[Rick Whorwood]

Hi All
I read Ed Ward's article on Skagit casting verse Spey casting.
It's an excellent article and really opened my eyes to the fact that, the Skagit Style is not a modification of casts for the Spey style, but rather a style of it's own. I was wondering if some of my Spey Casting brothern (from the Skagit area) would elaberate more on the Skagit style.
The casts, placement of the anchor, rods, lines (floating and sink)and what cast works best with these, and as much information you can give, to help me better understand this style.

 

[fredaevans]

Rick, check the isc archives on this.

99% sure this came up some time back and there was a 'simi-long' discussion on the topic.
Fred

 

[Rick Whorwood]

Hi Fred
Do you remember when and where, if not, then how about filling me in on the long and short of it. I don't really care which is better, long vs short, I'm not looking for a debate. I'm only looking for information that will help me better understand this style of casting. (cast's, anchor's, rod's, line's etc.)
I have the great lakes Steelhead fishery right at my door step, so maybe this style (Skagit) would be better to work on, than the Spey Style. ( my thought's after reading Ed Ward's article)

Fred,
do you know if anyone has put together a program teaching the Skagit Style of casting or anyone I might get in touch with that could give me information on this?

Thanks Rick

 

[kush]

Rick,

You could talk to Dana - I think he'll even be in Ontario this weekend. He is right into the Underhand cast as well as all the short belly techniques (Skagit Style).

I too read Ed's letter and he makes some excellent points. However, I think his most important point is not about how good his style is but that it takes all kinds of techniques to be a fisherman. I think Ed's somewhat defensive reaction is in response to some of the "elitism" that often gets in the way of fishing. If your method is not the same as mine - then yours is no good - is very common amongst we flyfishers. Hell, there was certainly a time when I played that game with this very issue!

Once Ed got a little warmed up to his subject he forgot the defensive posture and said alot of really interesting things. The read I had was pretty quick and I'm looking forward to reading it again when Dana puts it up on the Speypages.

I fish long belly lines, I like them. They are great for showing off, it is very cool to lift a great length of line and put it right back out there - very impressive indeed. However, as I'm coming to accept the long belly isn't always the best way. Last season I struggled with an elbow injury, where the economy of the short heads would have made infinitely more sense. As well, in adverse wind conditions moving the big, thick length of belly around is difficult - bordering on the impossible. The shorter head excells in this situation.

There is a time for both, yet ultimately the best choice is what works for you. The "Skagit Style" may be just the ticket for you - who knows. Check out the clips of Dec Hogan on the Speypages and I think there will be some more up soon. As for a "program" I'm not aware of one, but like I said I think Dana would be the logical place to start.

 

[JDJones]

Skagit vs Spey

Rick,

Seems to me that that the post you are looking for was on the old board. Check the Archives and look for something that references the Skagit. And I think it has a link to an article by Ed Ward.

The Skagit syle leans more towards shooting vs long line and there is a cast called the Perry Poke which is utilized.

JD

 

[MJC]

Spey to Skagit

Rick, if you search the ISC archives using "skagit style casting" and tick the Search entire posts circle and the Show results as posts circle you will find the old post JD Jones is referring to.

 

[kush]

Rick,

I think the thread everyone remebers is on this board. It is in the Spey Clave, in the search type in shooting heads and longlines and start reading - I think there are 56 posts - you'll also see part of the reason why Ed might have felt a need to speak out.

 

[Rick Whorwood]

Thanks Kush, MJC, Jd Jones,and Fred
I've printer out all the info, that I could find (my printers out of ink)
Boy! do I ever have some reading to do. Thanks again.
Kush: I'm picking Dana up at the airport Thursday night (TO.), by the time we hit Grindstone Angling (1 hour away), I'll have his ears chewed off.
Thanks again
Rick

 

[kush]

Rick,

I knew that. I'm having coffee with him this afternoon, so I'll prepare him for the onslaught! Have a great weekend - I know he's looking forward to it (not the flying part though).

