Originally posted by First Light:
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
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.