Is Scandi Casting BETTER than Skagit? - Klaus Frimor on Underhand Fly Casting

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Klaus Frimor, one of the world’s best Scandi casters, and product designer for Loop Tackle has been preaching to us the advantages of this style of casting for years. This video is a summary of exactly why you should learn this cast to become a better angler and all the advantages that come with it.

[@maxtutorio2011]

*I already own the Battle II combo **enjoyable.fishing** recommend and decided to try a Fierce II combo to carry out to the pier. Works great and for the money they are hard to beat.*

[@decoydavesmith]

I watched and learned from so many different casters, in person and on vids. I've watched Klaus in person. I wonder if he isn't the best natural caster I've ever seen.

[@robertwest7197]

I’m not trying to side but I use true Scandinavian lines with several different densities. I can easily cast very large flies although not with dumbbell eyes or lead wrapped flies but with these lines you don’t have to as the line does it for you, same difference but one style is silent. I use an underhand casting technique for this, once you learn how you will wonder why you wouldn’t use this style.

[@petermorse5442]

All fly tackle, and the techniques and situations that drive them have their time and place.

[@SasquatchTX]

Part of skagit though is not just heavy tips, but throwing stupid large flies at times. Traditional salmon flies are not as bulky, heavy, or difficult to cast as a big marabou or rabbit bodied fly. Intruder style could work well with either, but i see Skagit as throwing big nasty junk, and Scandi as a bit more finesse presentation. The heads themselves can be used in either sustained anchor or underhand type/touch and go casting. Its good to know both styles so you can match conditions.

[@HouseOfFly]

Absolutely and we couldn't agree more. The title of this video was just to make people think but there is a huge play for Skagit in many cases as well. Thanks for the comment!

[@bjornchristiansson2827]

I'm understand your point fully ! I'm borne in scandi land of Sweden 🇸🇪 I cast any fly whit my rod and your intruder flys is nothing to my 3" copper tubs they are heavy ass flys for deep and fast currents! I fish those in Norway 🇧🇻 for Atlantic salmon in june on coold and high water in bright colours as green blue yellow. So you just those a higher grain and you dont need T17 tips we fish full sinking heads depends on what rod I'm use ! High water means fresh fish from sea big fighters. I dont go under 15' in june most of time I'm use 16' 11# and put on the most heavy line as SA 850 deep water Express or a head who is 700-900gr that means you control your fly not another way around! I use skagit on my 11-13.5' rods because of the short thick belly. I'm fit 12-15' tips mostly intermediate 15' plus tipet of 3-5' this is very good when I'm fish small bubble hook size 8-18# flys in summer at normal to lower river . Because I'm shooting long whit ease no problem do 120' cast over and over ! That's why I'm like skagit. The new 3 density who is out now is awesome. But dont skagit cast here because you spoke the fish and you catch none! I developed scandi cast whit skagit head in range 500-650gr for my 13' 8# so it's more a versaleader setup. Try that and cast whit ease no splash or ripping water that shortcut to get fish.

[@MichaelPhillips-jw4bj]

​@@bjornchristiansson2827 The idea that to use a 700-900 grain head and 16 11 weight just to cast big flies seems weird to me,. Like I can cast copper tube intruder flies on a 350 Grain skagit head 11 foot 6 weight rod... I could use a skagit sink to get to any depth. The people who invented skagit (ed ward jerry french and howell) didn't want to use insane heavy rods weights and heavy heads to cast there intruder. Like bringing a 8 weight to fish minnows. The original intruder was tried on copper,brass etc tubes by the way. They liked the waddington just a little more for this pattern . Skagit was invented specifically for the intruder... Jerry french said this on april vokey anchored podcast I don't understand the control aspect you hinting at with a such a heavy line. A 350 grain head can control the fly during the swing pretty much just the same. The river and tension is moving the fly. Maybe you could explain? keep in mind You have to buy a whole expensive rod to just to throw that huge 700-900 head when you could just buy a skagit or skagit sink for 30 bucks. Not only that , when the rod is lighter You get better fight with the fish, The rod is lighter its less cumbersome and most important its easier to cast all day as well.... Skagit casts bigger flies , its simple physics due to its taper. A 350 skagit vs 350 scandi will always end one way. Skagit throwing bigger flies and scandi a much better presentation. Again were only talking the specific ability of big fly fishing.I actually think scandi is a better all around line, but i fish 6 inch flies and i want to use a 6-7 weight. Steelhead aren't that big in my location. Though they like big flies and my river is medium. Bringing a 14 foot 9# or 10 be a total waste for me personally Interested in you thoughts and I mean no offense.

