[P2} Configuring a Trout Spey for Stillwater

So you are ready for a Trout Spey but wonder how to configure it.  A blog about Spey terminology gives a few clues about the method of configuring a Trout Spey.  This post develops an example of the configuration process (as I do it) for a Trout Spey.  I'll use the Redington Hydrogen Trout Spey for the example as I own one and use it for trout fishing on local reservoirs.

Selecting Trout Spey Weight

The first question is how big are the fish we hope to catch.  South Fork Reservoir, located near Elko, NV in the NE corner of the state is a common destination for local fly fishers.  The water record for a rainbow is 9-lbs, 2-oz.  Divide that by 2 and the maximum sized Trout Spey would be a 4-wt but most fish will be smaller and a 3-wt Trout Spey will be the right size for the majority of fish caught.

Estimating Grain Window

That settles that.  Next is to find a line configuration that works with the 3-wt Redington Trout Spey.  According to their website, "Recommended Skagit Grains: 250-275 Scandi Grains: 200-225".  We need to be a bit careful in our selection and let's start with an estimation of the grain window for this rod.  Most rods cast Scandi lines well when they are a little above the grain window, making 180 grains a good estimate for the low end of the window.  Similarly, rods perform well with Skagit lines that are near the midpoint of the grain window and so we can estimate 320 grains for the high end.  From 180 grains (low end) to 250 grains (middle) is 70 grains.  The top end was calculated by adding 70 grains to 250 grains.  That is the end of the math.

For selecting our line we will keep it between 180 and 320 grains.

Selecting The Line

When fishing on lakes, reservoirs, and ponds anglers will often strip most of the line into the rod.  Therefore, a shorter, integrated line is a good selection.  About integrated lines, one can purchase Spey line components (e.g. running line, head, and tip if any) and connect them together.  These are loop-to-loop connections that must be stripped into the rod when stripping most of the line into the rod.  By experience, I know this doesn't work well.  An integrated line is delivered in one piece and doesn't have the knots.  The disadvantage of integrated lines is they are less flexible.  But for lakes and reservoirs, the benefits of an integrated line outweigh this drawback.

As the rod is 11'3" the optimal length for a line will be 2 to 2.5 times the length of the rod or 22 to 27 feet.  Now we will select lines with the constraints of length and grain weight.

Many companies make good lines but for this exercise, we select a line from Rio.

Scandi Line

Needing no tip, the Scandi Line is simpler to select.  Looking at the Rio Website we see a line called the In Touch Trout Spey, which has a 22' head.  It is a bit short but it will cast OK.  The 2-wt comes in at 230 grains, which is a bit above the manufacturer's recommended grain window, but only a little.  It would be best to test cast this line before buying it.  The 3-wt comes in at 265 grains and it should also work, especially as the line is relatively short compared with the rod length.  I chose the 3-wt for the Hyrdrogen and it casts just fine.

Skagit Line

Skagit Lines require a tip.  The total weight of the Skagit head and Tip must fit within the grain window of the rod.  Rio recommends a T8 tip with their lighter lines.  Now, what is a T8 tip you might ask?  The T stands for titanium casing, which makes them sink more quickly.  But we want a floating tip.  That is OK those are made with floating material even though they have a T-designation.  The 8 indicates the number of grains per foot the tip weighs.  In this case, Rio tips come in 10' lengths and so it would be 80 grains.
With a grain window for the head up to 320, we can select a Skagit head up to 240 grains (320-80).  Rio's 2-wt Skagit head comes in at 225 grains and the 3-wt at 275 grains.  To be honest, I have tried a Skagit head on this rod nor have I read any of the reviews.  But if I were to buy a Skagit line from Rio it would the 225 grain head (2-wt) with a 10' T8 tip.
The total length of this line system is 15' for the head plus 10' for the tip -- a total of 25', which is a nice length for the line.
If I were seriously looking to purchase a Skagit head for this rod, I'd look to see what heads and tips are offered by other suppliers.

Chucker Line

The Rio Chucker Line also looks interesting.  It has a 25' head, a good length and offers 2-wt (225 gr) and 3-wt (275 grain) options.
Either of these lines should work well, which brings up a pair of interesting points.  First, this exercise illustrates the importance of using the grain windows to select the heads.  Second, given options for weight how do we select among them.  As a rule of thumb, beginning to intermediate casters will select the greater weight and more advanced casters will select the lighter weight.  Thus, if you are new to Spey Casting or aren't very experienced at it then the 3-wt Chucker line is a good choice.

Rod Balance

Lastly, one wants the rod to balance properly with the reel on it.  That means with the rod set up and the line in casting position, the rod will balance when your hand holds it at the point it will be when making a cast.  As I have the 3-wt rod I can tell you it balances well for me with a 7.5 oz reel.  The reel is a Redington Rise 9/10 with weight specified at 6.5 Oz but on the scale with the backing added it is 7.63 Oz.  Redington's Behemoth 7/8 Reel, which has adequate capacity for the line, should balance the rod.

There you are.  A Hydrogen 3-wt Trout Spey with the Behemoth 7/8 Reel will cast well with the Rio InTouch Trout Spey at 265 grains.  For my testing,  I used Redington's Rise 9/10 reel, which has far more line capacity than I need but the weight was what I needed.  

Summary

As you can see, the process of configuring your Spey is more complex than the one of picking a weight and match a line to that weight for a single-handed rod.  But fishing with a Trout Spey is just plain fun and worth the effort.  I'd encourage anglers to work with a local fly shop if they can.  If that's not possible find a guide or someone who can help you work through this maze a time or two.  If all else fails, leave a comment and I will do what I can to help.