Spey or single hand?

[Snap-T]

In your quest for steelhead how many of you select your spey rods first? What is your take on the benefits of both styles?

Snap-T

[rob allen]

As in all fishing situations you need to match your gear to the conditions.
I fish for steelhead almost exclusivly with spey rods. The only time I don't is when i fish small rivers in the summer Like the Washougal and the East Fork Lewis.
Small streams are really the only time when spey rods are any kind of overkill or disadvantage.

Spey rod benefits
1. Increases casting range
2. increases line control
3. decreases casting fatigue
4. fun
5 MUCH easier casting of tips

Spey rod disadvantages
1. people have a tendency to cast to far( beyond the fish)
2. Grabs aren't as earthshaking as with a single hander
3 cumbersome on small streams
4 the learning curve to cast them

Other than the small stream thing i see no advantages to single handers


Hope this helps... please feel ree to ask more specific questions also

[Gizmo Man]

Rob is an excellent spey rod caster. He has given me on the water help... which I really need.


Thanks Rob


Giz...

[steelynye]

Single hands are really only advantageous for small streams as Rob said. If you fish smaller streams you can use a 10 ft. single hand and still perform spey casts. I believe the biggest advantage to spey casting is that it improves your overall fly fishing ability. Small streams often require roll cast which is the basis of the double handed cast, hence if you fish medium size to larger rivers get a 13ft or longer two handed rod. Single hand rods are easier to land fish and are more exciting to fight fish yet this is where it ends for me.

Spey rods catch more fish.

[Snap-T]

Rob
I agree with you 100%. I think that it is the most logical method for swinging flies. You are right about the grabs not being as remarkable. It is also a little difficult landing a fish alone.

Snap-T

[gstrand]

Single hand until next week... :grin: Got the new reel yesterday.

The single hand is 9'9", and I rarely swing flies. Usually a huge weighted otis bug and eggo dropper under an indicator with a huge dead drift aided by lots of Fall River Twitch... However, the place (er, slot/channel) I fish most is very easily fished this way. The Spey setup that is en route will help me expand my horizons, and the river.

-G

[andy-ap emerger]

Rob, absolutely!
Also, for bigger water where I'm not sure just where fish are laying (ie large swaths below riffles (bellies) especially the Clackamas, the Spey is Ideal. Larger casting sweeps, covering 40-60% more searching water with the Spey are it's biggest advantages (in my humble opinion). Secondly, just 3 weeks ago I finally caught my first 20 lb steelhead! Had I not been using the Spey, I seriously doubt I would've roped her in. Maybe??? Fast Deschutes water/ rapids directly below? No. goner! Thanks big Spey rod.
But...On smaller river segments (Trask, Sandy, J.Day, Santiam) I wouldn't even think of the big meat stick (Spey). I only needed to do that once. Just once, on the U. Sandy. There is nothing more frustrating that trying to fish a smaller stream/river than horsing a 16ft 9wt Spey around. I was pretty angry trying to steer it and throw sink tip lines Agggggh! :mad: Frustration...That's NOT the point of fly fishing is it?
Single handers are just lovely in nice pool waters too like the J. Day where Spey style flies and Spiders can be both rewarding and aestetically pleasing.
That's the beauty of this conversation, there are so many variables and options to fit your OWN personal style!

graemlins/applause.gif

[Fishrite]

Hey Snap-T:
I don't think that it makes any difference to you. When we fished together last, you hooked 4 on your spey, then gave it to me and hooked 3 on my single hander. :whazzup: Watching you was a treat that day. graemlins/applause.gif graemlins/applause.gif I agree that it is more difficult to land a fish with a longer rod. Looking forward to fishing with you again soon. graemlins/hearton.gif Dad

[Ace of Speyds]

I bought my Spey rod a year ago, and am still learning every time I go out. Bottom line, my line is in the water twice as much and swinging at the right speed more often. It opens a lot of doors when casting room is limited. I've fished with single handed rods for 20 plus years and appreciate a new learning curve.

[boo]

Definately Spey, IMHO, in most cases. As said in earlier posts, they cover more water, cause less fatigue, and my bug is in the water much more without the multiple backcasts usually necessary with a single hand rod. I have three Scott single hand steelhead rods that, while I still cherish them, rarely see use.

[Grantspastor]

Single-hand for me. The great majority of my fishing is done from a drift boat. When it is not it is on smaller rivers. I just like the shorter one-hand rods

[RodRoss]

Steelynye makes a good point about small stream rods. I use a 10ft 6 weight that my buddy rigged with a five inch butt-end handle to turn it into a mini spey. I found that modifying your spey casts a little works great in presenting flies in small water places like the Necanicum and Salmonberry where tight lies and lots of overhanging trees are an issue.

[Mojo]

A couple of questions....

1) How good are you at casting a single handed rod?

2) Have you had any training on Spey rods..?

Single handed rods are much less expensive.

Spey's are harder to cast.

How's your roll cast?

And how well do you understand the concept of Spey casting?

What style river are you fishing?

Smaller rivers are easily fished with a single handed rod.

[No-hookem]

I use a 9'6" 8 wt that I tied up with a 4" fightin butt and use that as a double hander Spey rod and a single hander. I also use a line made by a guide in Wash. state. Great line,,, can spey cast it 60+ ft easily, but seldom needed, and can use it as a regular back casting line.

[santiamflyguy]

I think I've finally figured it out. I have a 11' 6wt Cabela's Float Tuber, and a 11'3" 6wt Spey which I can fish with one hand. All the benefits of a Spey, none of the 15' in the bushes walking to the river problem.