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Modern Spey Lines fall into an ever expanding list of categories and they all have their place. most are some variation of weight forward configured fly lines, meaning, as it does with regular fly lines, most of the casting grain weight is in the front half of the line and the back half consists of running line, which allows some shooting of the head of the line.
Mid-belly spey lines range from 50-75 foot heads. The line distributes the casting weight evenly and casts very smoothly. They have long front tapers that helps turn over the leader and fly. These lines cast great with lighter tips or polyleaders on the market today. Most traditional casts, like the single and double can be done with these lines.
Skagit Lines:
Skagit Lines are a heavy short sections of fly line with little or no front taper designed with a loop to add heavy sink tips and throw the larger wind resistant flies needed for winter steelheading. They are designed to specific rod lengths and weights. Generally a skagit head is 2 1/2 times the length of a given rod and loops to a length of running line. They are designed to add a sinking tip adding length to the line. So a skagit system can range up to 45 feet. The good thing about this line is that with no back-cast, the thick heavy line will shoot running line out like a cannon. Many beginners like skagit line set-ups because they cast easily. Casting a skagit head system is done with what is called a sustained anchor where the fly is in constant contact with the water adding to the anchoring of the cast.
Scandinavian lines:
Scandinavian or Scandi systems are line heads that are designed to attach to running lines much like Skagit Heads. The major difference is the taper of the head. The head on a scandi line has a long front taper aiding in the turnover of the leader and fly. Most Scandi lines are from 30 to 45 feet in length including the sinking tip or poly leaders if necessary. Many Scandi lines sink themselves eliminating the need for additional tips to fish various water columns.
To change depths, the entire tip is changed. Some floating scandi heads are designed to attach tips and poly leaders. Scandinavian lines are cast with a touch and go cast. The fly and line are lifted momentarily off the water, moved into the D-loop and powered forward the moment the anchor touches the water.
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Spey Lines
