6 Reasons to Fish a Two Handed Rod

You should never be scared to try something new in the wonderful world of Fly Fishing. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is a great way to learn and take your fishing game to the next level. At Deneki, using a 2 handed rod is one of our favorite ways to fish but some of our guests can be a little apprehensive to give it a try! Here are 6 reasons we think you should start spey fishing in 2019..

1. Steelhead.  One of the coolest fish on the planet.  A trout that can live in the salt.  Getting a Steelhead on the swing is a bucket list item for any angler.  Similar to a permit on the fly or a 30 inch trout, a wild steelhead on the swing is something to be proud of and a moment you will never forget.   
2. Efficiently cover a large river.  These rods are famously designed to target steelhead and salmon in big coastal waters.  With the right set up and a little bit of practice, you wont exhaust yourself while trying to cover the entire river.  In our opinion, there is no better way to fish a large river.
3. You can fish areas where backcasting space is limited.  An overhand cast is not always possible.  Become proficient with a 2 hander and you wont need to rely on an overhand cast to get your fly out there! Spey Rods are a great solution to casting when there are trees or a cliff wall behind you.
4. Trout Spey!  3 and 4 wt spey rods are a thing.  You can fish your 2 hander anywhere, not just in the Pacific Northwest. Swinging soft hackles is an often ignored but an incredibly effective way to catch trout. You can also swing streamers for trout as well.  Long story short, a spey rod is not just designed for steelhead and salmon.
5. Any type of fishing makes you a better angler.  This is something I cannot fully explain but very much believe in.  Simply spending time with a rod in your hand makes you a better fisherman. Kinda like how walking the flats can make you a better trout fisherman on your home waters.  Different styles of fly fishing will open up other doors in your fishing arsenal.
6. Most importantly it is fun!  Wait until you feel “the Grab”.  Fair warning, if you have an addictive personality.  The grab when swinging flies can change lives.

Don’t be intimidated to pick up a 2 handed rod.  For more information on getting involved with the wonderful world of Spey Fishing, check out the following article Kyle Shea published in 2013 “9 Questions About Spey Fishing Your Were Afraid To Ask”.

More on Spey Fishing:

• Spey Casting Tips, Anchor Placement
• Spey Casting Tips, Pull More Push Less
• Spey Casting – Back Against a Wall