It started as a simple idea for a few budding Spey enthusiasts to get together, cast two-handers and share information. It was 2008 and the Spey movement in North America was full speed ahead as new rod and line designs were consistently hitting the market. The Spey gathering would be an opportunity to test equipment and learn from others.
Geoff Schaake and Dave Lenhart were the driving force behind the effort. The plan was to meet, cast and to bring a grill, tables and chairs for a simple lunch for those that showed. But by the time the winter show season rolled around Geoff was receiving offers from fly shops and manufacturers for support. Poppy from the Red Shed was especially helpful providing both merchandise and advice. Geoff used his marketing background to promote it on the internet. Offers for presentations came in from Nick Pionessa, Jeff Liskay, Whitney Gould, Lee Davison, Bruce Berry, Walt Geryk and myself. And with that Spey Nation was born. And a surprising 75 to 80 people attended the first event.
From that point through the next decade Spey Nation maintained a reputation as the premier Spey event in the East. With some of the top casters and names in the sport providing presentations and classes on a rotational basis. Spey Nation even teamed up with the Fish Creek Salmon Club in their effort to reestablish landlock salmon to the Lake Oneida tributary.
The onset of Covid along with changing family responsibilities caused Geoff and Dave to put Spey Nation temporarily on the shelf. Enter Swing the Fly and a deal to own and operate the Spey Nation brand that would bring the gathering back to life with the objective of infusing new energy and creating its next edition – essentially Spey Nation 2.0.
The new Spey Nation 2024 has been under construction for the last few years beginning with the Swing the Fly sponsored Spey casting classes held on the Salmon River in New York State in the summer of 2022. For 2023 classes were combined with the traditional Spey Nation Saturday event including a slate of presentations open to the public. The weekend experienced a solid turnout despite high water and some nasty T-storms.
The momentum of the last two years is now rolling into 2024 and there is much to be excited about with expanded classes, presentations, vendors, and event sponsors. The class roster is designed to accommodate anglers of all skill levels with an objective of offering classes that allow students to continue their learning experience from year to year. While the classes filled quickly, there are still a few openings for two of the classes.
The open presentations have been carefully designed to expand on the previous year’s discussions by offering fresh, new topics given by Swing the Fly instructors Topher Browne, Jeff Liskay, Nick Pionessa, and myself. The highlight is having Swing the Fly Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Zack Williams presenting and teaching at Spey Nation 2024. Zack is one of the world’s top distance Spey casters and has a precision approach to Spey casting. He is also author of the Spey casting book entitled Anchor-Centric Spey Casting – Theory, Methodology & Practice. We are all sure to glean information and tips from Zack’s presentation that will improve our casting.
This year features Swing the Fly/Spey Nation partnering with sponsors that will also be present on Saturday August 10th to display product and further the educational purpose of the event. Core sponsorship is provided by Oswego County. Other sponsors include Scott Fly Rods, HMH Vises, Douglaston Salmon Run, Scientific Anglers, Patagonia, and RB Meiser Rods. The sponsor involvement will help round out a day full of learning opportunities.
Last but not least, back by popular demand is the lunch free to all attendees. Hot dogs and hamburgers never taste as good as when grilled along a river. The lunch break is a perfect time to meet and talk with other Spey anglers and ask follow up questions to the presenters.
This year also features a guest tying table on Friday evening at the Tail Water Lodge. The tying table will double as a social event with the opportunity to mingle with instructors and other attendees and promises to be a comfortable setting to kick off the main event on Saturday.
There is a lot be excited about regarding Spey Nation 2024 with a full slate of activities and classes for three full days. The vision Geoff and Dave once had to simply bring Spey enthusiasts together is still at the heart of Spey Nation. But now with Spey Nation combining with Swing the Fly, the focus is on refining the mission while expanding the educational content of the full event. This year is just another step in the future growth of Spey Nation.