Spey rod recommendation

[C-lice]

I'm hoping to get a Spey rod in the next couple of months. I will use it mostly on the North Umpqua and possibly some south coast rivers. Probably no 100+ foot casts, and mostly a floating line but occasionally some sink tip work.

Since I don't know if this Spey thing will stick with me, I don't want to drop a ton of money on a rod. I'm thinking $400.00 or so max for the rod. What would you folks recommend? Also, is there a particular line you favor for the rod you recommend?

[2/0Dee]

look for a used sage 7136. It would be a great little rod to get you into the spey thing and it fits the NU well. It is a nice dry line rod and casts a skagit line with tips as well.
Mike

[AndyK]

I have not had a problem casting a single handed fly rod on the North Umpqua and reaching as far as needed if I have enough room for a backcast. That is the biggest advantage with a spey rod on the North Umpqua: casting with limited backcast room because of a high bank or trees/brush.

For that reason, a Skagit type system will work best. A Skagit rod/line will also work well with a sink tip line, which are popular on the NU.

The setup I just bought would work quite well (and I intend to use it on the North Umpqua a couple times this year). It is a Loomis Kispiox rod and a RIO Skagit Head (with interchangeable tips). I saved some money when I bought that line because the tips for my other (single hand) lines will work on the Skagit line, so I didn't need to buy more tips. However, you may need to buy some "Skagit cheaters".

[Mojo]

I bought a 8/9 Cabela's Traditions Spey (built by St. Croix) for about 90 bucks (new at the Cabela's Store in Boise) I but a Tioga Magnum LA 12 reel (new on e-bay $125.00) with a 7/8 Airflo Delta Spey on it. It casts like a dream, and I have less than 300.00 total in the whole package. It is a great way to get started and find out if you like the "spey thing".

I plan on buying more rods in the future, but I didn't want tostart out dumping 800.00 bucks on a rod that I may or may not like.

[Steelie Mike]

The Sandy Spey Clave is coming up and if you can make it then you should be able to not only try out a bunch of different rods, but also get a few pointers. If you are looking to spend that amount of money on just the rod then you are going to have a lot of fun shopping. There are many excellent rods at different price points. Just make suse you cast a rod first and make sure that the rod and the line match you casting style. If the line is a few grain weights off then you can develop bad habits. I learned this out the hard way. Good luck!

[SSPey]

I carry both single and double handed rods there in summer. Since I carry both, I choose my spey to cover water that the single hander can't, a 13'9" 8 wt. If I was fishing ONLY the spey, then I'd opt for a rod closer to 13' - 13'6".

Do you prefer single hand rods that are fast or moderate? I find single hand preferences translate pretty well to spey rod preferences. Under $400 new, the Echo 13' and 13'6" are nice moderate action. The Redington RS2 13'3" 7 wt is great in medium-fast/fast action. These two rods cover it pretty well if you lean fast or moderate, though there are others. I have never been fond of the TFO speys personally, but some new ones coming out this summer are much improved to my tastes.

I stopped using a Sage 7136 on that river after a few difficult situations landing fish when "stuck on a rock". This rod doesn't have good backbone, and can be finicky with respect to a smooth casting stroke. On the other hand it is very fun with the average steelhead.

I use a midbelly line there in summer, Airflo Delta Long, it has strong turnover for bigger flies and casts well in close. I don't like skagit lines there in summer, they're just too clunky. It is rarely very windy in the canyon, and skagit lines lack the finesse that I prefer in summer.

[C-lice]

Thanks for the replies!

Here's my situation: I live in Glide, so I fish after work probably 4 nights a week in the summer and then again on weekends when it isn't crowded. The only two flyrods I own now are an old Sage III 9ft 9wt and a slightly younger Sage RPL 8100 (10 ft 8 wt). I use the 8wt for most of my fishing. I have learned to cast pretty well with these; I have no idea if they would be my preference if I tried several rods out, but they're what I have and they work for me. In general, my casting stroke is pretty slow.

Coincidentally, I have found that the "standard" cast I have developed for a lot of the holes with limited backcast space is nearly identical to a classic double Spey. Seems like Spey rod would let me make this cast a little farther than the RPL does. I am right-handed, and in practically all of the holes I fish (on the NU or the coast) the river flows from left to right.

