Spey casting utilizes the anchoring of the front of the fly line and leader on the water to do two things:
- Eliminate the backcast -This allows casting in tighter conditions where trees may prevent a backcast.
- Change Directions -An efficient way to recast the line from directly downstream to back out into the current.
Spey Casting has evolved leaps and bounds in the last few decades; from its beginnings targeting Atlantic Salmon to the present uses for steelhead, trout and much much more. Spey casting is now regularly employed on every continent (except maybe Antarctica:) with all kinds of tackle.
At its purest, Spey casting is an elegant, efficient, and enjoyable way to cast and fish!
4 Steps to Get Started!
1: Learn Basic Spey Casting Terminology
- Anchor – The portion of the line/leader that remains in contact with water during the Spey cast.
- D-Loop -The aerialized portion of the line behind you during the Spey cast. Makes a visual D-Shape.
- Touch & Go Spey Cast – Spey casts where your lines only briefly touches the water to form the anchor.
- Waterborne Spey Cast -Spey casts that begin with the entire spey line laying anchored to the water.
- Skagit Casting -A style of waterborne Spey casting originating in NW USA and primarily used with Skagit Spey Lines.
- Scandi Casting -A style of touch and go Spey casting originating in Scandinavia, primarily used with Scandi (Scandinavian) style Spey lines.
- Traditional Spey Casting -Spey casting revolving around longer lines such as short, mid and long bellys.
2.Consider a professional instructor, book or dvd.
3. Make sure you have the right equipment.
We recommend visiting your local fly shop for the best advice.
