NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing Zone => Kayak Fly Fishing => Topic started by: Mr.Matt on May 24, 2014, 08:58:38 PM

Title: Any Spey Rod guys
Post by: Mr.Matt on May 24, 2014, 08:58:38 PM
Just picked one up and am gonna be trying here on the AR on Thursday for shad.
Never done it before, any advice?

Thanks
Matt
Title: Re: Any Spey Rod guys
Post by: ScottV on May 24, 2014, 09:25:14 PM
I just started with my switch rod. I can show you how I cast two handed.  Or go give Jeff Putnam some money and do his two handed class. Best instructor I know.
Title: Re: Any Spey Rod guys
Post by: Mr.Matt on May 24, 2014, 09:30:24 PM
Yeah I'm gonna give it a day trying myself an planned on getting paid lessons after if I can't do it.
Thanks Scott. See u out there soon! Also am very interested in a salt trip on the fly. Busy till August unfortunately.
Title: Re: Any Spey Rod guys
Post by: piski on May 24, 2014, 09:32:53 PM
Please post how it goes. Been thinking about getting one off & on for a few years.
Title: Re: Any Spey Rod guys
Post by: Mr.Matt on May 24, 2014, 09:36:58 PM
I will do! I've been wanton. One for a while and just finally went for it. It's a beautiful rod I started with an affordable price rod Orvis Clearwater 13-6 things a beast! Hope I. An cast it as long as those cats on the river! And eventually I want to be able to get that thing in the salt!
Title: Re: Any Spey Rod guys
Post by: golfish on May 26, 2014, 10:58:39 AM
I started throwing spey rods for steelies around '08, never looked back. I've thrown long lines but skagit and scandi are perfect for 90% of the fishing I do. Skagit style is the easy to learn since it is not as timing critical as scandi/touch and go casts and Shad are perfect to learn on. I have 4/5 switch rods to 8/9 full spey rods, more spey rods than single handers now.

I took lessons because when I started there were few people doing it. So much easier now with line manfs making all kinds of lines and lots of people doing it so you can get the basics easily.

Was going to stay in my kayak and try and get a shad but it was to f-ing hot yesterday on the Sac so I wet waded with the spey rod and crushed them.  Somewhere between, Colusa and Woodson Bridge, that's all I'm saying, LOL.

It's been over a year since I fished the AR for shad, if you want to hook up let me know and I can bring a bunch of skagit heads and tip combos for you to try.

So yeah, pretty passionate about it. Skagit is so easy even spey head Rockroach can do it...

Title: Re: Any Spey Rod guys
Post by: Mr.Matt on May 26, 2014, 11:46:45 AM
Pm sent!
Title: Re: Any Spey Rod guys
Post by: Rockroach on June 03, 2014, 10:52:34 AM
So yeah, pretty passionate about it. Skagit is so easy even spey head Rockroach can do it...
I just saw this :smt005 funny funny.
That was right before I ended up with a 103 degree temp. Good times.
There's nothing better than spending time on the water, taking it slow, and practicing good technique.
Title: Re: Any Spey Rod guys
Post by: Fishstix on November 23, 2014, 11:55:58 PM
Any recommendations for size and weight on a good versatile switch rod for Nor Cal inland rivers (Yuba, Feather, American) and perhaps the Delta?  I've been told a 6 or 7 wt around 11'6" is a good starting point.  I've never tried switch/spey, but would like to learn.  I'm hoping the Pleasanton Fly Fishing show will have some good instruction this coming February.
Title: Re: Any Spey Rod guys
Post by: golfish on November 24, 2014, 02:04:14 PM
target species? steel, trout, salmon, shad, stripers?

that said I think 12'6" 6wt is the best all around rod for norcal but I'm mostly steel and shad. IMO, easier to learn on full size spey rod but line technology is so much better now learning on a switch is easy too.  I'm not big on "switch" rods unless you just want to use them as short spey rods only. I use switches and love them for small streams, 10lbs of steel on a 5wt. swtich is a hoot! If you want to nymph grab a single hander which I do when fish not taking a swung fly or conditions call for it.

Keep an eye on kiene's board, sometimes they will have intro spey clinics. If you see jeff putnam putting a clinic on you should check it out, a few years ago he fixed my double spey in about 10 mins.
Title: Re: Any Spey Rod guys
Post by: Fishstix on November 27, 2014, 07:56:35 AM
Thanks Gofish, I've heard good things about Jeff Putnam.  I'll look him up.