Author Topic: Rio's Skagit Flight Shooting Head (Read 1116 times)

Paul Bourcq · « **on:** November 11, 2009, 02:01:36 AM »

So I just ordered Rios new Skagit Flight head for my 11 foot 5 weight switch rod. Has anybody cast this line? I have cast airflo stuff in the past and didnt care for rios clunkyness in there skagit lines. I get a deal on Rio gear so im trying to stick to them. Also I got a level fly line for running line. The slick shooter is stiff and hard to mend. Not sure if this is the norm or a tip i can offer, not to many switch/spey guys in these parts.

Mike Nutto · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2009, 02:44:41 AM »

ive cast the line it is way nicer then the old stuff it is tapered in the front so it lands softer on the water , i havent cast it in that light of a line though .So i cant compare it to airflow ,which i like better then rio .
I use guide line running line you can stretch it straight and tie a nice knot with it and it is flat on so it is easier to pinch aganist the handle .if you need help let me know im a crazy spey guy !
Oh as far as mending goes you need to learn the reach cast when the line is in the loop over the water it sets the mend on the water before it lands .Behula has the elixer line series if you want a running line attach to the skadgit which might mend better for you ,if you are fishing it like a single hander .lines with a longer belly in them like the airflo delta spey mend much nicer but have to be spey cast ,not skagit cast .

Todd Huber · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2009, 09:39:58 AM »

Can't believe it - wrote a two page review and computer froze - lost everything - writing too much BS I guess. I have been using Skagit Flight and I am beginning to like it. Keep in mind it takes me a while to warm up to any new spey line. If you plan on throwing sink tips and larger flies you have made a good choice. Couple of positives - loads rod and turns fly over surprisingly well. I have noticed that even when my timing is off I can still make the cast and hit the mark - line seems more forgiving. Think this is due to the new taper and weight positioning. In any case have fun and let the rod due the work.

Paul Bourcq · « **Reply #3 on:** November 12, 2009, 05:37:07 PM »

Thanks guys. I will fish the level line for running line for now but will look into the elixer. I have only ever cast skagit stuff and a few scandi lines on mainly shorter switch rods. I would like to get a long rod for fun but its not practical here. Our biggest tailwaters around are maybe 100 feet wide and i can shoot out to 80 or 90 pretty easy so ive not needed the extra distance yet. I sure would like one though. I cast a Meiser hybrid line the other day that was part scandinavian part skagit. IT was pretty nice.

Also Im watching Ed Wards Skagit Master right now. If you dont have it GET IT! You wil not be dissapointed. Hes the man.

Mike Nutto · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2009, 07:17:44 PM »

he is an innovator in the sport ,I just fished with the producer of the video the other day . You have to understand alot of guys have been doing this for a long time out here ,he is only one ,but he fishes hardcore and people out here like that ,Matt Mcrary is the sickest caster i know and he helped with the input of that rio line you just ordered ! This is a hot time in our sport with all these guys and companies coming out with things for two handers .
sounds like you are fishing somewhat in close ,you might want to watch jim teenys video on catching steelhead he swings with nymphs

Paul Bourcq · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2009, 01:15:11 AM »

nutman, we dont really have any true steelhead fisheries. But we have a few lake run stuff here and there. What do you mean fishing in close? Ive been using an 11' 5 weight switch rod. Most of the rivers here arent that big. I will check out the mcrary guy. I have a hard time finding anybody that REALLY knows what a spey cast is let alone can do them. I say spey to people and the first thing they say is "our rivers arent big enough". Then i show them a snap t or double spey or something with my little 7 foot 4 weight and they realize....."hey i can start fishing without making 4 false casts". Then they get it.

Ill solicit any spey info I can. Hell I have too nobody does it here.

Mike Nutto · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2009, 11:22:47 AM »

that is the really cool thing about it ,know body gets it . I havent done it yet but ive seen it done with a single hand rod ,you can spey cast with them if you have a shooting head .My first time on the Dechutes ,i saw a guy single hand he was shooting 70 feet of line plus .I was over there with the old lob cast feeling like fred flinstone

guys dont know how to do it because your right nobody does .cast to learn are the snakeroll (it is realy a single spey,that loads the rod in the air )remember to watch the tip of your rod ,if you are river right go counter clockwise ,clockwise river left single spey and shoot forward best cast ever hands down .it takes a bit to learn but once you get it youll be casting your single hand with it wishing you know it way back when . otherwise the single spey is really all you need .The snap T is great to but it is really just an over exaggerated single spey .
Matt mcrary is a guide here in Portland and if you want to fish with a guy who knows his shit he is the man ,that or brian silvey .Matt has been on the Dechutes for the last nine years the thing is this has been going on out here that long ,shows how far behind the eastcoast is .
The rods have been perfected now ,i havent fished a switch yet ,but plan on it ,the coastal rivers here i just like New york we just have way more man .I moved here from New Jersey four years ago and landed in the mecca of steel and giant salmon .

Mike Nutto · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2009, 11:28:10 AM »

what i meant by fishing close is that you were on a small stream ,remember ed ward shows you the casts but these guys hype them selves to get you to buy stuff so they can be in fly fishing industry ,ed now gets to travel around and make money doing it but he deserves it he has put his time in on this .The thing is all the fancy stuff is for when you are in tight postions and it is super hard to make a cast or you need to re load your rod . Listen to him talk about sustained anchor that is what this type of casting is really all about . getting the line on the water is the most important thing ,not standing there casterbaiting

Paul Bourcq · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2009, 01:56:59 PM »

i saw a new video that is supposed to be out soon. It was a using spey casts to make difficult and hard to reach casts on small streams. I think it may have been a simon gawesworth video. Im not much on videos but i would like to check it out.

I checked out that Mccrary dude he looks hardcore. I would love to get to the pacific NW and get to the roots of some of this stuff.

Mike Nutto · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2009, 02:30:08 PM »

a trip down river with him is like 450 for a day ,mcrary is hard core and a super cool guy real down to earth he cooks a steak for you on the side of the river .he is total punk rock and cant get you casting in no time ! simon gawesworth will be here for the spey days in washington on the skadgit river im hoping to be there this year all the major guys come to portland to on the sandy but that is a iffy time to catch a steelhead on the sandy the skagit is in marh right in the prime time for winter steelhead . once you get the single spey down you will use it single hand you can do it with a regular line you just wount be able to shoot it as well .