Fly Fishing

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

Hi,

It gets a bit confusing with all the various spey lines .. could someone help with a SIMPLE rundown of what and when these might be needed..

Floating Spey Lines? - what are the options and applications?

Skagit Spey Lines? - what are the options and applications

Sinking Spey Line? - what are the options and applciations? I know that a skagit line is a sinking line but are there other options?

SINK TIPS? - for a "cover all the bases" type thing ... am i correct to assume that the spey sinking tip add-ons (via loop to loop) are a good way to roll? do these sinking tips get added to any spey floating line?

ok thanks for the help....

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

actually .. i just read through shaq's post on spey lines http://www.fliesandfins.com/postt626.html .. and this does answer many of my questions .. but lets say this ... lets say that a guy wanted 1 line to match all requirements (within reason) ... is it safe to assume that the SINK TIP ADD ONS are for just that? and what type of spey line do these get added onto? floating?

i know whip and jason-c carry around a little pouch with tips in it ... what kind of system is that? and do i have to buy a certain line to match that system...???? jason ... is this "tip system" primarily all you use when you fish bc, idaho and even the salmon river???

again - like all else - i know that there are TONS of lines and stuff available .. i am just looking for the simplest and most versatile solution .... and the "tips" seem to make sense???

flyaddict · Posted: Thu 12/07/06 1:11 pm Post subject:

I don't have a Spey yet (still doing my homework)but Fish&Fly Magazine has a great article this issue about Spey. One of the pro's seems to think a Skagit with multi tip is the way to go. Page 39. It is a loop to loop system. Running line connected to a Skagit line and then choose the tip you want to use. Again loop to loop.

SS-280 · Location: New Jersey

jason-c · Posted: Thu 12/07/06 5:20 pm Post subject: Skagit Lines

I started out on a mid spey. I found it was easier to cast shorter distances and to learn the motions. Now I have gone to the Skagit line. That one casts a mile with relative ease. It was easier for me to find the loading point on the Skagit vs the mid spey too, because it is right where the running line starts. The tips came with both lines that I bought and are matched to them. I know a lot of people that build their own tips out of varying lengths of T14. It seems to work well for them. I am becoming less worried about sink rates there more I read. I have read several articles where the authors have found that 36-48 inches is about the max depth you can get on the swing. Many more have also stated that depth does not make that much of a difference for steelhead under most conditions. These are well versed steelheaders with decades of experience. They say if there is a player they will come up and eat the fly, even in cold water. Lighter tips are way easier to cast too. Although it is hard to have that resolve when you are on the river.

lunchbox · Location: Utah

If you have any interest at all in spey casting, you should check out the new DVD from Scientific Anglers called "Spey to Z". Greg Pearson, Way Yin, and Topher Brown show you all spey casting styles (Skagit, Traditional, Scandinavian) and do an excellent job of explaining the mechanics of all the cast. Even if you aren't interested in spey fishing the DVD is still worth checking out because they do a very good job in describing rod loading and basic overhead casting funtamentals. Many would be amazed at how helpful this can be in situations like throwing a double nymph rig in tight quarters any distance at all. Much better than anything I have seen on the matter. It also covers lines in depth and the advantages and disadvantages of all.

Shaq · Location: Adirondacks

I also like the mid-spey (Rio) or Delta spey (Airflo) lines as they have a 60-70 foot head and are nice casting lines for lighter tips in lower flows or smaller rivers. I switch to a Skagit in heavy flows or when throwing heavy T-14. One note: If you really only want one line, buy a mid or delta and cut the front taper off. Then you essentially have a skagit. Put loops on both the front taper you just cut and the end of the line. When you want a full floater, put the floating tip back on and when throwing sinking tips, put replace the front taper with the tip. It's a pretty good system

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

shaq .. that is what i was looking for ... thanks man.

see, when i fish with my single handed rod .. i have 3 spools for 1 reel ... 1 spool with floating, another with intermediate and antother with integrated sinking line ... i do this for both my 6 weight for trout/salmon here in maine/sometimes steelhead ..... and i also do the same thing for my 9 weight rod ....

so -- i guess this brings up another question ... the reason why i cary spare spools with the single handed rods is because i don't like the add on tips .. somethng about them, especially on the sink tips does not function as well as the integrated lines .... the sink tip usually causes a hinge in the line where it connects with the floating line .. and i have learned through several years of fishing the sinking lines ... that for some kind of unexplainable reason ... the integrated sinking lines work much better than the add on tips .. not just for casting ... but also for catching fish ..

ok .. so final question for ya shaq .... do you think that i might be best served to forgoe cutting the skagit line and building tips and do the same thing i do with my single hand setups ... and get 3 spools for my spey reel ... 1 with floating line, 1 with a lighter or intermediate sink, and another with an integrated full sink line??? i am not opposed to that method ... as i am already familiar with this same exact setup for my 6 wt reel and 9 wt reels for my 6 and 9 weight single handed rods ... ok .. let me know your thoughts ... thanks...

ps... if anyone else other than shaq has any suggestions in relation to this question .. please post .. thanks everyone .. this has been a big help..

SS-280 · Location: New Jersey

Jeremy

I dont know if you would necessarily need to cut a Skagit line in an attempt to make a more versatile system. Recently heads not tips have become readily available in multiple styles such as Skagit Scandinavian and mid spey lines. All that would be required would be some running line and heads. If you enjoy the shooting head system in the surf you would probably love this setup.

I dont think hindging would be as big an issue as with Sink Tips as the heads are joined at the end of the weight forward section as opposed to in the middle... less disruption of your casting energy.

So if hindging is you major issue I dont know if with a shooting head you will experience the same issues. Probably your best bet would be to go fishing or casting with someone who will let you try their setup.