Single Spey...the final third

[owen]

Afternoon all,

I had a really beneficial lesson with Jim Fisher last Sunday. We did a lot of work on my single spey and whilst my lift and anchor placement got better and better, I had consistent problems with the last third where the d-loop is formed and I deliver the forward cast.

I didn't feel the same level of loading as I did when we did overhead casts for comparison and only by happerchance did I ever manage to shoot any line.

Jim gave me lots of pointers, such as I need to improve my acceleration to a more consistent stop amongst others, which I have taken away and will work on but was wondering if anyone else has seen this happening and has any tips they can share....

I can do a snakeroll off the left shoulder now fairly consistently (left bank downstream wind) and wasn't bad with a circle spey or snap T off the right shoulder, until the last third that is...

Any drills, analogies etc would be greatly appreciated. I dont want to single spey then have to go into an overhead or roll cast to get the fly where I need it to be every time!!

Many thanks,
Nolon.

[charlieH]

If you're using the same line for overhead casts and spey casts, you shouldn't expect to generate the same rod loading.

In simple terms, the weight of all the line outside the rod tip contributes to the load when casting overhead. With a spey cast, the section of line that is in the lower half of the D loop isn't contributing anything to the rod load. This is less marked with a short head, but the longer the line outside the rod tip, the greater the difference.

If your setup is balanced for overhead casting, you might want to try a line one size heavier, particularly if you're a beginner. What rod & line combination are you using?

[Willie Gunn]

Are you using both hands on the power stroke? About 50% top and bottom hand.

[speyghillie]

Nolon,

You'd better get it sorted before your trip to Speyside...... ;D


Right bank remember, so snake off the right and single Spey off the left. Totally agree with WG - bottom hand work is crucial. Don't worry too much, I've got plenty lines for you to try and I'm sure we'll get you sorted out. Practice makes perfect - well almost.......

[owen]

Thanks all,

Charlie - I've been told the set up is fine and have seen others use it as is intended so it's user error Im afraid!

Malcolm - I do have to confess to a trout background but do think I split between the hands as you advise, just dont feel the rod loading to begin with so think my problems start before the forward stroke.

Jock - Best of luck to you & you'd better pray for a downstream wind, thats all I'll say! Looking forward to it.

Think I may just be impatient. Perhaps I should spend a few days solid practice - the single spey looks the least complicated but for me is by far the hardest to master.

Thanks again - I'll stop the complaining and start the practicing.

[hf]

Owen... don't know if this has any bearing on what the problem is, but if not, then it may add to the discussion.

I remember fishing the Helmsdale last year and happily practising my spey casting. I had thought I was doing as good as I could when a friend happened along and immediately saw that I wasn't loading the rod as I should have been. His immediate cure was for me to pull out more and more line until the rod loaded properly. The result was immediate.

I couldn't believe the difference between what I thought was my limit and what the rod was actually capable of doing when loaded properly.


highlandfisher

[owen]

Highlandfisher,

I know what you mean, but the spey profile of my line means if I have the marker at the back of the head anywhere much outside of the rod-tip I have problems transferring energy into the line.

I'm pretty sure Im looking for a miracle short-cut that isn't there and what I need to do is get in some serious practice.

I can be an impatient bu**er.

Cheers,
Nolon.

[Willie Gunn]

Casting with the running line outside the rod tip is difficult as the enegy transfer breaks down.

[hf]

williegunn said:

Casting with the running line outside the rod tip is difficult as the enegy transfer breaks down.

Absolutely... what I probably didn't make clear is that I was not asked to cast with the running line outside the rod tip but only to use more of the head than what I thought I was capable of. When asked to cast with more line out than what I had been using I found that it loaded the rod in a way which it hadn't done before. The result was much better casting. (for a novice anyway )

Cheers

highlandfisher