For many of us, Spey casting is all about casting, but it is so much more than that. Like a good operating machine or a smooth golf swing, there are so many parts to consider. One thing many first-time Spey or two-handed fly rod users don’t fully consider or understand is the importance of line…
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running line
Deneki Chronicles: 5 Ways to Avoid Tangles in Your Running Line
One of the most frustrating things about fishing with any kind of shooting head system (spey casting Skagit heads comes to mind) is the tangling that inevitably, occasionally, happens in your running line. You make what was otherwise a beautiful cast, it stops suddenly way short of its target, you say some bad words, and…
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Timeless Tips: Managing Running Line – 3 Simple Tips
At Alaska West and BC West, we do a lot fishing with spey rods. There are a bunch of reasons that we like spey fishing – line control, less fatigue, the pure enjoyment of making a good cast, and the ability to cover a lot of water. Spey rods let you cover more water because…
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How To Fix a Twisted Running Line – Video from OPST
We love mono running lines on our spey and switch rods. However, regardless of your casting ability, or even the type of running line you prefer, some amount of line twist is inevitable. Unlike traditional over head fly casting, the rotational nature of spey casting across multiple planes can cause a great deal of twist,…
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Spey Running Line – The Old Standby
The topic of the best running/shooting line for skagit or scandi style spey setups is an age old debate, and certainly not one we’re not willing to make a ruling on. However, a long time ago we told you why we liked plain ol’ Berkeley Big Game monofilament for running line on our spey and switch…
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Managing Running Line – Video from Mike McCune
Last week week we shared with you a killer spey casting video from the folks at Headhunters Fly Shop featuring Mike McCune on the finer points of the downstream perry poke cast – particularly when casting short two handers for trout. If you missed it, not to worry, you can watch it by clicking right…
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Spey TV Episode 4: Running Line Management
When it comes to skagit or scandi style spey casting, good line management is key to remaining tangle free and achieving maximum distance. We’ve ran a bunch of posts in the past on various methods of managing running line and today we present you with a great write-up AND video from our buddy George Cook with…
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OPST Lazar Line Running Line
When it comes to skagit casting, we’ve long been fans of mono running lines, particularly when fishing light weight spey or switch rods. Nowadays there are bunch of different options out there, all of which have their advantages and disadvantages. However, a couple weeks ago we were joined by the OPST crew here at Alaska West….
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Managing Running Line for Less Tangles
When it comes to spey fishing, we talk a lot about managing running line. That’s because it’s really important for casting mid-long distances. There are lots of great ways to manage running line when spey casting, and what works for some does not always work for others. For example, some anglers prefer to pinch loops…
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Managing Running Line – Finger Loops
We do a lot of fishing with spey rods at our lodges in Alaska and British Columbia. Most of the time we use Skagit or occasionally Scandi style spey lines, consisting of short shooting heads connected to a level running line. Distance is achieved by casting the heavier head outside of the rod tip allowing…
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