[shocktrooper32]

It seems Ive stumbled upon a gem in finding this website. Coming up on the end of a long tour in Iraq.....wish I had found it back in July when I got here! Im about an intermidiate to advanced caster with the single hand rod and reel and have worked out most of my faults as far as that goes but im also a glutton for punishment. Saved up a little money over here and thinking of buying a good Spey outfit. Id like something heavy enough for salmon and big river fishing overall. Im stationed at Fort Bragg and I do most of my purchasing online beings that fly fishing there is not at all popular and we have one very small and limited Orvis certified outfitter within about 50 miles. If you have any suggestions to brands of rods, reels, lines, etc. I am all ears. I dont mind to spend some money but dont want to dip into my sons college fund about $400 to $500 is what Im looking to spend. thanks

Joe C

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Shocktrooper32,

Thanks for your service to our great country.

Spey Casting is very specialized but is getting popular with big water fishers. Spey rods are rated by the same line weight system used for one-handed rods. If you are going after King Salmon then a 10 weight would be a good choice. If you are after Silvers or Atlantic Salmon then an 8 weight would be a good choice. I suggest you look at the Temple Fork two-handed spey rod. It is priced at $275. Your best bet for a reel is a Large Arbor and I would get one with a wide and shallow spool. You can get a lot of line out with a Spey and you need a reel that will take up slack quickly.

As for a reel take a look at the Orvis March at $239. There are cheaper reel options available and I am sure someone will make a recommendation.

I make these recommendations without having used this combination.





� = Aluminum Uplocking Reel Seat with Fighting Butt
� = Double Handed Grip
� = Custom Cordura� Case Included ModelLineLengthPiecesWeightDescriptionPriceTFO 05 11 4 P5 Wt.11'-0"4 Pc.5.1 OuncesIM6 Graphite���$249.95TFO 06 126 4 P6 Wt.12'-6"4 Pc.7.9 OuncesIM6 Graphite���$274.95TFO 08 126 4 P8 Wt.12'-6"4 Pc.8.1 OuncesIM6 Graphite���$274.95TFO 08 133 4 P8 Wt.13'-3"4 Pc.8.5 OuncesIM6 Graphite��� Skagit$274.95TFO 09 139 4 SCA9/10 Wt.13'-9"4 Pc.10.2 OuncesIM6 Graphite��� Scandinavian$274.95TFO 09 14 4 P9 Wt.14'-0"4 Pc.9.5 OuncesIM6 Graphite���$274.95TFO 10 149 4 SCA10/11 Wt.14'-9"4 Pc.11.1 OuncesIM6 Graphite��� Scandinavian$274.95TFO 10 15 4 P10 Wt.15'-0"4 Pc.11.6 OuncesIM6 Graphite���$274.95TFO 12 12 4 T12 Wt.12'-0"4 Pc.9.2 OuncesIM6 Graphite���$299.95

[BigCliff]

Welcome to the group and I also greatly apreciate your service.

I have also been looking into the same type of rig you're after, but also live in a place that doesn't really give tons of opportunities to use it, so I can relate. Try just thinking of it as a big river rod that could be used for predatory species that will hit a fly and the opportunities open up quite a bit.

Anyway, here's the rod I would go for http://www.flyfishusa.com/rods/spey-...Echo%20Classic (the big one at the bottom) Reels gets a little trickier, as there aren't too many out there that will hold that much line that are reasonable (under $300). Here's one http://flydepot.com/flyfishing/pn--t...reel/pid--666/

As far as lines go, they get sorta complicated, and I can't recommend one off the top of my head. The multi-tip set-ups seem to be the way to go, and ther's lots of options out there. Might be best to consult a spey secialist on that, but I feel confident that you'd be well set up with the rod and reel I cited above. www.thefullcreel.com can get you the rod, though you won't find it on his site.

[shocktrooper32]

Thanks Guys,

A gentleman from Scottland sent me some great tying videos since Ive been over here and a video on Spey Casting shot in Iceland....unreal. As per usual, this means new gear, new fly tying materials etc, etc, etc.....my wife will be so pleased! I have both TFO and Orvis Products and am satisfied with both...I should stick with what I know but am hard headed....Ill research this procurement beeings its not gonna be cheap. The Iceland video gives refernce to lots of tube fly patterns, which I am excited about trying, already bought the tube addapter for my HMH. Ill take pictures and keep you posted when I get on back home. Thanks again

Joe C

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Joe,

I am glad to hear you have a video. It would be near impossible to learn with out an instructor or a video.

Take a look at the Tioga reels. They will be about as good as you can get for a spey reel and low priced. The size 10 or 12 will do the job for you. The 10 is $150 and the 12 is $170. These reels are machined from bar stock and made in America. If you want the best reel for the job then look at the Nautlus reels. The Nautlus is in the $500 range but a super reel.

A traditional spey line is 120 to 130 feet in length. So if you get a 8wt rod you will need a size 10 reel to take the longer line and a bunch of backing. You need more backing for spey as you can get out a lot of line and it won't be uncommon to get into you backing with a big salmon. The picture changes a little if you use a Skait line and casting technique. The Skait is like a shooting head and a lot of Northwest Steelhead fishermen use this style of line.

Nautlus CCF Reel

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Joe,

Opps, of course I was talking about a Skagit line not a Skait line.