Hey Dana,
I like this topic...};^) !!!
There is no doubt an excellent selection of light-in-the hand two handers available to the angler now that are suitable for Trouting.
Like Kush and others have said: There really is no such thing as a bad "Spey Rod" <> Just improperly lined ones.
I agree with that 100%, and do especially agree with that in regards to Trouting with the two hander, as the lines required for the diversity of Trouting can be very specific.
I think that by nature; Trout fishing can far more technique oriented, and diverse when compared to classic swing fishing commonly associated with Salmon and Steelhead.
Through any given day, the Trouter may apply several different fly presentation techniques, and specific lines to meet these presentations:
With the proper full floater, the two handed Trouter will not only be able to greaseline swing wets and swing/lift soft hackles <> But will also be able to high stick weighted nymphs, indicator fish weighted nymphs, dead drift dries, skate or hitch top water surface bugs, up-stream strip weighted minnow patterns, downstream feed weighted minnow patterns into undercuts....on and on.
Then there's the Trouter that may wish to use sink tips, or shooting head tip systems rather then weighted flies to get down into holding water <> Another whole ball game, and lot's of various techniques can be applied with these lines as well.
..... All while switching from flies that will imitate any variety of adult, emerging, or larval insects. Plus baitfish, crustations, leeches, snails, mice, whatever.
There is also the diversity of size for Trout/Char themselves:
Everything from 6" brush creek tiddlers in our headwaters <> Dolly's, Cutty's, Bull's, Brookies, Brownies, and Bows holding in our bigger waters in the 1.5 to 10 pound plus range....All the way to our 20 pound plus tailwater, and lake borne Browns and Bows.
Off the shelf labeled "Spey Lines" will generally begin in the 350 grain range....With their belly tapers and running lines best suited for swing fishing only.
Lines begining at 350 +- grains is a lot of grain for many Trouty presentaions, and the diverse requirements of many Trouters will require line tapers and running lines that will fish far beyond the classic side step swing presentations associated with Steelheading.
...But there are many single hand fly line options available with the inherent grain distribution within their tapers to effectively perform classic two handed change-of-direction deliveries on the very lightweight two handers, plus have running line diameters suitable for line mending the various nymphing techniques, and dead drift presentations associated with Trouting <> With many of these lines under 200 grains.
These lighter grained lines will allow finesse deliveries for the two handed Trouter, and also protect the very fine tippets often required for clear water, or small fly Trouting with the 3 to 5 wt two hander.
In all honesty...There is no doubt that the Trout angler can accomplish just about anything with the classic 9' 6 wt single hand fly rod, utilizing single hand spey deliveries.
....Just as one could do with most any lightweight two hander.
I will do this myself all day with my favorite 7'9" 3 wt. single hand rod: Single hand spey while fishing micro high desert spring creeks for Redsides, or small Coastal brushy Cutty creeks etc.
...But if I'm even close to being on Trout waters large enough that I feel will warrant the use of the two hander ?....Man I'm all over that.
Not really because I need to <> More like I want to because it's really fun, and often time very productive...};^)...!!!
Meiz