Class Itinerary for May 7th.

This intensive, limited participation class will introduce you to the lore and history of spey casting - the art of fly casting without an aerial back cast. You will learn where and how spey casting began nearly 200 years ago, and how it is more relevant and useful today to the modern fly fisher than ever before. You will learn how to use a two-handed rod to fish effectively for any species you want, including trout, steelhead and salmon. You will learn how spey techniques, used with either a single-hand or two-handed rod can increase your success rate by up to 30%, by fishing areas and conditions that an ordinary overhead fly casting fisherman can’t even consider.

You will learn about the latest spey gear, including rods, reels and lines. You will learn the differences between Skagit, Scandinavian, traditional and modern spey lines, and how and where to use them. You will learn how to put together a well balanced spey fishing outfit, and how to cast and fish it.

You will learn how to become a more efficient and effective fly fisher by learning the eight fundamental principles of all fly casting; the five fundamental principles of spey casting; and the eight essential elements of the spey cast cycle. You not only learn these principles, but learn how to apply them.

Among the spey and two hand casts you will learn are the overhead, roll and switch casts. You will learn the three most important spey casts – single spey, double spey and circle casts. You will learn the more advanced casts, including the snap casts, the snake roll and the dump or “poke” casts. You will learn the where, what and how of using each cast, and which casts can be substituted, depending on conditions and ability.

You will learn spey fishing techniques, applying the casts you have learned, along with the proper gear setups for different fishing situations and conditions. You will learn how to mend, both aerial and water based, and how to control the delivery and presentation of the fly with different types of spey line setups.

Among the printed handouts included with the class you will get: a spey casting bibliography/videography with reviews by Larry Aiuppy; a comprehensive spey terminology glossary; a rod/line matching chart to help balance your lines to your rods; and a comprehensive instructional article by Larry Aiuppy on how to spey cast properly titled “How To Spey Cast Good” that outlines practice techniques, gives things to remember to cast better, and scripts how to do each cast you will learn in the class.

Once you have taken this class you will be able to begin your spey fishing adventures with confidence.