S2 E5 How To Make a Single Handed Spey Cast

The fifth episode of season two of RIO's "How To" series features RIO brand manager Simon Gawesworth explaining and demonstrating the basics of Spey casting with a single handed rod. This film doesn't delve into any particular Spey cast, rather it shows the concept of how to make a Spey cast with a single-handed rod, and lays a very solid foundation for improving casting skills.
Many fly fishers believe that Spey casting is a tool only for salmon and steelhead anglers, and for using with long, two-handed rods, but Simon shows how important it is for trout anglers to have a knowledge of the Spey cast in their armory. In addition, Simon explains how this knowledge can help a caster make more efficient casts with obstructions behind, make angle changes with ease, and introduces the evolution a caster should go through form the humble roll cast, to the powerful single handed Spey casts.
RIO's "How To" videos are a series of short films that explain all you need to know to learn a particular way to fish, or cast. Where applicable, each film talks through the gear that you need, shows how to rig the gear, how to read the water, and how to fish that particular technique. These educational films are packed with information and top tips designed to improve the knowledge and skill level of all fly fishers. Each one is bought to you by a RIO employee or a RIO brand ambassador.

[@wohltemper]

With apologies to our American cousins, this is by far the best fly fishing teaching on YT. OK the Korean girls are cuter but Mr Gawesworth is the man. Just got a Redington rod with a RIO line coming this week so looking forward to trying these out.

[@TheNewNumberTw0]

Can you send me the link to the Korean girls?

[@mastalani6429]

Bravo You are great to explain it all about cast etc… 👍👍👍

[@laurieharper1526]

Excellent stuff. I've realised what I'm doing wrong with my switch rod - having too much line on the water, which hampers the cast - as a result of watching this, so thanks.

[@jesperek6402]

Very good explanation 👍 It's there in my head.. the good way, and works better on the drycasting! But when I'm fishing it seems like I left my head at home 😅 just need to relax I guess, and try not to think about that big fish out of my reach 😂

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Easier said than done!

[@mawhrin5225]

"Much bigger D loop". Does it not defeat the purpose of being able to cast with close to no room behind? Seems the traditional roll cast is more compact after all.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

True enough, but a good Spey caster can adjust the amount of D-loop they have to the room behind them, and when there is space, the bigger D-loops will be easier, more effortless and give greater distance.

[@jackallen7557]

Hi Simon, So I want a good line that can be use for trout fishing in Colorado that can do both spey and roll casts and other things. Should I get the rio Gold or the single handed spey line?

[@markjacobson8461]

great videos I've learned a lot

[@leopan723]

it looks easy，but how to choose a single handed spey line for a single handed fly rod？

[@Talos353]

Thanks Simon! Did you recommend using a 7wt line on that 5wt rod? Or was it just a 7wt box you held up at the beginning of the video.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Simon said he uses a 5wt on a 5wt rod - that was just the box he had with him for filming. He said to say "good catch", and that we should have thought of that. Thank you..

[@christopherhenryaustherman8235]

Perfect Simon!

[@bolognasandwich1694]

I have a 4wt orvis Clearwater that I haven’t used in ages, would this be a good rod for this kind of fishing?

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Yes, very much so. The Clearwater has a little slower action than many of the more modern rods like the Helios series, and therefore will load really well against a D-loop, so it should be pretty perfect for this style of casting.

[@bolognasandwich1694]

RIO Products Perfect, will be trying this out in the spring 👍

[@CaptLRay]

I was watching your video(s) and have a very basic question. The Rio single handed Spey line diagram has an 8’ section called the “Handleing Section” which is not on your traditional fly line. What’s it purpose? I can guess, but would really like the correct answer. Thank you

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

The handling section is appearing on a few of our lines now. The reason for it is that it basically lengthens the head by 'x' feet, making it easier to mend at longer distance, and also making it a bot more stable at a longer range. Without this, the head would go straight to the thin running line, losing that extended mending and line control ability. Hopefully that makes some sense?

[@rangerwhite7091]

Guys, any further on the single handed spey line coming out with a green head? Cheers.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Sadly not in the near future :(

[@ipod1978]

The double Spey cast is one of thee best looking casts in my opinion. Never ceases to impress when performed correctly. Would love a days tuition with this guy and have picked up so many tips & tricks from these videos

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Nice to hear you are a fan of the Double Spey. It is a beautiful, flowing cast, Junior. Glad you like the videos and films we make, and thanks for following them. If you are genuinely interested in a lesson with Simon, you can check out his website - www.speyborn.com for more info.

[@ipod1978]

RIO Products Unfortunately Northern Ireland is a long way away from you guys but thank you for taking the time to reply. I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from watching these and they have helped tremendously when practicing. Thanks again

[@MikeBlezien]

I was wondering after watching your video how well single handed spey casting will work in stillwater applications ?

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Not too bad, but the hard part is you have to retrieve a fly in stillwater, and with Spey casting you need to have a certain amount of line outside the rod tip to be able to cast. If you retrieve the fly close to you, you won't have enough to cast - that is the dilemma with this in stillwaters.

[@MikeBlezien]

good point may still try it out and see how it works maybe come up with a new technique :)