Water Splash

[SalaR]

I've often heard " Spey Casters make so much noise with their water splash". Unfortunately these people are often correct..but not all spey casters make that noise... Skagit Style lines with heavy Sink Tips are noisy by design. Over the past several years I have become much more aware of this and have made changes to reduce these issues. Some of the New Lines coming out have a better taper design(than Skagit style) or are designed for Poly Tips and small heavy flies...a great option indeed.
My question is" do we actually understand how much noise we make and it's impact on our quest??"

[phearless]

Well until I get some more practice it doesn't matter what style of line I cast,
they all splash.
Well I do allright, but have wondered the same thing sometimes.
I suppose on a nice even flow without any overhead cover or disturbance to mask the sound it could have a negative impact.
But how many times have we all come behind someone else splashing their line or bombing hardware or bottom bouncing ( properly ) and hook a fish?
I hooked and landed my largest steelhead on the babine behind three expert bottom bouncers. They were happy I could show them up with my fly rod.
Sometimes though I must admit, it is nice to do it all correctly with a dry line and be nice and quiet.

[jollyrogers12]

I have just started to learn/trying to learn the 2 Hander/spey casts. However, I have watched a number of spey casters working large rivers and have not really noticed the noise factor as an intrusion on my enjoyment.
I'm not sure what effect it has on steelhead or other fish in the run at that time? I think people moving and walking in the water without care is the biggest concern compared to line splash but that's just m.o.
But the thing I enjoyed the most....are the aestethics of watching the beautiful curves and motion of the cast and relative ease which speycasters use in throwing line out on the water.
It is quite mesmerizing and a joy to watch....perhaps I have just had the good fortune to watch better casters?
Looking fwd to the day, I can make a long beautiful cast and entice something to take the fly....

[speyghillie]

Hi Guys,
This has been something that has bothered me for a while with some types of casts, don't get me wrong i can still sleep at night, on most Speycasts there is no need for any water disturbance, and like jollyrodger12 says sometimes wading, ect can be as much if not more of a problem.
Noise travels through water ten times greater than air, i think its important to keep all noise down, after working and teaching at a trout fishery for twenty two years and working as a Ghillie on the Spey for fourteen, the differerance between a good day or bad day can start before you even make the first cast.
Gordon.

[Norseman]

From what I understand about Scandinavian lines...they are about the most quiet of the lot. They do not require the anchor that mid/long/ and skagit lines require. The anchor on a scandi line is the leader...small diameter, less stick means a quiet exit from the water.

I am just learning a big more about scandi lines and they really have my interest at the moment.

[xgolfman]

You don't have to make a big splash when your casting, you can snake roll etc. the double spey can cause the "white mouse" but it's intent is to keep tension on your line so you can make a decent cast...I think everyone casts different and I don't really notice much of a splash when i'm using mine...

[speyghillie]

The line that makes the least noise on anchor position is probably a DT, the long front taper makes for a quiet anchor , the Scandi heads are a bit more condensed lines , easy as anything to cast but the weight is in much less line.
DT lines seem to be becoming a thing of the past, but still a great line for presenting a fly nice an quiet.
Gordon.

[Whistler]

Norse,

you are correct, the underhand/scandi style does afford the most stealth as just the leader anchors

[SalaR]

Any of the Touch and Go casts are the most quiet...and even the Skagit casts can be very quiet if they are manipulated correctly. During high water conditions on many of the steep running streams often we hear tumbling boulders under the waters pressure...so;fish are familiar with certain sounds and repetition..I took a fellow from the Northern California out for Winter Steelhead several years ago during perfect water and fishing conditions...he was very skilled and knew what he was doing,especially on his own streams...I set him up on a run that I consider to be a text book Steelhead run...I turned my back to get a better foot hold and position, he immediately unfolded his wading staff and plunged it into the water . The niose to me ran up my spine and reverberated throughout the 1/4 mile run. Several days earlier I had landed and lost another fish in the 20 lb. range. Of course I made sure he didn't use the spike ended staff and gave him mine that has a rubber end.
I think in well moving water the noise made from the typical "White Mouse" speed is consistent enough to be the least intrusive...The Snake Roll well developed and performed can also be a very quiet cast..
Good thread!

[Jabster]

If i would be fishing a run that has potential lays close to the bank(0-40') i would start with a really subtle single spey(or a overhead cast if there's room) and wouldn't wade at all. But when the lays are at 40-120' i really don't worry about the sound that im making, i'm more concerned on good turnover.