Hopefully we sort out the ‘loops versus coils’ thing today!
We’ve run a couple of posts in the past about holding your running line when you’re spey fishing, and one tip that we’ve mentioned is to hold loops, not coils of running line – two posts that mention the topic are this one with 3 tips on managing running line, and this one which is all about loops versus coils.
A couple of our readers have mentioned that the ‘loop/coil’ and ‘forward hand/back hand’ thing are hard to understand, so today we’ve got a video for you demonstrating the difference. If you’re not into spey fishing, today’s post is not for you and you should check out some other popular posts on our blog.
For you spey folk, let us know if it makes sense this time around. Happy launching!
NOTE: If you’re viewing this in a newsletter or a reader, click here to see the loops versus coils demo on YouTube.
Thank you for this video! When can we order hats? 😀
You’re welcome, Cole! We’re going to have hats available online very soon.
Thank you. I’ve tried to look up the “old climbers coil” trick on the web and by going to mountain climbing shops…nobody (the young bucks anyway) knew what I was asking about…guess it is for really old climbers…this helps a bunch.
Hey Joe, glad it was helpful.
Video helps andrew,but you should move even closer to the camera to show how you are holding the stripped loops in your hand,while you are in the process of stripping in additional loops.
Well, I’m just starting off Spey fishing and Steelheading, and man am I glad I was told to check out this site.
Thank you guys so much for all the work you put into it.
Thanks very much for the good words, Scott. Welcome to the world of spey fishing!
Many anglers have used the method of making loops and placing them on different fingers. Your method pinches the different loops between the line hand thumb and forefinger. I just did an informal comparison of the two methods using a single-handed rod. Using the “different fingers” method I tangles two times our of ten. Using your method I didn’t tangle at all during 10 casts.
Gene, thanks so much for the comparison – really glad to hear this method worked well for you.
Hi Andrew,
What’s the option on holding loops in the Top hand or Bottom hand?
I see a few posts going either way. Is it a personal preference thing?
Hi Kevin!
Personal preference for sure – folks feel strongly about both options. I like top hand because I feel like I get better clearance off the water and fewer tangles, but others would certainly disagree!
I watched this quite a few times and still cannot tell how you are grabbing the line and the difference between the frontwards and backwards hand position. A close up might help. Also how these loops are pinched against the cork prior to the cast would help. Thanks