Roll Casting: Application of Spey and Skagit casting principles to trout fishing on small and medium sized rivers

One problem with overhead casting is that our flies inevitably get caught in trees and bankside vegetation. This can be particularly frustrating on our small tree-lined westcountry rivers. Therefore as guides and instructors we place a great deal of emphasis on teaching our clients to roll cast.

For beginners teaching the roll cast takes place on small stillwaters with little in the way of bankside obstructions. But many people - who have mastered the 'static' roll cast - then have a rude shock when confronted with a river for the first time. Dealing with swirling currents and overhanging trees is difficult.

They also quickly discover that the roll cast has one fundamental weakness. The basic roll cast is not an efficient way to make large changes in the position of the flyline on the water.

Here are some suggestions for overcoming these obstacles. These involve adapting some of the techniques developed in other branches of fly fishing - in particular the family of casts referred to as Spey casts.

We call our approach Small Stream Skagit Casting

"Spey Casting"

Spey casting was developed to cope with situations where room to make a back cast is restricted by bankside vegetation.
Spey casts also allow the angler to make large changes in the position of the flyline on the water. 

It is possible to Spey cast using single-handed trout rods. However, Spey casting was developed to meet the needs of salmon anglers who typically:

• use a sunk or 'wet' fly
• cast downstream and across

In contrast, trout fishers often need to:

• present a dryfly
• cast upstreamand across

This page introduces a number of ideas derived from Spey casting to meet the special demands of trout fishing in confined spaces.

"Problems and Principles"

Conventional Spey casting is associated with salmon anglers wielding long two-handed rods on wide rivers.

Efficient Spey casting is based on several key principles:

• avoid slack line during the cast
• create a 'D' or '>' loop between the rod tip and the end of the line ('anchor' point) lying on the water
• the anchor point should be in line with the target
• according to the the 180 degree rule, the anchor point, D-loop and forward cast should all be in a straight line

Of course these principles also form the foundation of a good roll cast and therefore we teach our clients these concepts during introductory casting lessons before we expose them to river conditions.

However Spey casts involve complications which distinguish them from the basic roll cast:

• The rod remains loaded throughoutthe cast
• The fly line and rod are under 'tension' throughoutthe cast
• the 'anchor' makes only brief contact with the water

For this reason Spey casts are called 'kiss-and-go' casts because they are performed with a minimal amount of line (anchor) kissing the water as the 'D' loop is formed behind the rod before the forward cast. It requires considerable practice to develop the sense of timing needed to 'kiss' the water with the anchor before making the forward part of the cast.

"Skagit casting"

A new type of Spey casting -called Skagit - has been developed for steelhead fishing in the Pacific North West of America. It is fundamentally different in important ways from traditional Spey casting:

• The rod does notremains loaded throughout the cast
• The fly line and rod are notunder 'tension' throughout the cast
• the anchor is allowed to come to rest on the water; the so-called 'waterborne anchor'

In Skagit casting there is a definite 'stop' after the 'anchor' has been 'set' on the water surface. For this reason Skagit casts are called 'flop-and-stop' casts. This is an important difference between Skagit casting and 'kiss-and-go' Spey casting. This benefits beginners who have learned to stop the rod after forming the 'D' loop during the basic 'static' or 'dead' roll cast.

Nevertheless, using Skagit or Spey-type casts to cast a dry fly upstream to trout on a small river presents a number of new challenges:

• the fly line is swept back downstream towards the angler. This produce curves in the line. This slack causes a loss of 'tension' in the line at the start of the cast
• the dry fly may become waterlogged as the angler drags the line across the water surface to set up the 'D' loop before making the forward cast
• on a narrow river, short casts with only 10-20 feet of fly line may not 'load' the rod sufficiently to produce an effective forward cast

"Combining Spey & Skagit to roll cast on narrow rivers"

We have borowed ideas from Spey and Skagit casting to address these issues:

• the concept of a 'waterborne anchor' from Skagit (here is a glossary of terms)
• the 180 degree principle from Spey

How can we deal with the problem of the fly line being swept downstream and the fly becoming waterlogged as the angler walks upstream?

