Skagit Casting - Defined and Simplifyed

Defining and breaking down Skagit Style Spey Casting into its basic components. This will create the framework needed for the more complex instruction I will provide with future videos.

[@philipvankampen3394]

Finally, a coherent explanation of the difference between the two styles. Focusing on the gear to illustrate the mechanics is a great approach.

[@Tconcave]

Mr. Howell, you have contributed more to the spey community than most. You are a legend and don't need to defend yourself.

[@bobjt]

Scott, this video is fantastic! Your level of detail in not just explaining the basics, but the predictable faults and why they happen and how to correct them is great. I think I've watched this video 10 or 15 times and I really hope you post some more videos soon. Thanks!!!

[@blemtaters]

Terrific teacher. This is a one of the best skagit casting videos on the internet.

[@BenNorway]

This guy is good. I have watched this video 7-8 times, trained it on the water and returned for watching it again, only to realize that there was much more information to comprehend than I thought the first time. The ability to make it sound easy at the first time is what makes Scott a natural talent or a very experienced teacher. Many thanks to Scott. Your name is now reference teacher name all the way over in Sweden.

[@user-cn6qw6wx6j]

This is simply the best video I have seen. I learned traditional spey casting twenty five years ago with long belly lines and with my new skagit line was still trying to do that but was losing my rod load by trying to make too big of a d loop and losing my anchor.

[@mdaley3102]

Thank you that was the best descriptive video I’ve seen so far. I’m new to skagit so this was very helpful.

[@bengroundwater1]

I just bought my first Switch rod, An ECHO classic 10' #8. This is a fantastic Skagit casting lesson, Very clear, No Nonsense. This guy is a great teacher because he explains the principles behind the cast and the most basic technique. Best Instructional Video i've ever watched hands down

[@StevenDaSilva-qm4zv]

Best video I've seen on this

[@deniscollins4928]

This is the most concise & clearly explained video that I have seen on the physics & the movements involved in Skagit casting. A very helpful insight & a pleasure to watch. Many thanks for sharing.

[@WesleyWong-wm1fl]

Really great and refreshing instructional video about Skagit and Spey Casting. Your delivery is clear and direct with not a lot of extra wasteful and useless side comments unlike many others. Your a great teacher !!!!!!

[@nonameest]

+Wesley Wong Totally agree! Most videos have tons of useless comments and smalltalk, but this guy knows how do to it.

[@raulmatute9677]

Wesley Wong 1fç

[@VOGTLANDOUTDOORS]

YOU & I ARE IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF SPEY CASTING - it's SUPPOSED to make fishing EASIER !... I ENJOYED how you assert "these two casts are NOTHING alike"... then a minute later claim "they both share a D-LOOP which is CRITICAL" ;-) ALL TEASING ASIDE, I'm SHOCKED that THIS particular video has only 300,000 views, because it's the ONLY one I've EVER come across in 10+ YEARS which PERFECTLY & SUCCINTLY explains the DIFFERENCES between a "traditional" spey cast and a "skagit" spey cast - NICELY DONE ! Even when I attended Ed Ward's midwest "spey claves" in Newaygo MI in 2015 (or there abouts), he tried to describe his skagit casts using the term "sustained anchor" - but I could SEE in the eyes of all 40+ guys attending the clave that they DIDN'T "get" the distinction. YOUR explanation is PERFECT - the difference is in HOW THE ROD IS LOADED: - TRADITIONAL spey casts rely loading coming from a PAUSE that forms a MASSIVE D-LOOP, hence a LONGER head, and LESS "shooting"; THERE ARE USES FOR THIS CAST !!! - SKAGT spey casts rely upon loading coming from "SUSTAINED PULLING ON THE LINE" with NO PAUSE, a far more COMPACT D-LOOP, and NOTHING BUT "shooting". If I were Ed Ward 10 years ago, I would have used the term "SUSTAINED ANCHOR-INDUCED LINE TENSION" instead of merely "sustained ANCHOR". But I learned a TON from Ed's claves, and am grateful for the time he spent traveling across HALF the CONTINENT to teach us all... GREAT VIDEO! -Mark Vogt | VOGTLAND OUTDOORS

[@domtiesflies743]

This is by far the most helpful video on KZbin in regard to Skagit basics. Thank you.

[@richardthorpe3059]

Very helpful. Thank you. You have removed a great deal of confusion.

[@danbrown7857]

Good stuff, Scott. The anchor point and sweep angle are very important (of course), but I like your “Tear, turn and go” bit. So many single hand casters are accustomed to stopping the rod behind them when roll casting. Understanding that the Skagit cast is dynamic and tension is never lost is key. Love this!👍🏼👊🏼👏🏼

[@1948salmon]

i have watched numerous skagit vidios this is by far the the best explained in detail look forward to more thanks

[@catlauncher]

Hands down, best Skagit casting video out there. Made perfect sense. Thanks!

