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The single-spey (left shoulder)
Versión en español
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-- Introduction
basic1
basic2
different styles
the grip
shooting line
drift
power snap
backcast
hauling
loop shape
direction
across the wind
into the wind
with the wind
side casting
underhand cast
Belgian cast
different lifts
backcast shoot
overhang
basic roll cast
roll cast variations
off the shoulder
wind
dynamic roll
Spey Casting
double right
double left
single right
single left
spey fishing
switch cast
snake roll
fly first
wriggle
pile
parachute
reach
mending line
curved
bow and arrow
steeple
tension
rotating thumb
tip kicks

Here's the scenario: true right bank, line's on the dangle, upstream wind, we want to roll cast up to 90 degrees across the current. The rule is: keep the fly downwind - but you knew that right?

You have two options: cast with the left hand or cast with the right and suffer a slightly awkward stroke (remember to rotate the wrist so that the back of the hand is on top).

This is the procedure:

  • move the feet so they are pointing in the final casting direction

  • make the lift

  • switch the fly upstream, by sweeping the rod tip through a rising crescent motion. Make sure the fly lands upstream of our final casting direction - otherwise roll the line back downstream and start again.

  • hit the roll cast

  • lower the rod tip

  • If you are casting off the wrong shoulder (ie using you right hand) you can choose to start the forward stroke with the thumb in front of your nose, or, with the thumb besides the left ear, or stick the right elbow out and level with the shoulder and angle the tip over the left hand side.

  • Casting further with the single-spey:

    As with any roll cast we can cast further by getting more line in the D-loop and/or hauling:

    • To get more line in the D-loop you could start with more line downstream - haven't got enough there? Lift the rod upstream feeding some line out through the tip, and roll cast downstream (this is the quick way, the slow way is to shake some line out of the tip and wait for the current to straighten it - but don't try this with leaded flies!).

      When it comes to getting greater lengths of line in the D-loop it becomes important to finish the upstream sweep with a small flick - this will also give you a pointed D-loop. As more line is used you will find yourself having to lift the hand in order to sweep the line into a large D-loop. At the most extreme you can end up with you rod-arm fully extended, pointing at about 45 degrees behind you. You cannot start an effective roll cast from this position - you must drop the elbow to put the thumb between the ear and the shoulder - it's the drift reappearing wearing a new disguise.

      It is possible, although timing is more crucial, to shoot line into the D-loop after the upwards sweep. Practice this with the more straightforward jump roll to get this timing.

    • As before it is possible to put little hauls into all the components of this cast. Pay particular attention to the forward stroke.

    Sunk lines, leaded flies and the spey-cast:

    Under these circumstances the spey cast will have to be proceeded by a downstream roll cast in order to lift our sunk line or leaded fly to the surface.