What is SPEY Casting?

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!

Photo by Rick Kustich

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.

Photo by Bruce Kruk

4. Practice!