S4 E11 How To Make A Snake Roll Cast

In this episode of RIO's "How To" series, RIO brand manager Simon Gawesworth explains how to make a Snake Roll. Simon breaks down the casting strokes and explains what the caster is trying to achieve with each stroke, when to use this cast, and what the best gear to learn the cast with is. In addition, Simon shows some of the commonest mistakes casters make when they practice the Snake Roll, as well as how to identify those mistakes.
Clearly explained in Simon's easy-going, simple-to-understand style, this is a great film for anyone wanting to learn, or improve their Snake Roll.
For those wanting to know, Simon used a 7130-4 Sage X fly rod, matched with a 460gr RIO Scandi shooting head in this film.
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.

[@garyprice9648]

I've watched plenty of instructional videos on spey casting, but those by Simon Gawesworth are by far the best in terms of explanation and presentation.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Thanks Gary, we'll let Simon know that you enjoyed this film.

[@patkap41]

What a Master of instruction. There should be a paywall behind this video, it's That good.

[@LineSpeedJediTimRawlins]

Simon is definitely the man! Also I love the Rio Scandi Short Versitip system!!!!!

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

That is one of our favorites too!

[@Jack-qv5ru]

Simon you’re such a good instructor. It’s so hard to get this over onto camera and I’ve had to watch them all multiple times but having had no outside influences getting me into this sport. I couldn’t have had my first few salmon this year without you, I’d have given up. Two of my friends just starting out this year keep sending me clips of your brilliant analogy’s and I’ve transferred your energy onto them. A lot of people doing this in the uk have the skills, but the personality is the most important thing. Thank you. I envy anyone who’s had the privilege of your tuition. But thanks for getting me going. I’ll always come back to these when I’m having a bad day casting

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Really appreciate the kind thoughts! Absolutely stoked these helped you get involved in the sport! Keep it up! Cheers.

[@danbrown7857]

Lots of nuggets, Simon!👍🏼👏🏼

[@Sydnyparkerjones]

Excellent illustration and quite funny.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Thank you John!

[@KlettengK]

I love these videos, the way you break down the small elements of the cast. Just wonderful, thank you!

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Thanks Kevin - we're glad you enjoyed this one

[@johanfalkmarken]

Thank you Simon. This latest snake roll lesson will help me further improve my cast. You are my favourite on-line teacher. Thank you for all your efforts.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

You're very welcome! Thanks

[@eyeintheskiesdavid9277]

Great video on how to get the line right and like the way you explained drawing an e with the end of the rod i must give it a try on my next fishing trip next week I will let you know how I get on and thanks for making this video it will really helped me out alot with my casting thank🤝 you so much really appreciate it keep safe and tight line's my friend 🎣👍

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Please let us know! Thanks for the kind words.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Great cast and explanation Simon. I use this cast all the time. The more time your fly is on the water the more fish you have a chance at. Thanks for sharing.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Superb, thanks :)

[@jonmellor6876]

Yet another succinct, informative lesson. Been & done it. All down to practice, timing & more practice of course😅

[@Jayflyfishguy]

That is a awesome how to video for a snake roll cast, you really are the best at explaining such skills. Thank you Simon, YNWA

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Thanks, we are glad you enjoyed it! What's YNWA?

[@Jayflyfishguy]

@@RIOPRODUCTS the YNWA was for Simon, he will know what I am talking about. Cheers

[@neverhomeguideservice]

love your teaching!

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Thanks, glad you like the videos...

[@steveg7504]

Quality as usual 👍👍

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Thanks

[@SurfSkagit]

👏👏 Don’t be afraid guys, for some reason, the more efficient the casting technique is, the more elaborate the explanation should be. Very helpful and extraordinary level of communication from the instructor and also visual reference from that last drone view, another great one keeper clip, a must to save for my digital enciclopedia from the Leonardo’s da Vinci of the Spey casting. Fantastic work Rio Thank you for sharing.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Thanks for that!

[@brameijkman330]

Heel goede uitleg. Bedankt

[@diegocarsalade6653]

Really nice!!

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Thanks!

[@reelphatties6426]

Love the video killed it I subscribed 👍🏻 tight lines brother

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Superb, thanks :)

[@foxxygearreviews7754]

When I learned to snakeroll I never had the roll touch the water. It was always the loop in the air that worked as the anchor.

[@Toddcm]

Simon - in the video you were facing directly downstream. Could you perform the same cast facing more towards your target across the river?

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

We asked Simon to comment on your question. He said that you can certainly face the target and perform the same cast no problem. You would be limited to shorter head length lines, but it wouldn't be an issue otherwise.

[@freddymartin7664]

Exelent Video & Explanation👍 Do This cast can work with a regular Fly rod ?

