[SpeyFitter]

The Fly fishing market, to me at least, has been saturated for quite some time now as I'm sure we all know.

But the two handed "SPEY" market I notice seems to be getting that way as well. We have lines now of all shapes and sizes, and tapers. From short shooting heads available, to extreme long belly spey lines.

We have rods of many lengthes, of many many different actions available. Is there one rod action or style that hasn't been covered?

And how about reels? There are a lot of available reels out there that are available to "us." It seems as though in the last few years from what I've noticed, the manufacturers have virtually crashed this market.

My question to you is, what is there out there that hasn't been designed/created/marketed? What concept, or theory, or style of this niche market needs to be focused on by the manufacturers in the future? Do you think the bases are covered pretty well in what is currently available? What new developments can you for see in the future in this niche market if any?


The only vice I see now a days with this "niche" market is the lack of availability of some products, better called "logistics." For instance, not everyone sells Loop products (as an example, not a bias). But that could happen tommorrow.

 

[Nooksack Mac]

How about multi-piece spey rods, so that we don't have to buy SUVs to carry 5-foot tubes?
How about more multi-purpose rods with dual uppers, like the two upper sections of a 4-piece rod, to handle light and medium, or medium and heavy lines?
How about a few choices, such as chrome or black guides, single or double loop? If I can have it my way when I order a $2 Whopper, why not with a $750 rod?

 

[Norwegian]

I think there is still a lot to be done on the west/gear carry systems.

Much of what is on the market is made from a trout fishing or saltwater flyfishing perspective. Some few efforts seem to have tried to address special needs of steelheaders/salmon anglers using "spey" equipment, but no real wholehearted effort.

Thats my view at least.

 

[Salar-1]

To put LOOOONG rods into (and out of the way)my petite(and Fred ,NOT available in the USA devil: :smokin: ) Honda SIR. I run a 10ft length of bungie in the interior of the car, from the rearview mirror.through the "suicide"handles above the doors.This provides a "netting',if you wish,that you can use to hang up to three Spey rods.With 2 6ft guys in the car the rods are kept well out of the way !
Cheers
Brian

 

[Salar-1]

now hwere did that:devil: go too ??

 

[fredaevans]

Brian, big roger that on "not available in the USA."

Amazing to see the autos built by the Europeans and Japanese that arn't available here in the US. Some of the very best stuff (good solid, small, etc., and etc) never see our side of the pond.

Sometimes wonder it this is another of the "Tri-lateral Commissions" evil plots!:eyecrazy:

 

[Bob Pauli]

what should be available

What should be an imperative for the spey rod/line/casting industry is a line weight standard for two hand rods. The present system of using numbers from the AFTMA standard for single hand rods is misleading and confusing because the grain weight of a spey line belly is far greater than the AFTMA standard for a given single hand rod line weight at 30 feet.

Only Rio has shown the way by freely publishing grain weights of lines and tips, and making recommendations for every rod based on "A" and "B" action preference. [If you are confused by the A and B, see www.rioproducts.com for recommended spey lines by A [fast action] and B [slower action].

I'll start off by throwing out and idea.

Idea: Rate a rod by its ability to carry a grain weight. For instance a 9 weight spey rod might be called a 500-600, meaning it is designed to cast a 500 to 600 grain belly. Perhaps there should be an action suffix such as 500A-600B.

Help me out experts. Let's stop the confusion! You experienced spey guys and gals must have more and better ideas!

 

[flytyer]

Bob Pauli, I agree wholeheartdly with you on the need for a standardised line weight designation for 2-handed rods, it is sorely needed. I have a very strong suspician that this will be accompished within the next 2-3 years. Then when a rod maker rates the rod for line, it will be for that line or one line size heavier, just like songle-hand rods are now. This will make it a lot easier for us to decide on what line to use for the type of action we prefer. I for one, greatly appreciate Simon's recommendations for RIO's spey lines because it takes the guess work out.

Nooksack Mac,

I would also like to see more 4 and 5 piece 2-handers for exactly the reason you stated. Also, a larger selection of line sizes in the 14, 15, and 16 foot rods from each manufacturer. Likewise, I would like to see a 17 or 18 foot 11 weight fast action rod for winter fish.

Vests are another pet peave of mine. The trout vests have a lot of small and pretty much useless pockets for salmon/steelhead fly fishers. It would be nice if the fly box pockets were made to hold a thicker fly box. And it would also be nice if all vests for salmon/steehead had a large rainjacket pocket and seperate lunch pocket in back.

Then there are fly boxes. I would like to see larger and thicker aluminum boxes that have spring clips in them. And have larger spring clips that those available now. It seems that that fly box manufactuers haven'e realized that it takes a lot of space to put 2/0 and larger flies in a fly box. A swing leaf box that is 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 inches thick, 8 inches long, and with 12 spring clips on each fly mounting surface would be ideal for large winter or spring flies.