One man's spey rod journey

One man’s spey rod journey

Why should I take up spey “two-handed” fishing you ask? Could it be that new learning is good? Could it be that it looks like fun? Could it be that after watching people make that beautiful cast I just thought that I had to give that a try? Yes to all of the above. This is my short journey into two- handed fishing and why I love it.

I started a few short years ago truly because I wanted to catch a steelhead swinging with a spey rod. After watching all the videos I could stand, I knew it was time to go for it. I was like many beginners overwhelmed with equipment, terminology, and casting.

I have worked for Headhunters for a couple years now. But before I did I had signed up for Headhunters monthly series of free spey clinics. Much of the terminology and equipment was explained during the morning inside presentation. I’m not saying I retained all the info but words like Skagit, Scandi, anchor point, and snap-t became tangible. At the very least after the indoor morning session I would not be totally lost if  I was engaged in a conversation about casting a spey rod.

One man's spey rod journey
Swing Season Montana’s Missouri River @ Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig

Off to the water we went and after a short demonstration from John, I was handed a long trout spey rod.  I stepped into the river and made my very first spey cast. Wow!? After an afternoon of coaching from John, Sara, and Ninch I managed make a few casts that sent the line flying!

Thus begun my journey into the world of two-handed fishing. I did purchase equipment and began to practice on the Missouri as much as possible. My goal was get competent enough to swing for steelhead in the spring. I found I didn’t want to fish any other way during the winter months. Not only was the trout spey rod fun to cast but also an effective way to fish. That was the real surprise that it may be the most efficient winter method on the Mo!

As I look back at getting into the two-handed world it’s comparable to all the different aspects of my fishing life. At the beginning I remember my very own rod with a closed face Zebco reel.  Dad didn’t like untangling our lines. Then came spinning reels, no more Zebco. Life was good until I saw my first fish caught on a fly rod. Now a whole new world of fishing became apparent. Finally receiving a fly fishing outfit for my birthday the spinning reel begun to collect dust. Soon I found out casting was not as easy as it appeared but practicing was an obsession. Since that day I have always enjoyed learning many of different disciplines of fly fishing. Then the world of two-handed fishing touched my world and I liken it to putting down my spin outfit and picking up a fly rod. A whole new world of casting and fishing opened up. I viewed it as a challenge and fun to get right. Once the cast is made many techniques from streamer and still water fishing are effective. Two-handed fishing is a whole new part of fly fishing that makes me feel like a kid  starting out again. By the way I do use my single handed rod during the warm months.

For all of you out there looking for a challenge or new way of fishing give it a go. I caution you attending a two-handed clinic can be detrimental your single handed rod. We at headhunters would be happy to answer questions or help out with equipment selection. We promise not to sell you any equipment you do not want or need.

Oh yea last month I did catch my first steelhead on the swing. It was all that I hoped for.

Dewey

 

 

Headhunters Fly Shop January Update 1.19.15

The New Year arrived and it has moved behind us and now in the distance.

Lots of anglers out this last weekend with the first weather weekend over 40F in the last couple months. With the warmth we got the wind. But, that did not keep the many thick headed Montanan’s from getting out of the house. Thanks for coming by and visiting us. Some Demo Spey Rods out the door and a few fly lines getting spooled too.

A few cabin rentals recently as Craig Trout Camp is open for business. The roads have thawed in town and the mud is emerging. Nice.

The water temps remain cool int he mid 34F range but it has not stopped the fisher folks. Water levels in the high 4K’s and will remain for some time. The water for the summer is sowing and building in the Rockies. We are all smiles!

A few events we have on our calendar for the month(s) ahead.

This Wednesday Jan. 21st: Headhunters Tying Night in America. Ninch and Mark will host this mid winter tying night Wednesday at 6pm til 8pm. We’ll see you for a couple hours of random fly tying.

Thursday Jan 22nd: The Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance is holding its first annual member’s meeting at the Craig School on Thursday January 22nd starting at 6:00 PM. The Alliance which is dedicated to the conservation and protection of the Missouri River for future generations will present their planned projects for the coming year. Public Welcome!

On the program will be a presentation by Grant Grisak, from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks on the current “State of the Missouri.” Grant is a biologist responsible for Montana’s Region 4.

David Stagliano is a biologist with 18 years of experience in freshwater ecological studies. David has done studies of aquatic invertebrates in Idaho, Michigan, and Kansas and is currently the Aquatic Ecology Project Leader for the Montana Natural Heritage Program. David is the head of the Alliance’s aquatic resource committee and will discuss historic and current aquatic conditions.