[@fabianmartin7126]

@@MichaelPhillips-jw4bj a Sage TCR #8 turns outs to be sort of light tackle when you try to land a 40 pounder Atlantic Salmon in Norway. But it was a completely overkill one in Northern Patagonia (Limay river) most of the times. Each place and fishing conditions maybe call for different approaches, different tackle and consequently different techniques. There's no such a thins as "one size fits all" , probably.

[@Lukasz_Fishing_Ireland]

Love it😃👍🍀

[@berndziesche9770]

If the casting results in significantly splashing water or not, depends on the caster's level of line control, not the type of line set up. I use all three setups and there isn't any extra splashing using Skagit like line setups. The biggest advantages of Skagit like setups are: 1. Less space behind the caster needed (smaller Ds possible). 2. Timing is no longer critical at all. Quite an advantage for beginners in particular. 3. The rod tip side concentrated line mass supports casting heavy flies as well as casting into heavy winds best. I also see pretty long casts for beginners using Skagit outfits straight away. For Scandi outfits I see more blown anchors with beginners. Salmon in Scandinavia are no more spooky then elsewhere and Steelhead in my experience were basically the same. There are many casts one can make with a Skagit outfit without turning the anchor's direction in the water, if desired. How fast or not fast a line sinks depends on a) density and b) line diameter. Both Scandi and Skagit setups need to be adjusted to the depth one needs. But the Skagit set up allows to have the main weight part drift (float) over some weed like in some Danish rivers or big stones like in Swedish Mörrum, while the tip section rapidly brings down the fly. Biggest advantage: you can bring down the fly FAST, BUT have it slowed in sinking further (for example too much for the second part of the drift) based on the floating main part. A fast sinking Scandi head easily can be too deep on one's own side of the river. If you really need to fish very deep, built a Skagit setup with the main weight part sink, too. Bottom line: It all depends on what exactly your situation asks for, but Skagit outfits are offering quite some possibilities compared to Scandi. No doubt an excellent fisherman can adapt his fishing to the line setup as well, but adapting the line setup to the fishing works best! Cheers Bernd

[@MrKarlheinz21]

makes sense

[@AmarilloMusicAB]

Have you been to Canada?

[@SurfSkagit]

The new 3D lines from Rio will solve the angle presentation on sinking lines. I’m a big fun of Scandi, but nothing can give you the top hand like Skagit can when you don’t know nothing about the local conditions you are about to fish. Nothing can help the angler to deal with adversity better than a Skagit does. I’m taking my Skagit to a desert Island and I’ll be fine for a very long time if someone knows how to cook what I catch🙂 Thank you for sharing such a magical casting skills 👽

[@eighteenbull6177]

Airflo Rage 660 grains with 18 ft of Airflo T7 , 14 ft 9 Oracle rod no issues with a single spey cast, no overhang. RIO Skagit 750 grains 18 ft of Airflo T18 15 ft 11 Harrisons rod, no issues with a single spey cast, with overhang, my friend was surprised that i was not snap t ing it.

[@chadcase5936]

*Look at it like this. You buy a rod at Scheels or Cabela's because you're getting a quality product at a slightly discounted price because it's store brand rather than big name brand. And that usually is the case and works well. Some of the best fishing gear I've got, and I've got a lot, was got from those brands I just named. These Maxcatch rods are built on the EXACT same blanks that the Scheel's Outfitter MDD fly rods are built on.*

[@pakfrd7887]

I'm wasting too much money trying to fit a triangle in a square hole. I've been trying to make my Sage Foundation 6wt single handed rod a versatile rod for trout and bought integrated lines and I think I just need to get a switch rod so I can load these lines correctly with the lower hand. I think it will be much more enjoyable for what I'm doing and hopefully I can make these integrated lines and reel work still. I'm just annoyed. Was on the water today with my new integrated scandi line with my single hand rod and it just seems like I'm wasting a ton of money.

