If you’re considering getting into trout Spey, this article is intended to help you understand the gear and lingo as well as what you’ll want or need to get started.
Trout Spey is my favorite method for chasing trout. I’ve always loved swinging soft hackles along with classic wet flies and a trout Spey rod enables me to do so more efficiently along with being far less fatiguing. And since you are not making a back cast, you can make long casts with obstructions directly behind you. Spey casting is also an absolute joy to do. Keep in mind a trout Spey rod is meant for across and down presentations. It is not a rod you will want to use for any upstream dry fly or nymph fishing.
The rods: Most trout Spey rods will be somewhere in the 11-foot range give or take a few inches either side. The weight is where things get a little confusing. A 3-weight trout Spey rod is roughly equivalent to a 6-weight single hand rod. The general rule being add 3. A 4-weight is a 7-weight, and a 2-weight is a 5-weight. Why they did this, I have no idea. It makes zero sense to me too. And just like single hand rods, every company will vary some, but as a general guideline, this is how to consider the weight rod that is right for your fishing needs. I find a 3 weight to be a great all-around trout rod that will fish well with soft hackles and small to medium size streamers along with being ideal for trout in the 12 – 20-inch range. If you are going to fish streamers more often or are fishing for trout 20 inches and up a 4 weight may be a better choice, but it is not going to protect finer tippet as well with smaller soft hackles. 2-weight rods are more of a specialty weight but certainly do have their place.
The lines: There are two lines most anglers use. A Scandi and a Skagit. Both lines are shooting head type lines either sold as a separate head you connect to a running line or integrated just like your regular trout lines are. Most Spey lines are weighted in grains not 4, 5 or 6 weight and each rod will have recommended grain weights.
The Scandi line is best for on or near surface work. It is a longer head that tapers down to a fine tip. I use a 12–14-foot mono leader on my Scandi, but a 10-foot poly type leader is also quite popular. Leader choice is a personal preference, and one is not necessarily better than the other. A Scandi line is best for skating dry flies, soft hackle fishing along with using small or light weight streamers. I fish a size 8 classic muddler quite often with my Scandi. This is not the line you will want to use for casting heavy streamers or fishing deep. Most trout Scandi heads are 22 - 26 feet in length.
The Skagit line is what you’ll want for fishing sinking tips or casting heavier flies. A Skagit line is very short and thick with most being 12-14 feet. You must add a tip to any Skagit line. You cannot fish one with just a mono leader on the end. The short and thick Skagit lines are very efficient at turning over heavy and wind resistant flies but are not as delicate as the Scandi line. Skagit lines are also easier to cast and better in the wind. The weight of the line will determine the weight of the tips you will use, but for trout Spey most are in the 50 to 80 grain weight and between 7 and 10 feet in length and come in a myriad of sink rates.
Integrated or heads: Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages. The integrated lines are just like the lines you use on your single hand fly rods. The head and running line are one piece. The advantage is there is no loop-to-loop connection to go through the guides. The disadvantage is you will need to carry a spare spool for the other line.
With the head only option you will need to purchase a separate running line made of either mono or one that is just like the one already on your standard weight forward fly line. The heads are connected via a loop-to-loop connection. The advantage is not having to carry a spare spool around with you when you want to switch from one to the other. You just remove one head, place it in a wallet or even a zip lock bag and put on the other. I prefer using the head only option. Some anglers do not like the way the loop-to-loop connection comes back through the guides, and while I agree it can be a little clunky, I don’t have an issue with it.
Running Line: For the running line I prefer mono. I find it will shoot farther than the standard running lines and doesn’t grab the water as much when shooting line. It does have to be stretched before you start each day, it can tangle from time to time and can be a little harder to handle for some folks. None of these negatives are that big of a deal for me and I will take the extra distance when needed every time.
Reels: You will want to choose a reel that will balance with the rod you have. I find a reel suited for a 6-7 weight single hand rod to be good on both my 3 and 4 weight trout Spey rods. I also prefer a reel with a full cage. This helps to prevent the thin running lines from slipping behind the spool.
There you have it. This is a very basic guide to help you figure out if trout Spey is right for you and what you may want. I am always happy to talk Trout Spey and if you ever have any questions, please feel free to call or email the shop.
Scandi Leader: I make my own mono leader, but the Scientific Angler 14’ presentation leader in 3x or 4x works well. I recommend cutting a foot of tippet off if you’re using a large or weighted soft hackle or light streamer. You can also use the Rio 10-foot intermediate Versileaders.
Scandi Leader: Scandi Leader: I make my own, but the Scientific Angler 14’ presentation leader in 3x or 4x works well. I recommend cutting a foot of tippet off if you’re using a large or weighted soft hackle or light streamer. You can also use the Rio 10-foot intermediate Versileaders.
Skagit Line: OPST Commando Head 270 grain or Scientific Anglers Spey Light Skagit 300 grain.
Tips: 7.5 60 grain OPST and 10’ 80 Grain OPST
Running Line: OPST Lazar Line 30lb
Favorite flies
Shakey Variant size 10
Lucky Bucky (I didn’t name it) size 6
Sparrow size 8
Full Dressed Red size 10
Hydro Soft Hackle size 14 or 16
Baetis Soft Hackle size 16 short shank
PMD Soft Hackle size 16
Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle size 14
Muddler Minnow size 8
Super Squirrel Variation size 8
Thin Mint size 8
Picket Pin size 10
These are patterns I tie every season that have proven their worth over time. If you have your own favorite soft hackles, wet flies or streamers, I wouldn’t hesitate in using them.
