I'm going to purchase a spey rod and was wondering what people would suggest for rods reel and line? I will be using it for most Norhtern Puget Sound Rivers for both summer and winter fishing. Any thought would be much appreciated!

Ah, welcome to a major raid on your wallet! Lots of choices on Spey Rods/lines ... but how deep into credit card debt is a major factor.
Do you have a 'price range' that's comfortable?

The line issue is an easy one: for a first line I'd suggest you look at one of RIO's tri-tip lines. However, I'd also recommend that the Windcutter be a second choice to the Aclrtr or MidSpey lines. Call "Sparky" on this one as he may have 'test lines' you could try.

But back to the dollar limit on your credit card.
:>)

Did I hear my name??

Anyways...Fred was right, how much you are willing to drop is a major factor in exactly which rods we will point 'ya to.

Being that you are up North and will be fishing the Skagit/Sauk, Nooksack and Vedder (am I right?)...you will be leaning towards a 15' for a 9 weight.

Good choices to look at it include the Sage 9150, Scott ARC 1509 and ofcourse, my favorite the Winston Derek Brown 7/8 (ask Fred, he loves my rod!! ). These are all high end rods and will run you upwards of $800...give or take a $100.

If price is an issue look at the Scott SAS 1409/3 and the Winston Ibis 14' 8/9 that will be available after the first of the year. Both these rods run right around $400.

I forgot reels!!

Again it is all a matter of price...the first thing to look for is capacity and weight!

I prefer a heavy reel to balance out the heavier rods...my two favorites are my Abel Big Game 4.5N and my Super 12...I also fish a Litespeed 4 and a couple Hardys.

If you want an inexpensive Spey reel, look at the SA System 2 in the larger sizes...will set you back around $200 or so...

The Lamson Velocity and Litespeeds in the size 4 are both good choices as are the Ross Canyons, Bauer McKenzies and Loop Evotechs!

Choose your rod first...then go after the reel.

Thanks guys! I'm know that it will not be a cheap investment but I'm ready to try sometning new. I have been looking at the sage and the scott rods you mentioned, but tell me about this other rod you were mentioning Sparky.

The Winston Derek Brown Favorite is a 15' rod that is available as a 7/8, 8/9, 9/10 and 10/11...my favorite is the 7/8 (I do believe it is the best rod made) and the later generation 8/9.

The Derek Brown is a such a wonderful rod to cast because for one the rod is not line sensitive...it is truley amazing all the differnt line sizes you can put on this rod and the rod still sings!

But most of all, this rod is the best on the market because the nature in which the rod just casts itself!...the more you 'hit' the rod, the more work you put into the cast, the less the rod truely performs.

Accerlate back to form your D-loop and give a quick acceleration on your forward stroke and watch the line fly...

The rod is also a very moderate action rod...you can really feel the rod load...yet you quicken your stroke or slow down...either way the rod will rock as long as you dont hit it!

Because the rod has a beefed up tip section, it has no problem throwing larger flies and sinktips...and the rod's butt is beefed up as well, allowing you to pick up 90'-100' of line without the rod becoming overloaded or collapsing!

Plus it is probally the most beautiful rod on the market!!...just ask Fred!

Sparkies on the mark with his comments. Another reel (but hurry to find one) are the discontued Redington 12/13's. Will hold a ton of 30# backing, will balance a 15' rod nicely, etc., and etc.

And the Good News for Ryan; the Bad News for Fred: Joan says I gotta send the rod back. This is a great rod ... and I can assure you it did stick several fish in the short number of hours I got to use same.

Told the JoanMeister: "I gotta get me one of these!" The "JM" responded: "no you don't, we need window coverings for the new home in Ashland." What do women know?????????

Well, maybe having 9 spey rods now is enough ... or at least til her back is turned.
:>)

Joan says you gotta send it back???...as much I know you love fishing that rod, I am missing my baby! Joan is a good woman...

btw-Ran across Gene Trump's latest 'toon on The Virtual Flyshop...

Every fiber in my body wants to e mail your "SO" and check this one out ... but I won't. Figure if I do I'll never get you down here in Southern Oregon.

Wonerful fishing rod ... too bad we're moving into the new house next week and the JoanMeister says: "What new Spey Rod???? We need window coverings!"

Fred...with the fishing as poor, awful, depressing as it is up this way...I think So. Oregon would be a good bet...I always talk about paying you a visit but never find the time (damn 7 hr drive!).

Sparks already knows my feelings on what long rods say about a man. Sorta like short men and big trucks...

Sparkey, I thought about taking up the Spey Rod, but decided I wanted to fly fish-

Now there are two posts, back to back, that I wouldn't touch with the tip of my 18' Bruce and Walker Spey Rod.

Sparks, you'd be welcome anytime. (Rod off in an Airborne box this afternoon via Kaufmans). Sigh.....

Water's a bit on the high side for what we're used to down here, but clearing fast. River from Grants Pass down is chock a block with winter runs.

Summer runs (by actual count) were just under 14,000 for the season, Fall kings a tad more. Will be interesting to see what the winter brings us Southern Oregonians.

I will go along with ever thing Sparkey and Fred said.
I only have on little hint.
Learn to cast before you plunk down that hard earned money for a Speyrod.
Learning to cast puts you in the driver's seat.
Then you can choose the rod, which fits you casting style.
Far to many of us started using rods and line that were to some one else liking.
Speybum

On the 'learning how' part two options to consider. Pinning down the weekend dates now in Mid March through end of April. Several of us 'locals' sponser a "Charity Spey Casting Clinic here on the upper Rogue.

Our instructors are Steve Choate and Dr. Way Yin (both Washingtonians) who where were #1 and #3 in the 2002 World Spey Casting Championships in England. Other than the hard costs (and Way and Steve donate their time) to put on the affair all $ to to 503c organizations that have ongoing youth fishing programs. Class size is limited to 10-11 students max! for the weekend to assure LOTS of one on one time with Steve and Way.

Target cost for this year is $300 per student for the weekend. Sounds a bit much but this covers two full days of on river instructions, all meals (including a great party on Sat. evening-Joan and I provide the wine), and if $ are problem many of the students have Graced our home and stayed with us. As the funds go to 503C charity groups, the registration fee is usually tax deductable. A good thing.

Each student in the class is 'filmed' as it goes along so (with the party) we play back the 'good, bad, and the ugly.'

Last years clinic had folks that ran the spread from very good casters to one fellow who had never held a spey rod in his hands before. He was ripping out line within the first hour.

But back to the rod question: there are usual 20 - 30 rods in different line wts, line configurations, rod lenghs, actions, etc., for you to try and actually practice on. Point being the 'actually practice on.' .... then you go drop the dime. Or someone may be very willing to sell you one of their rods there at the clinic. I purchased two last year from fellow classmates.

The second option is the Sandy River Spey (Oxbow Park just east of Portland, OR) clave in Mid May. Several hundred Spey Nuts will be in attendance (as well as a half doz. or more of Spey Rod manufactures). Lots of time to try out new products; only problem is any "lessons" would be short, sweet and to the point ... and probably casting on grass vs. actual on water conditions.

Another small point on the Charity Clinic: it comes off right in the middle of our winter steelhead season. No fishing during class ... but before/after ....