It is my understanding…which is probably wrong…that a spey rod listed as a 7-8 wt is really a 5-6 wt in a single wt rod. Confusing…because I never seem to see one that is a 3-4wt spey…which would equate to a 5-6wt single hand rod…and thus be ok for inland trout in my state.
How the heck does one select spey rods? I usually see 7-8 wt spey…which would equate to a 9-10 wt single had rod…and thus fly line? Heck I don’t want a 10wt…
Hi Whitewolf, while it is true that a spey rod is 2 weights heavier, the main difference is in the line used. You could use a #7wf or dt single hand line on a #5 spey but it will not be a pleasure to cast, the spey lines have a different taper. The 2 lines heavier works for single hand shooting heads, but I don’t think you will be using these very often for trout.
A 5# switch rod with the right line will be good for trout, as long as the trout are not very small. For delicate presentation at distance a spey or switch rod is hard to beat. I use a #7 switch on the Tongariro river and it is a little heavy but not by much. The Tongariro fish average about 3lb and a good one is 6 to 9lb.
All the best.
Mike
Appreciate the info Mike. How you doing with the world down there lately?
I wish to learn to “SPEY” cast for my inland trout. I want to learn the techniques of casting with a spey rod and I want to fish for my inland stillwater trout wit a spey rod. And I know it is mainly for rivers. I think I would have fun spey casting on stillwater. Especially if I can catch some trout…
My inland trout only need a 5 or 6wt single hand rod. Wondering how to aquire the equivalent of that in a for real spey rod…which would not be over rodded for my inland trout. I am not of the ultra light gear that perhaps could harm trout…although I contend I can horse in the same trout on a 3wt just as fast as on a 6wt…cause the tippet gonna break on boaf…But if I “think” I am not hurting trout as much…'tis all the better for me.
I heard that a switch rod is not all that fun casting two handed. So the main thing is the main thing…what spey rod would be the equivalent? And then what line for that spey rod…full spey line…Orvis has them on sale for $29…or did anyway. A Scandi? A Skagit?..just too danged much that I don’t know…but wanna know. ya know?
Hi whitewolf, I know what you mean, it can be confusing. Firstly let me say that for the fishing you describe a Skagit head is not required, they are very heavy short heads designed to turn over big flies and heavy sink tips. They are not designed for delicacy! A scandi head is much better for presentation and with a poly leader on the end will still be able to fish at depth. A Traditional full spey line will cast and present well, but they have very long heads and do not shoot much line.
As for rods, a full spey even if you can find one at #5 may be too heavy. Some makers may have a #4 but you will probably have to contact them to find out. Beuhla and Echo spring to mind.
As for fun two handed casting I use my Switch rod about 4x as much as I use my full Spey, I like two handed casting and I use both Skagit and Scandi lines on the switch and a full spey line on the spey rod, I just find it way more fun to shoot lots of line with the switch. I have never tried a shooting head on the longer spey, but suspect it would be just as much fun.
All the best.
Mike
Whitewolf,
I have both spey and switch rods and almost exclusively use the switch rod – for both classical type of spey casting and also for still water where I mainly use it for a two handed cast — nothing fancy about that – it does take some time and practice to be able to learn the cast. There is tons of information on spey casting – in some respects probably too much - especially when first starting out.
If you get serious about it, talk to a few of the fly shops that are more specialized towards spey. I would suggest calling the Red Shed in Idaho and talk with Poppy. He can be alot of help and might even send you some gear to try out. Above all, get some good instruction as there is a learning curve.
I can second Poppy at the red shed, he is very good and a font of knowledge and his service is second to none!
Have a look at this, it will answer most of your questions.*http://speypages.com/speyclave/showthread.php?t=55094
*All the best.
Mike
I’m not sure what you’re asking: With, let’s say, a 7-weight spey rod, you could use a 10-weight traditional line.
But yes, ask Poppy. He’s a great, helpful guy.
Randy
This thread is MOST helpful! Wow what great information. Super thank you to you Randy, Mike, and Orthoman!
Great information in the area I am needing it. Just great.
Friends, don’t neglect Randy’s link that says spincasting. A ton of great spey information for the wannabe like me.
I am very serious. I have prchased the 15’ and 13’ spey rods from Albright before I knew anything about spey. I have a custom build switch rod I think in the 5-6 range with a line designed for it by one of Mr. Meiserr’s people. Have not cast any of them yet.
I wish to spey cast for inland lake trout in the 1-10 pound range. I am old and have knee and feet trouble. So I wish to spey cast from the bow of a boat that I just got…a 38 year old fiberglass. It is perfect for what I want…sturdy and stable enough to spey cast from the front seat with a foot controlled trolling motor.
But I am just now wondering about spey casting for bass, northern pike, walleye, stripers, and carp. Wonder if spey casting at night is doable.
Wow what an interesting subject. I have the above mentioned species at hand…although not the prime species here…which is trout. The stripers a 200 mile drive. All the rest local.
Poppy sent me three lines to try on my 15’ spey. I didin’t knowwhat reel to put them on. I need to get off my lazy old arse and get on wit it. I am the only one interested in spey casting in my area.
Thank you gentleman for the great info. When diving into it there is a ton of good information for the rookie on here.
Hat’s off to you guys. Well done.
If you’re going to spey fish for bass or any of those other fish you mentioned I’d probably go with a Skagit line. It will make it easier to handle heavier flies.
Also, with a Skagit line you won’t have to worry about setting up an airborne anchor. Setting up a waterborne anchor is much easier. IMHO.
Randy
trout Spey ACR rods 11’7" 3 wt. is what I use 235grain line by SGS with mend master running line. joy for stream trout and smallmouth bass.
Thanks Bill. Interesting. I am building a 10’ 3wt rod! I decided to give it a 24" Tennessee handle and try to two hand cast it. I didn’t have a clue what line to put on it. I added a one foot extension grip. This makes it an 11’ 3wt rod! But it is not a spey blank. Just figured I would build it for grins.
this sounds like you may have built a 3rd.single hand . If so you might consider a wolf triangle taper Line. for Spey style cast. wolf ambush and rio outbound make good lines for Spey style cast. but they are not available in 3wt. please I am not qualified Spey man i have played with a few trying to get the setup that I have. might give Steve Godshal in Medford Oregon .he is a line expert . he understand Spey and switch, top to bottom.