Guy Alsentzer, Environmental Attorney and executive director of Missouri Riverkeepers, Inc. will give a presentation of their work to preserve the Missouri by enforcing water quality standards.

The Alliance will provide a potluck dinner with drinks. All interested parties are invited for an evening of fun and information and a chance to show your appreciation for the Missouri River.

Great Weather this coming weekend. Come out from Billings, Havre, Whitefish, Bozeman and Calgary. Good cheap lodging, discounted guide trips,a dn awesome wade fishing. Joe’s Bar open at 8am daily. Open late for your dinner of frozen pizza. The winter fishing is pretty good. Walleye guys are stacking them in the cooler at the dam. Ice fishers on the lake report a damn good Perch bite.

Sunday February 1st: Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. Fly Shop closed at some point in the afternoon for pre-funking with the staff.

Saturday February 7th: Our next FREE Spey Casting and Fishing Clinic. Sign up today for the last couple spots. This well attended clinic is fun for all from beginner to advanced 2 handed caster.

Ninch says flies start arriving Feb 5th: Headhunters updates its world class Missouri River fly selection. Flies by the barrel-full coming in weekly as we prepare for the summer ahead.

The Missouri River’s Winter Fly Shop: We have all the stuff you need for winter angling on the Mo. Gloves, demo rods, hand warmers, free coffee, shuttles, spey line demo’s, information, lodging, sale items and flies.

Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service Spring Special: $300 Guide Trips start March 15th and run thru April 30th. This incredibly popular spring pricing special fills quickly. It books backwards from the end towards the beginning. The latter weekends in April are all but gone. Get on this soon if you want a specific guide for your spring warm up guide trips on the Missouri. Cheap lodging too. Craig Trout Camp and a couple other properties are involved in this spring special.

McCune/Gould Spey Clinic April 11th and 12th. This world class sustained anchor clinic is $200 and well worth it. A few who attended last year are already signed up for the second time Whitney and Mike will be here in conjunction with Headhunters Fly Shop. Call today for your reservation and deposit. Find out more about this clinic here.

Good fun to be had here on the Missouri River this winter. Good fishing, cheap lodging, great fellowship, Joe’s Bar, and Headhunters Fly Shop. Here entertaining the angler daily.

McCune Gould Spey Clinic April 11th and 12th

McCune Gould Spey Clinic April 11th and 12th

Hooray! Once again Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service is hosting famed spey casters Mike McCune and Whitney Gould. They will be conducting their very popular 2 Handed Casting Spey Clinic focussing on Sustained Anchor Casts.

Last year these 2 clinics sold out. We expect the same again this year. We already have a few guests signed up.

These clinics are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday April 11th and 12th.

Mike is a longtime PNW Steelhead guide, and was on the ground floor of NW speycasting (he’s the “M” in your Rio MOW tips kit). Whitney is the women’s world champion speycaster (Spey-o-rama). They both spend most of the year guiding two-handed anglers from Alaska to California, but do make their annual spring trip to Montana where they offer a few select clinics at Spey oriented shops like Headhunters in Craig.

Whitney Gould Mike McCune Spey Clinic

The class emphasis will be on “sustained anchor” casts from both river right and left. Class size is limited to 6, so you can be assured you will get attention and instruction from Mike and Whitney. There are not a lot of opportunities to get hands on instruction like this, especially in trout country.

Cost is $200 per person. You are encouraged to bring your own equipment so that Mike and Whitney can help dial you in with the rod/line combo you will be using. If you are new to spey casting and need to borrow equipment, Headhunters has a big quiver for you to borrow from with rods from SAGE, Echo, Orvis, and T & T.

DSC_0283
Whitney Gould and Curt Reynolds having a laugh during last years clinics

Mike & Whitney focus on the cast, not the gear. Skagit, Scandi and Long Belly rigs are all invited. Late in the day they often play around with the challenges of Long Belly lines for those who wish.

Mike McCune has been on the front edge of of Spey Innovation for some time and with the addition of Whitney Gould and her spey casting expertise make this the clinic to attend this spring!

$200 will get you an all day long opportunity to increase your knowledge in sustained anchor techniques. Starting at 9am and going all day long with lunch provided by Headhunters.

Class size limited to 6 so you will get all kinds of personal attention.

Whitney Gould is a world champion spey caster and a long time instructor and guide. She is highly regarded in the industry and we know

Here is an article by Mike McCune about spey tips from RIO.

Call Headhunters Fly Shop 406-235-3447 to secure your spot for this very popular springtime spey clinic.