Spey Clinic Part II - Heads and Tips

11/11/09

When we last left off I had mentioned that I'd get back to the "Rio Versileaders". The Versileaders are mini heads that extend from the main body of the "Scandi" or "Skagit" heads. They have a butt section of monofiliment that you can then extend with additional tippet to your fly or flies.

The Rio Spey Versileaders come in 6 ft (1.8 m), 10 ft (3 m) and 15 ft (4.5 m) leaders with a high tenacity nylon core. VersiLeaders feature an ultra smooth welded loop in the butt end making it easy to connect to the fly line.

Ryan Miller pointed out that Rio sells a wallet with either 10 foot or 15 foot Versileaders that cover sink rates from 1.5 ips Inches per second) to 7.0 ips. If you purchase that you are pretty much good to go with any of your integrated, scandi or skagit heads. Just pick which rate (ips) you want, add it to your integrated line or head and you're fishin'. He also pointed out that with a Sage Z-axis 11 ft. 6 weight switch used with my Altlantic Salmon and Steelhead line that I'd want to stay on the heaveier end of the spectrum, probably an 5.6 ips or a 7.0 ips. on the Lower Yuba which is my home river.

T-11 and T-14 Heads.


Ok, where are we going now. Remember in the last post we talked about adding sink tips to a Scandi or Skagit Head. Well a practical way to do this is to use lead core line. The differnt weights of lead core are designated by "T" which = grains per foot. So that means if you take a piece of T-11 lead core line and make a head that is 10 foot long. You have 10 feet times 11 grains per foot which equals a head that is 110 grains. Another good tip from Ryan is to purchase a Rio package of T-11 or T-14 lead core which is 30 foot long and cut in into 3 heads of 8 foot, 10 foot and twelve foot. You just add braided loop to loop connectors and you are ready to go.

I called Kiene's Fly Shop before I headed down to Sacramento and asked then to make me up 3 heads as described above. When I got there the 3 heads where sitting on the counter with the braided loops installed and just had to pay for them and head on out the door. Pretty cool. I never was very good at using those braided loop connectors.

Well that's it for now.

Keep the tip up.

Clay

Skagit Heads versus Scandi Heads

This article has been updated from when it was originally published on October 22nd, 2001 

Note:"This article pertains to "Shooting Heads" that are attached to a "Running Line" not "Integrated, full length lines.

When the subject of Spey or Switch Rods comes up  the conversation often turns to whether to what the heck is the difference between a Skagit and a Scandi head. I think it would be good to clear up some of this confusion and go through when, why and where you would choose a "Skagit Head" or a "Scandi Head". These two lines are "Shooting Heads".

Running Lines and Rigging 

These "Shooting Heads" are typically short heads that are added to a "Running Line" with loop to loop connections. A "Running Line" is a level (all the same diameter) thin diameter line that is attached to the backing on your reel. You cannot cast a "Running Line". The business end has a loop on it to connect a shorter "Shooting Head". 

So the rigging goes like this.
(1) "Backing" on the reel, about 125 to 150 yards
(2) "Running Line" about 100 to 120 feet long.
(3) Either a (a) "Skagit Head" about 18' to 24' long or (b) a "Scandi Head" about 24' to 28' long

Note: The length of the "Skagit Head" or the "Scandi Head" will change based upon the grain weight that matches a given rod or by the specifications of the line manufacturer.

Skagit Heads

Let’s start with the "Skagit Heads". "Skagit Heads" were developed while fishing on the Skagit River by a dedicated group of Spey Fishermen like Ed Ward, Mike McCune, Mike Kinney, and Scott O’Donnell. These lines were developed to fish large flies on heavy sink tips to be casted at medium to long distances. These lines were made from cutting up Windcutter lines. They would add sink tips to create heads that were about 23’ to 28’ long. The Snap T, the Snap Z and the Perry Poke casts were developed to cast these new heads.

These "Skagit Heads" are designed to throw big flies and sink tips with little or no room behind you. There are many occasions when fishing steelhead waters like the Trinity or the Klamath here in Northern California where you can only wade out a short distance from the bank. If you take one step more you may be taking a swim. Many times distance isn't the real goal it’s just to get the fly or flies out there far enough to “swing it” into a bucket or slot. Trying to do this with a longer "Shooting Head" is just plain hard. This is especially true if you intend to throw large flies of 4 inches or more. Steelhead sometime like to go for these larger flies. It may be territorial or it may be that it looks like a big meal but many die hard steelhead anglers use these large flies. So the "Skagit Heads" were designed for this job. This is a heavy handed way of delivering flies but it gets the job done.

What is the secret to this design; the "Skagit Heads" have a very short rear taper of about 5% of the total head length, followed by a level body of 80 % and then the front taper in the remaining 15 % of the head. When you add a sinking tip section in front of this powerful head the fly and the head has no choice but to straighten out. A "Skagit Head" can handle T-8, T-11, and T-14 heads with little problem. Of course the size of your rod will affect how heavy a tip you can throw. You can also add floating “Cheaters” to balance the transition between the "Skagit Head" and the tips. Rio has now come up with a "MOW Tip" system to make this transition much easier with tips that integrated a floating section with a sinking section.

So in summary the "Skagit Heads" are a working man’s pick out a big fly, get it out there, and get it down.

Scandi Lines and Heads

Now on to "Scand Heads". Scandi is short for “Scandinavian”, which describes a style of line and casting stroke. Scandinavian or "Scandi Lines" have evolved to be a slightly  longer "Shooting Head" with a long front taper to turn over longer leaders and small to medium sized flies with delicacy and precision.

Recently modern line manufactures are offering "Scandi Heads" as well as fully integrated Scandi full length integrated lines. The "Scandi Heads" vary in length from about 27 to 44 feet. A typical "Scandi Head" will have a short rear taper of roughly 5% of the total head length, followed by a flat section taking up 35% of the total head length and then the remaining 60% of the head going to the front taper. This design is radically different than a "Skagit Head".

These lines are designed to be used with longer leaders such as mono or poly/versileaders from 9 to 14 feet depending on the rod length. Airflo Polyleaders and Rio Versi Leaders have very little grain weight, which allows for quick touch and go anchors to achieve high line speeds and tight loops when casting these "Scandi Heads". This allows you to present small to medium sized flies with longer lighter leaders for delicate presentations for steelhead and trout. This line design doesn't have the power and mass to throw the larger flies that are over 4 inches long. They are designed for flies 2 inches and smaller.

