S4 E6 How To Make A Single Spey Cast

In this episode of RIO's "How To" series, RIO brand manager Simon Gawesworth explains how to make a Single Spey cast - probably the hardest Spey cast to master. Simon breaks down the casting strokes and explains what the caster is trying to achieve with each stroke. In addition, Simon shows some of the commonest mistakes casters make when they practice the Single Spey, as well as how to identify the 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 Single Spey cast.
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.

[@johnhogg8043]

One of UK's best exports to the USA - thank you Simon

[@garyprice9648]

Simon's video is the only one I've seen which says to start the back cast with the rod pointing in the same direction as the forward cast is to be made. All the others I've seen start with the rod pointing directly downstream. I consider myself to be a fairly decent spey caster, but I tried it Simon's way for the first time today and what an improvement it made especially combining it with the concept of "train tracks"that Simon refers to. I recommend that everyone that spey casts should watch all of Simon's videos on the subject.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

So glad to hear that this tip helped you out Gary. We'll pass that on to Simon, who always likes to hear when someone finds one of the tips to be particularly helpful.

[@Pikeandslippers]

I could listen to the melodic instruction of this guy all day. I've not seen better.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Thanks for the comment!

[@josiwinter6836]

Great video! This Is gonna help me with my switch rod and just In time before the big asps rise In our river.

[@PeachyFlyFishing]

Thanks, very informative as always!

[@tabsqc]

Masterclass!

[@SurfSkagit]

Once more, the Michelangelo of the Spey casting is showing a master class for free. Thank you Rio for the time and magnificent editing work. Simon, I have no words to describe how grateful the sport is going to be for many generations to come, just a brilliant visualization description👌 Thank you again and stay healthy.

[@torrance8577]

Superb video! Thanks!

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it...

[@jack-zz9hb]

Thanks!

[@MrOliverwoods]

How much line do have out of the rod during this cast ? Thx for all your work SG.

[@seandacey8346]

Excellent video Mr. Gawesworth. With the single spey cast , you have quite a dip in the rod's travel path. 45 degrees down followed by 45 degrees up with a sweep to the loaded position. You said that this cast is the hardest cast to master. Fast forward to the DOUBLE SPEY CAST and you say , "I don't know why angler's dip with this cast ......." Fortunately for me , I picked up on this differentiation. I can see where an angler would THINK that a DOUBLE SPEY CAST is simply a continued "build upon" of the SINGLE SPEY CAST. However , the fundamentals of the two casting strokes are completely different. THE SINGLE SPEY CASTING STROKE IS COMPLETELY THE POLAR OPPOSITE OF THE DOUBLE SPEY CASTING STROKE. I can now easily see how that "dreaded L" would show itself in the DOUBLE SPEY STROKE , IF , THE INSTRUCTOR DOES NOT , "DOUBLE UP " , ON EMPHASIZING THAT THE TWO CASTING STROKES ARE COMPLETEY DIFFERENT. Thank you for your fantastic instruction. In addition , I love the fact that you point out that a particular fly line is better suited to specific wind conditions on the River. This fact , now has pointed me in the proper direction of correct REEL SELECTION. I know now that I want a reel that has at least 2 or more interchangeable arbors for differing wind conditions at specific salmon holes on my home River , depending on wind conditions. Thank you so much.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Hey Sean, thanks for your comments, and for watching the video through. We'll pass your comments on to Simon, who will be delighted to know you enjoyed the video.

[@rushthezeppelin]

You don't have to dip with the single spey. Just look at Klaus Frimor, he does a pretty level sweep and shoots crazy amounts of line.

[@infinity251214]

when the rod tip is at the top of the mountain and comes down at 45 degrees and "levels out", how far does the rod tip travel at the "level out" part of the stroke before going back up at 45 degree angle again?

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

it depends on the head length - the longer the head, the longer that flat "sweep" is. With a shooting head, it is probably only 6-8ft, but with a long belly line it is more like 15ft

[@infinity251214]

@@RIOPRODUCTS perfect! Many thanks!

[@Zircon_215]

How much line should be out when starting the lift ... approximately?

[@petermorse5442]

The head plus around 3-4 ft of running line.

[@sakanatsuri]

"Dreaded Dip" for Double Spey Cast as Simon described is a must for Single Spey? It am confused.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

We checked with Simon, and he confirmed that you do need a dip on the Single Spey. It is the only Spey cast that a dip is required on, he says.

[@sakanatsuri]

@@RIOPRODUCTS Thank you very much for the clarification, and taking time to answer.

[@robertwest7197]

Most videos I’ve seen have no dip, check out Bruce Kruk’s or Travis Johnson or Zack Williams all speyorama contestants. None of them dip, nore would they advise to dip at all. Simon is a great caster why the difference?

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

We asked Simon, @@robertwest7197, and he seemed surprised that those casters don't put a dip into their D-loop stroke, but says he is going to watch some of their videos to see if they are...

[@rushthezeppelin]

Klaus Frimor is another one that doesn't dip and he gets phenomenal line speed. It seems like the ones that don't dip have a slightly different lift and overall D loop stroke (usually lower angle lift and more of a body pivot in the d loop stroke). I just learned the single spey today and this seems to be working pretty good for me although I haven't tried the dip.

[@jessebourneau6426]

Curious Simon, not being critical - trying to learn. This Switzerland skier analogy doesn't work for me. Maybe it's my line length. I fish a 66 foot floating line with a 14' Sage X 7. I have to start straight down on the dangle, s l o w lift to the target, lock arms, turn entire torso, land, align to key position, forward stroke. NO DIP at all. If I dip, my anchor crashes, not to mention the body of the casting head suctions onto the water surface. With no dip, it works, with a dip not so much. This cast works for me, maybe our lines are different.

[@steinetakorgroovy]

Strange - i have used the single speycast for 36 years now and have experienced a lot of wind (Live in north of Norway) from right side - and i am right handed.(or left handed if i want) I have never been hit by the fly so far, and even strong wind have not been a problem. Depending on the wind strenght i just modify the single spey a little bit to awoid the flyline/hook hitting me.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

It sounds like you are a better caster than a "novice" which is what this video is designed for. Just a guideline for beginner Spey casters to get the best, and safest results.

[@steinetakorgroovy]

@@RIOPRODUCTS Fair enough. Best regards from Hans

[@frankroberts3868]

how important is body position?

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

Everything is connected in spey casting, so very important. Where your body is facing will inform where your cast lands, and setting the anchor in the right position.

[@fabianmartin7126]

Single spey... almost the only cast you need, if you can do it with either left or right shoulder.

[@RIOPRODUCTS]

It's a good one to have in the arsenal!

[@blemtaters]

The video shows problems well but for showing you "How to Make" the cast, I think he only completes 2 correct casts the whole video

[@xaquinlopezgomez1028]

Good vid, but you didn't perfom the whole cast one single time .😅

[@kittylife5589]

Yeah it had to be a Swiss mountain couldn’t be the Pennines , had to be skiing couldn’t be on bmx yeah he’s got his typical trying to paint a mental picture of grandeur. What a boring chap 😴

[@conslin1147]

Climbing cliffs in the Pennines with a bmx? That paints a mental picture too... It´s totally mental!

[@rushthezeppelin]

@@conslin1147 I did the tallest 14er in Colorado with a mountain bike, had to carry it up 2/3s of the trail. Probably kind of mental for doing it though lol.