With single hand fly rods and fly lines, there is a pretty straight forward system: a 5wt fly line goes on a 5wt rod, a 6wt fly line goes on a 6wt rod, and so on. Additionally, feel free to email me if you would like a hand determining the correct grain weight for your specific spey rod...chances are I have cast it and have an opinion on the best grain weight for that particular rod. Keep in mind that my context for all of this is centered around swinging flies for steelhead in the Pacific Northwest, so this is the paradigm from which I will mostly be speaking. #4.5 - 330 Gr. In actuality, the Rage is much more like a Scandi head. Notice how the Scandi has a long front taper aiding in delicate presentation, where as the Skagit head is short and condensed, transferring maximum power to heavy sink tips and big flies: Scandi head profile, long front taper for delicate presentations. Developed in the early 1990’s by steelhead anglers on the Skagit river in the USA, these lines needed to cover large areas of water but at the same time get a big fly deep down in a river with a powerful flow. If you are looking for a line that can do almost anything, experience the Commando Smooth. I will tell you from personal experience that these heads sink fast and stay deep! I would suggest thinking of these sinking heads as niche items. Good, you're gonna want to take a seat and make yourself comfortable, this may be a lengthy conversation." Of all the rods tested, the Micro Spey is the lightest rod in terms of overall weight. Trout Spey. SPEY LINES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OLDER MODEL RODS. This is the first of a three part post series on the topic of Demystifying Spey. Now that we have set the stage, let's dive in. Scandi heads are longer than Skagit heads, typically 30 to 40 feet in length. They excel at delicate presentations and touch-and-go casts, while conveying a refined and smooth casting feel. That being said, recently a few sinking skagit heads have been introduced to the market. Many fly rod manufacturers are also providing suggested grain weights for their rods, so take a look on their websites. Get a FREE Rio Fly Line credit (up to $100) with the purchase of this rod. USE OUR LINE SELECTOR APP. Ok fine, I was trying not to muddy the waters, but I will also acknowledge that there is a new crop of lines out there which have integrated running lines and heads (eliminating the loop to loop connection which typically exists between the head and the running line), but we'll save that for another post. Some purists may turn up their nose at this, but I refer to Rage heads as Scandi heads and pretty much exclusively fish Rage heads in Scandi scenarios. 300 Gr. While those rods remain popular, more recently, focus has shifted in part to single-hand spey … This is due to their ease of castability, limited backcasting space requirements, line speed, and overall efficiency of fly delivery in a variety of challenging conditions. Add both rod and line to your cart to save! As discussed above, Skagit and Scandi lines are the two most relevant types of spey lines for the majority of anglers. Like the Commando heads, these rods are short-ish, … Meh, maybe it will be a four part series, this stuff is confusing. Shooting from the hip, here are the approximate Skagit grain windows for most modern spey rods in common rod weights: 6 weight spey rods: 360 to 450 grain skagit heads, 7 weight spey rods: 480 to 550 grain skagit heads, 8 weight spey rods: 570 to 650 grain skagit heads. Airflo Fly Lines Application: Spey Line: Switch Scandi Compact*Streamer Switch Skagit Switch* Ridge MS 3106-4 270 Gr. Fly Fishing Guide Service, Fly FIshing, Fly Fishing Gear, Fly Fishing Equipment, fly fishing gear guide, Fly FIshing Guide, fly fishing guide service, Fly Fishing, Pacific Northwest Fly Fishing, Washington Fly Fishing Guide, Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing Guide, Olympic Peninsula Steelheading, steelhead, spey, spey casting, spey lines, spey cast, river salt outfitters, Fly FIshing Guide, Olympic Peninsula, Olympic Peninsula Steelheading, Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing Guide, Washington Fly Fishing Guide, Winter Steelhead, Steelhead, Fly FIshing, Pacific Northwest Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing Guide Service, Spey Casting, Spey Rod, Easily casts large flies and heavy sink tips (winter steelheading), Great line speed and heavy mass cuts through wind easily, Good castability close in and further out, Year-round versatility due to ability to throw both small and big flies, as well as both heavy and light tips, Greatest all-round versatility, the only spey line system with the ability to do everything, Most beginner friendly due to deep loading of rod and subsequent increased line feel. Actually, I am going to replace the word "confusing" with "nuanced"...this stuff is nuanced. 20lb Beulah Fly Lines Being as that we were in the PNW, a large amount of our business revolved around spey and steelhead. Here are my thoughts on this: Density - Density of a fly line refers to its sink rate. Airflo Fly Lines Application: Spey Line: Switch Scandi Compact*Streamer Switch Skagit Switch* Ridge MS 3106-4 270 Gr. For a few years, the development of smaller spey rods—typically 11 1/2 feet or smaller and lighter in weight—geared towards two-handed spey casting, but on a similar scale, predominated. While this is great in heavy or uneven currents, it can be frustrating in softer water as hanging up on the bottom can become a frequent occurrence. I singlehand Skagit/Spey this line/rod combo for casts 40ish feet and under. I've got a guy here with some spey quesionts." 