Using a "Skagit Head" is like driving a big 4 wheel drive diesel truck and a "Scandi Head" is like driving a Porsche.

Skagit and Scandi Tactics

Now that we have an understanding of the design and theory of the "Skagit Heads" and Scandi Heads" , let’s talk about how you would choose to use one versus the other in actual fishing situations, when and how to use them.

While the "Skagit Heads" and "Scandi Heads" can be of similar length and both can be used year round in a variety of situations, they have their unique traits. In most cases they both can be used on most two handed rods, switch or spey. As a general rule the "Skagit Heads" are 20 to 25 percent heavier than "Scandi Heads". Either of the heads can be balanced with different grain weights to cast perfectly. For example if you were throwing a 450 grain "Skagit Head" you may be throwing a 390 Scandi head. This of course depends on the size of your rod. This difference in grain weight works because the tapers, tips and leaders vary in length to balance each rigg correctly. This takes some experimentation to get it balanced right and can also be affected by whether you like your rod to load deeper or less deep.

The "Skagit Heads" and "Scandi Heads" excel in different situations and selecting the right line can make a difference in you fishing success. Since the "Skagit Heads" are designed to turn over heavy sink tips and large flies, these lines excel when you are fishing heavy flows and dirty water and when you need to keep your flies down in the zone to get to the fish. "Scandi Heads" are often used in the summer and fall when you are using smaller to medium sized flies on floating leaders with clear and low water conditions. "Scandi Heads" excel with floating and poly/versi leaders. Both heads can handle can handle sub surface work when using sink tips or sinking poly/versi leaders but when you need to go deep the "Skagit Heads" are a better choice. When going deep with a "Skagit Head" it is just easier to cast and with less fatigue.

When casting a "Skagit Head" or "Scandi Head" there are a few points to remember. With a "Skagit Head" when casting sinking tips, using weighted tips like T-8, T-11, and T-14 will help you sustain your anchor and help you form a proper D-Loop. One the other hand when using a "Scandi Head" using mono leaders, poly/versi leaders will allow you to form a proper "touch and go" anchor and D-Loop. If you throw a "Skagit Head" with a mono poly/versi leader you will tend to pull your anchor and not form a good D-Loop. Conversely if you throw a "Scandi Head" with a T-14 tip your anchor will stick and be hard to pull off on your forward cast. It’s all about balancing your riggs and knowing how to get the job done.

Summary

Purchase a running line, a "Skagit Head", a "Scandi Head", some poly/versi leaders, some MOW Tips and some weighted heads for your favorite two handed rod and you can fish anywhere and in any condition. Balance your system properly and the casts will furl out beautifully and you’ll soon have a steelhead or large trout dancing on your line.

Skagit Lines "What The Heck are They?

This is one of those "What the heck is" posts.

What the Heck Is a Skagit Line?

When the discussion comes around to spey lines you start hearing stuff like, Skagit Heads, Scandi Heads, Scandinavian Lines, Switch Lines and such. It's enough to make your head spin. Let's break down a portion of this discussion and talk about Skagit Lines. For the most part when you are talking about Skagit lines you are talking about "Skagit Heads" A head is a short line that is a "Shooting Head" that is approximately 18' to 25' long. The "Skagit Head is attached by means of a loop to loop connection to a level (same diameter) thin "Running Line". It is a part of a spey line interchangeable system. 

Where did they come from? 

Skagit type lines were independently being developing back in the 1990's by the likes of Ed Ward, Mike Kinney, Scott O'Donnell, Scott Howell, Mike McCune, Jerry French, Larry French and  Harry Lemire on the banks of the Skagit/Sauk and other northwest rivers. These noted anglers were at the forefront of the Skagit revolutuon.

What were they trying to accomplish? 

These notable anglers were trying to find a line that was able to cast big flies on heavy sink tips. Little did they know, that the design of this line would make a huge impact in the world of steelhead and in general spey fishing. They would spent countless nights in the depths of fly tying rooms of the Pacific Northwest developing new prototype lines. They would chop and splice lines together in different combinations to construct new tapers. They were the mad scientists of spey lines. Their experiments would eventually develop into today’s Skagit Lines.  

Some would cut and splice their way, others would utilize bumped up Wind Cutter bodies to perfect the craft.  The shorter belly approach was underway.  The day had come to maximize the spey rod for winter conditions with large outsized flies.  New casts were developed to cast these new prototypes such as the Snap Tee, Perry Poke, Snap Z and Wombat which all lent themselves to the shorter belly approach.  

Today the Skagit line is used all over the world.  Be it for King Salmon, Steelhead or Sea Run Browns.  The Skagit Line has become the line of choice. Originally developed purely as a sink tip line system, the Skagit line also can be an effective full floating line particularly on lighter switch and spey rods. for 11’ to 13’9” rods.  As the Skagit Head system is attached loop to loop with a running line of choice, the spey caster will spend more time stripping line to recast (applies to all Skagit Shooting heads lines versus long belly full length integrated lines) but the reward is a undeniable highly energized long and straight cast.

So what about today?

As of this article, in 2014, we are seeing a growth in the use of the Skagit lines and many new products, especially from Airflo and Rio. There is a big reason for this, Skagit lines make casting and fishing two handed rods much easier and more enjoyable. They are working fishing lines that have many applications and can make learning to spey cast easier too.

Most people think about Skagit lines, as coming into play when using heavy sink-tips, big flies, and winter steelhead. This is true, and this is why they were first developed in the Northwest. The fact is that Skagit lines are a great fishing tools on both Spey and Switch rods and more people than ever before are using them year round.

I have gravitated towards Skagit lines for almost all my trout and steelhead fishing although I must admit most of my fishing is for resident rainbows on the Lower Yuba River. I use MOW tips and Versileaders or just swap my tips for a floating tip, often referred to as a cheater, and a tapered leader and I am ready to fish. On my home river there are sometimes quite a number of anglers and the pressure makes me consider fishing lots of different water types and depths. I have had to learn and fish new water to try and escape the pressure "traditional" runs and riffles see throughout a given day. I often find myself fishing smaller, tighter spots that don't allow much backcasting room, forcing one to get the fly out there with a very limited to almost non existent back cast. The shorter, quicker load of a skagit line allows one to do this. 