[@freddymartin7664]

nymphman1 Thanks bro.! I will give it a try!

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Absolutely!!

[@fabios35076]

Thank You Simon Simon I'd like to practice my spey casts on land. Is there something you could suggest I use so my line can anchor as it would in water? Thank you

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Hi Fabio, we asked Simon for his suggestions to your question, and he said that it is almost impossible to practice effectively on grass. He says there is a leader you can build, called a grass leader, that some people use for Spey casting on grass, but it still is nothing like practicing on water. If you are interested in finding out about this leader let us know, and we'll ask Simon what it is.

[@fabios35076]

@@RIOPRODUCTS Yes of course I'm curious what it is and if it could help somewhat!? Thank you

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

@@fabios35076 Simon says that a grass leader is a leader made of a stiff nylon created by joining together 12 inch lengths with blood knots. When you trim the tags off the blood knots you leave them protruding out 1/4 of an inch (or more), as these tags help "grip" the grass, and create some kind of anchor. He suggests using nylon that is about 25lbs in size, and make the leader about 12ft in length. Hopefully that makes some kind of sense. He says there is a photo of a grass leader and a description of how to make it, plus its pros and cons, on the very last page of his book "Spey Casting" - if you have access to a copy.

[@fabios35076]

@@RIOPRODUCTS Much Appreciated Take Care

[@fishingbcwithcj]

Are there any timing tips if I'm casting a much longer line when it comes to rod tip path and timing? I know own the Rio Shorthead Spey, but I'm casting it on a shorter 12'6 Redington Claymore 8 Wt.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

There are no particular timing tips to give, but the rod path length does change. The longer the head length of the fly line, the longer the rod path needs to be, so enlarging the circumference of the rod path on the D-loop stroke would generally be a good move when progressing to longer head fly lines. Hope this helps!

[@fishingbcwithcj]

@@RIOPRODUCTS Awesome thanks for the tip.

[@kevinelley7835]

Hi can you use sink tip on a scandi line doing a snake roll

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Absolutely - if the tip is correctly balanced/matched to the Scandi head.

[@johnkenny694]

Scandi, what other lines will it work good with?

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Any traditional Spey line as well

[@timothyberlinski2299]

Where i have problems sometimes is if i am in the river, right handed and the current is flowing from my right to my left. Make a cast upstream let is drift long now the line is directly to my left downstream. How do i get more efficient at casting all that line back upstream?

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Efficiency in any type of casting is based on timing and usually a smooth transition to a firm stop, for both roll casting and false. It's a little difficult to explain on a video comment however, we would recommend fishing with someone who is proficient, not only so they can teach you, but so you can view an efficient caster at work, then try yourself! Good luck!

[@palufke]

Skiing in Switzerland, driving Ferraris in Italy. I see my 100 bucks and more per flyline are well invested...great videos though 🙂

[@oak8728]

For anybody watching I think he means diameter as far as your ‘e’ size. Circumstance would of made the 20 footer much smaller.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

We clarifies this with Simon, and he confirms it is actually the circumference that he is talking about. He says that the rod tip can prescribe an "e" shape with, say a total circumference of 3 feet, or 20 feet, or anything in between.

[@oak8728]

@@RIOPRODUCTS hmmm I’d venture to say 96.3% of the public can not comprehend a circle size via circumference. But 48.1% can if given diameter. Either way it’s really tomatoe tomato because you can make the biggest e or smallest with success. 😎cheers Rio. Stop making dump fly lines ❤️

[@MrKveite1]

Wonderful cast but also a showcast and very very rarely needed.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

This cast is perfect with a downstream wind with a Sandi head and little back casting space - not much better, or faster than the Snake roll

[@MrKveite1]

@@RIOPRODUCTS And you can use a reg spey cast even in REALLY heavy wind if you know what you are doing...

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

You certainly can, @@MrKveite1

[@Troumon]

Am I wrong, or did he show one single right cast during the video? I mean, as it should look during fishing. I dont think so...

[@muchohucho]

who the heck casts downstream? A lot of these rio videos show the guy casting downstream. I almost never cast downstream, I am almost always quartering up, directly up, or rarely quarter at most down. Also, always be casting this way, downstream arm down, you have to be able to do it either way.

[@fishties]

Sorry, but he lost me when I watched for seven minutes and he had yet to demonstrate the cast. How do I know whether I want to learn the cast if I don;t know what it is?

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Good point - we'll pass that on to Simon and the film crew.

[@Jayflyfishguy]

The snake roll is a very common cast for two hand and single hand rods that all fly fishers should learn. If you are new to flyfishing and don't know what a snake roll is, I suggest you watch this awesome video many more times.

[@kevinblanchard611]

Still waiting for the video of how to hold a run all day without getting your tires slashed

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Can't help you there.