How To: Double-Hand Fly Fishing in Saltwater in New England

How To Double-hand Fly Fishing in Saltwater in New England
Double-handed rods are a great saltwater fly fishing option in New England -- but few people use them. How come? Check out some of my thoughts and recommendations here.
For more, visit: www.newenglandonthefly.com
Here is the Beulah rod I mention in the video: beulah-fly-rods.myshopify.com...
For the fly rod in this video, visit Beulah fly rods: www.beulahflyrods.com/

[@northguilford]

I’ve been using a Spey rod for salt water quite a bit. I cast both left-handed and right-handed depending on the wind. That makes it easier to cast and adds to the reduction in strain on the body by using both shoulders, etc. People who would never single cast with their off hand can master it with a two-handed rod.

[@jjames2162]

@northguilford I use a spey rod for blues and stripers and love it!

[@seanfalconer7182]

This guy's speakin' my language here

[@theitaliananglerflyfishing]

I perfectly agree with you,I have been doing since last year in saltwater and I can't wait to start the season again! Great video!

[@flyfishnewengland]

I can't wait as well!

[@h.sinclair]

you are on point brother ❤

[@shawnboisclair3696]

Thanks, I just found this video. I was watching a video on muskie fishing and on it the guest was talking about a new 2 handed TFO ros he helped develop. The same issues you mentioned came up. I then looked for a video of 2 handed fly fishing for stripers and came upon this video. I have arthritis in my casting hand and this just might be a real benefit to keep me fly fishing for stripers and blues. Know it's about looking for a good rod. Thanks

[@flyfishnewengland]

Hope it helps -- and tight lines, Shawn!

[@shawnboisclair3696]

@@flyfishnewengland thanks went to Bears Den, seems Beulah seems like a nice reasonably priced option.

[@bigron8346]

I just bought an 8 wt. 13.9 spey. It's funny you just mentioned that rod.

[@seanearnest]

Thanks for this informative video Ben! As I research my first fly rod for saltwater, I have found curious whether a switch rod might be a good idea. I have wanted to break into the switch/spey game for a while for larger freshwater species as well, and wonder if this setup could do double duty for steelhead and smaller salmon in NY and PA. Thanks to COVID-19 I, like many of us, am on a reduced budget. I appreciate that it's often difficult to have a one-size-fits-all outfit for multiple species, but in your opinion would an 8/9wt switch rod be suitable for both saltwater (stripers, albies, blues) and freshwater (steelhead, salmon)? I will be on Martha's Vineyard next month for the Derby, so if it is to be a switch rod, I'd love to get one soon to allow time for casting practice before I get up there. Thanks again and looking forward to more great content! Best regards, Seán

[@flyfishnewengland]

Hey Seán: Fair question! I might be a bit old school in this, but I don't think you can call a #9 wt a switch rod -- and an #8 would be pushing it. I've tried using a fair amount of heavier 7-11 wt double handed rods single handed just to experiment and, while it can be done, it's darn tough, and your wrist will hurt for sure. I would think of switch rods as being more appropriate to freshwater applications and, if you need one rod for salt, I would go with a single. If you want one for fresh and salt, that's tough, but you could try an 8 wt double. I would just get one with good warranty if you're going to use it albie fishing -- I tried mine on albies, and it blew up in four places when I accidentally high sticked it trying to land the fish. Hope that helps and good luck! - Ben

[@bjornchristiansson2827]

Ofcourse a two handed rod beat a single hand! And by use the nano technology and toray graphite make a big difference! Stronger more layer of carbon still light even lighter! So yes for coastal flyfishing its very beneficial. I love the now rods in 11,6-13,8' and a 9/10# is good option I think. And all different rods need bit different lines as action is more or less progressive. But my 13,7' I'm use 550-610gr head and as you planning to overhead cast tip should be included in the weigh. I prefer short and heavy head to cut true the wind as coast fishing whit one or twohand rods. Best regards from Sweden Scandinavia 🇸🇪

[@danleib1916]

Ben- what fly line and leader do you recommend? Tippet as well? Also a stripping basket? I live in Southern California so winter surf casting is challenging given the large wave sets. Any suggestions knowing I need to really crank it over some rough surf break? Thank you!