[@awaken77]

Everything has it's limitations. Scandi casting does less water disturbance, because lines have delicate front taper. Skagit casting (or sustained anchor in general) can be used in such places, where scandi casting is barely possible: ex: casting with cliff behind, or with tall grass/reeds on the bank

[@Kelberi]

yup, they are not wives, okay to have both. 😁

[@rowdymacd]

Why choose? I’ve learnt how to cast both ways. Both casting methods and lines were invented for a purpose. Learn both and become a more well rounded angler. In the winter I use skagit for steelhead as I’m casting big weighted flys and sink tips. Summer I use underhand/scandi for smaller presentations. It all depends on how the fly needs to be presented to the fish. Not even sure why this is a debate anymore lol.

[@chrisroberts3963]

How is the casting stroke different when casting a skagit floating line vs a skagit sinking line? I thought it was the same casting stroke.

[@simonsvan2735]

There is a time and place for everything. Skagit, scandi and spey lines all have there pros and cons, and places where they excel. Learn how to handle a full spey line or a competition cut on your 15 footer and you will handle scandi and skagit with ease.

[@andreasbostrom724]

What rod are you yousing?

[@HouseOfFly]

Thanks for the question. Klaus is most likely using Loop gear, however we do no have the specific rod and reel set up he was using this day.

[@imagoflyfishing9993]

Its all good & well on having completely different line setups in scandi & not changing your stroke. Cool. Change reels, cassettes, or complete scandi heads every time you change your mind on a run throughout the day. More time out of water=less fish caught. Fast forward to Skagit, where you simply just change tips & keep on fishing almost instantly. Food for thought.

[@ClearStreamsUK]

Many scandi lines, like skagit are head systems. I have 4 different weights of skandi head. No longer in changing than a tip on a skagit.

[@snapsnap1]

How would u make that cast if the wind was blowing down river. In Skagit i would do a backhanded double spey because i m not proficient at changing hands. What would u do for the underhand(scandi) cast?

[@North40Outfitters]

Hey snapsnap1! Thanks for stopping by. You will always want to cast from the downwind shoulder. No reason not to do a double spey if that is the best way to place your fly line where you can anchor your cast. I hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Happy to help! Thanks again.

[@Backs4more]

Having seen Klaus casting with a strong downwind wind on a left bank, he simply used a snake roll cast.

[@dimitrimihalopoulos5560]

What kind of running line is he using?

[@HouseOfFly]

Hi Dimitri, we're not really sure what running line he is using specifically, but here are some great lines on our site that will work just as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pICchHSdpJ51h6M&lc=UgxXUzuUuTLASowXy2N4AaABAg

[@brookmelee5983]

Ooooh how can I get my hands on a hot pink reel?!

[@jonnygranville281]

Amazon 🤣 I saw one just a couple days ago on there

[@mbal4052]

What lines are you using please?

[@HouseOfFly]

The exact lines Klaus is using in this video are Loop Scandi and GDC Shooting Heads. Scandi lines are longer than Skagit lines and are more popular in Europe/Scandinavia. We currently carry Rio and Airflo Scandi Lines. The most important detail is that the grain weight of the line matches the rod you are using. Thanks for watching our video.

[@donler2510]

He mentioned in the video I think these are not shooting heads. What specific line is he using and he mentioned this is a 17ft type 6 sink tip with about 3-4ft intermediate to his Scandi line. Is this integrated? Please provide details as the exact line he is using and how much leader from the sink tip to the fly is he "typically" using? Thanks for the courtesy of a reply.

[@HouseOfFly]

Thanks for your question. We have forwarded your inquiry on to the appropriate person(s), however they are currently out of office until Mid October. Once we get the correct information from the appropriate contact regarding the specifics of your question, we will absolutely follow up with you! Please let us know if there is anything else we can assist you with and we will be happy to help.

[@ballinjerry]

@@donler2510 yeah id like to know out of curiosity too... it has to be an integrated scandi line... he said it was triple density... then on top of that what tip/versileader/polyleader is he putting on the end of this line??