[@seasonontheedge8942]

So far the simplest, most detailed and specific video on Skagit Style casting I've seen here on KZbin. Thank you for making.

[@burninater]

Fantastic video. Best explanation of skagit casting I’ve seen

[@flylooper]

Best demo of spey/switch/Skagit casting I've seen. A wealth of useful info for the newbie.

[@lorancwiese]

Excellent for sure. I will be trying this soon.

[@cbearw1]

Excellent instruction Scott! Thank you for your efforts in putting this together. Keep em comin!

[@fluxcapacitor05]

This is probably the only video that made any sense.... And I'm a licensed nuclear engineer

[@arcticstar1]

I could never say thank you enough times to where you would understand how much this means to me. So great of you to take the time- thank you SO MUCH!

[@thigson189]

I am a novice fly fisherman and really know nothing about Skagit Casting; I do know however, that this is excellent instruction. Outstanding.

[@SalmonRiverSpey]

Well done Scott, Great video explaining skagit casting for the new people getting started in skagit style casting.

[@MrBrentCrude]

Thank you for this. You really have clarified and simplified skagit-style casting with this video. Great job.

[@laddemail]

Thank you! I have been mixed up taking traditional tips with my skagit heads. This really made the distinction clearer.

[@fishchrome1332]

Great video Scott! You definitely have a gift for teaching and simplifying the cast so that others can use it themselves to catch fish. Thank you.

[@jackpine1156]

Thank you Scott!! Your great at speaking about the sport. Enjoyed listening to you on this video.

[@flyfish1995]

Thanks for the video. Im fairly new with Skagit but with your help, I think I just figured out some of my flaws.

[@RonMTube]

The best starter Skagit video I've seen and I've watched a lot of them. Thanks, thanks, thanks!

[@winks002]

Mr. Howell great video, I've not had a two handed rod for very long but I'm hooked on it. Your video was very helpful. Thanks a bunch look forward to the next video! Sam

[@stevemattis3579]

Great video. Thanks for the instruction.

[@amberhettinger6138]

this guy is a legend

[@psunitro]

Very nice video. Great start to give the beginner quite a few tips as well as reinforce points for that people who are more familliar with 2 handed casting

[@Raevenswood]

Cool video Thanks for taking the time to edit this and post, great stuff for the first timers.

[@mikekuczynski1552]

Nice , easy to understand . Just go practice. Thanks for the video

[@TheNego]

Hi there Scott, I really love your video, great tear down of the cast!

[@donbartlett698]

Awesome teaching Scott. Thank-you.

[@richardmasters2645]

Great tuition, defining the three components really helps. Need to practise my line placement more, understand that now.

[@christorres1388]

Very well said, I look forward to seeing more tutorials.

[@poems35]

First I love this video. It has helped me a lot. I am surprised that the Anchor Point is not discussed. Understanding the importance of its location and purpose of the Anchor Point has helped me. It seems to me that the anchor point is important in rod loading. The rod is bent and hence loaded from the anchor point. Most of the loading force is the leveraged rod against the line on the water. I think that all two handed casting uses the line moving on the water to load the rod. Newtons law. For every force there is an equal and opposite force. The force of the line being pulled on the water bends the rod. It takes force to pull the line and to bend the rod. Equal and opposite. I wonder if some of the load may come from ripping the line. If the rod is straight when the forward cast begins then there is no loading yet. It comes with the rod pulling the line across the water. Despite my comments I think that Scott did a great job. I think that one can get a better idea of the physics just by trying other types of Spey casting. Experiment and see what works and not.

[@MrAddni]

Great stuff Scott! Love your attitude about making things easier :)

[@paultroutfisher]

Very Very helpful. Thanks a bunch.

[@sakanatsuri]

Thank you for the great video. I am looking forward to your next videos. I am a beginner Skagit caster, and the basic casting theories help me a lot. After having seen many Skagit casting videos, I think that all of the casting methods fall between the true Skagit cast and Spey cast. A few expert casters (who came up with Skagit casting) are using the real Skagit casting theory (using water tension to load the rod and turn that load to cast the line), and the rest is using somewhere between Skagit casting and Spey casting (using more of the "D" loop with the weight of short and heavy shooting head) .

[@jimmythefish]

Scott, this is the best Skagit instructional video on KZbin. Are you going to do more? It would be much appreciated. Thanks for the great tips.

[@alaskacharlie]

Scott Its great to see a real guide teaching this stuff that actually knows how to fish and catch fish and not just talk about it, You are a breathe of fresh air for many of us. The real Deal, Thanks for al the help to the public we use your videos in our guide schools and at our lodge to help our guest's. Thanks Again Sincerely Charlie Summerville Alaska Trophy Adventures

[@wwscoach]

Great instruction - thanks!

