G.Loomis Dredger Series

The casting method called "Skagit" originated in the early 1990's to describe an offshoot system of spey casting methods used by U.S. steelheaders on Washington State's Skagit River. This approach was developed to cast the relatively short shooting heads and heavy sinking-tip lines used to fish bulky flies up to six inches long in deep, fast water. The large flies proved to be enticing to steelhead when no other fly fishing methods would move them during cold winter flows. Parallel methods were being examined on on many rivers in the Pacific Northwest starting around 1990. Early practitioners of the super large fly approach to steelheading included such legends as Mike Kinney, Scott Howell and especially Ed Ward, who developed the original "Intruder Fly" and also the G. Loomis Dredger Series of fly rods on this page. The term "Skagit" describes a method of casting using a sustained anchor point rather than "touch'n-go" approach. The theory behind the Skagit cast is to use the drag of the water in a continual motion during the D-loop, carrying the load into the forward stroke. The guys that created this cast used this method because it takes very smooth loading of the rod to deliver large heavy flies efficiently and safely. This type of casting and the slower rythem employed proved to be less fatiguing than most other approaches. Some of the more popular techniques used in the Skagit method have interesting nicknames... the Snap-T, the Circle Spey, the Skagit Doublelspey and the Perry Poke. The casting stroke is precise and efficient, requiring the least D-loop space of all spey casting methods. The trick is to keep the fly in the zone as long as possible and then extend the cast a few feet and start the process all over again. Once you've reached maximum casting range, you move downstream a ways and repeat the process. You can literally and effectively dissect a section of river in a very short time with this method. Skagit casts and Skagit equipment has migrated far from the Pacific Northwest, and is now employed from the tip of South America to the most remote fisheries in Russia and Mongolia. "Dredger" fly rods feature G. Loomis' legendary GLX performance with the finest components available. Nickel-titanium Recoil guides make the rods noticeably lighter and provide excellent shooting characteristics. Beautifully shaped species-cork handles have a special composite cork cap at each end to add to the look as well as the durability of the handle. Each aluminum reel seat is machined with the "yin-yang" cutout and has a beautiful ivory-style insert engraved with a classic spey fly graphic. There's a rod in this set to cover any challenge. Each of these 4-piece rods come in a soft, protective rod sock and travel case.