Topics
NEW Scott Rods
Women's Fly Casting
NEW Abel Reels
Spey Casting
All pictures are mouse-over.

.... as if we needed an excuse.  Rain or shine it's easy.  
We have a large covered area behind our store for the barbeque.  
It adjoins our huge class room....which turns into a dining room.
Next barbeque: Sunday, June 1, mid-day.  Stop by and fill your plate.

 Women's Fly Casting Clinic. 
FREE!  To Top
Beginner, Intermediate, Expert - we will take you to the next level!
Saturday, August 16,03 - 1:00 to 5:00pm
Held at Mt. Hood Village Casting Pond.

Sponsored by:
"Stonefly Maidens Fly Club, Portland, OR"
"The Fly Fishing Shop, Welches, OR"
"R. L. Winston Rod Company"
"Mt. Hood Village, Welches, OR"
Please Email or Call for reservations.
1-800-266-3971

Mid-Season Up-dates from Abel
Two new models and one up-grade.  To Top

Once you have learned the switch, or “live” roll cast, the single Spey cast is within your grasp.  Although it is certainly possible to start fishing with a Double Spey or some other cast, your ultimate progress as a Spey caster will always be limited unless you learn to do the single Spey well.  Although this cast may be one of the more difficult Spey casts to master (as it requires the development of touch, feel, and timing), you will be amply rewarded by improving all your other casts if you can single Spey well. 

·         In actual practice, the single Spey is an eminently useful cast, and the most “energetic” cast you will use.  It is entirely likely that you should be able to throw your longest casts using the single Spey, and it is well worth learning to be ambidextrous with this cast.

·         The single Spey is a logical extension of the switch cast, and simply adds a directional change to the switch cast moves.  To perform the single Spey, turn your body so that it is facing about 45^o across and downstream.  Assume your proper stance, with the left leg forward.  With the line under tension from the current directly downstream of you, you will have to perform your Lift slightly across your body, otherwise the mechanics and timing are identical to the Switch cast.  Keep your pelvis facing the target!  After the Lift, simply rotate your trunk so that it is facing your target, then smoothly initiate the Loop maneuver, just like you are performing a switch cast.  The Grip should land between 1.5 and 2 rod lengths off your right shoulder, and the remainder of the single Spey is no different than the Switch cast!  Practice the simple addition of the rotational component, and focus on making the single Spey no different in timing or basic mechanics as your Switch cast.  If done properly, you will find the rotational movement of your trunk adds considerable energy to the Loop.  Practice “spotting the Grip” opposite your right shoulder, just as in the Switch cast.

Some common problems with the Single Spey cast

Problem:  The tip of the line crosses over the belly at the end of the forward cast.  There are three potential causes to this problem. 

·        The first, and most common, is that the Grip is landing in front of you, instead of off your right shoulder, so you are essentially casting over the Grip. 

Solution: Focus on turning the trunk to fully face your target before making your Loop move.  Make sure that the Grip lands off your right shoulder before initiating the forward cast, if the Grip lands in front of you, direct your forward cast further downstream to avoid the Spey equivalent of the “tailing loop”.

·        The second cause often involves the Grip being too far upstream and off your right shoulder.  This is compounded if the forward stroke is completed with excess vigor.