fishhog
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Mining for steel
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Reged: 12/15/03
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Loc: Lynden
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Well, it's that time of year again and I'm still thinking Iwant to give spey Fishing/Casting a go. Why, I have no idea why, just wanting to try different methods I suppose. I used to do quite a bit of single handed flyfishing in my younger days.
So here's my questions:
What length & weight would be suitable for fishing steelhead in medium to larger river systems?
With all the different types of lines out there, What's a good type of line to start out with?
What the heck is a windcutter type line used for?
I know spey set-ups aint cheap. What is a reasonable dollar amount to spend initally? I can usually scrounge up a used set-up, but brands to look for or stay away from would be helpful.
Thanks
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Is my Red Neck showing?
Politically correct..... What's that?
Netting = extinction
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Mojo
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Instigator
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Reged: 09/10/03
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Loc: Bootsville, Idaho
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Fishog, I just got a 13' 8 wt Cabelas Traditions (made by Sage) 2 hander for 80 bucks at the new Cabelas in Boise. It casts great with a 7/8 Delta Spey line (Airflo). It will throw all the line you need to fish the Skagit, Clearwater, and comparable rivers. It was a close-out deal (check the bargain cave on Cabelas site).
I'd guess any similar rod (13-15 foot, 8 to 11 weight) would be adequate for your rivers. You should contact REDSHED from the site here, and see what he can put together for you. I guarantee he will take care of you.
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
TEAM SMOKIN' MERC
TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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REDSHED
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steelie
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Reged: 07/26/03
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Loc: Peck, Idaho USA
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Mojo, Actually I think your rod might have been made by St Croix, or a least the blank.
Fishhog,I think if you can only have one spey rod it should be a 14'-9wt., or 9/10. This model is sort of the 30.06 of spey rods.
As for lines I would start with a short head spey line, ie, WindCutter, Delta, Jim Teeny, ect. Every line manufacturer has such a line so if you have a favorite brand you can get a short head line. A WindCutter is a short head (55' head) line that is known to be good on windy days. Most any short head line will have these same attributes. A multi tip line is a plus if you can afford one. If not it is a simple matter to chop and loop your floater so you can use sinktips on it.
You didn't ask but you will need at least a 4" reel to balance a 14' rod. They range in price from the lowly Okuma ($75.00) to more then $800.00. If you are on a budget that Okuma as well as several other lower priced reels will serve you well.
You can get a new two hander from $269.95 (Echo Classic) to over $900.00 for a Loomis Greased Line GLX. In my opinion there are not really any bad two handers if they are lined with the proper line weight. I have a package deal based on the TFO rods or Echo Classics that sells for $400.00. This is turn key except for flies. It includes a rod with bag, tube, and a "NO BS" no fault warranty, an Okuma Integrity 10/11 LA reel, floating line matched to the rod, backing, leader, line dressing, and a spey casting dvd.
If you have a local shop that speaks spey give them a visit. I would take a test drive before I bought anything. If you can't get a test drive near home let me know and I'll set one up.
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Mojo
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RESDHED,
I thought so as well, but several people at the Spey Clave told me Sage. Either way it is still a Cabelas rod, and I like the way it casts. One of these days, I'll get good at it. 
Fishog, I like the Echo rods REDSHED carries, and I have 3 TFO rods. Either way you win.  REDSHED's deal is about the best thing going, and the line is gonna match the rod.
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
TEAM SMOKIN' MERC
TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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Steelheader69
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Nooch Diver and Camp Cook
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Reged: 12/30/00
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Loc: South Prairie, WA
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Mark, there is a place called the Speyshop that's located near Northbend/Duvall. They have free casting clinics on the weekends (or used to). Would be a great way to learn and to test the waters so to speak. Fred may have Aaron's number.
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TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Project Healing Waters
CampChef Prostaffer
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workin4fishin
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Chromer - I wonder what one looks like up close
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Reged: 09/13/02
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Loc: Monroe and Redmond WA
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Mark, check out the Spey clinic on the Sky on Sunday morning. AllAbouttheFly.com has the info. Call me when you're in Monroe this wknd.
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REDSHED
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steelie
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Loc: Peck, Idaho USA
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I agree, both Aaron's (Speyshop) and All About the Fly are great places to get your spey tackle.
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fishhog
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Mining for steel
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Reged: 12/15/03
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Loc: Lynden
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Thanks for the tips guys!!!
W4F - my trip was cancelled 
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Is my Red Neck showing?
Politically correct..... What's that?
Netting = extinction
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knot_tyer
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dual red striper
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Reged: 12/22/04
Posts: 465
Loc: Idaho
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Contact Scott Dohner over there. He came fishing last week. He will be able to answer most all your ??????? Tell him you spoke with Jeff Jarrett.
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Team FI
Team Smoking Merc
Team Jackson Baldwin
The catching was so good I thouth I was there yesterday, Dave engbertson
www.wefishhere.com
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fredaevans
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Thick Tail
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Loc: Upper Rogue River- Oregon
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Quote:
Steelheader69 said:
Mark, there is a place called the Speyshop that's located near Northbend/Duvall. They have free casting clinics on the weekends (or used to). Would be a great way to learn and to test the waters so to speak. Fred may have Aaron's number.
