I am thinking of getting into spey fishing.  I was wondering what the main differences between europeon style rods v.s. traditional style rods.  Are there advantages to any? 

 

I was thinking of getting the 9/10 weight GLX 14 footer.  But could be persuaded into a Sage.  Money is not an issue. 

 

What would be the best line and line weight for this rod? 

 

Any other ods you reccomend? 

 

Thanks

Greg

 

 

Ok, "Chatty Cathy" Fred chimes in first. So what's new guys?

 

First rod I'd go with the Sage 9140-4 with a windcutter 8-9-10 type line, or even just a double taper Salmon 9wt. Wonderful rod and you'll never be disapointed.

 

Difference between the Euro's and Traditionsals is like night and day. The Trad's are a lighter rod that you can cast all day, even use light sinking heads. (I cut the tip back to the head of an 8-9 Midspey and 'inserted' a 5' Rio heavy wt sink section and it casts like a rocket, sinks like a rock).  The windcutter or accel. are both good lines for this rod for all-round fishing.

 

The Euro's are a much stiffer rod for heavier lines and harder to learn on and very tiring over a days fishing. But if you need sink tips or to cast that extra 20 yards they're everything advertised.

 

But again, you said "first rod" go with a Sage Traditional. Don't know what kind of water you need to cover but either the new 713-6, which is a true 8wt or the 9wt Sage traditional are wonderful all round rods.

 2 cents in.

Fred

I'll agree with Fred that the new Sage 9140-4 (14ft, 9 wt) is a wonderful rod.  Very forgiving, easy to cast.  IMO the best line for this for someone new to the sport, is the Rio Windcutter in the 9-10-11 weight.   Long casts are very easy with this line.  Another good line with a slightly longer belly would be the Rio Mid-Spey in the 8-9 wt.

Mr. Bullhead

I'm a big fan of G.Loomis rods, I think as a single hand rod there isn't a better rod than a GLX.

That being said, when I started my Spey casting (just new at it like yourself) I went to a GLX 8/9.

This rod proved to be too stiff,  I gave Tim Rajef a call and he advised me to go to the GL3, I did just that.

I matched the Rod with a Rio MidSpey. I've been learning the traditional style of Spey casting, and this rod

seems to work just great, so much so I bought a GL3 9/10. I'm not experienced at the Skagit style, maybe a 

stiffer Rod is the way to go for this style. My advise: Would be to take lessons of both styles, make your decison

then buy your equipment