I bought an 8 wieght this summer to start fly fishing for steely's.I realy debated with the idea of getting a spey instead.I finally saw one in action this weekend.I was just wondering what the fly guys think of the whole spey thing.It almost seems like a craze? I know bent metal Bill fell head over heals in love with them,and if there is any body that I have learned from it is him.Are They worth the money?

I fish both spey and conventional fly gear, as well as plenty of conventional gear. Spey rods are great for certain kinds of water: water that you are intending to cover with a standard wet fly swing without retrieving the fly. For this water, they let you cover the water more easily than a standard rod.

For small water, and short, dunky sorts of casts, they are more trouble than they are worth.

I took a 7 wgt spey rod with me to alaska this year, and did well with it on big 'bows. It was great for reaching the middle of the river from stretches where you had brush at your back.

Ii'm still in process of learning my spey. I do more practice casting then casting to fish. I read your post about Goodings telling you it was a drift rod, not a fly rod basicaly. They were full of BS. I bought mine mainly for purpse of hitting flywater that was unreachable to a standard flyrod. I fish the Hoh alot and some oof my prime flywater was overstrewn with overhanging branches behind me. So I used my driftgear mostly and th occasional pocket that as open I'd throw my bug rod. I'll say it's nice to have a starndard flyrod an a spey. Since you alreay have the 8wt single hander might as well keep it and then get a spey eventualy. Ii'm still learning to cast, but am having a blast using it. Can't waiit until I'm ready to actually seriouusly fish the spey. I feel if you're gonna learrn it, practice but don't fish. Yyou'l hhelp yourself by concenrating on the casting. But you'l have watee thtas way to smal for a spey. No use doing aspey cast 20' feet when you're rod iis already 14-15'. Might as well use a singlehander and do cuple false casts.

Ddepending on what brand rods you want to usse, you can get inntoa spey outfit faairly cheap. Cabela's sells an outfit for about every situation for around $350 for rod/reel/and line. They're made of St Croiix blanks and caast superbly.

Spey, or two-handed, fly rods are more than just a fad. I've got a couple, and the double hander allows me to fish water that is difficult or impossible to fish with my single-handed rods.

Only you can decide if they're worth the cost. I think most premium brand rods are over-priced for my taste. So I built mine from blanks, one from Sage and one of Angler's Workshop house blanks. The latter are a good value and make an excellent rod.

The 14' for 9 or 10 wt. is probably the most popular overall and is a good rod to learn Spey casting with. However, I find it's heavier than I need and fish mostly with the 12' 7/8 wt. I made from the AW blank. YMMV.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

I fish both types of rods, it does depend on the runs that you're going to fish. I usually bring one of each because I can't always predict where I'm going to end up fishing due to competition and late beaking information. On smallish streams I prefer a single-handed rod because you don't have to cast all that far, and I sometimes use some spey techiques with a single hand in difficult situations. On the other hand, for long, wide gravel bars, it's hard to beat the efficiency of a Spey rod. One can cover lots of water with less fatigue. That's a comfort for an old crow with gimpy wings. Money issues? What's the cost of a rotater cup operation? Seriously, there are other ways to acquire high quality gear without paying the premium price. Check out Rio's International Spey Casting Video available for rent at some fly shops. It will give you some insight to the Spey tecnique for both double and single handed rods. Cue in the single-handed segement with Simon Gawesworth. Cool stuff. BTW.. I have a Sage 14'-9wt Spey I don't use much if you're interested. A.D.P. <")))><

Thanks fo the imput.you guys have confirmed what I thought after seeing one in action.Oh yea it wasn't bob that talked me out of a spey it was a couple of old boys In bob's.Bob is a good friend of mine. Sorry about the missunderstanding. Actually they never talked me out of it,just made me think about it differantly.The guy I watched could roll cast farther than I can back cast.That in itself seems like would open alot of area's that I would have to leave alone.I am so used to 10'6'' rods that I have problems with the 9' fly rod.I am used to keeping more line out of the water.That keeping more line out of the water seems to be even more imprtant in presenting a fly in a bigger river.The rod that I watched was a 14' that came out of cabelas.It seemed a little too powerfull.He was fishing bright chums on a medium sized river and had no problem controlling them.The 12' is probably about right.Hell my 10'6'' already give me a back ache.

Properly used, a spey rod will prove to be a superior tool in almost all anadromous fishing situations. The longer rod offers better line control, better casting accuracy and makes it easier to fight big fish.

I often use a spey cast when nymphing for trouts with a 5wt single hander as well.

Fly fishing for steelhead is truly the pinnacle of sport fishing. Grab a spey rod and join the adventure- there is always something new to learn.

Remember, anyone can catch fish with bait.

I made the switch to a double handed rod 3-4 years ago now. Are they pricey? Yes. Are they worth it? Without a doubt. The reasons why have pretty much been covered by others posts but I will add one more.

Ease on your body. I do a lot of winter fishing with tips. A full day on the river with a single hand 10' 8 weight and a Type VI tip would send me running for the Ibuprofin for back and shoulder pain. With the spey, there is no false casting so fewer casts and using both hands greatly reduces the wear and tear on your body.

As for a spey not allowing you to "flyfish", that is bunk. You cna do anything with a spey that you can with a single hander. A single handed rod does excel in some areas, close in work chief among them.

If you decide to make the plunge, good luck! It can be addictive.

Hey A D Pose Tell the truth Witch way do you catch more fish, Fly or Gear ?

I don't know about anybody can catch fish with bait!After a good fifteen years I don't think I ever figured out how to drift fish!Always wondering if it is a fish or the bottom.I went to blue creek about ten years ago, with a couple of acomplished drift fishermen and got schooled.They both caught like ten fish,me ZIP.The more I listen to you guys though, I think that a spey setup is going to be added to the learning curve.I now have to figure out how to justify this to my wife.I am just finishing up with a three week long fishing spree.I have been doing this for quite a few years now,but it isn't going to play in my favor on spending a bunch of money on more fishing.

One thing you'll notice about fly fishing (spey or conventional) for steelies is that it is much easier to feel takes than drift fishing.

That is what my fishing partner, who now lives down in Oregon, says.Says they will about pull the rod out of your hand!I've had a couple of big wild fish do that but that was with a spoon.lost both of them real quick.You guys down in oregon seem to have a reel good fisheries.My buddy moved to pendlton and has been having the time of his life!I told him this forrum was really good.Hopefully he logs on.Sure do miss fishing with him.I havent been able to find anybody that actually likes fishing since.Lots of guys that like catching though.

I use a 11'6'' "spey", actually I just call it my 8/9 wt. 2-hander since it's not a traditional spey. Made out of an anglers workshop blank and works mint for the small brushy spots for roll casting and tight lining nymphs and jigs. I've posted several times on the technique. I've gone to using it more than my single handed 8wt. loomis although it is a bit stiff for my liking. Oh well, buy another one in a year or so and feed the sickness.