[@moc5541]

Very articulate gentleman.

[@randallperkins4139]

Excellent, very much appreciated.....

[@Thesahilparikh]

Great video. Like an On stream seminar!

[@redshaftedflicker]

Raise high, stop low, tear, turn and go---you rock man, I appreciate the instruction!!!!!

[@joeduca8582]

Nice presentation Scott. I wish you would would make more videos. Please!

[@Canadiandawg]

awesome video thx man saved me a ton of money on a course .

[@23v0lv32]

I wish Scott would put out more videos. His skagit master vol.2 is exceptional

[@donbartlett698]

Thank-you! Very helpful.

[@DoctorSIS]

Thank you, Scott!

[@bodenmhowell]

Hey RC, I have another vid on Skagit Casting about halfway done. It is a short piece that goes into detail on whether the power stroke is a "push" or "pull". Thanks for tuning in!

[@nickdyne8001]

Excellent. best i've seen

[@bodenmhowell]

Thank you for watching. Please tune back in next week when we continue the conversation with another video.

[@ggardiner11]

Thank you! Great video.

[@fishwhisperer730]

Thank you Scott! Great instructions! Tight lines!!

[@frankalessio3374]

Great Video

[@MatteoOnlyFlyFishing]

good clinic

[@placidosilva9773]

A good job!

[@larryglatt2548]

VERY GOOD; thanks

[@bodenmhowell]

Thanks! Please tune back in next week.

[@easer777]

Great explanation, and I am just thát guy, in a brief moment of monetary freedom (I inherited some money), I bought myself a beautiful Loop LTS X2 14.6 feet #10 rod, simply because I knew that I will never be able to buy thát kind of a rod again, but I haven't been able to get a working rig from it. And quite probably it was just exactly because I bought a spey line with it, thát was simply a bit more than what I was capable of handling. -It sure didn't help that the line was an # 11, where the rod was 10, buuut, more than anything, the problem was probably that I had gotten myself a spey-line, not a shooting head. So I am finally going to do something about it, put the spinning rod away and getting thát shooting head, but I'm struggling a bit in terms of what weight to go for. I'm primarily fishing from the coast, ie. largeish/heavyish flies, often in windy conditions and in deepish but rather still water, so I have landed at the rather aggressive Vision "Skagit hammer" intermediate/sink 3 shooting head, but what weight will the rod need....??? -If You or someone else care to answer, but doesn't know the rod in question, it has a rather sharp/firm but also deep action.... Also, I'll probably also need a scandi-head for the occasional river-fishing (there are no rivers near me, and the rivers that we have here in Denmark are not very wide, and the fish are easily spooked, so a skagit head is probably not the best), and as far as I understand, skagit and scandi lines will have to be bought in different weights. -So if someone can, I would like to also have some input in terms of what weight a scandi head will have to be, for thát rod....? And a final thing, Vision mention both their "T-tip" and "Hybrid tip" as compatible with the "Skagit Hammer", but the T-tip weigh between 10-17 grain, and the hybrid between 140-170 grain, so they MUST cast rather differently, I'll think....? -I know, they say that with skagit, You doesn't count in the tip, buuut, surely the two tips must make the shooting head act differently....???

[@toddm.samson1161]

Hi Scotty, I have learned much from this video…especially teaching method. Your ole rock dodging on the Alagnak buddy, Todd M. Samson

[@gregsage1605]

This is the best beginning instructional video period! Right handed, river flowing from left to right. Lift high, stop low, tear turn and BINGO. So what do I do when I'm on the other side of the river?

[@cliveodriscoll2116]

@greg sage, exact same thing but with left hand up

[@mbal4052]

greg sage use a 'snap T' or 'circle C' to set the line up

[@DownTheRabbit-Hole]

Hmmm....not sure. If Scott moved to river left their would still be a downstream wind. The snaps are used for upstream winds.....I think. Maybe my understanding is wrong.

[@mbal4052]

David M Greg didn't mention wind direction but your right to say a snap T or circle C wouldn't be used on a downstream wind..a good single Spey will get a nice angle or a double Spey to get across at 90degrees

[@DownTheRabbit-Hole]

Thanks for the reply....Single Spey is a traditional Spey casting technique with airborne anchor and require long belly lines. It might be the hardest traditional spey cast to master. The above video is regarding Skagit Spey which rely on short belly lines (shooting heads) and waterborne anchors.....Skagit is great from pontoon, stillwater and rivers. Good Luck!

[@Jesse-cy7ws]

I adhere to a leverage before load theory. The tear (I prefer lift) is a simple movement intended to position the D loop and anchor. That's all. The energy for the cast is generated by the pull of the bottom hand from within the box. The longer I Spey, the less aggressive my lift and more convicted my pull becomes. Seems to work for me.

