Spey Basics
Spey fishing differs from traditional fly fishing in several ways. The primary difference is that Spey rods are longer than regular fly rods—traditional Spey rods can sometimes be as long as 15 or 16 feet—and are designed to be cast with two hands. There’s a longer grip atop the reel seat, and the addition of a butt section of rod for the second, bottom hand. In the single-handed casting that most of us are used to, we use false casts to load the rod with the weight of the line. Roll casts, on the other hand, are the heart of Spey fishing, with tension between the line and the water loading the rod. Spey fly lines feature a heavier head and a running line. With only the head of the fly line out of the rod tip, the angler executes the chosen cast and the heavier head section flies toward the target, pulling the running line behind it as it goes. The longer rod allows for much longer casts than single-hand rods. There are two types of Spey heads. Heavier Skagit heads are best for bombing streamers, while lighter Scandinavian, or “Scandi” heads are best for more subtle approaches such as swinging wet flies or even skating dry flies. In both cases, additional leaders and tippets are needed, with the specifics determined by the method used, be it swinging streamers or soft hackles, fishing nymphs under an indicator, or skating dries. Scaling Down to Micro Spey
Trout Spey fishing is just a smaller, lighter version of the technique Scottish salmon anglers have been using for nearly two centuries. It has taken off in the U.S. over the past decade, and many of the top fly rod manufacturers have added trout/micro Spey sticks to their offerings. Just like with traditional fly rods, trout/micro Spey rods are designated by line weight. That said, a 3-weight trout/micro Spey rod does not have the same power as a 3-weight one-hander. The general rule of thumb is to add three to a trout/micro Spey rod’s designated weight to get the one-hand equivalent. So, a 3-weight trout Spey would be equivalent to a 6-weight one-handed rod. For smaller fish on smaller waters, a 1- to 3-weight rod is usually appropriate. Bigger fish and flies call for sizing up to a 3- to 5-weight micro/trout Spey rod. Rods on the larger end of the trout Spey spectrum are strong enough to handle Great Lakes steelhead. Techniques
Micro/trout Spey excels when swinging streamers or wet flies in runs with consistent depth and current. Cast 45 degrees downstream, then execute an upstream or downstream mend, depending on how you want to work the fly or flies through the run. Take a step downstream (or pull out a bit more running line) and repeat. It’s a great way to cover a lot of water and there is something addictive about feeling that tug when a fish hits. While swinging with a Spey rig is a delight, micro/trout Spey rigs can also be used to fish nymphs under an indicator. Casting can be a bit clunky, but that extra rod length helps with mending for long drag-free drifts. The micro/trout Spey approach falls short with most dry fly fishing, particularly an upstream presentation. But it can be a hoot for skating flies during a caddis or salmonfly hatch. Tie on an emerger below your dry and don’t be surprised by double hookups. Not Just for Trout
My favorite micro Spey rig is my Sage Trout Spey 3-weight. It’s a bit heavy for small soft hackles but great for beefy streamers and double nymph rigs under an indicator when fishing good-sized rivers for bigger trout. I’ve caught as many smallmouth bass as I have trout on that trout Spey rod. Swinging streamers or hellgrammite-imitating black Wooly buggers or leeches through riffles on hot summer evenings is so much fun it almost seems like it should be illegal. While a trout/micro Spey rig would normally be a terrible way to fish pocket water, it can work with a bit of creativity. If I want to carry just one rod on a day fishing a river with a lot of swinging water but also some good pocket water, I bring along a Euro nymph leader so I can tightline fish nymphs in those pockets. A micro/trout Spey rod won’t be as sensitive as a true Euro nymph rod, so the approach requires heavy nymphs and, ideally, big and aggressive fish. On a trip to Alaska’s Prince of Wales Island a few years ago, I crushed dolly varden while tight-lining egg flies through pocket water. And when I got to swinging water, it was easy to change leaders and flies. A micro Spey rig can also work well in certain saltwater situations, such as fishing cuts and channels with good tidal current flow. There is No One-Size-Fits-All Approach
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to fly fishing. But the versatility and effectiveness of fishing with a micro/trout Spey outfit make it a technique that avid fly anglers should try.
“The beauty of trout Spey is that it allows you to cast with precision and control, while also being able to cover a lot of water and fish in a variety of different situations.”
— Scott Martineau, renowned fly fishing guide
The versatility and effectiveness of fishing with a micro/trout Spey outfit make it a technique that avid fly anglers should try. Whether you’re targeting trout, smallmouth bass, or even saltwater species, the micro Spey rig is a great option to have in your arsenal.
A great way to mix up your fly fishing routine and keep your skills fresh is to try trout Spey fishing.
