Quest Outdoors

Snowmonkey · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 8:49 pm Post subject: Light spey rod advice needed...

Can anybody give me a first hand recommendation on a production light two handed fly rod (6 or 7 weight, 12 to 14 foot length) which is reasonable as far as cost vs performance? I am especially interested in anybody's experiences with some of St Croix's affordable light speys, or others in that relative price category. Thanks in advance.

Mike

BrianD · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:28 pm Post subject: Light weight spey

Hey Mike,
where and how are you planning on fishing it?

Best,

Brian

Yahtzee · Alevin Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 12 Location: SE mich

I have a Loomis 5/6 13ft 4 trout spey. you are welcome to try it out if you like. I have not used it a whole lot as of yet but it cast great and is a lot of fun. I am thinking it would be a great rod for some of the smaller tribs and smaller fish we ahve here in SE mich , and erie tribs. let me know if youwant to take it for a spin.
Erik

Ps there was a big discussion on the speypages about the subject. so a surch for trout spey and you will get plenty of reading on teh subject.

Snowmonkey · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 7:33 pm Post subject: Yahtzee, Brian D

Yahtzee...thank you very much for that generous offer. As I will be in MI a fair amount in the late spring/early summer, I'll have to look you up.

Brian...I've been toying with the idea of merging float fishing and fly fishing techniques for years now, and a light spey seems like the perfect tool for the job. I'd mainly use it on the Great Lakes tribs for steel (esp the larger Erie tribs), but want something versatile. Steelhead would be my main quarry, although what has finally sent me over the edge in deciding to get one is an unexpected opportunity where I may be going Atlantic salmon fishing in Russia this July/Aug.

Thanks for any advice,
Mike

BrianD · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:10 pm Post subject: Have you considered...

Hey Monkey,
have you considered something in a 12'6" 7/8? That should give you the reach you're looking for fishing indicators on the bigger OH water while still being versatile and not excessively light or . by length. Should also allow you to try more traditional swinging on rivers like the Catt and may make a backup rod for the Kola trip matched with a shooting head. (Although I don't know how well it would handle a screaming atlantic!)

Have fished and cast 6/7 rods and quite frankly their to light to be a versatile steel fishing and fighting tool, especially in the longer lengths. Go with something that will handle a long floating line, a fast sinking polyleader, and the float and shot I'm sure you'll load it up with<g>

If ya really want to get out their, I talked with an experienced BC fella who ran a custom 12'6" convertable with an islander and heavy mono. He'd loop 30 foot fast sinkers on the end to swing through a promising run, then pop the head off and pin it if the first pass didn't produce. Can't imagine how you'd fly cast that rig, but I though that would get your gears spinning Rolling Eyes

Talk about your fusion of spey and centerpin styles!

Best,

Brian

Whistler · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 11:53 am Post subject:

I would recommend the LOOP 11'6" #8 blueline. While slightly shorter than what you asked for this is an awesome rod. In fact this is the rod that we sell the most of to Great Lakes Steelheaders. Another good option would be the CND expert 13' #8.

Brian Niska

PEte · Lunker Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 396 Location: Ontario

Mr. Brian Niska,
Nice to see you on here.

I should give him a brief intro. Brian is a great spey fishing resource from the Left Coast. I met him last fall out in BC while chasing salty chrome things. I must admit, this man can play with a big stick and chuck a fat line pretty damn well Laughing

He lives in Whistler, has spent many years guiding in places such as lower BC, the Skeena watershed and Chili. He has yet to experience some of the excellent fishing we have in the Great Lakes region, although I'm trying to convince him to come for a visit. Cool

His latest venture is a great one.... he owns Whistler Fly Fishing (store in Whistler, www.whistlerflyfishing.com ), which has a large selection of fly gear, including da spey gear. I've bought gear from him and have found his service to be great. I would give his store a great reference to anyone.

He took me out for a couple of Spey outings... my first ever. He even put up with my absolutely horrendous casting Wink

. The first day we went out it was one of the windiest days I have ever fished in, let alone tried to learn to spey cast. None the less, he got me using a spey technique that even an imbicile like myself could use to be maginally effective.

And I should include a pic (off his site, there are more killer photos)....

Cheers,
PEte

BrianD · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 7:45 pm Post subject:

Greeting Brian and welcome to the board!
Good to see another spey enthusiast join up (although I'm a rank amature!). West coast techniques are completely new to me, so I'm looking forward to some interesting discussions!

PEte, great introduction, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to penalize you for excessive smilies<VBG>

Best,

Brian

fisshman26 · Egg Joined: 21 Nov 2004 Posts: 2 Location: BC

The Loomis Metolious 13ft 4 inch rod might fit the bill!
Bruce of BC.

Whistler · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 11:15 am Post subject:

Thanks for the intro Pete Embarassed

. Nice but a little embarrasing-but thanks. I have noticed that we are selling a lot more two handers to GL guys in the last couple of years. As well it seems that more guys are swinging flies instead of nymphing. Could it be that a revolution is afoot? I am happy to help if anyone needs some advice or has some questions that need answering. Please don't hesitate to call me at work 1-888-822-3474.

Brian Niska

Flyfishmich