What makes a spey reel?

“What is spey?” is a very common question for us to get at the fly shop. In the most basic terms, spey is simply a style of casting that allows anglers to throw generous amounts of line with minimal room for a traditional backcast. This is accomplished through a framework of dynamic roll casting.

Can you use a spey reel on a regular fly rod?

You can use any old trout reel! If you’re rigging up a 3 or 4 weight spey rod, you’ll simply use the same 5 or 6 weight reel you already use for trout fishing.

Are spey reels different?

It’s true, Spey reels are a little different. Because Spey rods are longer (anywhere from 10′ through 15’+) so it takes a larger fly reel to balance them. For Spey rods, choose a reel that’s at least two line sizes heavier than the rod. Spey lines also run thicker than regular single-handed lines.

What is a full cage fly reel?

Fly Reel Spool Types Removable spools/Full caged fly reel are where the side section of the reel (with the spool) are released from the reel. This allows for another spool with a different line to replace it quickly.

How far can you cast a Spey rod?

The longer spey rod — generally 12 to 16 feet in length — allows the angler to cast the fly as far as 100 feet. Highly proficient spey casters can toss a fly nearly 200 feet. (The world-record spey cast is 295 feet, by Steve Rajeff.)

What is a spey and switch rod?

Spey and switch rods utilize two-hands to cast the line. They are substantially longer than traditional single hand rods. They are larger for their given line weight when compared to the same line weight in single hand rods. Both are designed be cast “spey style” meaning you use the line on the water to load the rod.

How full should my fly reel be?

The rule of thumb seems to be 100 yards of backing, on average. This adds plenty of extra size to the arbor, increasing your line retrieval rate. It’s also not so much that your reel gets “over-spooled” and fly line can’t fit comfortably on the spool.

Who makes full cage fly reels?

**
Please bring back the 3850. ** UPDATE: Spring, 2020 ** Sage now manufactures a full cage reel called the TROUT.

What kind of reel should I use for a Spey rod?

Last but not least, you should consider a full cage reel. A full cage reel is one where the line passes through a fully enclosed space (see photo). This is ideal for Spey rods because we’re often dealing with ultra-thin running lines that can pass through the space between the frame and spool of your reel.

How big of a reel do I need for a switch rod?

The first step when choosing a reel for your switch or Spey rod is to remember the “Rule of Three”, which in Spey casting terms means that you’ll want to go UP 3 line sizes, or one full reel size (in other words, go from a Hatch 7 Plus to a 9 Plus).

What’s the name of the new Redington fly reel?

Redingon’s new BEHEMOTH reel has the most powerful drag in it’s class. The BEHEMOTH reel has stunning aesthetics that push the limits of fly reel design. The unique, un-machinable, die-cast construction is coupled with a durable, interlocking, large-arbor spool design that both looks and functions like a premium reel.

How many reels are in fly reel shootout?

In fact there is no reel that’s in production that was in our original shootout. This year we’ve upped our game big time. We tested 37 reels across 13 categories – including 3 all new categories!