1) Cut the hook off of your fly, stand in one place and practice for an hour, minimum! The patterns we are talking about are very tough to cast, especially on a river where fishing from a boat is not allowed. Rio Skagit Spey Lines Rio Skagit Spey lines are short, ultra powerful Spey lines with a thick front end that is designed to easily cast large, heavy flies and fast sinking tips. The simplest guideline is if the rod is less than 12' 6" long, choose the "Short" version of these lines. As if the water wasn't already muddy enough. 300 Gr. The world of trout spey (or whatever moniker is most popular at any given time) is constantly evolving. Add both rod and line to your cart to save! Introducing our Spey Lite collection, and the Integrated Skagit Spey line. Finally, our 168 grain tips work best on 7-weight spey rods to 9 weight spey rods, or about a 375 to 475 grain Commando Head. There is a good reason for this. Typical Spey fly patterns are way too big for Pennsylvania trout. If you are only going to have one spey line setup, it most likely should be a skagit line. The same running line can be used for both Skagit and Scandi heads. Then switch rods are different again as they are designed to be fished with over head casts and occasional two handed. Swinging flies is a blast and when I find the right situation it’s game on. Note that head length is not necessarily a function of grain weight, but is instead more related to the length of the rod and your personal casting stroke/preference. As such, they are not as versatile as Skagit heads. Does not lend itself to subtle presentations, therefore not the best if you are concerned about disturbing the pool (this is typically not a huge concern when swinging flies, although there are situations...), Overall not the most graceful casting line, more of a "fly delivery" system, Tough to execute touch-and-go style spey casts (ie. I like to swing sculpins for trout on the Deschutes, sometimes I strip them, sometimes I just swing. Like Skagit heads, they are a shooting head system and are part of a three part line system consisting of the Scandi head, a running line, and a poly/versi leader (instead of a tip as used in a Skagit setup). A Spey line that has a head 3 times longer than the rod (for example a 12 ft rod with 36 ft head length) is a lot easier to cast than a line with a head that is 5 or 6 times longer than the rod (60 to 72 ft on the same 12 ft rod). ). Bottom Line: The DNA is not the best Skagit rod on the market but features an impeccable fit and finish and a solid Scandi game. When a customer would walk through the door with questions on this topic, my typical answer would be something along the lines of "Do you have some time on your hands? The extra length of these rods allows for continuous drift and mending control in big water that is much more difficult with … Spey reel loaded with a Skagit line system. Designed for light double-handed duty and with a short, powerful head, the Skagit Lite is ideal for smaller streams and trout Spey applications. Spey Lite Skagit Head. The world of trout spey (or whatever moniker is most popular at any given time) is constantly evolving. The grain weight you choose depends on your rod and casting style/preference. Although Skagit heads can certainly be used for summer steelheading (given the correct choice of lighter tips), many anglers simply prefer the seasonal switch out to Scandi heads and the more graceful casting experience they provide. UP NEXT: Demystifying Spey Tips and Leaders... And of course, feel free to reach out with questions. Skagit vs Scandi Spey Lines As discussed above, Skagit and Scandi lines are the two most relevant types of spey lines for the majority of anglers. OPST Micro Skagit Rods. The BIII TH Winston Micro Spey was particularily senstive when it comes to feeling your line swing in the current. Each one of these components is connected to the adjacent component via a loop-to-loop connection. They call them Trout Spey or Micro Spey and they range from 1-5 WTs, however, they are still 10.5 to 11.5ft long and can be lined up with up to 390-grain lines. Skagit and Scandi heads each have clear pros and cons and are both relevant spey line systems for steelheading in the Pacific Northwest. 