The second major factor has to do with how to learn how to Spey cast. Skagit lines allow one to learn and understand the basics of the two-hand casting a lot quicker than any other line out there. An entry level spey caster will get the hang of casting a whole lot faster and with confidence faster.  String up a running line and connect a Skagit head with the correct weight (in grains) with a loop to loop connection, add a tip and leader and you're good to go. When guiding or teaching it simply allows their clients to start casting proficiently and get into fish a lot quicker and easier.

So my recommendation is that start with Skagit heads, you won't be sorry!

Market Development of Skagit Lines.

Rio was one of the first company to design a Skagit taper. These lines were 27' in length and varied in grain weight, 350, 450, 550, and 650 grains. Soon there was a demand for more lines and Rio introduced more lines varying in 50 grain increments. Not long after, Airflo and Scientific Anglers followed suit and Skagit lines gained in popularity.


While many of these lines were great for the 13'6"-15' rods, many anglers were having to modify lines to match some of newer, shorter, lighter Spey and Switch rods on the market. In the last couple of years, manufacturers have begun to design Skagits that were better suited to today's shorter lighter rods. Airflo was the first company to introduce a line of Skagits designed to match almost any Spey/switch rod starting at 360 grain @ 22.5' and going up to 720 grains @ 28.5'. Soon Beulah followed with the Tonic that ranges from 22.5 - 27' and match switch rods as light as 5/6 up to 9 weight spey rods. 

At the same time Rio launched their line of Skagit Shorts designed for switch and small spey rods. Rio's Skagit Short range from 275 grains to 525 grains and are 20' in length. As the popularity of Airflo's Compact Skagit grew, Rio soon followed suit with their new Skagit Flight that range from 425 grains @ 24'to 750 grains @ 31'. Now there are almost too many choices out there for an angler to choose from. This just shows the growth and popularity of Skagit and Spey casting.

The Lines Available in 2014

Today the main players in the Spey fly line market are still Rio and Airflo. Let's take a look at what's out there today.

Airflo Skagit Lines

Important Note: When attaching all Airflo Shooting heads, the Printed ID on the line goes at the front. The non-marked end (Black) attaches to the running line.




Airflo Skagit Compact

With the help of Tom Larimer, Airflo developed a series of Compact Skagit heads designed to throw big flies and sink tips in tight confined spaces. As a guide, Tom was able to work on the Skagit Compact heads in the field by having his guests fish them and making changes where necessary.

It is important to note that the shorter a head is, the more critical its weight becomes. By offering twelve models, ranging from a 23 foot 360 grain head to a 27 foot 720 grain head, Airflo has ensured there is a Skagit Compact head that perfectly balances with any rod and casting style. With the incredible stresses put on each end of a Skagit head it is critical to have a loop that will hold up. All Airflo two handed lines come with a tough, heavy duty, color coded loop system. You just loop your favorite running line, add an Airflo Skagit Compact and sink tip and your are good to go.

The Airflo Skagit Compact shooting heads continues to be one of my personal favorite. I carry a wide variety of then to match up with my switch and spey rods.

Link to the Airflo Skagit Compact; http://www.rajeffsports.com/skagit.php


Airflo Skagit Switch


Airflo line designers saw the need to develop a specialized line for Switch rods. I needed to have a shorter head. The new Skagit Switch line hits the mark dead on. Shorter in length than the Skagit Compact, this new addition to the Airflo Skagit group of lines vary from 18' to 20' with 7 sizes ranging from 360 to 540 grains. These lines are designed to load switch rods in tight casting situations, move 10' to 12' of sink tip, and reach out to hit the "zone". They have loops at both ends with the front loop clearly marked with the line size for easy identification. The line is a Mint Green color and keeps the line visible and controllable at any distance.

Attach one of the Airflo Skagit Switch lines with either the 20lb or 30lb Airflo Ridge Running line and you will make your switch rod balance correctly.

Link to the Airflo Skagit Switch; http://www.rajeffsports.com/skagit_switch.php

Airflo Rage

There was a need for a compact skagit lline that would fish like a straight floater. So, working with Tom Larimer, Airflo developed the Rage Compact. This new addition to the Airflo Skagit family gives you a line that will keep you in the "Floating" game under extremely windy and tight quarter casting situations. It has an aggressive front taper that gives power for driving casts into the strongest winds, the rear taper helps load quickly, giving you incredible control in tight casting conditions.

This line comes in nine sizes from 300 to 600 grains, and lengths of 27' to 32' to match almost any two-handed rod easy. The front loop has the line size printed on it for easy recognition.

This line has become popular with many Northern California guides.

Link to the Airflo Rage; http://www.rajeffsports.com/rage.php

Airflo Intermediate Compact

Airflo identified the need for a line that would cast and fish like a Skagit compact, but would avoid all the surface hydraulics caused by the river bottom. No longer do you have to put up with tumultuous surface currents pulling at the floating portion of your Skagit system. The Skagit Intermediate gets you below the surface and into more even, mid-strata flows, allowing for a smoother more direct fly presentation. The line is two tone in color, the front taper and belly section are Heron Grey, and the floating back taper is Scandi Blue. It features the Airflo Power Core for direct contact and solid hook sets, it has loops at both ends, and easy to read head size label. Skagit casting anglers will benefit from this line no matter where you fish.

Link to the Airflo Intermediate Compact; http://www.rajeffsports.com/skagit_int.php

Airflo Speydicator

The Speydicator was designed to throw an unreasonable amount of weight at the end of an unreasonable length of tippet with an unreasonably large indicator. It is really an integrated Skagit Line.This has become my integrated line of choice on my Lower Yuba River. It an indicator line on steroids.

The lines come in four sizes starting at a WF4. They all have a short 21 to 23 foot head with a long 12 to 15 foot rear taper. Behind the rear taper is a 25 to 30 foot heavy level mending zone. The combination of the rear taper and mending a zone allows the fisherman to re-position the head after casting and still have enough mass to stack mend line for 60 feet or more. After the mending zone the line is made with Airflo's unique low stretch ridged running line, helping you to stick fish even at the end of the longest drifts.

Link to the Airflo Speydicator; http://www.rajeffsports.com/speydicator.php

Rio Skagit Lines

Important Note: When attaching all Rio Shooting heads, the Printed ID on the line goes at the back. The end with the Printed ID attaches to the running line.

Rio Skagit Max

The Rio Skagit Max is a Skagit style shooting head that will cast big flies, and the heaviest sinking tips with the utmost of ease. It has a unique taper design that not only casts all the nasty stuff associated with Skagit fishing, but also forms beautiful loops and is extremely pleasant to cast. The head is built on RIO’s ultra-low stretch Connect Core for the utmost in casting control and sensitivity, and has a highly visible orange section loop for easy recognition. It is available in a multitude of lengths and weights to cover all rods and angling situations.

