Which Blank for a light Trout Spey Rod?

[Gemrod]

I would like to build a spey rod. But know absolutely nothing about them. I have the following blanks:

9' 10wt 3pc Beulah

9' 5wt 3pc Forecast or Pac Bay

10'-6" 5wt 2 pc...blank weight = 2.4oz

10' 3wt 2 pc "Full Flex"

13' Rainshadow for
lines 4-8
Action = moderate
Power = light
Butt = .5"
Tip = 4.5

Which would you recommend for a light trout spey or switch rod?

[cheffy]

Spey and switch are two different animals. If you are looking for a Spey rod, 9' is too short.
check out the offerings from Batson. They have a 10'6" switch blank in 5/6. I just ordered their 10'6" in a 7/8 for a steelhead switch rod. I think they also have several lighter weight spey blanks. Their quality,service, price are unmatched. But that's my opinion.

[Uncle Barry]

Good morning,
Only one reply to this thread.

Dear me, whats wrong, some people must have used a small Spey rod, some people must have some idea that they could share with some people, surely ?

Kind regards,
UB
I use a Trout Spey rod

[Gemrod]

Thanks Uncle Barry. I was thinking the exact same things. Where the heck is everyone when it comes to talking spey? So far I got's no help at all.

[hardhat]

I have built on the Batson switch rod blank. I would rate it as a moderate to moderate fast blank. The quality of the blank is good and it makes for a nice finished rod. If you search the rod building phorum you will find some information on there from Kerry who is a part of Batson. It seems that he is a regular contributor.

[RS1]

I don't think you want to build one (spey) under 12'. Big difference between a spey and a switch rod.
I have a friend that is into two handed casting and fishing. He does have some nice Echo Dec Hogan two handed rods in 4w, 5w and a 6w for light trout. The 4w is an 11'9" rod, the 5w is around 12' if I remember right and the 6w is 12'6". I used them last week. I'm not sure if you can get blanks for them yet. I'm not certain who makes two hander blanks in trout sizes either. These are NOT the same as switch rods they are "spey" type (two handers).
I just looked online and they go for $349 retail. That might be cheaper than buying grips, a nice seat, guides etc. If you enjoy fishing for trout with the two hander, maybe build you one later.
This friend used his 5w all last year on the Green and Provo rivers swinging softhackles and caddis. He has a hard time going back to single handed rods now. The lines he used were AirFlo Delta tapers in 4,5 and 6w spey lines.
Good luck in your endevor.

[Gemrod]

Thanks for the info. When one has absolutely no info on a subject....anything at all is helpful. I have a 13'6 blank that was not in any category when I purchased it. Meaning it was not listed as a spey rod blank, switch.....nada. Just that it was for 4-8 wt lines. Perhaps I can check the action of this blank. I am not sure what action I want though. I am told full flex is best but also read where others prefer fast.

I have looked for some spey rod building kits but not been too happy with what I have found so far. H&H lists one but when you go there it just tells you a price. No pics of the gear, no comments about guides, grip or anything. Kind of if you want one of these you gotta buy it sight unseen. Not too happy with that idea.

[Gemrod]

RS1
Thank you for your post. Lot of good info there. Length's, wt's, even line brands,....
I was just wondering if anyone even sold a spey blank in any wt less than 6wt. Your post very interesting. Thanks again.

[Uncle Barry]

Good evening.
To try and help a mate and maybe some other fellows,

did you note,
RS1, "He has a hard time going back to single handed rods now."

I wonder why
Why because its the best fun with a fly rod you ever had, in fact you would never think possible. The fun and where and how you could fish a fly rod was EVEN possible !

To help some,
I will write in a general term/s, as with this subject you could write a never ending book.

And I will write this over numbers of posts to save my old fingers.
Ask questions all you wish, as there are no silly questions in this learning curve.

Where to start ?
Maybe the type of rod blank.

There are numbers of different rod blanks, all depending on their action.
with regards to a Trout Spey, which is generally a 6w or less rod.

Scandi type, these are a fast tip type of rod, not ideally suited for a Trout.
Skagit ....... tip type rod, not suitable
There are a number of different tip types also, like an Overhead casting however thats another topic.

Switch rod type, this is an attempt to be all things to all fly fishers, fantastic idea, be it for salt or sweet water.
Usually a fast actioned blank that will be finished with a longer for grip.
this rod will allow nice Spey type casts and Spey type casts, a very useful rod for the average fly fisher (why more aren't sold, I will never understand ! )

Then traditional Spey type of blank.
This rod's action will bend all the way into the grip, normally most people would not like this action, as they have been feed for years by the so called 'experts', its go to be faster and faster rod action or nothing.... rubbish.

Which in due course is taking the caster away from effective river and or lake fishing and casting !

This kind of action is called 'slow'.

Why a 'slow' actioned rod is required,
this is because the rod's loading will come from only a few feet behind the caster, this is normally in the form of a D Loop, where as the fast actioned rod will come from a loading in the air... the loading is from the line in the air. And then progressively loaded till the final false cast is made.

Therefore the cast time for a Spey type rod, verses a single handed rod, over head casting is about 1/4 at most, result, your fly spends more time in the water per trip than a single handed rod's cast fly does.

Can a fast tip/actioned rod cast Spey style.
Yes.
However as the rod is not primaryly designed for this appication, then it is not ideal for Spey casts.

Best way to describe the above could be,
Fast action rod, Overhead casts 100% SC's 50 at most (don't forget the Scandi and Skagit types with are different again )..... this is in the area of a Switch rod.

Traditional Spey, OH casts 25% (WITH A Short belly line...lines at another post, remember my fingers) and SC's 100%..beautifully !

Rod lengths and why.
next post,

Trust I haven't confused, yet.

Kind regards,
UB

[Uncle Barry]

Traditional actioned Trout Spey rod in the 5/6w 12 foot class.

BUT fishing the salt (its a hell of a lot of fun).
Cast, an Underhand from the wrong shoulder, thats why it looks a bit odd.

The rod's bend, all the way into the cork grip.




Kind regards,
UB