Spey casting lessons.......<)))><

[Hakai]

I recently picked myself up a spey outfit. 14' 9wt tfo with a ross cla reel and the skagit flight head.. I have been out with it a half a dozen times trying to figure out how to cast this puppy...I have pulled hooks out of my backside,my cheeks, and once I sank one into my forehead.. Man that line moves fast.. So I'm here looking for recomondations on lessons..I realize I could go to my local fly shop and find instruction into the fine art of not hooking myself anymore.But $80 for the first hour and $50 an hour afterwards is a little rich for my blood..! So I figured I would ask here first and see if anyone can recommend an instructor for me..? cheers..........<)))><

[bronjuan]

I recently picked myself up a spey outfit. 14' 9wt tfo with a ross cla reel and the skagit flight head.. I have been out with it a half a dozen times trying to figure out how to cast this puppy...I have pulled hooks out of my backside,my cheeks, and once I sank one into my forehead.. Man that line moves fast.. So I'm here looking for recomondations on lessons..I realize I could go to my local fly shop and find instruction into the fine art of not hooking myself anymore.But $80 for the first hour and $50 an hour afterwards is a little rich for my blood..! So I figured I would ask here first and see if anyone can recommend an instructor for me..? cheers..........<)))><

youtube!! That's how I learned. I still have my bad days, but I can cast well enough that I can enjoy my day. Just drop by your local shop and ask one of the guys if you're running into a certain problem. I described one of my issues to one of the dudes at M&Y here in the LM, and he knew exactly what my problem was!

I liken spey casting to a golf swing. You need to adapt to different tip lengths, leader lengths, fly weight etc. It's truly a new domain. It surprises me because it looks so effortless, but there is a lot of technique put in to each cast.

good luck!

[SalaR]

I recently picked myself up a spey outfit. 14' 9wt tfo with a ross cla reel and the skagit flight head.. I have been out with it a half a dozen times trying to figure out how to cast this puppy...I have pulled hooks out of my backside,my cheeks, and once I sank one into my forehead.. Man that line moves fast.. So I'm here looking for recomondations on lessons..I realize I could go to my local fly shop and find instruction into the fine art of not hooking myself anymore.But $80 for the first hour and $50 an hour afterwards is a little rich for my blood..! So I figured I would ask here first and see if anyone can recommend an instructor for me..? cheers..........<)))><

Hakai...
First of all let me suggest to you that the rod you chose is not a good Skagit rod and is a bit on the heavy side....however.it is what you have...go to the Nilecreekflyshop.com web site and click onto "all things Spey"..read the 4 rules of Spey casting and learn them...the line and rod you have are adequate to learn Spey casts,make sure you learn the basic spey casts as well...several good points here is to remember to keep your rod tip down near the waters surfact as you pick up...slowly...let the rod load..slow down....!!when you set-up to form your loop don't be afraid to consider that the rod needs to be off to the side slightly,not around your ear! Constant tension between the rod and line...no surprises!!
I hope this helps
C

[Hakai]

Thanks for the tips guys..I checked out Nile creek fly shops site (all thing spey) and the information there does help me.But to be honest I'm thinking before I teach myself some bad habits, I should get some instruction! I'll talk to the fine gentlemen at the flyshop where I purchased this setup and see about some lessons and the the rod itself.. I checked out TFO's site on the rod and they state that the rod was designed for use with short belly lines, but has the unique ability to cross over for use with skagit style lines.This makes me think that it may cast my skagit head,but is not designed for it ..I would rather learn on a properly set up rod.I'm heading to the fly shop right now to pick their brains for more info..."I thank both you fine gentlemen for your input".. cheers...

[btree]

Good choice to get some casting lessons there Hakai.

I'm borrowing a 14' rod at the moment, and have found that a short head line ~55' is the ticket when learning, but I find that I have to "warm-up" by making much shorter casts - also, don't try to shoot any line for at least the first hour or so of casting. Just relax and feel the flow, enjoy the day, don't try to make any super-hero casts.

As for Skagit lines, they might solve some problems, but I'd recommend learning with a short belly line rather than a skagit line. You will build much better habits that way. The bonus with a short head line is that you can do all the traditional spey casts, plus try some of the more water loaded Skagit style casts

Also, if you are practicing your casting, don't use a fly...just tie on some yarn. Safety first!

Lots of good videos out there too.

[Hakai]

Thanks for your input btree.After I sank the hook into my forehead I decided to tie on some glo bug yarn..I wont be using a hook for ahwile..I've sat and watched vids on youtube and then went straight to the fraser to practice what I watched..I manage to get out 70' or so on a few casts but they are few and far between..(and not very gracefull) I'm to the point now where I'm thinking I'm only teaching myself bad habits, which will make it harder for someone to teach me. I did get into M&Ys yesterday and had a chat with Ryan about my new rod and my casting problems.Ryan will be meeting me on the Vedder on the morning of the 27th for one on one lessons.I will go back and discuss short belly lines with him today, and perhaps purchase one so I can get direction on how to cast both skagit and short belly lines..But until the 27th my rod will now stay in its case.......<)))><