learning to spey cast

[johnnyBE]

hey guys,
Im in a debate here and need some help. Ive recently sent upon getting a new salmon and pike rod and have settled it down to two rods. One rod being a single handed rod and the other a switch rod. Im stuck between which one to choose. Ive really perfected my casting over the years and love fishing a single handed rod but ive seen and heard about the amount of line you can get out with a switch rod. Also you can cast without a backcast which helps out alot! Id hate to get the switch rod and be stuck just using it as a single handed rod since I can learn to spey cast. So my question is How Hard Is It To Learn To Spey Cast? Thats the only thing holding me back and just want your opinoin. I would most likley try and teach myself to spey cast.

[fishing4salmon]

I am new to the fly fishing world. I just started this year. My first rod was a sage z axis switch rod which at first I believe it allowed me to do single and double cast in just one rod. I started with single hand but then after I learned my double hand cast I enjoyed it a lot. I have not returned to single hand cast after since. Spey or double hand cast is relative easy to learn if you have done single hand cast before. I learned all my casting through YouTube.

[micman]

Johnny not sure where you live and Canada is a big place. Find a local fly shop that deals in switch and spey rods and ask for a demo. That should help you get started on your way.

[speyghillie]

Johnny,
I would say take a lesson, you can get into some bad habits if you dont get it right at the start, habits that are hard to shake off as you build up muscle memory with Speycasting.
There some really good Speycasters , but make sure you pick a store that is into speycasting, not all are.
Gordon
DTX Pro Staff.

[swinger]

Once you fish a two handed rod it will be hard to not want a switch for the little stuff. Try chucking a skagit with your two hander one false back cast and it's gone, going and brutally addictive. You will love it for hucking junk at pike! Go on you tube and learn from the Scottish masters!

[Snap T]

Learned to spey cast from Ed Wards dvd Skagit Master in my living room! Took what i practiced to the lake and the grass ... Fine tuned my skills with a lesson from a pro. It has been extremely fun and rewarding learning to double hand! Have fun

[DOC]

If you want to teach yourself and will follow precisely what is said and demonstrated buy the DVD "MODERN SPEYCASTING'
by Simon Gawesworth-he is the best-also included in the video is some George Cook and excellant SKAGIT CASTING section by Mike McCune and Scott o'Donnell--If you are gooing to get an instructor make sure he/she is a certified Spey instructor--if he /she is teaching without Certification it likely means something--ie they can't pass the certification

[fredaevans]

Johnny,
I would say take a lesson, you can get into some bad habits if you dont get it right at the start, habits that are hard to shake off as you build up muscle memory with Speycasting.
There some really good Speycasters , but make sure you pick a store that is into speycasting, not all are.
Gordon
DTX Pro Staff.

I have to agree with Gordon here; even if the person is not a 'full time instructor' someone whose good with a 2-hander will save you a lot of grief. I've taught spey casting to many and the 'hardest' take has always been with someone whose (to that point) self-taught. Unwinding bad habits is a time consuming thing ....... ;>)