 

[Dana]

about that flyin' thing...

it's true, fixed wings and me don't get along too well, which is kinda weird 'cause I don't mind helicopters (which are supposed to be far more dangerous or so my pilot friends tell me), but that is probably because I associate them with week-long steelhead trips...I'll be soooo happy when they get that Star Trek thing worked out!

Spey casting , Skagit casting, Underhand casting--you name it Rick--I'll be so happy to be back on solid ground again I'll talk about anything you like!

 

[NrthFrk16]

That Makes Two of Us

Dana-
I will feel the same way as you do. Over the years, I have developed a serious FEAR of flight...

I used to love flying...in fact I would be the one standing up in his seat yelling "Bring on the turbulence, baby!!!" but now I am the total opposite. As that fear developed, I had a horrible reaccuring dream about being killed in a plain crash...I would have that dream over and over and over again and I would wake up right before the plane crashed.

Sorry about venting and I know I am probally making matters worse but it is nice to know that there is someone else that feels the same way I do.

Before my next trip, I am going to load up on the Xanax!!! :eyecrazy:

 

[Dana]

I generally load up on the single malt before and during a flight, Ryan, and when I touch down pretty much anywhere with spey rods in hand there's usually more single malt within reach (you're taking all this down, right Rick?)

Seriously, though, I don't know where it comes from. I even went out about 10 years ago with a pal in a Cessna and did a bunch of spins and dives and stuff out near Banff thinking it would help (that stuff is waaaayyyy scarier than any commercial flight I've ever been on) but it didn't really. Alas.

Of course, I'm not sure what all this has to do with Skagit casting, but we can blame it all on kush for bringing it up in the first place...

 

[Rick Whorwood]

Dana & Ryan

The most dangerous part about flying is getting to the airport.

That being said let's get back to teaching Ricky about the Skagit & Scandinavian Casting.



Thanks Rick

 

[wrke]

Looking forward to the class this weekend and would also like to know more about these casts.
See you there.
Bill

 

[Dana]

looking forward to meeting you, Bill!

 

[speyrd]

There is a complete copy of Ed Wards article on Fly Casting Forum web site. Sorry don't have the link.
Leroy..............

 

[Ol Rich]

Ed Ward on Skagit Cast

Here is the link to the Ed Ward article:
http://home.att.net/~slowsnap/spey16.htm

Rich

 

[Rick Whorwood]

Ol Rich,
Thanks for posting Ed's article info, hopefuly we'll get some input from it.

Kush, Fred, JD Jones: I read over all the info that was previously written about Traditional vs Skagit, Long line vs Short Line. Everything written, was more or less people defending what they like. What I'm looking for is how to information, Quite frankly put, If learning new methods catches more fish ,thats what matters to me.

Ed wrote: The double spey is a convertible cast. He goes on to say that there is a difference between the Traditional way and the Skagit way, yet dosen't really go into details, Could someone with this knowlege elaberate on this? ( anchor, D Loop size etc.?)

 

[kush]

Rick,

I think you are right about how most of the information is rhetoric around defending how you do it which is unfortunate and gets in the way of understanding. As I said, I think alot of the interesting things Ed says in his letter are clouded by his need to defend how he does it.

As for is any of this stuff written down somewhere - probably not. The "art of speycasting" is still in the "backyard phase", that is it is still being figured out by the innovators, the Gawesworths, Hogans, Wards, et al. Will definitive manuals be written - undoubtedly, however we're not there yet. Maybe a student of casting with a flair for writing might have a go at it (Dana?).

Now, as for the Skagit way I'm not sure if this has something to do with the backwoods of Darrington or not...

 

[Rick Whorwood]

Hi kush
Had a great day with Dana, he went over all the Skagit Cast's. I have a pretty good understanding of them.
What a great guy, caster and teacher, I think we might keep him here in the East.
We even worked on the underhand style ( I need a lot of work with this). We still have two more days !!!!!!
Thanks
Rick