First Spey Rod

[Bow Man]

So I picked up my first spey rod, I bought a Echo Glass 12'9 7 weight and matched it up with a Echo Ion 7/8 reel . Now being new to spey I was wondering if any one could give some recommendation on what brand of line I should go with. I want to use this setup for bigger flies for steelhead fishing.

I went with glass because I have been using a lot of glass fly rods lately and love them.

So please any help and direction would be greatly appreciated. I get some what confused on what I should get for line skagit, shooting, traditional... The guy at Sail admitted he was not to knowledgeable about Spey, and just recommended traditional line. But I want to be sure I do this right.


cheers.

 

[emirribolov]

Your best option is to go to RIO fly Line selector tool and see what they recommend.

http://www.rioproducts.com/fly-line-selector/

 

[fishermandan420]

Or the airflo chart, as Echo and airflo are sister companies in N.A
Personally I started with a Skagit and was easy to get fishing.
Spend some time on the speypages and you'll pick up some tips!
Also, consider returning the reel. Chances of fitting a 7wt spey line on that reel is slim. The 8-10 willbe better

 

[fishermandan420]

Airflo Two-Handed Line to Rod Chart www.rajeffsports.com/spey_chart.pdf

 

[Bow Man]

Thanks TC, I will take the reel back and up size! the sales guy at Sail was the one who recommended that size, but he clearly stated that he did not have much knowledge in spey, so also my bad for not researching a little more.

Thanks also for the link, are there any specific spey pages you would recommend?


thanks again.

 

[fishermandan420]

Www.speypages.com! Really busy forum for anything spey related. Even CC is there
http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/showthread.php?t=175625

 

[Bow Man]

Cheers TC.

 

[AKnook]

Always deals on Spey pages. Great resource.

 

[JDean]

TC is right on the money. Typically you up-size the reel on a spey and even switch outfits in order to hold the line required. Did you buy at Sail in Oshawa? If you did talk with Matt -- IR4J --on here. Very knowledgeable in this area and he could help you out

 

[Bow Man]

Bought it in Burlington, going to take it back today and up size.

 

[swiftcurrent]

Once you sort out your reel issues, I'd consider a Airflo Rage head as a good starter line. Its what Rick Whorwood usually suggests for most beginners. You may also want to shoot up to the Guelph shop, First Cast. Ray has full head kits and will let you try them so you can find what grain range feels best for you.

 

[Bow Man]

Thanks swiftcurrent, I will go check out First Cast. I got the reel issue all sorted out last weekend.

 

[Christopheraaron]

I would go to Natural Sports in Guelph, With a Fly in Mississauga, or Grindstone Angling in Waterdown (Or go to one of the other 3 GTA SAIL's, talk to Steve in Etobicoke, Darek, Sean or myself in Vaughan or Matt as DJean suggested in Oshawa). As for the line a traditional line is tough to manage for a beginner, and on that rod a skagit will probably overload it, personally I really like a scandi.

 

[swiftcurrent]

While all those are excellent stores, I wasn't aware that they offered a no charge borrow policy. Where, when weather permits, you can go down to the local river and try a few heads. That way you can pick what feels best to you.

 

[tcp]

if you know the guys at Natural Sports in KITCHENER , they will let you try stuff out, not sure if theyll do that for just anyone though. Grand river is a couple hundred meters away from their shop.

 

[coldfeet]

I have the Airflo Rage head on Swiftcurrent's old rod, I would recommend it as a beginner, a casting lesson from Rick Whorwood and a couple of different rate sinking polyleaders and away you go. As he stated, First Cast lets you test drive. Welcome to a new addiction, next you'll start tying up 2/0 and 3/0 classic flies and there's no hope