• We use the phrase 'line parking area'to describe an area of relatively shallow, slow moving and often unproductive water lying alongside an area of deeper water which holds trout.
• Because the current is slow moving you can safely 'park' the line here whilst your take a few upstream steps as you progressively fish up a pool.
• The 'line parking area' is also used to set up the 'waterborne anchor' prior to the forward casting stroke

These two pictures illustrate the position of a 'line parking area' alongside a 'fish holding area'.

These pictures were taken from the perspective of an angler looking upstream. An area of deeper water beneath the bank on the left holds good-sized trout. The area of shallower and relatively slower moving water on the right holds few fish.

The next two pictures show - from the angler's perspective - the position of the fly line in the parking area and after it has been cast into the fish-holding area

The fly line has been extended into the line parking area ..

then the fly is cast into the fish holding area

It turns out that the ' line parking area'can be used to overcome the other problems associated with using Spey-type casts to deliver a dry fly upstream.

The line parking area can be used for several purposes, to:

• increase the amount of line outside rod tip
• straighten the fly line in order to restore line tension prior to making a cast
• make an overpowered roll cast with a 'hard stop' to dry a waterlogged fly
• false cast to guage the amount of power required to make an effective cast with an under-loaded rod

Perform these preparations prior to delivering the fly into a fish holding area.

Try to avoid making unnecessary casts into the 'fish holding area'. Often the first drift through the 'fish holding area' is the most successful at eliciting a rise from trout. Excessive casting into the holding area can spook fish

When making a roll or Spey-type cast to send the fly from the line parking area into the fish holding area avoid waterlogging the fly by dragging it through the water. I find that lifting as much line off the water prior to sweeping the rod downstream to position the 'anchor point' keeps the fly dry.

This downstream sweeping movement is similar to the 'Pirouette'in Spey casting. Think of the fly as a ballet dancer on tip-toes lightly moving lightly across the surface of the water.

• Keep your eye on the position of the fly as it swings round in front of you
• Stop the fly as soon as it is on the line between you and the target 
• Make the forward cast upstreamof the position of the fly. This avoids crossing the fly line which creates a tangle.

Try to avoid pausing too long after you have formed the 'D' loop and before making your forward cast. The current will move the fly line towards you. This removes tension from the line and creates curves in your line which reduce the efficiency of your forward cast. To overcome these problems slide the line towards you fasterthan the speed of the current.

Of course the fish holding area may be on your right as you move upstream. The next two pictures show the relative position of the two areas when the fish holding area is located on the angler's right hand side. Make sure to carefully position the anchor point so that it points at the target before making the forward cast. Do not make your forward cast over and across the fly line. Failure to observe this simple point will result in a crossed line which tangles the fly and leader.

At the end of the drift the fly line ends here ...

...and must be positioned in the line parking area before being cast again into the fish holding area. The Snake Roll is a good cast to use for this purpose.

As the fly drifts downstream through the fish-holding area, gently pull line through the rings to maintain contact with the fly. Avoid jerky or long pulls that could create unnatural drag on the fly. Then when you have returned the fly line to the line parking area, shoot this retrieved line into a roll cast before making your next cast into the fish-holding area.

In the restricted environment of a small river you may not be able to execute 'classic' Spey casts. Just remember the principles of Spey casting. Remember that the line will follow the path of the rod tip.

• You can manipulate the rod tip using techniques developed by Spey and Skagit casters (single and double Spey, snake roll, circle Spey, Perry Poke etc.) to position the anchor point and 'D' loop so that they are in line with the target - this is the 180 degree rule.
• You can pause to check the position of the anchor point and 'D' loop before making the forward cast because you are employing the Skagit concept of a 'waterborne anchor' to load the rod for the forward cast.