[@flyfishnewengland]

Hey Dan! What rod are you using? Check out the Beulah Serum lines -- they're good saltwater lines, and can punch it out quickly and with some distance. In big waves, I don't think tipper makes as much of a difference, so I would go straight 20. I like the stuff made by Hatch, but if you already have some, I wouldn't go too dainty -- in big surf you want to make sure you get a good energy transfer and are able to turn the fly over. As to a stripping basket -- absolutely, without question! The line will be a mess at your feet otherwise. The only thing I'll say is if you get a solid one, make sure to punch some very small drainage holes in the bottom / sides if you're in big surf. It will mean it can fill when you wade in deep, but if you have a wave crash over your chest with a solid basket tied to your waist, it can be a lot of weight very suddenly, and it can hard to dump the water and get a cast in in between waves.... Does that help? Feel free to hit me up for more questions!

[@jessevollick14]

Hi, I found a great deal on a 13’6’’ 8wt. I’m a travel nurse and have the potential to fish all over the country which is great but makes it tough to have the right stick all the time. I’m used to going after trout with my 9’ 5wt but I want to be able to go after steelhead, salmon and other game fish. Orvis describes this rod as extremely versatile. Where will I be most limited with this rod? Also my home base has pike and bass. Would I be able to go after all these fish and then some with this rod?

[@flyfishnewengland]

Hi Jesse: I can only really speak to NE, but that sounds like a great rod for larger freshwater fish and some saltwater applications in NE. It's too big for most trout fishing, and too small for, say, false albacore -- I mean, you can, but I wouldn't use it in a boat -- trust me! I tried! It could be good for striped bass from the rocks or the surf, though it is a bit long, and so you'll have to be careful landing fish. Otherwise, I'd think it could be good for steelhead and salmon fishing. As for pike, it's honestly not my speciality. Hope that helps? Good luck!

[@bigron8346]

What kind of line do you recommend with a 13ft. Spey rod? Spey, Skagit, or just conventional 10wt. intermediate on an 8wt.?? Thanks

[@flyfishnewengland]

Hey Ron: what’s the situation and species? For salt? Or fresh?

[@dylanupdyke4616]

Hi. I live in Maine and I just got my first switch rod set up. A Loop 11'-7wt. rod, paired with a sage reel. Been fly fishing since I was 14 (40 now) but I've never saltwater fished with a fly. I wanna target Stripers . Any advice on line and location? I live near Bangor but work in Bath. Thanks a lot for your video. Ps...right now I have a opst lazar mono line with the commando Skagit shooting head with sinking line on my reel. would that work or would you recommend something specific for Stripers?

[@dylanupdyke4616]

Thats... A sinking "tip" not line

[@flyfishnewengland]

Hi Dylan: Sorry for the delay! Was traveling with my wife. I love that area -- I grew up in Portland area, and get back as often as I can. I would suggest the mouth of the Kennebec at Popham. It's a bit big, especially for a 7 weight, but you can make a go of it. I think the Commando is awfully short. Check out the Beulah Serum lines. Good luck and let me know how you make out!

[@dylanupdyke4616]

@@flyfishnewengland I just ordered a Mackenzie 12'-8wt spey rod. Would that be better for stripers?

[@flyfishnewengland]

@@dylanupdyke4616 Yep! Better yet is an 8/9 or 9wt -- but an 8wt will be better! Have not fished that rod. Let me know what you think of it?

[@dylanupdyke4616]

@@flyfishnewengland Me neither but the research I've done shows it's a hell of a work horse that can be fished salt or freshwater

[@Paivatv]

Anybody you can suggest for classes in MA?

[@flyfishnewengland]

Hey Joe! So sorry man -- I missed this comment when it was posted. My apologies. Try Walt Geryk at Spey Doctor. He's in Mass and is quite good I hear. I've never taken a class of his, but I probably should!

[@bigron8346]

What size and wt. do you use?

[@flyfishnewengland]

I like the Beulah Opal 8wt -- try it out!

[@thomastuorto9929]

You can go lighter on the rod with a longer rod? Fighting a fish any harder/easier on the longer rod? By the way good vid. I'm gonna check out a couple more from you. Hoping to make it up to the cape for some flats fishing.

[@davemigliore6933]

Aww man now in gonna have to spend more money ugh