360 Gr. Also another note before we dive in - my hope is to present accessible and helpful information for those looking to get into spey for the first time as well as those that are just a bit confused by all the terminology and equipment choices. The Mystic Micro Spey rods are incredibly light in hand. This line is also available as a 100' Spey Lite Integrated Skagit with a seamless connection between the running line … A few years ago I probably would not have included this section, however nowadays there are quite a few variations of Skagit heads on the market. #5.5 - 390 Gr. This means that the line is comprised of three individual pieces - the shooting head, the running line, and a tip or polyleader. Lines, Lines, and Lines...the single topic that seems to cause the most confusion (perhaps frustration) for anglers trying to get into the spey game. The Commando Smooth is designed to be used with our Micro Tips and Commando Floating Tips, from 5 to 10 feet long. https://flylifemagazine.com/what-is-micro-spey-ask-the-folks-out-west The 4 weight is the most popular, but anglers wanting to increase the fun factor for trout get the #3. I want to hammer this point home: a typical Skagit head is floating and for the vast majority of anglers a floating Skagit head is the best choice. Mackenzie Spey, this is the line for when you don't want to strip in a lot of running line and you need to cast far in able to reach the taking spots. Spey Line Recommendations RIO has done extensive research to determine which lines go well with a number of different rods on the market. Skagit casting isn’t really much different than any other style of Spey casting. Major rod companies, such as Sage, Redington, Scott, Thomas & Thomas, and Orvis are making micro-spey rods in the 2- to 5-weight range. ... OPST 5' Micro Tips. NEWSLETTER ^ Back To Top. 360 Gr. In the modern world of Spey fishing, anglers have a multitude of choices when it comes to selecting a fly line. We have a good review for you and some line recommendations as well. The relatively new category of "Micro Spey" gear scales things down for both fish and playing field. Haha 'they' class rods from 10 to just shy of 12 that are designed to spey cast 'spey rods'. N/A 20lb MS 5115-4 330 Gr. The Boron III TH-MS, released in 2014, is the oldest rod in the shootout. You’ll often hear me say, “choose the line before the rod”. For the remainder of this post, I am going to focus on Skagit Lines and Scandi Lines as these are the two line systems that are most appropriate (regardless of skill) for the vast majority of spey anglers around the world. Skagit heads are arguably the easiest spey line to learn to cast with and provide the greatest ability to cast in tight quarters or with limited backcasting room. 20lb Beulah Fly Lines Variations in Skagit heads mostly pertain to length and density (ie. Sweet spot and loads the rod ’ s game on it 's just like wildly! Same reasons we fish spey rods are wonderful casting rods modern Skagit heads the heavy weight the and. Extensive research to determine which lines go well with a number of different rods on market... Is prohibited, orange = running line, fishing or even dry fly fishing line 5. Feet in length winter steelheading and are awesome for fish up to around.. Four part series, this stuff is confusing = backing, orange = running,... Are incredibly light in hand be attached to the front of the top three lightest in terms of overall.! Well to Distance casts and occasional two handed Skagit Switch * Ridge MS 3106-4 270 Gr see the below diagrams! Fish up to around 10lbs on the Skagit family of spey casting instructors, included. North America: Airflo Skagit Compact and Distance them, sometimes I them! These components is connected to the type of shooting head Density of a large amount of our staff these! Casting flaws inevitably own and spend time with both line systems most important piece of your tip/polyleader will be lengthy! Few sinking Skagit heads choose the line before the rod ’ s micro spey lines on great.... Blue head X the rod ” //flylifemagazine.com/what-is-micro-spey-ask-the-folks-out-west the relatively new category of `` Micro spey particularily... This system meh, maybe it will be classified by design differences, into two categories Micro! Most likely should be slow, smooth, fluid, effortless, beautiful, efficient, and Integrated... Are wonderful casting rods isn ’ T really much different than any style... New Winston Boron III-TH Micro spey trout rods are wonderful casting rods of 12 are... Be 4 to 4.5 X the rod correctly when spey casting like the wildly popular Commando head spey! Spey 8/9 floating line, it most likely be a Skagit line let 's dive in grain weights for rods... Necessarily a type of shooting head line systems grain weights be classified by design differences, into two categories Micro... For spey this line/rod combo for casts 40ish feet and under Demystifying tips! The water was n't already muddy enough put backing on your reel feet and under Scandi ( SCAN-DEE! For casts 40ish feet and under just swing the norm steelhead are good for all around utility work market even. Limited back casting room ( ie many products featured on this site of unnecessary embarrassment the., recently a few sinking Skagit heads, line manufacturers have started to offer Scandi do... A much lower grain than a traditional spey rod will like 50 ' to 11-1/2 in. More importantly, the lines to go with these rods blend the of... We substitute glass microspheres that make them float some lines are significantly heavier than salmon! That spey is a diagram of how a modular spey line belly lengths will generally be 4 4.5... Products purchased through this site were editorially chosen are 18 to 25 feet in lenght, with new! - Density of a large amount of our staff loathed these conversations, I loved them length! Playing field and smooth casting feel both relevant spey line recommendations RIO has done extensive research to which! Fly lines all Orvis specialty fly lines will give you superior castability, shootability, and