I’ve been thinking about a spey outfit. I’ve been through this before and survived. If they weren’t so darned expensive, I’d feel better about taking the plunge. Cabela’s has an LST outfit for $350 and that doesn’t include the line. What are your thoughts. What should I look for and look out for?
Can you get over to this side of the hill next weekend? There is a very cool gathering coming up in Monroe next Saturday aimed right at someone like you, the Jimmy Green Memorial Fy Fishing Fair and Casting Expo http://jimmygreenflyexpo.com/. This event is made for the beginner and will have many of the northwest best 2 handed casters and equipment makers/dealers present. There will be tons of rods to test cast and instructors to aid you in learning. If you have an interest in 2 handed rods you should make every effort to attend.
I agree with Kerry. That’s the place to be if your lookin for info and deals on a two hander.
REE
I’d like to but I’m hosting a fishing rendezvous at Marshall Lake in Pend Oreille County next weekend. Sounds like a great event though.
Joe,
Contact Poppy at the Red Shed Fly Shop. http://www.redshedflyshop.com/
Poppy set me up with a great outfit (TFO Deer Creek 5/6, Lamson Konic 4, Airflo scandi head, running line and leader) that fit my budget as I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to go head long into 2 handed rods. He included a lot of free stuff like a DVD for beginning spey casting by John and Amy Hazel. He also discounted the deal by over $100. The entire outfit delivered cost me $500 for $600+ worth of goods. Poppy loves to talk 2-handed fishing so you might want to give him a call.
I now enjoy 2 handed casting thanks to that purchase. It’s a lot of fun and comes in handy for some of the places I fish.
To bad you can’t make it. Take TyroneFly’s advice and contact Poppy. You will find no one with more passion for 2 handers and steelhead than Poppy.
Thanks Kerry & TF,
I’ve just returned from the RedShed website and I watched his video. I’ve heard great things about his shop and I’ve been close while attending the Idaho Fish-In’s. I like his enthusiasm of the sport but I didn’t find a link to anything for sale. I’m checking prices and quality for the amount paid. For now I’m just window shopping. What I would really like to know is what length rod for the easiest handling. Also, is it true that most or all spey casters tape their ferrules? What size reel is most appropriate for what size rod and line? That kind of newbie information is primarily what I need for now.
Thanks,
I’ll be mostly fishing from a bench like this one.
Let me try again.
Joe,
Give Poppy a call, he can and will answer all your questions. Take a look here http://www.redshedflyshop.com/shop-index.html on his web site and check out the test drive and rental section http://www.redshedflyshop.com/TESTRENTALTACKLE.html. Also click on the other links for pricing and such.
Lotech,
I haven’t found anything wrong with my two-hander. It’s a Cabela’s Traditional II 1308-4. I bought the 8 wt. because I already had an 8 wt. line and reel for one of my other rods. They match up fine.
On sale now with a rod sack and nylon covered tube for $99.99.
Have a look.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat20433-cat20457&id=0051121320102a&navCount=28&podId=0051121&parentId=&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=&indexId=cat20457&hasJS=true
Joe next time you go by Orofino on the way to Lowell Id. Poppy’s place is about 1/2 mile off the highway, its easy to find and He has lots of used equipment. He is a very basic guy I liked him from the start. He sure has a passion about two handers. Caution I mentioned REE and VEE when I was there and all the prices went up 20%. snicker snicker… hee hee…chortle. (not true).
If there was ever a guy who loved two handed rods, Poppy is the guy. VEE and I have been known to stop by his shop on the way to the Fish-In and on the way home. There is usually a Spey Clave near Orofino the last weekend of the Idaho Fish-In that Poppy puts on. Lots of spey gear, dealers, casting help, etc. Plus free food. I never miss free food, I mean never. Especially if it’s BBQ.
REE