An Introduction to Spey Fishing Techniques and Gear
WHAT IS SPEY FISHING?
Spey fishing pertains to a particular technique that relies on roll casting methods to make long distance swinging fly presentations to fish in moving water. Traditionally, it was a two-handed long rod and long line setup used for fishing returning salmon in European and Scandinavian rivers with limited back cast space. The cast can be generically defined as a dynamic jump-roll cast with a change of direction. Now, it has proliferated worldwide and has an ever-growing following of avid enthusiasts that enjoy the art of Spey casting for game fish in moving waters.
MODERN SPEY FISHING GEAR
We are very fortunate to have a great assortment of Spey fishing gear available. However, for the beginner, the task of picking out one’s first Spey rod, reel, and line can be intimidating and bewildering. If you are a novice, it is always wise to seek out a pro-shop that has staff with “hands on” experience. Also, do your homework and educate yourself related to your personal budget preferences and be ready to answer the question of where you fish and what you will fish for most.
The following sections concerning Spey lines, running lines and leaders are written to provide you with some basic understanding and give you a better start as you wade into the world of Spey. Remember, keep it a fun adventure!
SPEY LINES DEFINED
There are four broad classifications of Spey lines: Shooting Heads (30’-50’), Short Bellys (50’-60’), Mid Bellys (60’-70’), and Long Bellys (70’ plus). They each have their own set of pros and cons and need to match an appropriate rod for practical use. The four categories mentioned above refer to the “head” portion of the line, that is the front taper(s), belly section, and rear taper(s) and not the running line on an integrated line (all in one). The specific tapers, densities, lengths, and diameters for the heads make all the difference in each line’s performance and allow for the multitude of lines on the market. Careful homework and evaluation concerning your selection of line is a wise approach to make your purchase. If possible, there is nothing better than to try before you buy!
Shooting Heads: Generally, the shorter lines are easier to cast than longer lines and allow a novice to begin casting with minimal training and practice. They are an excellent choice for smaller pocket water, small to medium rivers, and deep water dredging with sink tips and heavy flies. The downside of using short heads is the constant requirement to strip in running line prior to making another cast if shooting a long distance. Another issue of concern for those planning to eventually use longer heads for larger water, is the fact that short heads accept poor technique with minimal impact to the cast. Those casters who want to establish or maintain the ability to cast longer lines will need to practice with a short belly or mid belly line intermittently to hone their traditional techniques.
Short Bellys and Mid Bellys: These two categories cover head lengths from 50 to 70 feet. They are more difficult to cast, initially, because they require more refined casting ability. When the ratio of the line to rod length increases above 3:1, anchor sets and angle changes are more challenging and require intermediate level Spey casting ability. The benefits to longer lines are related to their ability to cover larger expanses of water with more efficiency than shooting heads. Instead of circle casts (snap-c and snap-t), most casts with longer lines will be snake rolls and single speys which are quicker single stage casts. An experienced mid belly caster will be able to cover a large pool in approximately half the time compared to someone using a shooting head.
Long Bellys: The 70 foot-plus lines are very traditional going back to the golden times (1856-1942) of Alexander Grant in Scotland and before. They were made for huge water and long casts to salmon and the like. The pros and cons are much the same as described for short bellys and mid bellys, but they require an advanced caster, well-practiced in the art of traditional Spey casting. They are, perhaps, reserved for those who enjoy pushing the boundaries of Spey casting and their own abilities!
The American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) standards are shown in the table below to provide an overview of the various Spey line types. The table defines Spey lines into four basic classifications: heads, short belly, mid belly, and long belly. It also provides their general parameters of length and weight.
HEADS OR INTEGRATED SPEY LINES?
A newcomer to Spey casting initially needs to make the decision of going the “head only” route or the “integrated” line route for his or her first setup, and this can apply regardless of which of the four of the line classifications above you choose.
Head Only Setup: Heads are less expensive, but they will require a running line in addition to the head purchase. However, if you decide to buy additional heads, another running line is not necessarily required. The benefit of this system is that only one reel may be required for a multitude of lines since it is relatively easy to change out a head and put another head in its place. Cons of the head only setup include limited ability to mend your running line after the cast for better presentations and the aggravation of having the rear loop transitions moving in and out of your rod tip while playing a fish.
Integrated Setup: An integrated Spey line is manufactured with the head and the running line in one continuous length of line, so the rear taper makes a seamless transition to the running line. The benefit of an integrated line is the ability to mend for presentation and the smooth movement of the line when playing a fish or shortening your hold point in differing casting conditions. Cons of the integrated setup include the difficulty of changing lines or the need to have multiple reels, and it is typically more expensive for each line.
RUNNING LINES EXPLAINED
Running line is a section of line that connects to the backing on the reel and the tapered Spey line head. Most running lines are specifically designed for this use and can be monofilament type or fly line type construction. The monofilament types come in various cross-sectional configurations for ease of use, and some are buoyant to reduce resistance while shooting line. Typically, they are thinner diameter and lighter than the fly line types, and less costly, too. The fly line construction running lines often have a larger diameter “holding section” built into the front fifteen feet or so to provide a better grip during the cast. Another benefit of the coated fly line type is its floating characteristics and mending ability after making a cast. Running lines are usually about one hundred feet long and come in various colors and breaking strengths.
LEADERS REQUIRED
All fly lines require a leader of some sort to make a smooth transition or rollout for presentation of the fly on the water. The leader should act as an extension of the front taper and have an acceptable break strength to adequately control the fish. There are several types of leaders available and can be categorized as single filament (tapered or knotted), furled, and poly coated.
Single filament: This grouping includes all those tapered leaders constructed as a single extruded synthetic filament such as monofilament or fluorocarbon. Monofilament can come in various colors and fluorocarbon is clear. Fluorocarbon is stiffer and has less stretch. It is stronger per diameter and more dense, and therefore better for sinking presentations. It also has more abrasive resistance and is more expensive than monofilament. Monofilament is softer, more supple, has more stretch and is less apt to crack. All leader types are readily available and come in a multitude of lengths and break strengths. Spey leaders, typically, are heavy butt tapered monofilament, ten to fifteen feet long, and can be knotless or knotted.
Furled: Furled is defined as rolled or twisted and is a technique that goes back to the 1700s or earlier when lines were made with plant fibers, horsehair or silk, and using the same methods as for rope making. Tapered furled leaders can be made with any material that lends itself to making rope such as braided polyester, braided Kevlar, monofilament, etc. Furled leaders are usually supple and very durable and provide excellent rollout when prepared correctly. They do hold water because they are a weave of fibers and need to be treated if used for surface presentations.
Poly coated: Poly coated leaders are made using modern fly line manufacturing techniques which draw a line (braided or monofilament) and coat it with polyethylene or polyvinylchloride to create a specific taper or level length of line. The coatings can have additives to increase or reduce the leaders density to make them float or sink at different rates. Many Spey line heads, such as Skagit lines and Scandinavian heads, are designed for poly leaders.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER!
Making an educated choice of equipment is a real challenge! There are many rods, lines, and leaders for different applications. First, decide where and what you are targeting. What river and what fish? This information provides a basis for rod and line selection. Next, find a pro-shop with people that Spey cast the same river and inquire about their preferred selection of equipment. Ask for a demo, if possible, before you pull the trigger! Pay attention to manufacturers recommendations of line and rod pairings. Finally, attend any Spey gathering you can to get firsthand education and take the opportunity to cast demonstration rods and lines.
Remember “THE MAGIC IS IN THE MATCH”! The pairing of the right line to the right rod is of utmost importance.