"Get out of jail" cast

Try to avoid letting the line and fly drifting too far downstream of your position.

If you find that your line has drifted too far downstream, you can get it back to the line parking area by using Günter Feuerstein's up-stream pick up cast.

You may find that your fly is now waterlogged and tends to sink. Dry your fly by making repeated roll casts into the line parking area. Overpower and use a 'hard stop' on the forward cast to drive water from your fly.

This may cause your line to fall in curves. Simply make a roll cast to straighten the fly line before casting into the fish holding area.

"Coping with a tricky situation"

The next two photographs illustrate a potentially tricky situation. The right-handed angler is casting upstream to fish that are lying to the left under a canopy of overhanging trees. The line is carried downstream on the angler's left hand side. The angler could make a roll cast over their left shoulder but there is a risk of getting caught in overhanging branches.

One solution is to raise the rod as the line is carried downstream and then make a Snap-C or Snap-T cast to position the anchor point to the right of the angler

"Proceed upstream carefully"

The next two pictures illustrate a situation where good trout may be found (in area B) towards the head of a pool just upstream of a prime line parking area. You can often pick up a good fish by paying careful attention to your fly when you place it into a parking area for the first time.

"The Downstream Line Parking Area"

As you reach the head of a pool you may find that the line parking area is now downstream of your position. You can still utilise the functionality of the parking area. At the end of the drift this right-handed angler can use a snake roll to place the line in the parking area, followed by a cast over their left shoulder to send the fly back to the fish holding area which runs along the opposite bank.

Of course the idea of a 'downstream line parking area' is not new. Wet fly anglers are advised to step downstream after the line reaches the dangle.

Teaching change of direction using a 'flop-and-stop' Skagit-style cast

Sometimes it is easier to have anglers facing downstream when introducing them to the concept of the 'line parking area' and principles derived from Skagit and Spey casting. In this example the angler has been shown how to make a 'flop-and-stop' Skagit manoeuvre to reposition the flyline.

The photographs below show a  common problem faced by beginners fishing a wet fly 'down-and-across'. The angler wants to  present her fly to fish lying under  the trees on her right hand side. She cannot use an overhead or side cast because of  vegetation behind her. A roll cast is the answer in this situation. However, once her line has swung around in the current and is hanging straight downstream, she will need to reposition the line so that she can make another cast beneath the trees. If she simply roll casts in the direction of the trees on her right the line will cross itself and tangle. The video clip shows how we have taught her to change the direction of her roll cast to deal with this dilemma.

In order to change the direction of her roll cast the angler:

• lifts her rod tip to break surface tension on the line
• sweeps the line and fly horizontally to her right
• which aligns the 'anchor' with the target
• lifts the rod vertically to form a 'D' loop & faces the target
• makes a forward cast

Notice how these moves are made slowly and smoothly to maintain line tension and ensure that fly, line and 'D' loop are all in line with the target

The next series of photographs shows an alternative technique which has the advantage of allowing a large (90 degree) change of direction to facilitate a drag free drift along a fish holding area in front of the angler. We call this approach "Small Stream Skagit Casting".

#1. The fly and line is lying downstream of the angler ...

#2. ... she uses a Snap-C movement (not shown) to position the line and fly upstream of her right shoulder. She then creates a D loop behind her right shoulder ...

#3. ... and makes a roll cast that sends the fly to the fish-holding area against the far bank. Note the large change (approximately 90 degrees) in the position of the flyline between pictures# 1 and #3.

Using the Snap C to change direction

You can afford to take your time when learning to make this cast. That's the advantage of adopting a "flop-and-stop" approach. And there is less chance of getting caught up in bankside vegetation

1. The fly and line is lying downstream of the angler...
2. ... she uses a Snap-C movement to position the line and fly upstream of her right shoulder. She then creates a D loop behind her right shoulder ..
3. ... and makes a roll cast that sends the fly to the fish-holding area against the far bank. Note the large change (90 degrees) in the position of the flyline between pictures# 1 and #3.