The Joy of Trout Spey In The UK: A Guide to a Unique Fishing Experience
This method is extremely popular in the States, but it’s yet to take off entirely in the UK. For those who enjoy Spey casting, it’s a great way to keep in touch with the cast while catching hard-fighting fish on lighter gear. It’s also a great method for smaller sea-trout fishing!
Trout Spey is a specialized approach that combines the elegance and tradition of Spey casting with the excitement of pursuing smaller, feistier fish like trout. In this blog post, we’ll explore what Trout Spey is, why it’s gaining popularity, and how you can get started.
What is Trout Spey?
Trout Spey is a technique derived from traditional Spey casting, which originated in Scotland for salmon fishing on larger rivers. This style of casting involves the use of two-handed rods that allow anglers to cast long distances with minimal effort. The beauty of Trout Spey lies in its adaptability for smaller fish; it’s perfectly suited for targeting trout in a variety of water conditions. With shorter, lighter rods and specialized lines, anglers can present flies delicately and effectively, enticing even the most cautious trout. Most trout spey uses sub-surface flies fished in, across & down style, similar to how some anglers already fish spiders and wet flies on rivers. Anglers can use mends to slow or increase swing. Flies can also be stripped and retrieved. A more natural drift can be received by using a combination of river placement, angle of cast and mends, although it’s always really going to have some swing!
Why Choose Trout Spey?
- Efficiency and Precision: The two-handed rod helps in casting longer distances with ease, making it effective for reaching those tricky spots where trout often hide. The ability to control line and fly presentation can lead to more successful hookups.
- Versatility: Trout Spey can be used in various environments—from small streams to larger rivers. It’s an adaptable method suitable for both stillwater and moving water, allowing anglers to target different species as well.
- Reduced Fatigue: One of the significant benefits of using a two-handed rod is reduced fatigue, especially during long days on the water. The mechanics of Spey casting distribute the casting load across both hands, making it easier to keep your arms relaxed.
- Connection with Nature: There’s something incredibly fulfilling about mastering the rhythmic motion of Spey casting. Many anglers find that it enhances their connection to the water, the fish, and the environment around them.
- 4. It’s about the tug! When fish take, you often get a real hit. Sometimes, you can catch big fish, especially when they are feeding on smaller prey fish.
Getting Started with Trout Spey
If you’re intrigued by the idea of Trout Spey, here are some essential tips to help you hit the water with confidence:
- Choose the Right Gear: Invest in a good quality two-handed rod trout spey rod specifically designed for trout. Look for models ranging from 10 to 11 feet in length, paired with a corresponding Spey line that matches your rod weight, usually 0,1,2,3,4 in weight. Remember the importance of a proper leader and tippet setup for delicate presentations. Poly leaders such as the Rio Versi leader in a variety of sink rates are important; they can help achieve different depths for your fly but also add an element of control in the swing by anchoring the end of the line. Tippets are usually mono or fluorocarbon to match the fly size plus the water conditions/size of the fish. Bear in mind that the takes downstream can be quite a sharp pull, so there’s a faster cause to go up a little in leader and tippet breaking strain.
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR CHOOSING GEAR
Remember, double-handed lines are heavier than the single-handed equivalents by about 3 line sizes!
i.e. a #2 trout spey line is the equivalent of a #5 single-handed line.
You can roughly double the rod’s weight number to work out what fish it will handle, so a #2 weight is good for fish up to 4lb. It’s a rough rule, but it gives you an idea of what your gear will manage.
- Learn the Basics of Spey Casting: Familiarize yourself with basic Spey casting techniques, including the Single Spey and Snap T casts. There are loads videos online to get you started, and consider taking a lesson or two from an experienced instructor, this is worth it’s weight in gold.
- Select the Right Flies: Small streamers, soft hackles, and nymphs work well for Trout Spey. You can choose patterns that mimic the natural forage of trout in your area or experiment with colors and sizes to see what the fish prefer on any given day. Streamers that resemble UK prey fish such as minnows and bullheads can work very well and result in some big trout!
- Practice Your Casting: Before hitting the water, practice your casting technique in an open space. The more comfortable you become with your two-handed rod and line management, the more enjoyable your fishing experience will be.
- Find Ideal Locations: Whilst smaller streams can work. Trout Spey is probably best in medium to large rivers, especially larger rivers that are not easily wadable; this gives the angler access to often unfished areas, as the unique reach of trout spey gear can easily target distance fish. Casting across the streamer to those impossible-to-reach deep glides and pools under the trees can be hugely successful!
Conclusion
Trout Spey is not just a method of fishing; it’s an experience that offers tranquility, challenge, and excitement. It’s a perfect way to enjoy nature while honing your skills as an angler. Whether you’re a seasoned spey caster or a newcomer to the craft, giving Trout Spey a try could open up new doors in your fishing adventures. Grab your gear and get swinging some flies! Happy fishing!
