I was wondering if I was thinking about getting into spey rod fishing, does anyone know of good book to get me started, something that really covers the 3 main style of cast. I seem to be interested the skagit right now.

I found some books, just not sure which are the good ones. So I was hoping maybe you guys knew of some.

Thanks.

Check out the spey central pages on Rio's site (http://www.rioproducts.com/spey-central.html) there are a number of really good articles on casting and line selection and quite a few youtube videos.

For me at least, a lot of the concepts were/are hard to visualize and seeing them in action really helps. Rio also makes a video called modern spey casting which is very good.

(http://www.sexyloops.com/tackle/modernspeycasting.shtml)

Good luck.

In all honesty, if I was you, I would go to my local fly shop. They should be able to help you narrow your focus. Also, before you purchase anything try casting as many rods and lines as they will allow. Finally, find a good instructor who can give you casting lessons. This sport can get expensive, and learning to cast can be a challenge. To say the least, a competent instructor can shave years off the learning curve. Otherwise, I have found the following books and films to be great resources:

- http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Steelhead-Masters-Fly/dp/0974642711

- http://www.amazon.com/Two-Handed-Fly-Cas...3234&sr=1-3

- http://www.amazon.com/Spey-Casting-2nd-S...3234&sr=1-1

- http://www.amazon.com/Spey-Understanding...295&sr=1-14

- http://www.amazon.com/Skagit-Master-Feat...3321&sr=1-1

The Ed Ward Skagitmaster video is a good one for understanding the Skagit casting fundamentals. In person instruction is always best, and your location puts you within practical driving distance of Mike Kinney's streamside Spey casting workshops on the lower Stilly most Sunday mornings. Look him up and get the details. It will save you tons of time, misery, and money.

Sg

Thanks guys. I will look into the info you gave me.

Yeah I mentioned those as a stocking stuffer




Also I would like to throw out another question, right now I don't have any equipment yet, and don't really plan on it for awhile, but I see some pretty good deals now and again. So if was to run across a good deal on a rod, what wt would you recommend 7, 8 ,or 9, of course this will be mainly for steelhead.

Thanks

I prefer a 7 or 8 wt Spey. It seems like I'd lean toward the 8 for winter and 7 for summer, but my favorite is my 13' 4" CND Solstice which is about a 7 wt for summer and winter with a 450 gr Skagit with tips and a straight 7 wt short belly for floating line work. I also use my Forecast 11' 6" 6/7 wt Forecast a lot, year round, small water and large, with a 400 gr Skagit and 10' sinking poly leaders or 6 wt floater. Super cheap alternative at about $100 for the kit, but you have to roll it yourself.

I've got heavier 8, 9, 10 wt rods, but they're better for chinook fishing IMO.

Sg