I bought my first spey rod a few months ago, my first trip to the river I was happy and a bit surprised that I could cast well enough to get my line out quite a ways, unlike single hand casting that took me forever to cast 8 feet out with a 9 foot rod. So I took some lessens which really helped but now I’ve kinda stalled. I can get the whole line up and off the water every few casts but the loop is big and sloppy, and I’m a danger to myself and all within reach. I’ve hooked my new chest waders several times and my gore-tex coat enough that it may no longer be waterproof. So far my face has been spared although my constant flinching has become embarrassing. . So I’m wondering, with the ruckus my line makes on the water as it’s being ripped up and into the air and then the neat way my leader coils around my fly on impact do I really stand a chance of catching anything other than myself? Will a fish actually bite the fly or will they get laughing so hard at my inept casting that they’ll float to the surface? Can Novas repair the dings in my eyeglasses? I’m actually not that discouraged but I do hope that I get over the hump sooner than later.

You will, It took about 8 months of casting for me to feel safe

You will get better, how long is that spey rod, can't see why you are hooking yourself all the time if the rod is 13 foot or longer.

Since I have converted to spey rods I can't recall ever hooking myself like I did with single handed rods.

FL

You didn't say what type of spey cast were giving you problems, or if you were casting weighted flies. One thing about spey casting that I believe is true, is your fly should not get that close to you. I guess that this time of year you are casting sink tips.

Some keys: Slow down your motion. Don't overpower the rod. This just means let the rods flex do most of the work. Don't try to cast the entire line. Your timing will come with experience.

Always wear glasses. Keep those barbs smashed.

Don

I’m using a 14’ St. Croix with a double spey cast. I figured out my problem was the way I was lifting my rod into the firing position was wrong and the momentum was carrying my “D” loop around behind me (upstream) so the line on the water would curve around my leg, I don’t know if that makes sense or not. Anyway I changed the way I brought my rod up so the “D” loop now goes strait back, (towards shore) and that has been a big help. I know your right about slowing down and letting the rod do the work but the urge to put more power into it to make it do what I want is so irresistible, I see the same mistake happen so often with beginning single hand casters.
Thanks for your help

Make sure your bottom hand is inside your upper hand (center of you're body)

If not you better have alot of band-aids

Well ... yes you can. Couple of things: If you're 'wacking' yourself with your fly you're coming through with the rod in too verticle a position. Forward cast HAS to be at least 10-15 degrees off of verticle (Spelling sucks tonight.)

Secondly (some cast excepted here such as the Double Spey) actually have very little water contact. If you're 'ripping' the water up you're putting FAR too much effort into the cast. SLOW DOWN!! But!!!!!!!!!!!!!! every spey cast requires you DO NOT slow down once you've started the cast; this unloads the rod. Not a good thing even with a single hander.

Slow down!! but increase rod tip speed through out the cast. I know, I know . this sounds like an oxymoron, but not doing so kills more cast than anything else I can think of.
Fred

Bloody Hell! Forgot to add: if you hear a great WOOSH as you're coming forward (you're breaking the sound barrier .. really!!) you've got FAR too much power into the forward cast.

SLOW THE THING DOWN, BUT DO INCREASE ROD SPEED THROUGHOUT THE cast.

One small note on your casts.
Be Sure anchor is out side of your cast path.

Up steam wind casts you anchor should be upstream of your straight-line path of the cast.
( In other words upstream of the rod tip)
Down shoulder cast the anchor should be downstream of the straight -line path of the cast.
( In other words downstream of the rod tip)

I hope this helps

Excellent points Arron. Mr. R here is one of the best 2-hander instructors in the Seattle area; his shop is in Carnation, WA.

if memory serves, he has a wall full of 'spey rods/lines' that you're welcome to try out on the river by his shop.