Re: Looking for recommendations

I'll have to disagree with my good friend Mr. Evans, at least a little. I think you should get a rod sized for the water you will be fishing the most. Unless a person is smaller in stature (kids & ladies) it is pretty well agreed the 14' is the best all around length "if you can only have one". I also think you should learn with the rod length you will be fishing. A 14' rod with a properly matched line will not instill bad habits any quicker then a shorter rod, in fact I believe it just the reverse.

A 14-9/10 rod with a moderate action, lined with a 9/10 Delta Long or MidSpey with the color change held in the caster's hand is a very effective teaching setup. After one learns to cast if he/she desires something faster in action merely drop down a line size and you will be set.

With all of the above being said, if Fred comes up to you on the Rogue and offers you a "little stick" to learn with please don't tell him "no, it's to short". This man has gotten MANY people started spey casting and has done more then his share in promoting same. There are not a lot of people that will offer a complete stranger a spey outfit costing several hundred so they can see what it's all about, but Fred has done this many times.