It has an Ultra-low stretch core for the best in casting and fishing sensitivity.  It has an easy loading design. It has a printed ID system on the rear of the head for quick recognition and a high viz rear loop. 

These heads run from 425 grains to 750 grains and are from 23 feet to 25 feet in length.

Here's the link to the Rio Skagit Max Line http://www.rioproducts.com/fly-lines/spey/skagit/skagit-max/

Rio Skagit Max Short

The Rio Max Short is an exceptionally easy casting Skagit style shooting head that is ideal for short Spey rods, Switch rods and single-handed rods. The head will cast big flies, and the heaviest sinking tips with the utmost of ease. The head is built on RIO’s ultra-low stretch Connect-Core for the utmost in casting control and sensitivity, and has a highly visible orange section loop for easy recognition. It is available in a multitude of lengths and weights to cover all rod and angling situations.

Some of its features are; an Ultra-low stretch core for the best in casting and fishing sensitivity; Easy loading design; Printed ID system on the rear of the head for quick recognition; High viz rear loop. 

Here's a link to the Rio Max Short http://www.rioproducts.com/fly-lines/spey/skagit/skagit-max-short/

Rio iFlight

RIO’s iFlight is the latest addition in the arsenal of heads for the skagit fly fisher. The short, powerful head has an 8 foot long highly visible floating back end that is easy to track during the swing, and can be mended for total fly control. The unique clear camo intermediate front section is a fantastic asset for when extra depth is needed, in strong current and also on windy days, or when a slower swing is needed.

Some of its features are; Easy casting; Deep loading design for effortless casts; The powerful front end casts fast sinking tips and large flies; Slow sinking intermediate tip for deeper and slower presentations

Here's a link to the Rio i-Flight http://www.rioproducts.com/fly-lines/spey/skagit/skagit-iflight/

Rio iShort

RIO’s iShort heads are powerful, intermediate based Skagit heads (with a short floating back section), designed for shorter Spey rods, Switch rods and single-handed rods. The intermediate front section give anglers deep, slow swings, and will cast large flies and the fastest of sinking tips with exceptional ease. For anglers using shorter Spey rods, Switch rods and Single Handed rods, and for tight casting situations, the iShorts are a fantastic choice. All Skagit heads are built on an ultra-low stretch core for the maximum in casting and fishing sensitivity. 

Link to the Rio iShort http://www.rioproducts.com/fly-lines/spey/skagit/skagit-ishort/

Rio Switch Chucker

The Rio Switch Chucker is a fully integrated line. It is 100 feet long. It is an Indicator line on steroids. It is an integrated line with "Skagit" characteristics. The line is offered in line weights from #4 to #9. Although this line was designed to be used with switch rods They do have their place with spey rods.

The Switch Chucker is a very easy casting line, with a short head and plenty of weight at the front for casting indicators, sink tips and large flies. The line features a long front taper that makes it a pleasure to roll and spey cast with, and a short back taper that allows anglers to shoot for distance with ease. An integrated running line ensures there are no loop-to-loop connections running through the guides. The Chucker is a great choice for a Switch line for fishing tight in and for any Switch rod caster who wants the casting to be as easy as possible.

Link to the Rio Switch Chucker; http://www.rioproducts.com/fly-lines/spey/switch/switch-chucker/

Which End of a Shooting Head do you Attach to a Running Line

I rigged up a Airflo Skagit Short today and my buddy said, " You're head is on backwards". I took a look at it and said, "No the laser marking is on the end that is attached to my running line". He said "Sorry, but Rio heads work that way but Airflo are just the opposite". I said "You know, you're right".

Rio and Airflo are two of the most recognizable spey fly line manufacturers here in California. They both have Printed ID  marking systems, but they are attached to your running line opposite of each other. Why, who knows. A little confusing don't you think!

Airflo Shooting Heads

Here is a photo of the Printed ID system of Airflo Shooting Heads.

When you are attaching an Airflo Shooting Head to a running line the Printed ID system is located on the front of the shooting head. You attach the non-printed end to the running line. This end is black.

If you have older Airflo Shooting Heads one end is color coded and the other is black. You attach the black end to the running line.

So remember color coded end or the Printed ID end does not attach to the running line.

Rio Shooting Heads

Here is an example of the Printed ID of a Rio Skagit Max head.

When to are using Rio Shooting heads the Printed ID end is printed on the rear end of the shooting head. You attach the Printed ID end  to the running line.

So with Rio remember that the Printed ID end attaches to the running line.

Summary

Who knows why they do the things that they do. One thing I do know is that if your shooting head is on backwards your line just will not fly right. Check twice and make sure you get it right.

Dec Hogan II Spey Rods

I fish with and recommend Echo Fly Rods. I like their action and ease of casting especially using the "Ed Ward" Skagit style of casing using Skagit Short heads or when using Dec's style with medium and longer bellied lines like an Airflo Delta.

Echo has come out with Echo's new line of Dec Hogan II Spey Rods. These are great working rods with a price that won't break the bank. Here's a video of Dec Hogan discussing the development and attributes of the new Echo II Rods. The Dec Hogan II Spey Rods have also developed a rod with a 6.5 line designation, which puts it right between a 6 and a 7 weight.



Also as a bonus watch Dec's casting style which I believe people should experience and see if it works for you.

His casting style does not have a lot of wasted motion and is pretty darn effective. Its easy going and gets the job done. His casting technique is a combination of old and new styles adapted to maximize the performance of today's modern spey rods and progressive tapered fly lines. It is a sensible style that experienced Spey fishers seem to eventually evolve to.


Here's the details of the Dec Hogan II Spey Rods from Rajeff Sports

Your first thought might be Why? But rest assured, the soul of the original medium-fast action DH series was not lost. The advancements in casting techniques and modern fly lines just inspired us to update and redesign this popular lineup. Dubbed the DH II, they provide a slightly crisper action, enhanced tip recovery, wider grain window, and a scary-wicked color scheme. More distance with ease sums up our whole thought process with the DH II series. Bonus: Only since the evolution of modern spey lines has it been possible to build a true tweener rod, thus the 6.5 line designation. The gap between 6- and 7-weight two-handed rods has always left anglers searching for either a bigger six or smaller seven. Search no more, the 6.5 will definitely become the lower 48 meat-and-potatoes Summer Steelhead stick.