I fish heavy (but legal) flies on a WF#9 and a long leader. I fish mainly the holes the beadhead stone and lead-eye leech guys used to fish when it was legal. I have no interest in or plans to fish classic wet flies or waking dries in traditional holes using traditional methods.

My cousin has a Spey rod (a Cascade/Rainshadow 14' 8/9) that I played around with, and I can see its advantages. I can get a similar rod for $200.00 or so. I just want to know if I should dive right in with it, or if I should spend a little more and get a better rod. What do I get with a Sage or a Loomis that I don't get with a Redington or Echo or Rainshadow? Are there truly lousy rods on the market?

Since I live in Glide, I figure I should avail myself of the winter steelhead opportunities the fly water has to offer as well. Seems like a Spey is the best way to cover a lot of it as well. This being the case, I'd like a little bit of versatility.

Don't know if that makes it any easier to give me advice, but that is my basic frame of reference.

Thanks again everybody!

[Chas]

C-lice,
Drop in at the Blue Heron Fly shop at Ideleyld and demo some rods they may also give you some casting lessons at no cost. The Rio Skagit or Airflo multi tip are both good lines for the Umpqua. I would spend more on a good solid reel and line then once you feel that this is worth your time and investment upgrade the rod. I can guarantee that once you step to the dark side you will be upgrading the rod in no time. There are deals to be had on ebay and at on line fly shops so search the net and see what your budget will handle. A note of caution regarding purchasing used rods and reels on ebay, demand a return policy and thouroughly check out the rod or reel. Sense you will be, and are, in the area call Jim Van loan and see what he has at his lodge for sale 541-498-2230 or 4734.

___________________
It is all about the hunt

Chas

[Patrick L]

I bought a 12'6'' 6/7 weight Echo package deal from a fly shop in Idaho and I love it. It was the best price I found and they will ship a 'trial' rod to you for the price of return shipping so you can try it before you drive. I'm not sure if they are a sponser or not, so I will PM you the website.

[Slow and Low]

look for a used sage 7136. It would be a great little rod to get you into the spey thing and it fits the NU well. It is a nice dry line rod and casts a skagit line with tips as well.
Mike


I got one of those. PM me if interested. I would however disagree with the the application above. Fish above 10# are a workout on a rod this light and it is an OK dry line rod. Yes it is a good skagit type rod.

Try the new vt2 sage 8. Inexpensive and decent rod.

[C-lice]

I wound up getting an Echo / Tioga package from Red Shed. I got an Echo 14' 9/10, a Tioga 12, an Airflo Delta line and backing, Dec Hogan DVD, aluminum tube, line dressing, for $450.00 (postage paid) and they threw in a hat. I feel ike I got a good deal.

What I've read about the Echo and the Tioga are pretty much the same--unspectacular but high quality, and good value for the price. Also, I understand that the Echo rod was designed to cast the Airflo Delta, so that should be one less headache.

I want to thank all who took time to share insight and advice. It was good to hear not only your opinions, but the reasoning. I really appreciate it.

I also want to issue a warning for the upcoming Summer Steelhead Challenge--I'm going to pull out all the stops to beat my last year's best summer steelhead (34").

[Slow and Low]

I also want to issue a warning for the upcoming Summer Steelhead Challenge--I'm going to pull out all the stops to beat my last year's best summer steelhead (34").

Wish I lived in Glide. My fish are smaller by a few inches.

Congrats on your purchase.

[steel_beaver]

I got almost the same setup (I have the ECHO 13' 7/8 WT & tioga12 / airflo) I hope they had the tiogas in stock because mine took a month to get machined. I think it was worth the wait though.

S_B

[flyfishing24]

I too have the Echo 7/8 with Tioga 12 spooled with the Delta spey line. I think the set up is awsome and have no problem blasting out a 100 line. The ECHO spey rod is powerful. I very much like the way it flexs into the butt section when loaded.


Dave

[Slow and Low]

That's pretty good on a 13' rod. 57' head requires you to shoot 43' of running line. That's damn near to the backing. Strong!