Best line for Single handed spey casting

[matt]

Hi,
I need to buy a new fly line and would really appreciate some advice on which line to go for. I fish the smaller rivers in the South West which are often tree lined so would like a line that is going to spey cast well.

I have a couple of 9'6" single-handed rods rated #7/8 and #8/9.

Am i better off going for a DT line for short distance spey casting, rather than a line specifically for spey casting? I'm thinking that the head length of a spey line will be too big for a short rod over a short distance. Does this sound right?

As a general rule what weight line should i get? If the rod is rated #7/8 should i go for a #8 line, or will a heavier line load the rod better for spey casting?

Many thanks for your advice!

[heartlander]

Hello matt,

try the Airflo Forty plus. It has a long forward taper (around 17 ft) just like the spey lines and a short belly (again 17 ft). I think it must be ideal for speycasting with the singlehander. The #8 would be fine.

Petri and tight lines,

Peter

[rpsalmon]

If you are fishing small rivers where casts of up to 20 yards are probably the maximum that is required, whether in tight spots or open banks, I’d use a Double Taper to benefit from the flexibility, practicality and presentation of such a line.

[ibm59]

Definitely a DT and perhaps a Lee Wulff triangle taper.
Horses for courses.

[matt]

Thanks for you advice! So if i go with the double taper, a #8 for the #7/8 and a #9 for the #8/9 rod?

Also, is it worth me investing in a short double-handed rod, say a 12 footer? Are there any advantages to this or is it not necessary?

Thanks once again!

[rpsalmon]

A 12 foot rod will allow you to cast larger flies, control the fly in the water through either slowing it down or quickening it, control a fish and bring it to the bank quicker, also have the power to hook a fish with larger hooks.

I would pick a 8/9 rod with medium action or through action, depending on preference, not a tip action because you will have a lot of fish under your rod tip and lose them because there isn't a "cushion". An 8/9 will have the power to handle and control fish, match it with a DT 8 and by adjusting cast/power of cast you will be able to cast up to 20 yards without shooting. A number nine line is really too heavy on small waters, you could also use a DT7 quite easily with such a rod if you ease up on the power.

[rpsalmon]

Lamson’s difference of opinion to mine, is seemingly based upon a different assumption concerning the width of your river. Can you state the average width of the rivers to be fished?

[matt]

The rivers (or streams) i fish are anything from 4yds to 10yds wide and are often heavily wooded. (Devon/Cornish rivers such as the Fowey/Lynher/Teign/Exe/Lyd etc). Making overhead casting difficult/impossible in certain spots.

As they are small rivers, and due to tree cover overhead, i fish with the shorter single handed rod. And thought a double handed rod would be too cumbersome. But please feel free to correct me on this.

At short distance like this, would there be little difference between a DT and WF when roll/spey casting?

Once again thanks for the advice!

[rpsalmon]

I thought you were talking 20 yards wide maximum. I'd forget the 12 ft double handed rod for rivers up to 10 yards wide. I'd recommend a 10 foot rod rated 8/9 with a four to six inch removable extension handle, in consideration of your present tackle I'd just use what you have got. Also, just use whatever lines you've got, even if you have WF lines and can't manage some casts (which I'd be surprised about with the width of rivers) I would just get a cheap DT8 from Norris's etc. Roll/spey casting shouldn't be a problem at those distances with even a WF line.

[matt]

A big thanks to everybody for the advice. This forum is excellent!

[rpsalmon]

Glad we have been of help.

At some point you may well be tempted to use lighter lines and associated less powerful rods but, this would mean not having the power to control fish and would lead to a longer length of time to land the fish....not very PC in these catch and release times. From a practical point of view, and while landing a 15Ib salmon on light trout tackle is a nice accomplishment, when it takes 30-45 mins to land and results in an exhausted fish that can't recover...it is not very funny and makes you sick.

[Bloke]

rpsalmon said:

Glad we have been of help.

At some point you may well be tempted to use lighter lines and associated less powerful rods but, this would mean not having the power to control fish and would lead to a longer length of time to land the fish....not very PC in these catch and release times. From a practical point of view, and while landing a 15Ib salmon on light trout tackle is a nice accomplishment, when it takes 30-45 mins to land and results in an exhausted fish that can't recover...it is not very funny and makes you sick.

Complete rubbish.
I fish with a 9'7wt for most of my salmon on the Ettrick and it never takes more than 8 minutes to beach them.
M

[petersc]

In order of preference: Airflo 40+, Airflo Delta, Wulff TT, any DT line, or any long bellied WF like the Rio S/AS.

The Airflo 40+ is simply the best single handed Spey line I've ever used. It's overweight according to the AFTMA scale, so it works out perfectly weight-wise for Spey casting.

I also like the Wulff TTs and spent a happy week on the Gaspé fishing the Wulff 9 wt. on my 11' Guideline LPXe 8/9. My Airflo 40+ lines for the rod were all sinkers, so I had to go with the Wulff floater since the conditions weren't right for sinkers. I alos used a 9 wt. Rio S/AS line on it and that also worked quite well.

[sjf]

Try the Sewincaster line - absolutely superb for what you want and designed fot it.

[minitube]

Michael Evans original arrowhead line is an excellent Spey casting line for a single handed rod.

Who makes the sewincaster?

[severnfisher]

The sewincaster was designed by Illtydd Griffiths

Wellard and Scott,
they've had very positive reviews from some experienced sewin anglers...
more discussion on Hoppy's sea trout forum.

Tom

[speycaster]

i have the sewincaster lines with thesink tip and intermediate tip ,excellent lines but you must remember they were not built to cast miles but to handle big tubes ,flies e.t.c