DEC HOGAN II Rods feature:

• Four-piece travel design
• Premium grade cork with composite accents at each end
• Carbon fiber reel seat with anodized aluminum components
• Night smoke gloss blank
• Dark gray wraps with metallic trim
• Black ceramic stripper guides
• Black snake guides and tip top
• Dark gray cordura covered rod tube and cloth rod bag
• ECHO lifetime warranty

Spey Fishing in Northern California - What's the Deal?

For those of us who live and fish in the Central Valley or in Northern California, what's the big deal with Spey Rods?

Well, for one thing we have steelhead in our systems. Steelhead often mean swinging flies, either steelhead softhackles, traditional steelhead patterns, streamers and such. They best way to do so is with a spey rod. A new buzz is "Trout Spey", using smaller and lighter spey rods when fishing for trout. I do it and it's fun. It may not be the most effective method, but the pull of a fish when it takes a fly on the swing sure beats staring at an indicator all day long. I find myself drawn to swinging flies. If you like to swing soft hackles, you'd like to learn how to fish with a Spey Rod.

A spey rod is meant for swinging flies in the downstream quadrant. Across, across and down, quartering down. It allows an angler to easily boom out long casts with moderate effort. The only problem is that to do so you find yourself entering in a different fly fishing world. A world of new lines, shooting heads, weighted tips, different flies and probably the biggest a new challenge to learn how to cast the darn things.

Its a new vocabulary to learn and understand.

An Airflo Spedicator Integrated Line

• Skagit Heads
• Scandi Heads
• Polyleaders
• Versileaders
• Running lines
• MOW tips
• Hang Down
• Switch Rod
• River Right
• River Left
• T-8, T-11, T-14
• Cheaters

Then there's the actual casts;

• Double Spey
• Single Spey
• Snap T
• Snap Z
• Circle Cast
• Snake Roll
• Perry Poke

April Vokey

There's different Styles of Spey Casting. They all have a place and they have applications for different sizes or lengths of rods and the different fishing conditions you may find yourself facing. Big, Broad, wide rivers with lots of room to backcast, tight slotted rivers with brush at your back, you need different tools and techniques in your tool box.

Double Spey Skagit Style

• Underhand
• Modern
• Skagit
• Traditional

Ready to run away yet? Spey Fishing is indeed a new world, but it is fun and very rewarding once you commit to the journey. There is something about the pace of working your way down a run, casting repeatedly and teasing your flies across the current. Is there anyone home? It's strangely meditative. Although the best fly fishers are constantly changing the way there flies work the current, slower, faster deeper. You need to be mindful of where your flies are working, not just mindlessly repeating the same cast and presentation all day long. It's a contemplative game. It's a challenge and I believe it is worth the time and effort spent.

I'll explore these topics in future posts and introduce you into this new and fascinating world of Spey Fishing. Stay tuned.

Why Do I Use A Switch Rod?

There a people out there that might ask, "Why the heck would I want to buy a switch rod"? That's a good question. 

I'm going to answer this question from the perspective of fishing my home river, the Lower Yuba. I personally use a switch rod a lot. I use either a 5 weight, 10'9" switch rod or a 6 weight, 11'0" rod a lot. For this discussion the make and model doesn't really matter.

Why are these shorter two handed rods called  "Switch Rods"? The term switch rod comes from the idea that the rod can be cast either one handed or you can "switch" to two hands. From my experience which is with 5 and 6 weight switch rods they can be cast with one hand but if you were to do so all day long you could have wrist and forearm troubles. They really are meant to be cast with two handed techniques. It sort of goes like, pick it up and roll cast it out with one hand to change direction and position the line and then "switch" to two hands to make the final presentation cast. This is my normal routine anyway. My presentation cast is almost always two handed.

Answer Part 1 - A Switch Rod is a Multi-Purpose Tool.

The Lower Yuba is the type of river that you can use many tactics and techniques on the same day in different parts of the river.

• You may be going deep with indicator and shot
• You may be decide to use tight line nymphing methods.
• You may high stick using either of the above methods
• You may swing streamers and steelhead type soft hackles
• You may match the hatch using dries, emergers or nymphs
• You may dredge the slots and deeper holes.
• You may swing smaller trouty soft hackles.
• You may fish egg patterns or Troutbeads behind the salmon 
• Out of a boat you may pound the banks with hopper patterns

You can do all of these things with a switch rod. Can you do them with a single handed rod, Yes of course. But you can choose to do them with a switch rod and in a lot of cases casting further and easier. With the longer length you can manage your drift and mend at a longer distance.

Answer Part 2 - The Switch Rod can become a Fishing System.

You can look at a Switch Rod as a "Fishing System". What do I mean by that? Well, you can rig your rod to use many techniques and utilize many tactics if you organize your "system" properly.

How do I create a "Switch Rod System"? 

Switch Rod and Reel - You start by buying your switch rod and select a reel that balances with it correctly. That means that the reel needs to hold enough backing, 125 -150 yds, plus your fly line. We'll get to more of this in a minute. As a general rule the reel for a switch rod should be about 2 line sizes over a single handed rod. For an example for a 5 weight switch rod you would match it with a 7-8 sized single handed reel.

Two Spools - You want to purchase at least one extra spool to match your reel. Why? Your system will be comprised of two line systems. One spool will have an integrated full length line and the other will have a running line. 

Spool #1 - With an Integrated Floating Line - 

Your first spool will have; 

(A) 125-150 yards of backing

(B) An integrated line of choice. Sound pretty familiar? Pretty much the same as a single handed rod. The difference is that the line of choice will have more grain weight that the one you would use for a single handed rod. For instance if you were to use an line that is sized for a single handed rod like the Rio Indicator Line you would over- line the rod by 2 to 3 line weights, more grain weight. Not to try to be confusing, but some lines like any of the "Switch" lines are sized to size of your rod. For example a 6 weight switch rod would match up with a 6 weight Rio Switch Line.

Some of the lines available for a switch rod are; 

• Rio Switch Line
• Rio Switch Chuckar
• Rio Outbound Short
• Airflo Speydicator
• Airflo Delta Spey

I'm not going to go into a lot of detail in this article as to the differences in these lines, that will come another day.

