Single Hand Skagit Tactics Part 1
Skagit casting with single hand fly rods.
By Fred Telleen
Skagit casting combines Spey style casting techniques with short Skagit shooting heads. When trout anglers think about Spey casting, they are likely to envision long two handed rods designed for salmon and steelhead. While two handed rods have their place on big rivers for large fish, lines have been developed to allow anglers to Spey cast with their standard length single hand fly rods. To avoid confusion, we are going to replace the word Spey with the word Skagit and refer to the method as Skagit casting
Why would a trout angler want to Skagit cast?
Who has not been caught up in the bushes on their back cast? Who has not been in a situation where a standard roll cast could not deliver the fly where it needed to go? Who has felt like they’ve thrown their arm off while false casting heavy flies? We’ve all suffered these circumstances and chances are we will again. Skagit casting provides solutions to reduce the frequency of these situations that take the fun out of fly fishing. Skagit casting can put a load of fun into the casting process.
The case for single hand Skagit casting
- Skagit heads are easy to cast.
- Skagit heads are fun to cast.
- Skagit heads allow anglers to cast efficiently with very little effort.
- Skagit heads allow anglers to spend more time fishing and less time casting.
- Skagit heads allow the angler to make a powerful forward cast with no back cast.
- Skagit heads allow the angler to make a long overhead cast with a single back cast.
- Skagit heads allow anglers to easily change the direction of their cast.
- Skagit heads allow the delivery of a fly without false casting over potential fish or fish holding water.
- Skagit heads allow anglers to cast in tight quarters.
- Skagit heads allow anglers to throw weighted flies with lightweight rods.
How do you use a Skagit head?
So, what kind of casting takes advantage of all these beneficial qualities? A simple roll cast is a good place to start, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Sustained anchor casts are where the Skagit head really shines and are ideal for casting heavy flies. The Circle Spey or Snap T allow the angler to easily change direction and set up their forward cast over their upstream shoulder. The Double Spey is the easy choice for casting from the downstream shoulder. A Perry Poke can work extremely well in tight situations, setting up a rod path that slips between branches and obstructions.
Touch-and-go casts, such as the Single Spey or Snake Roll, are incredibly efficient and easy when working down a run. You will have your fly back out and fishing as fast as you can strip in your running line and let it fly again. It is amazing how fun these casts are with a light single hand rod.
You are not forced to do a water loaded sustained anchor or touch-and-go cast with a Skagit head. If you have room and want to fire a long line, a single overhead cast delivers a powerful distance shot. You can also choose an overhead cast for short distance and/or accuracy.
Are you interested in single hand Skagit?
Guess what? You already have a fly rod ready for Skagit casting. If you have a 7’6” 3 or 4 weight rod, you can weaponized it with a micro Skagit head for small water bliss. Do you want to set up your 9’ 5 weight for fishing weighted streamers? Do it, it’s easy. Does lifting a sinking line on your 8 weight or false casting all day wear you down? Try a Skagit shooting head. You’ll be amazed.
The great thing about Skagit casting is it’s up to the angler to decide the most efficient and enjoyable way to deliver their fly. It can be a creative and fulfilling process to learn and grow into a single hand Skagit master. To put it plainly, Skagit casting is fun. Fly fishing is supposed to be fun. We do it for sport and recreation. If you set up a spool with a Skagit head, you will be setting yourself up for a whole new adventure in fly fishing. Not only will you be choosing a tool that leads to increased productivity, but you will be opening new doors to learning and growth in the sport that you love.
If your interest is peaked, we have lots of resources to get you on your way. Check out this video we recently shot on the Missouri River.
If you want one-on-one instruction, give us a call and we can set up a lesson. If you’d prefer a group setting, join us for our third annual Trout Spey Clave on the Missouri River May 4th and 5th 2018. Stay tuned for Part 2 (coming soon) where I discuss setting up your rod for single hand Skagit in detail. We will finish with Part 3, where I discuss real world fly fishing applications.
Gear links to feature: Are you ready for Skagit Casting? Check out the OPST Commando and Airflo Scout heads. How about a running line for your Skagit Head? OPST Lazar Line and Rio Slickshooter.