reviews

Spey Fishing For Steelhead

Reviewed by Scott Richmond

Spey Fishing for Steelhead, John Hazel talent, Gene Hering producer. Published by Cascade Media Works, LLC. 70 minutes long. $24.95 retail on DVD. Available in some fly shops or from www.flyfishtv.com/howto.php.

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here are a lot of videos about spey casting. And a lot of spey casters are seeking steelhead in Northwest waters. So how come there have been very few (any?) videos specifically about steelhead tactics for spey rodders? I mean, why are we learning to cast so well when we don't where to fish or what fly to tie on?

John Hazel's new video Spey Fishing for Steelhead remedies that. Hazel's focus is summer-run steelhead, and all the tape is shot on Oregon's Deschutes River. Anglers who frequent that lovely river would do well to get this DVD.

The content includes:

1. Equipment. Rod, reel, leader.
2. Flies. John shows favorite patterns for different conditions, and considers flies for sinking lines as well as floating lines. There's some good thinking here, so pay attention!
3. Holding water. What type of water holds steelhead--how to recognize it and how to fish it.
4. Presentation. Includes skating, wet flies, sink-tip lines, and skater/wet fly combinations. At the end of each section, there is a review of the material.

As with Hazel's previous video on spey casting (see Introduction to Spey Casting), Fly Fish TV's Gene Hering is the producer and his high production values are apparent. The audio and video portions are clear. There's enough repetition for the material to sink in, but not so much that it's boring. And there are four on-camera hookups, and that keeps it interesting, too! In one section you can see a fish in its lie, then watch it follow and eventually take the fly. Emblazon that image on your mind!

This is a well-organized, cogent presentation, with plenty of practical information for Northwest steelheaders, regardless of how many hands they cast with. Beginners may find it a tad overwhelming, but any one else will be able to glean some new tips and tactics, as well as keep themselves entertained.

Bottom Line: Anyone wanting to pursue steelhead should see this video. Reviewer Rating: 5

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 03/26/2006.

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