(C) Optional Rigging - Add a Light MOW Tip for running your flies right on the bottom when tight lining or swinging (See Discussion on MOW Tips below)

(D) A leader

• A Versileader or Ployleader - The Rio "Versileaders" or the Airflo "Polyleaders" are specialty leaders that have sink rates from floating to 7 inches per second (ips,) . These are leader systems that vary in composition from 6 to 15 feet. The construction of these leaders involves using a level core of mono filament and then applying a supple taper coating in a wide variety of densities. These light tips help eliminate the hinge effect when transferring energy from the fly line to the leader.
• Light MOW tips
• A tapered Leader
• A straight piece of monofilament or fluorocarbon

Summary - The main thing to understand is that on this spool you will select an integrated line that is approximately 100 to 120 feet long. The line of choice will be used for, overhead casting situations similar to fishing with a single handed rod, Where you need a delicate delivery for soft hackles or dry flies, where you need the ability to mend and control the drift of the flies, where you want to use conventional tight lining nymphing tactics and want the tip to get down in lower flows (Verileaders or Polyeaders), or where you want to indicator nymph. You will use your line of choice a lot during almost any time of the year.

Note: I have a 3rd extra spool which I load with a line like the Airflo Speydicator or the Rio Switch Chuckar for using with big Thingamabobbers when going deep and when fishing with Troutbeads or generally any time I'm throwing a lot of shot. 

Spool #2 - With a Running Line, Shooting Head of Choice and a Tip

What the heck is a running line any way? A running line is a line that is attached to the backing, it is approximately 100 feet long, it is approximately .037" to .040" in diameter for its whole length ( a thinner diameter level line). It typically has a loop on the end that is used to attach "Shooting Heads". 

You need to choose the length, profile and grain weight of the shooting head carefully as it must "balance" with your switch rod. The Shooting Heads are a vital part of the "Fishing System". This system is mainly to be utilized for swinging below the surface, anywhere from a foot to the bottom. It will be used exclusively for downstream and across presentations.

So the Spool #2 is rigged something like this,

(A) Backing - 125-150 yards of backing

(B) Running Line - A level running line like a;

• Rio Powerflex
• Rio Slickshooter
• Rio Gripshooter
• Airflo Ridge Running Line). 

All good running lines, all just a little different. 

(C) Shooting Head - A Shooting Head, (Oh, Oh, this is where it gets interesting)

Shooting Heads - One thing that must be explained is that the grain weight of the shooting head you select must balance with the rod. This can be determined by charts provided by the manufacturer of the rod or typically on their website. Shooting heads are sold based on their "grain weight" not rod size. For instance my 6 weight Switch Rod balances nicely with a 390 grain Skagit Shooting Head. It will perform well within a range of grain weights. In my case somewhere between about 360 grain to 420 grain.

Being vary general, the Skagit and Scandi heads are used in different water conditions and with different sizes of flies.

• Matra: Skagit Shooting Heads - "Winter, Big Water & Big Flies"
• Matra: Scandi Shooting Heads -"Spring and Summer, Smaller Water, Smaller flies"

Shooting Head Options

Skagit Shooting Heads

• Airflo Skagit Compact Heads - 23' to 27' long for throwing big flies and heavier sink tips
• Rio Skagit Max - About 23' in length - they perform similar to the Airflo Skagit Compact Heads

Scandi Shooting Heads

• Airflo Scandi Compact Heads - 28' to 34' long for throwing medium to smaller flies and lighter sink tips
• Rio Scandi - 28' to 40' the perform similar to the Airflo Scandi Compacts.

Specialty Shooting Heads

• Airflo Rage - 27' to 32' long. This line fishes like a Skagit Compact but is designed to fish as a straight floater. Great for windy conditions where you need to drive your cast into and through the wind. Similar use to the Skagit Compact
• Airflo Skagit Switch - 18' to 20' long - This shooting head was designed for switch rods. These lines were designed for the fast action switch rods and they load fast and easily.

With that said I'd recommend carrying a Skagit Head and a Scandi head. The choice is sort of up to you. Staying basic you can't really go wrong with the Compact Skagit and Scandi Heads to get started.

(D) Tips - 

Tips for Skagit Heads - When using any of the Skagit Heads you will be using a "Tip". Some of the options for tips when using Skagit Shooting heads are; 

• Solid lengths of tungsten. These can be can be purchased or made yourself using lengths of T-8, T-11, and T-14 line. Note:  A one foot length of T-11 weighs 11 grains. One foot of T-14 weighs 14 grains.
• MOW tips - MOW tips are sold by RIO. They are basically 10 feet long and they combine different lenghts of floating and sinking sections to allow for more consistent fishing and casting performance while fishing sinking sections of various lengths. The come in Light (T-8), Medium (T-11) and Heavy (T-14). Personally I love them. 
• As a general note, the smaller the rod weight the lighter the tips are to match it.

Tips for Scandi Heads - When Using Scandi Heads you will sometimes be using:

•  A "Tip", like the Rio "Versileaders" or the Airflo "Polyleaders" and sink rates from floating to 7 inches per second (ips,) . These are leader systems that vary in composition from 6 to 15 feet. The construction of these leaders involves using a level core of mono filament and then applying a supple taper coating in a wide variety of densities. These light tips help eliminate the hinge effect when transferring energy from the fly line to the leader.

(E) Leaders

• Tapered Leaders
• Level sections of monofilament or fluorocarbon.

Summary 

You will be using your running line and heads when you are fishing the downstream quadrant. This system can be teamed up with nymphs, trouty soft hackles egg patterns, streamers,conventional steelhead patterns, soft hackled steelhead patterns, leeches, and so forth. Great for doing the "Swing Thing".

The System

This "Switch Rod System" gives you the options to employ lots of tactics and cover lots of different water types. Do they work as well as a single handed rod for casting delicate dries and nymph? No! Do they cast as well as a two handed spey rod? No! They just do a little bit of everything pretty darn well. For a river like the Lower Yuba that comes in pretty handy.

Is the Entry Into the Spey World Confusing?

When you first open the door to fishing with a two handed rod it opens into a very broad and for most people a confusing world. I attended a switch rod clinic a number of years ago and the first thing that happened was the instructor opening up a small suitcase type of thing and dumped a pile of lines, heads, tips, etc. onto a table. I said to myself, "I'm not ready for this!". Running Lines, Integrated Lines, Skagit Heads, Scandi heads, Versileaders, T-8, T-11, T-14, Customized heads, my head was swimming immediately. What the heck is a Skagit Head? The instructor just said "forgetaboutit". Unfortunately you can't just put your head in the sand. You have to figure this stuff out, you have to learn how the stuff matches up. What lines match up with which rod? Grain weights? What's this about?