[@bodenmhowell]

Hi Sam, Thanks a bunch! Should post another video next week. Good fishing, Scott

[@StrijelacObi]

Thank you

[@nbgovernment]

Scott great video very much appreciated. I have not been able to find your follow up videos, are they available?

[@chasefair993]

Thank you scott for taking the time to produce a helpfull video. I am having a problem with my line piliing up in front of me on the cast. What are some possible things im doin g wrong. I also found that if I do not hesitate after the sweep my anchor hasnt yet formed

[@bodenmhowell]

Thank you for reply. I appreciate the kind words but I'm definitely more comfortable with Scott and am pretty sure that fisherman and legend are an oxymoron. Thanks again and please keep tuned in. More are on the way!!!

[@jakerozier77]

I’m here in the future……….2022. Can we discuss it further? Awesome content! Come back to KZbin!

[@matthewherzog6155]

The only thing that would improve this excellent instructional piece would be having a drone filming from above.

[@jasons184]

hi scott great video and full of info am just wondering if with a skandi line or shooting head should i have some of the line in side the eyes or out side the road with some running line regards jason

[@mountainknife]

What is you set up? Got any good set recommendations for beginners to Skagit casting? Really helpful video.

[@cekguanglers]

👍👍

[@bodenmhowell]

Hey Machster10, I welcome all comments in response to my video posts. I simply want to ask why you care whether I Skagit Cast or not? I could care less whether another angler choses to cast with a spey rod, skagit rod, spinning rod, or even chooses to cast at all. This is not a forum to debate personal biases. I am simply providing a resouce for people interested in learning how to Skagit Cast. I hope you enjoy fishing fishing what ever style it is that you prefer. Good fishing!

[@mdaley3102]

This is good stuff. I just got my first switch rod and obviously need to practice. If you’re right handed and standing on river right, casting feels more natural with two hands. Do you switch your hands on the rod when casting from river left? When standing in faster current the stripped line seems like it drags on the water so you don’t get a very long cast, any advice on this. Thank you

[@bowshott007]

Will these casting techniques work with a switch rod? Or would I need to make some slight changes to the casting stroke.

[@Schmalli44]

Hey Scott, thanks for the nice video. I only have two questions: 1) how long is the rod and which action (DLA?) has the rod. 2) how long and how heavy is the shooting head (manufacturer?) Thanks in advance and many greetings from Sweden

[@aidangonnelly]

If I'm not mistaken the whole technique is based on loading the road, but very labour intensive over 6/8 hrs of a day I'm sure you will feel then technique on your arms and shoulders. the Scandi Technique, where by simply creating a D loop you load your rod and bang away's she goes. In my opinion the Skagit cast requires more effort and and isn't necessarily efficient. Its like spey casting looks amazing if you want to be artistic or flamboyant with your casting, where realistically if your clocking hours and want rewards your fly is more efficient in the water and the more minimalistic effort required the more enjoyable the experience??

[@hankvana2149]

Seems to be some controversy. What ever terminology is used, Scott is obviously skilled at controlling his line and making effortless casts. I am just going to mimic his movements and see if it works for me. Tight lines all!!

[@maceoutdoorsadventures255]

I am going to BC Harrison River salmon fishing, what setuo for skagit style fishing would yo recommend i e rod length aftm and lines heads tips etc. I am a total beginner at this style of fishing. by the way I find your video great

[@Julieandmatt123]

what size rod and line wt do you use? or are you using in this video?

[@Commonsenseprevails23]

Do you use switch rods for skagit lines

[@brandonericscott]

I'll return the favor for the casting tips. It's spelled "simplified." ;)

[@markjanszen6239]

hey scott i am having a problem where when im casting, either a double spey or snap t the fly is getting really close to me or its actually hitting me. why is this and how can i fix it? thanks

[@dann4218]

The white mouse is what scares the fish away. Ancher the leader instead.

[@kubaz8702]

When a rod states 250-275 grain skagit line is that only talking about the shooting head grain weight? Or is it shooting head grain weight + tip grain weight need to equal between 250-275?

[@techniq808]

The Skagit line itself without any added material.

[@smokingviking5412]

First things first, how much line am i pulling off to start the cast?

[@freddygo44]

What reel are you using

[@braveheartmontana]

How much of the line do you start with?

[@moc5541]

At around 12:10 where he says "high ten-o'clock position" doesn't he mean two o'clock?

[@Eroach2008]

8:15

[@RC-bl2pm]

HEY THIS VIDEO WAS A SUPERB PIECE OF TEACHING....ARE YOU GOING TO DO MORE? LIKE AND SUB