River Run Anglers. Here's a list of Aaron's 'try rack rods.'
http://www.speyshop.com/channels/the_try_rack/2004/1089611445/index.shtm
Aaron has a big 'do' scheduled for the end of October at the Tolt-McDonald park. I'll be there, as well as (last note) three of the best casters from the Carron fly line company from Scotland. Should be a gas as they're staying with me in the Motor Home.
Fred
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Fred A. Evans
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fredaevans
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Thick Tail
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Loc: Upper Rogue River- Oregon
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One more thought on 'which rod.' Poppy makes a good point about the 14' 9wt being the '30.06' for spey rods vis a vis length/line weight. That said! DON'T get a longer/higher line weight rod as your 'first out of the box.'
For 'newbie's' bigger IS NOT better.  For 'teaching purposes' I'll rarily hand anyone more than a 7wt from 12.5 to 13.5 foot in lenght. Getting timing, etc., down is far easier on a lighter/shorter rod. Longer/heavier rods tend to reinforce (imho) bad casting habits.
Fred
Fred
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Fred A. Evans
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REDSHED
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steelie
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Loc: Peck, Idaho USA
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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.
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Steelheader69
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Nooch Diver and Camp Cook
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Hey Fred, what weekend is this event? I may have a weekend available and could head up that way with some "drinks". Let me know.
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TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Project Healing Waters
CampChef Prostaffer
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jimh
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Salted and Unsalted Boater!
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Via ebay, try a tioga reel and batson blank. For 8/9 with backing you'll need a 10LA or 12LA. That's assuming you want a large arbor. The downside of a ebay purchase is you can't try before you buy, but you are talking about outfitting with a good rod reel and line for 400 compared to 600-1000.
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Wear a PFD if you want to live.
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Mojo
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I bought the Tioga Magnum 12LA for my spey outfit for 130.00 from ebay. My advice is if you do not go with a oufit from the REDSHED, this reel is the way to go. My 1st recommendation is calling Mike at the REDSHED though.
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
TEAM SMOKIN' MERC
TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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knot_tyer
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dual red striper
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Loc: Idaho
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When I teach folks: I give them 2 rods to get started. The first is a traditional action ( sage 7136) and a european (st.croix imperial 14' 9wt). Most folks that don't have any former knowledge, I put them in the 7wt. After a bit the start to develop the dreaded top hand syndrome. Then they get the 9wt. The 9wt after a little while tires them and starts to rid them of their bad habits.
my consensus is to sample a few rods til you find something that feels right. If a fly shop is worth a [**whoops**], they will let you kick the tires on several rods with lines. If you want, come over here one weekend and I will personally show how easy and reasonable trhis sport can be. If you know Pat Murphy the football coach over there, join him when he comes over. He has booked 18 days this winter.
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Team FI
Team Smoking Merc
Team Jackson Baldwin
The catching was so good I thouth I was there yesterday, Dave engbertson
www.wefishhere.com
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fredaevans
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Thick Tail
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Reged: 06/12/03
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Loc: Upper Rogue River- Oregon
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Quote:
Steelheader69 said:
Hey Fred, what weekend is this event? I may have a weekend available and could head up that way with some "drinks". Let me know.
Here you go: http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/showthread.php?t=23363
I'll be there from the afternoon of the 27th til the 31st (Motor home right at the park. 'Hosting' the three fellows from Carron Lines .. that should be a blast!! )
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Fred A. Evans
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fredaevans
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Thick Tail
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Loc: Upper Rogue River- Oregon
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Quote:
knot_tyer said:
When I teach folks: I give them 2 rods to get started. The first is a traditional action ( sage 7136) and a european (st.croix imperial 14' 9wt). Most folks that don't have any former knowledge, I put them in the 7wt. After a bit the start to develop the dreaded top hand syndrome. Then they get the 9wt. The 9wt after a little while tires them and starts to rid them of their bad habits.
It's the 'bad habits' that get far too many 2-handers resigned to a dark closet after a few outings. Personal opn. here only, if you can get a guy/gal/younster making 'succesful casts' you get 'happy campers' very quickly. Then as noted above, move them on to a larger/longer rod to really develop their skills.
Simple things such as getting your elbows up to (about) the level of your arm pits*** will reduce the 'fatigue factor' by half. You won't feel it much with a 7wt, but you'll sure as heck will with a 9wt. (What you're doing is getting your chest area out of the way of your body rotation. Try it; hold the rod level to the ground, rotate your upper body SLOWLY and then SLOWLY raise your elbows. You'll see what I mean. 
*** Edit here: 'elbow's up' will also put your lower hand/rod handle at about the middle of your chest. A very good thing, especially for long line casts.
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Fred A. Evans
Edited by fredaevans (10/09/06 07:04 AM)
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