I'm going to attempt to demystify some of this world through a number of posts which will cover:

• Switch Rods
• Spey Rods
• Reels to match the rods
• Running Lines
• Integrated lines
• Shooting Heads, Skagit and Scandi and variations of each
• Tungston heads
• Versileaders
• MOW tips
• Leaders
• Flies

Unfortunately this is just all the gear! What to do with it is another story. How do you cast the darn things? Who do we listen to? There are different styles of casting that tend to match your line configuration, type and size of water you are fishing, the size of flies.

There are styles of casting two handed rods. The expression being tossed around these days is "Modern Speycasting". These are classified as;

• Modern Speycasting - This style utilizes shorter head lines, using a more compact style using both hands or with a dominant bottom hand. This is the style is best described as the style employed by Simon Gawesworth. Simon tends to use medium to long integrated lines, with fast, flat rod movements with positive stops to develop and maintain a "V-Loop", (and elongated D'Loop), with a long casting stroke with upper arm extension. His technique develops line speed by using his upper and lower hand equally, 50/50. This style is a good choice for rivers that have open areas for an enlongated "D-loop". With that said it can be used with variations on most any river.

• Skagit Speycasting - This style can be described as using short shooting heads that are cast with effortless power by utilizing a sustained anchor This is often referred to as the "Ed Ward" style which uses a "Continuous Loading" throughout the cast, Similar to a "Belgian Cast" when single hand casting. The stroke never stops from pickup, swing or sweep, turn up, forward stroke. The rule of thumb for this style is that the hang-down (line out of the tip) should be where the line belly plus the tip (cheater, weighted head, or MOW tip etc) is in the range of 3 to 3 1/2 times the length of the rod. Another characteristic of the Skagit Casting is that the D-loop is form off the shoulder and does not conform to the 180 degree rule. It's  more of a 120 degree rule. (My interpretation). This style is a great for streams that have close cover and obstructions directly behind you, willows, brush and trees.

• Underhand Style - This style can be used with integrated lines and with shooting heads and features the a dominant bottom hand. This casting style uses the 180 degree rule to place the D-Loop, and at the forward stop features a dominant pull with the bottom hand leading immediately afterwards to a stop of the rod. We're talking a hit the brick wall stop which results in a release of the rod tip to the target.

Three styles, all of which have their place. It's good to learn them all. Try them all and see which works for you.

Ready to give up? Hang in there and we'll slowly work our way through it.

I'll start with Switch and Spey rods in the first post in this series. Stay tuned and we all may learn together and in the end become accomplished spey fishers.

Clay

Switch Rods and MOW tips

Here's my friend Peter Burnes who caught this chunky rainbow on the Lower Yuba yesterday. He was using a switch rod and a MOW tip. I've often found myself choosing my 6 weight switch rod out of my arsenal of rods this fall. I'll attempt to explain why.

This has been a very good year for salmon on the Lower Yuba. By latest counts we're about at the 11,000 fish level. Of course this is nowhere near historical numbers but almost twice as many as last year. There are still small pods coming up river so this number will end up higher still. This has meant the fishing for resident rainbows and an occasional steelhead around where the salmon have been spawning has been pretty darn good. One of the characteristics of the type of structure that we have been concentrating on is water that is under 3 to 4 feet deep or areas where the depth drop-offs. Some of that water consists of buckets and rollers where salmon are spawning or have recently spawned.

When fishing these areas there are two problems.

(1) You don't want to wade out and tromp on, over or through the salmon redds and

(2) you don't want to snag salmon as you are fishing your egg patterns among them.

This is where the switch rod really pays off. You can station yourself on the edges in no water or shallow water where it is obvious that the salmon haven't been spawning and use spey casting techniques or just roll cast to your targeted areas. You can in most cases easily reach reach the area. Must easier that a single handed rod. Trust me on this. Sure you need to learn a few basic spey casts, but it opens new doors.

Lining the Rod - I've lined my switch rod with an Airflo Speydicator line which is an integrated line. This line casts like a dream and can easily handle weighted tips and mini tips and heads. I've been using a Rio MOW tip, "Light" weight, which is 10 feet long and has 5 feet of floating and 5 feet of T-8. This setup is perfect for fishing the areas talked about above, through and below the salmon stationed on on near the redds.

Why???- Less or No Snaging - The thing I've noticed is that I like to break my drifts into short 10 to 15 foot drifts, concentrating on the water that is just slightly up stream from where I'm positioned to just slightly downstream. I try not to let my flies swing downstream and through salmon stationed below me. This is where it is most likely to snag salmon. One of the benefits of using the MOW tip is it will get your flies right on the bottom and they will pass under salmon rather than over their backs. This greatly avoids snagging.

How To Rigg - It is important to rigg properly though. So lets go through how I rigg up.

(1) Line - The line I use is a Airflo Seydicator line. They are matched to your rod size. If you are fishing a 6 weight switch rod you match it with a 6 weight Speydicator. Simple.

(2) Mow Tip - I then select a Rio MOW tip. The tip selection depends on the depth and speed of the current you are fishing. I've found that on the Lower Yuba the "Light" Series, 5 foot float and 5 foot T-8 sink is just about right. How do you tell? The tip needs to touch once in a while, you will feel it. You need to experiment and come up with the right combination. I carry the Rio Mow tips in the "Light" series (a) 7 1/2 foot  float w/ 2 1/2 foot T-8 (b) 5 foot float and 5 foot T-8 and (c) 2 1/2 foot float and 7 1/2 foot T-8. This is really all you need.

(3) Build Your Leader

Step One. I build a short leader of  OX mono,  1x mono, 2x mono, to total about 3 to 4 feet. (Note: This also a good place to use old leaders that have been cut back.)

Step Two - I then add an 18" piece of 3x fluorcarbon.

Step Three - I rigg a Troutbead to this piece of 3x Fluorocarbon, keeping the Troutbead within 1/2" of the hook. This Troutbead wants to be about 14" to 16" behind the knot above.

Step Four - I add another piece of  tippet, 4x Fluorocarbon and add a nymph of choice. Typically a Pheasant Tail type or a Baetis nymph. This should be about 18" below the Troutbead. This is attached to the egg hook with a Clinch Knot.

Step Five- Add split shot above the Troutbead above the Surgeons knot. Use just enogh to get your flies down and rolling along the bottom but not hanging up. Experiment.

Summary

Beg, borrow or steal a switch rod and MOW Tips and give this a try. It may open your eyes.

