of the cast. If you get in a hurry the line will become air born and the cast fails. Using grass to practice a single spey works well in fact I found it easier to get the feel of the touch and go of the cast. I have also found by tying a 2 inch piece of yarn on the end of the leader helps in slowing the end of the line down eliminating the crack of the whip. Water is fare more forgiving but casting on grass is well worth it.

[Jerry Robillard]

Thanks! I'll make up two of those leaders.

My wife and I are leaving for California tomorrow, and plan to fish the North Umpqua, Rouge and Sacramento Rivers with our new Echo rods (12' 6'' 6/7and 13' 7/8). We will lawn practice today. Since we are so new to two-handed casting, what simple spey cast should we practice now? We have the RIO 3-disk DVDs that we will view during the trip in the motorhome, and on the water we can practice what we learn.

Jerry

[Chris Bentsen]

Jerry
On river right, use a double spey cast. It is probably the easiest to master. On river left, you can try your single spey or try a circle spey which can be easier to learn. Just remember to slow down compared to single hand casting and do not worry about distance at first. It will come as you learn.
Have a good trip.
Chris