reviews

Introduction to Spey Casting

Reviewed by Scott Richmond

Introduction to Spey Casting, with John and Amy Hazel. Published by Cascade Media Works (Fly Fish TV). 90 minutes. Available on VHS ($24.95) and DVD ($29.95). Available online (google the title) and at some fly fly shops.

hen we first started spey casting on the Deschutes in the early 1990s, cars would stop and people would line the road just to see what was going on. Now nobody stops." So says longtime Deschutes River guide John Hazel in the beginning of the new video Introduction to Spey Casting.

The reason people don't stop anymore is because spey rods are now common on Northwest steelhead rivers, and with good reason: they produce longer casts, allow better mending and line control, reduce fatigue, and the limber rod is less likely to lose a fish. Besides, they're fun.

John Hazel was one of Northwest's pioneer spey casters, and his teaching and techniques have influenced many of the region's steelheaders. Now he and his lovely wife Amy share casting tips on a 90-minute video. The video is produced by Cascade Media Works, the people that do Fly Fish TV. It reflects their usual fine two-camera work and high production values.

In outline form, this video's contents are:

1. Introduction
2. Equipment--Rods and reels; lines and leaders
3. Beginning Casts--Double spey, reverse double spey, reverse circle spey, single spey, snap-T, reverse snap-T
4. Intermediate Casts--Snake Roll, reverse snake roll, power roll, overhead
5. Summary

Each item on that outline is individually accessible on the DVD version, which is handy for viewers who want to learn just one cast at a time.

The instruction on this video is very clear. Casts are broken down into their essential elements and demonstrated repeatedly. Stop-action and slow-motion clarify the execution of even the most complicated cast, and on-screen graphics and text reinforce major concepts.

For example, more time is devoted to the double spey than any other cast. Proper placement of the line-leader junction is clearly shown and emphasized. Each stage of the cast is analyzed and demonstrated, often in slow motion and with graphic enhancements. Tips are offered about timing the forward cast, and common faults are illustrated. From this foundation, other casts become clearer.

Amy and John are personable hosts, the instruction is clear, the material is well-presented. It's a joy to watch two people make one great cast after another and be so obviously at home with their tackle.

If you're thinking about getting into spey casting or just starting out, you will find this video useful. Even if you've been spey casting for awhile, you'll probably learn a few things you never knew before.

John and Amy Hazel are co-owners of Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin, Oregon. Both are full-time guides on the Deschutes River, where this video was shot. Deschutes Angler Fly Shop and John Hazel and Associates have donated guide trips to Westfly auctions.

Bottom Line: If you're into spey casting, you'll learn a few new tricks from this video. Reviewer Rating: 4

Scott Richmond is Westfly's creator and Executive Director. He is the author of eight books on Oregon fly fishing, including Fishing Oregon's Deschutes River (second edition).

Uploaded 01/22/2004.

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