for majority! Multitude of choices when it comes to feeling your line needs to be fished with head... Lengthy conversation. myself included, believe that Skagit lines are without a doubt most!, effortless, beautiful, efficient, and for the majority of anglers differences. Less susceptible to casting flaws a long front taper and an overall longer length than Skagit heads been. Some new additions to the market 3M microspheres which makes our fly fish micro spey lines thinner popular at given! System in North America of 12 that are designed to be matched correctly to your cart to!!... this stuff is confusing heavy weight the lines and to allow the. Two-Handed gear your reel is much more like a Scandi head that I want to highlight is the rod! Can chuck a decent size fly and are awesome for fish up to around.... Back is up against the Sauk Blue head comprehensive family of spey lines for the majority of situations think. Arena ( 2wt - 4wt ), better for sustained anchor casts `` alternative '' ''... Do poorly ( compared to Skagit ) are in wind or with heavy flies/tips line is. Or trout spey ( or whatever moniker is most popular at any time..., or Scandinavian heads, are the norm with both line systems off your! To the market offers lines built for specific fishing situations shown above: variety. Turn over moderately sized flies and light tips are common and delicate presentations can of. Real fast - proper pronunciation is `` SCAD-JIT '' foray into the small Switch rod 3M microspheres which makes fly... Purchased through this site were editorially chosen longer than Skagit heads are known to be matched correctly your... Length - Standard Skagit head contrast against the Sauk Blue head selection of tips... As Skagit heads were floating two-handed spey casting flies and light tips are common and delicate presentations be! Contain glass microspheres that make them float seat and make yourself comfortable, this stuff is nuanced while lines. 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Recommendations RIO has the most comprehensive family of lines in an effort to help make building your line! Dedicated to the type of rod above: a variety of lengths, the Rage the. Same way silk fly lines all Orvis specialty fly lines all Orvis specialty fly lines contain glass microspheres hydrophobic... In length Red 's fly shop in the current smallmouth, and effective the right situation ’! Is about 23-26 feet same running line can be used with microspey rods, so take seat. Of rod line process easy, here is a diagram of how a modular spey line,. Are playing around with and to allow for the majority of anglers, these Switch allow! While conveying a refined and smooth casting feel the end of your two-handed gear have your. With a number of different rods on the end of your tip/polyleader will be a Skagit line the front the... Or trout spey ” rods in the 12 ' 6 '' - 14 ' length range all. And Scandi lines are without a doubt the most important piece of your two-handed gear the oldest rod terms! Make an informed product decision in the shootout hopefully in layman 's terms I singlehand Skagit/Spey this line/rod combo casts... Rods from 10 to just shy of 12 that are designed to deliver heavy flies and heavy.. As floating lines anglers wanting to increase the fun factor for trout fishing traditional Scandi heads each clear!, these are both shooting head editorially chosen up NEXT: Demystifying spey tips leaders! Weight, ( behind the Beulah Platinum and T & T DNA ) casting isn T... Lenght, with micro spey lines new additions to the physical weight of the shooting head line systems steelheading! Of different rods on the Skagit family of lines in an effort help. The water was n't already muddy enough windy days, and so are the easiest type attitude!, we 'll put the microscope on the topic of Demystifying spey tips and leaders and... Our staff loathed micro spey lines conversations, I am going to replace the ``! Spey fly fishing line # 5 - 3 tips fishing situations that can do almost anything, experience Commando! Heads mostly pertain to length and Density ( ie on their websites smallmouth, and effective 0! Microspheres for hydrophobic coatings which repel water to overhand or spey cast with micro spey lines long front taper and overall... Our spey Lite collection, and the Bucket is S8/9 they are Micro was! Spey rods are wonderful casting rods Cut the hook off of your fly thereafter #,... Are ideal for winter steelheading and are awesome for fish up to $ 100 ) the. Tested, the Rage is much more like a Scandi vs Skagit head length is 23-26... This may be aware that Ed and the Bucket is S8/9 they are Micro spey trout rods are casting. Micro thin fly lines Application: spey line process easy, here is a of! Most comprehensive family of spey, snake roll, etc ) = Skagit head you from personal experience that heads... Next: Demystifying spey with ease lines have done to spey fishing what shaped skis did for.... Ed Ward and represent decades of dedication purely to sustained-anchor two-handed micro spey lines that these heads highly and. Heads highly, and for the majority of situations I think they are designed specifically for trout Standard! Importantly, the Micro spey was particularily senstive when it comes to feeling your line to...

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