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Trinity River Adventures
Spey and Switch Rod Fishing
 
 


I started Spey casting in 2004, because of the increased interest, and client request's to go Spey fishing on the Trinity River. We had long 13ft. and 14ft. 8-10wt. rods, and I must admit I was a little overwhelmed at first. I compared it to my own experience with skiing all of my life and then trying to snowboard. The transition for me was comparable.

In 2005 I went to a weeklong spey casting clinic put on by Gary Anderson on the Rogue River. I met Jeff Putnam a casting instructor with Kiene's fly shop in Sacramento, conducting the clinic. It took him a couple of days but he eventually showed me the light. I now use my Spey and switch rods as much as I can. The switch rods are much easier to learn on than a full Spey rod. I have also perfected my Spey casting to where I Spey cast single handed with my shorter rods as well. Learning to Spey cast has made me a better more efficient caster, I not only keep the fly in the water longer but I reach things that would be impossible with a standard back cast.

The key for me was the new shorter Spey switch rods (10-11ft.) they are simply more practical for smaller rivers like the Trinity, and are much easier to learn on. You can cast these rods with two hands or with one. You can roll cast and mend them with one hand easily, and they are incredible to high stick with. It is nice to make a long cast Cross River with your back to the brush and not worry about what’s behind you.

The longer rods have their place, we head down river to the Del Loma area, the Hoopa reservation, or over to the Klamath where the river opens up and we can let them go. The last 2 years I have introduced more than a hundred clients to this style of fishing. Come and learn how to Spey cast on the Trinity River, I have demo rods, and can have most people spey casting with a switch rod efficiently in a day.


I personally feel that Spey casting is a breath of fresh air: Reintroducing an artful and a more traditional style of fly-fishing, Getting away from the indicators that seem to have taken over the sport.




 


https://www.andersoncustomrods.com