So im kicking back lastnight and contemplating which 8wt rod to go with and it hits me....why dont I try a spey rod. I mean, you can cast way farther, im getting older(just kiddin fellas), and mostly you can cover a ton more water than a normal fly rod. Am I correct in these assumptions?
How do all you spey nazis like the spey rods versus normal rods?? Is casting really easier like they say it is. How does wind affect a spey...the same as a normal rod??
I know I will have a few more questions but it was just an idea that popped in my head and I figured I would ask the experts.
I need clarification on dates cause my mind is meager and I im not sure im following which weekend is being referrenced. If it is the weekend of the 16th and 17th of August, I will not be able to attend. I am being graced by the presence of the almighty and all knowing, Sparse Grey Hackle, once again. I have to hold his hand and take him into some pristine Idaho waters. (in which, any else interested is welcome to join us as the waters are long and full of big fish).
It looks like Saturday August 16, 2003 Ben Howard starting around 10:00 AM
I have been working on getting things organize and will try to get some Instructors to help those who would like it.
May get a Dry-Fly Steelhead presentation and a casting demo or two.
Pwoens I know you started this and will not be able to make it but there will be another on Sept. 20th time and place to be announced.
Ps Everyone is welcome the more the merrier.
speybum www.speyshop.com
:smokin
I saw a spey rod on ebay for less than $200. It's a St. Croix, 14ft, 9wt. I like the 9wt. since this will only be used for the big waters we have on the O.P. Give me some good vibes and it's a done deal. But, if caution is suggested, then I'm still looking. I put a lot of trust in you guys!
Bob, the Speyless one.
;( ;(
Oh man you guys, I have the family reunion this weekend. Not going to make it to Ben Howard if I'm at confluence state park this weekend.
Bob,
I have that St. Croix you can try and a few others. We should hook up later and let you play with them. I wouldn't buy another St Croix, but go to the Spey Clave if you can and try some of those others. If I were to do it again I'd buy a Sage 9140 on ebay instead of the St. Croix. Try to target about half retail, but there is always some bozo bidding 400 or better for them. Sometimes though, there will be a sleeper come through that never gets above 300 or so. Personally I think a brand new yellow line Loop 8124 for 380 would be the ticket for a beginner. But it is not a beginner rod.
Matt
"Everyday that you wake up and decide not to go fishing...is one less day you'll go fishing." Forrest Maxwell
OK, just as a final reminder. We will see some collection of you lot at Ben Howard on the Sky at 10 am on Saturday. Here's hoping some of you will show up and do some casting. Otherwise, Speybum and I are going fishing.
I'm hoping to come Aaron. Got my kids sprung on me (my ex wife is bringing them home a week early). So, depends on them. Not sure they want to sit and watch their Dad WATCH a speyclave. LOL. But I'm hoping to show up.
An office move, phase of the moon, and availability of movers has messed this up for me. Jim, your donuts will be in Bothell. Hope all have a good time.
I did a search for Ben Howard, and got the road. I assume it's there in Monroe (I don't usually fish up that way so not familiar). If someone reads this in the AM, please verify. Will double check before I leave. Gonna show up for sure now.
For those of you who haven't been to a spey clave, I highly recommend going! It's an excellent chance to learn how to cast a spey rod for free! I've been to two of Aaron's spey claves so far, and they've been excellent. I learned how to spey cast at one back in December... Wish I could go to this one, but I have a meeting with some pink salmon on the beach. have a blast!
Ok, found the directions. But, had a mishap this AM. Thanks to my ex. She called and said she may have to drop kids off this AM. Finally she called around 1pm saying she wouldn't have to. So, maybe next time.
I thought this little shindig turned out pretty good. Speybum and Speyman, thanks for making it official and bringing the try rack. I never pass up the opportunity to cast a few new rods. The Loops and CNDs were pretty sweet. I hope the beginners there learned a little bit, despite the wind.
Well I enjoyed it although I didn't try out any rods. I guess I don't want people to see me making a ass out of myself. I just can't seem to get myself committed to a spey rod. I probably just need a nudge but it hasen't come yet(the nudge). I learned about the waking fly thing and how to apply the riffle hitch. SO even though I didn't do the Spey rod thing it was an enjoyable time.
I would like to thank those of you who showed up the Mini-Clave.
I always enjoy casting and the coaching.
Always learn some thing my own same self.
Old Man any time you want some coaching let me know.
We are looking toward September for another one.
Thanks again guys.
Thank you circlespey and speybum for organizing this Mini-spey clave, and whomever initiated it. }(
It's always amazing to see a pro casting a miles away with such an ease, and dream of it you can do it someday. Dry fly demo is interesting, gona apply Jack's (?) theory about the mending next time. Got chances to try some of the rods, though the wind really wore me out, especially with the extended long belly line, I really enjoyed my short stay. Thanks guys, can't wait for the next one!
:beer2
I am gradually becoming a spey convert for much of my fishing. I especially enjoy spey fishing in saltwater where I now have less concern over my back cast interfering with people's freedom on the beach. ( I do feel that flyfishers should be respecting other people's use of the beaches by limiting their back casts and not causing people to have to move around the caster.This would include not encroaching on "gear" fishers, who have been there for nearly 200 years.)
I find the big advantage to spey casting in the ability to effectively manipulate the line in river fishing. As for covering more water, I am not so sure this is so. I think it is true that I cover some of the same( single handed rod) water with a spey rod now more effectively.The downside to spey fishing is that the longer lever gives the fish an advantage, and I see many fish get overplayed because of this. So as Robert Ruark said about big game hunting: "Use enough gun" ( and match the rod to the gamefish you are pursuing). I use a 14' nine weight Sage, in four piece. It is a slower action rod. I do have the Rio lines, several, and the Wulff lines. I like the long Triangle taper though it's not easy to mend. I am going to spend the next season with a traditional no-frills double-taper line just for kicks. I originally tried that and loved it. So I am going to include that in my game, along with the Rio Spey lines, Windcutter and it's upgrade, Mid Spey etc. If you pbserve some of the really great old fashioned spey casters, especially from England and the U.K., you will see that a double taper flyline works really wel in the hands of a good caster. I am a floating line junky too, so that's part of my thinking. Even in winter.
The spey cast is based on the roll cast, though it is more dynamic. The roll cast proper is a static cast.
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