The Airflo Skagit Switch Line Review

Whoever came up with the idea of Switch Rods was had his head on straight. Someone came up with the idea to build a rod that can do everything from Spey casting to overhead casting. It would be the perfect rod for small and medium sized rivers. For those of us that have purchased one we've had a heck of a time figuring out what to line them with. I've about tried them all. The rod builders sold the rods but didn't really have the lines to match them with. How many of you have been throwing a Rio Indicator line two or threes line weights over. Get the picture. I checked out Larimer Outfitters' website and got the story as to how the Airflo Skagit Switch line came about.

The Airflow Skagit Switch Story ( from http://www.larimeroutfitters.com )

Tom Larimer, who is on the Airflo design team, approached Tim Rajeff, (the US distributor for Airflo fly lines) with the problem we were all having with other switch lines on the market. Switch rods are designed more like a traditional single hand rod taper, meaning that they are fast in the butt section and flex progressively through the tip giving the caster the ability to overhead cast them. However, a Spey rod taper is typically slower in the butt section and faster through the tip section. This allows the caster to form the D-Loop and change the direction of the cast without the rod wanting to unload too quickly. The load is sustained through the whole casting cycle until the cast goes outbound. It’s the reason why Spey casting feels so good!

Because switch rods want to unload so quickly, Airflo wanted to find a way to slow them down giving the caster the same sensation they get from their traditional Spey rod. Until now, there hasn't been a fly line that sustained the load on the faster tapers of most switch rods. This is why it’s been difficult (and not fun) to perform double Speys and snap-T casts with the lines currently on the market. For those of you that have tried switch rods with what's been available, you’ve probably noticed “touch and go casts” like single Speys and snake rolls work all right. However, if you want to jack a snap-T with a big sink-tip and a heavy fly it isn't very fun.

The Result the Airflo Skagit Switch Line

After a lot of thought and a couple of prototypes, Airflo came up with the solution to the switch rod  lining problem.

• The new Airflo Skagit Switch line has a huge rear diameter and two-foot rear taper. This helps sustain the load on the rod giving the caster that sweet feeling of Spey casting we all have been waiting for. 
• The front taper is a big 7’ wedge that turns over your biggest tips and heaviest flies. 
• This line was built to make switch rods not only fun to cast, but to make them legitimate fishing tools.
• The heads go from 540 grains down to 360 grains in 30 grain increments. 
• Although Airflo built this line for anglers chasing steelhead and salmon, the smaller sizes are perfect for trout and smallmouth anglers looking to swing streamers on switch rods. 
• All of the heads are marked on the loop sleeve telling you what the line is and the grain weight. 
• As a general rule of thumb, go 30 grains lighter than what you normally fish in a Skagit Compact. 

According to Tom Larimer "If you’re a fan of the Airflo Skagit Compact, you will love this line!" 

Airflo Rage Compact Review

I met with Jason Lozano, the Airflo rep, a while back and he said that the new Rage Compact is really taking off.  I was a little confused as the new Rage Compact is considered a Skagit head so what's the difference between the Rage and the standard Skagit Compact? I did some research at Deneki.com and came up with some information to share. Let me try to explain it.

The designers at Airflo had already come up with four basic head designs. Three which have been around awhile and the Skagit Switch which is relatively new.

1. The good old Skagit Compact was designed for for sink-tip fishing, like T-8, T-11, and T-14 sink tips.
2. The Scandi Compact was designed for for finesse dry line work, and light tips, primarily the ones that are part floating and part sink tip.
3. The Tactical Steelhead for those that appreciate a longer casting stroke and want the versitility of a multi-tip line.
4. And the new Skagit Switch, which is designed as a sink-tip line for switch rods and shorter Spey rods. I'll explain this new line in another post. 

However, the Airflo line designers felt there was a void in the line-up.

The Rage Compact Was Conceived.

Airflo came up with the idea of the Rage Compact. Their thoughts on the Rage were that they needed an additional and different design for floating line presentations. The Scandi heads, which covers finesse dry line work, are great for line speed and tight loops. However, Scandi heads have their faults.First, they suck in the wind. The long, delicate front taper which gives Scandi's their finesse-like feel, crumbles in even a modest breeze. The other problem with Scandi heads is they struggle to turn-over skating flies and large wet flies. There just isn't enough mass in the front of the line to give the caster sufficient turn-over. Another shortcoming is that most anglers struggle when they switch from their Skagit to their Scandi. I know I do. The Skagit versus the Scandi lines cast so dramatically different. 

Tom Larimer with the blessings of Tim Rajeff, the US distributer of Airflo and over-all casting guru designed the new Rage Compact. Tom Larimer with the help of the Rajeff design team came up with a Spey line built for surface and near-surface presentations that cast like a Skagit but still had the finesse of a Scandi. The new Airflo Rage Compact is the perfect floating line to compliment your good old Skagit Compact. This is purported to be the best floating spey line Airflo has ever come up with.

Lining Your Rod  With a Rage Compact

To determine the correct weight to choose and as a general rule of thumb, line your rod 30 grains lighter than your Skagit Compact. If you like a faster-livelier feel to your floating head, go 60 grains lighter. Like all of Airflo's Spey heads, the lines comes in 30 grain increments and are available in 360 grains to 600 grains. 

Rigging Your Rod with a Rage Compact

As far as rigging, they recommend using a 10' Airflo Poly Leader with 2' to 4' of tippet. It is also recommended to fish an intermediate leader with skating flies.If you fish shallower rivers in the West, the Rage will easily handle a sinking Poly Leader and an un-weighted fly. It's a great line on rivers where a full blown sink-tip is overkill. It isn't recommended for casting big weighted flies, but it' will cast un-weighted flies or tube flies a mile. 

Try the Rage for Switch Rods!

The Rage also casts great on a switch stick.Line it exactly the same as your Skagit Switch. Just for reference, most #7 weight switch rods are taking a 450 grain head. On a #6 weight, a 390 grain head. 

Airflo's New Loop Labels

A new feature on all Airflo Spey lines that the labeling of line type/size is on the front loop, plus the old color coded system. Now you have an easy way of identifying your Spey lines!

In Summary a Quote from Airflo's Tim Larimer

I think Tom Larimer sums it up by saying, 

"If you love the feel of casting Skagit heads and want a floating line that cuts through the wind, turns over with total ease and doesn't take a PHD. in casting to make it huck, give the new "Rage" a try. I guarantee it will elevate your floating line casting and fishing".