[@antonshimkus8926]

2:44 2:57 3:07 3:48 4:07

[@stephenasbridge878]

Scandi....🤘

[@jonzotee2744]

Hey Klaus, it's not a competition.

[@mikeparishy]

us against the fish

[@joakimkarlsson8141]

Great little video. But it has that ‘tribal common knowledge’ in it that says “skagit won’t work on Scandinavian fish because the sound spooks them”. I’ve been on salmon rivers since the early 90’s and would estimate that 75% of all fishers lineup their entire shooting head across the run before making their final switch cast and shoot the line. Especially with sinking lines. With that argument that these fish are so easily spooked by line sound, no one would catch a fish. I would sincerely doubt that, say a Snap-T, with the line real close to you, spooks a fish way out in the river. Be cautious about truths folks, there are as many as there are rocks in the river and you have to find your own ones.

[@MrKveite1]

You can cast a sink 5 line with one movement as a regular speycast if you know what you are doing but most salmonfishermen are average casters and they cant do that and need to precast one or more times.

[@joakimkarlsson8141]

@@MrKveite1 yes I agree, and those average ones catch fish too. :D

[@cdavidal]

The thing is very simple, and Klaus said it at the beginning of the film: ATLANTIC SALMON and I add, SEATROUT, both of SALMO genre, are VERY VERY SPOOKY FISHES, so, never try to fish for them with any skagit stuff, on the other hand, the species of ONCHORYNCHUS (mykiss (rainbow or steelhead), tshawytscha (salmon chinook) and others) are not SPOOKY FISH, and the waters wich these two differents genres of fishes lives are very differents. So, fishing for Pacific salmon or trout: SKAGIT; fishing for SALMO (atlantic salmon, seatrout): SCANDINAVIAN way.

[@HouseOfFly]

Hey Christian We completely agree! Different species like different things which is what makes fly fishing such a fun and rewarding challenge. Great information all the way around on this thread and the video. Have a great day!

[@kickthephase8750]

I fish for sea trout in new zealand with skagit lines all the time and casting techniques.....don't be so limited in your opinions and thoughts about your fishing, limitations stiffle an ability to evolve and adapt

[@BrianPeters110]

Sorry but I have to disagree. Salmon on the west coast, as in chinook, coho etc. may not be spooky but steelhead are just as spooky as any fish I have encountered

[@Jaimelapoesie]

I strongly disagree. I swing Skagit for landlocked salmon (salmo salar sebago) on the East coast of the USA and they are neither spooky, nor immune to eating streamers cast with a Skagit head, and I'm not a perfect caster.

[@MrKveite1]

@@Jaimelapoesie no but maybe you catch even more with scandi.....

[@bjornchristiansson2827]

The skagit splash to much for Scandinavian salmon hear Klaus say just that ! Oh I'm use my old Hardy 16' rod to cast 700-900gr and I'm even have full leadcore line who is 100' long try this whit your rod! Would not even lift it from the water ! Our salmon and sea trout is big so you know. And when you fish deep rivers you cant wading in the fish dont come up to bite if water is coold ! And you can try skagit you will not reach the dept you need come down to ! Some rivers you got to get below 20' to catch any fish. You welcome here and fish your 6# line rod and see how well it goes for you! I'm Mars when water is 32f I'm use my 17' rod 11/13# and that full leadcore line of 100feet ! Trow that one it's like 1600gr on warm summer river I use a 13' 8/9# and a skagit 650gr whit intermediate tip15' that's different ballgame!

[@Whatsthecraicsir]

Cool mo fo 😅

[@tattvamasi_1]

Мужик, вот честно, хреноаый из тебя презентатор/объясняльщик!

[@steveevans424]

AMERICAN STYLE >>>> Scand is too simple ! ........Americans need a "Snake roll looping Perry Snap roll T poke with a half cafe decaf Skagit Kack" lol

[@Labs.Fishing.hunting]

Skagits are a horrible line to use, too messy and heavy, more invented for the guy who cant has regular heads

[@dagtrebor]

Think if sweds and danes could stop using the word «scandi»… not dragging norwegians into the scandi style… which is not our tradition…