The "A" rating is for more experienced casters, or for casters that like to cast off the tip of the rod. Its really nice to carry a long “float tube” sized net while spey fishing. Good Times, see ya at the “Show”! However, the wrong choice can throw the feel of a rod off. For more background on topics like action and weight, see our fly rod comparison table and buying advice below the picks. Umpqua is known for its waterproof packs with a roll-top closure like a dry bag, another option. The rods above are more powerful or more sensitive, but few can match the value or fun factor of the Redington.See the Redington Path II. But the PURE is not just about appearance: it casts just as good as it looks. And the longer the rod, the more power you will get from casting, which can helpful when trying to hit a far-off hole or high stick nymphing. Shop all the Best Steelhead Fly Rods from every top brand including Sage, Scott, Winston, G Loomis, Orvis, Redington, Echo, and TFO. All in all, the components and finishes are not as nice as those mid-range models, but are significantly better than most similarly priced rods. Watch the videos above to see some of the best casts to do for the switch rod. Second, they use an entirely different casting method with no backcast, allowing anglers to slowly work up or downstream along the shore with no worries about bank-side brush or trees. The Radian, like all Scott rods, is made in the USA. Most of us grew up fishing fiberglass rods, although we hadn’t picked one up in years. They’ve also added an additional 3 weight model, basically a short and a long. Which means wading boots, which means a decision needs top be made about soles. Legendary rod maker Sage recently replaced the One with the X at the top of its esteemed lineup. They usually have far more organization both inside and outside. The point is, as an angler you can bring multiple rods, each for a specific situation (of course, this costs substantially more). They don’t need one. Conversely, an 11' to 12' rod feels right at home on smaller coastal rivers in the west, and the majority of Great Lakes tributaries... Once you've decided the correct length, the line size should be dictated by two factors. I wouldn’t hesitate to use the 4 weight as a Grande Ronde Steelhead rod either. The three common categories are fast, medium, and slow action. Having said that, the Igniter still is one of the fastest-action rods on the market and an ideal choice for long-distance casting, punching through big wind and sending large, heavy flies. Either way, the Spey Lite series is an excellent group of lines that are propelling trout Spey fishing forward. Still reading? Some people prefer an unlocking reel seat where the fastening mechanism screws up the rod to hold the reel in place, creating a larger fighting butt. Storied St. Croix out of Wisconsin makes a wide range of rods for just about every type of fishing you can imagine (all in the USA, we might add). 2021 Spey Line recommendations. But that doesn’t mean it has to be, and anyone can get out and learn without breaking the bank. Your reach and mending are also improved. One, how big are the fish you're chasing? But a lot of line and high speeds mean you really need to feel the rod and get the timing right. The Igniter would be perfect for that situation, or anytime when distance matters above all else.See the Sage Igniter. I still use “Poly Leaders” (Airflo) as the generic term, but some use “Versi-leader” (Rio) or “Sonar Leader” (SA) or “Siking Leaders”. On Pyramid Lake in Nevada, we’ve gone out to the top of our waders while hauling a step ladder, which you then climb on to get a little more casting distance to reach those huge Lahontan cutthroats. All things considered, the rod fishes just fine—it’s versatile enough to get the job done for most anglers and rivers. What do we mean by that? Well, reels also come in “weights” that help match it to the rod and line. But it’s very hard to compete with the performance of graphite. The design is a few years old, but it’s still the best first rod for someone new to Trout Spey, and you may never outgrow it. Although the price is high, it’s easier to stomach knowing that you won’t be purchasing multiple specialty models. But in our opinion, the rods in this range are the most suited to trout fishing, and the rods above this mark become big Trout/Steelhead crossover rods. Graphite’s combination of strength and low weight has allowed for longer, lighter, and better casting rods. But, as we rarely use floating tips on our Skagit heads, its not much of an issue. Action: Medium Weights: 3 to 10What we like: Cheaper and faster than the R.L. Looks like I may bring 2 older reels re-spooled, one with the 240gr. If you’re fishing great lakes tribs, you can just as easy switch over to nymphing as well with this line. The components and finishes look cheap compared to other, similarly priced rods. If you plan on fishing large Steelhead rivers where 90' to 120' casts are the norm, a 14' to 15' rod is the weapon of choice. The Echo may not wow you or your fishing partners with its distance or accuracy, but it gets the job done for under $150. When we talk about “Trout” Spey rods, we’re talking about 4 weight and under Spey rods that throw lines approximately 350 grains or less. You can also built your own. They come in various sink rates. Winston. You also want to pair the rod with a reel that matches its style and type of fishing you plan to do with it. If you are bothered by a couple of additional ferrules, we congratulate you on your fantastic casting abilities, but we don’t envy you trying to cram that rod tube into the overhead bin of an airplane. Or maybe you have some fly fishing experience and want a new fly rod to take your fishing to the next level. Yeah John puts them together annually and we all love them! Guides probably won’t have much of an impact in your purchasing decision, but they do generally increase in quality as the cost of your rod goes up. But these problems are not particular to the Hydrogen Trout Spey, which we think is an excellent starting point for your two-handed adventures.See the Redington Hydrogen Trout Spey. Fortunately, slings and waist bags are all the rage, and that’s what most people use. High-end rods use premium cork and construction while entry-level rods often skimp in this area (and others). A fast-action rod is stiff and flexes the least, generally toward the tip, generating faster line speeds and longer casts. Just in time for EFFTEX, Europe's largest fly fishing trade show, Sage has announced three all-new rod models for They are incredibly popular and it’s hard to argue that they aren’t the best Skagit heads For Trout Spey applications. The Clearwater avoids those pitfalls and is surprisingly crisp. Each rod maker has their own policy, but in general they are extremely generous and forgiving. Both are high-end rods designed to do everything, but the Radian has slightly better accuracy at almost all distances. Frankly, it’s one of St. Croix’s lower-end rods and it shows. But when I’m out on a serious day of Trout Spey fishing or guiding, I’ll likely choose a little more sole. I don’t use the RIO Leader Wallet, I put my Poly Leaders in a tips wallet.