Tackle & Instruction
Single Spey - Right Bank.
I can demonstrate and instruct on a wide variety of Spey Casts. I am lost without a rod in my hands and even have the blisters and indentations to prove it! . Whether it's Overhead, Single or Double Spey, Snake Roll or Snap C-T, and you wish to brush up on a rusty technique or simply start from the beginning, just click on the contact me button on the home page, drop me a line and we’ll arrange a time. I can also supply the tackle if required.
The Training Ground
As well as offering timely advice on casting techniques as part of my daily routine, I have a growing list of 'after hours' customers and am willing to assist beginners or indeed fine-tune more experienced anglers in return for a 'reasonable' donation to a Christian charity of my choice. This year - 2010, The Soldiers and Airmens Scripture Readers (SASRA) will benefit from all donations. I have also 3 current Disclosure Scotland Certificates and have been fully trained on First-Aid procedures.
Tackle
If I were to recommend one general-purpose rod to tackle the Spey, it would have to be rated 10/11 and 15’ in length. The line to match the rod would have a mid-length head of around the 60-75’ mark. One advantage of being a ghillie is having the opportunity on a daily basis, to test almost every rod & line combination on the market. One fundamental factor, of which I’m sure, is that there is no rod which suits all. Therefore, one bit of advice that I would offer is that like guns, golf clubs or any personal sporting equipment; if you get a combination that suits your style, stick with it. Most importantly, try before you buy and whilst testing, ignore the manufacturer's label and cost (if possible).
My personal choice of Salmon rod is the 15' Meiser MKS rated 9-11 coupled with either the Carron Jetstream Range, or the Monteith Multi-System. I also have a variety of shooting heads, which have a growing popularity and are excellent for sub-surface fishing in the sping and in high water.. Flexibility being the key to success!
My Competitive Trout outfit consists of a pair of 7 weight, 10' Loomis GLX rods, accompanied in partucular with the full range of Airflo lines, although I have a few more amongst the 28 lines in my box!
Listed below are some of the rods & lines that I particularly liked during test, with links provided. Unlike many angling professionals, I am not tied to any manufacturer, therefore my recommendations remain totally unbiased.
Rods
Reels
My personal choice is the older click & pawl reels like the Hardy Perfect for example. They have a decent drag accompanied by a loud ratchet. I do love the sound of a screaming reel and actually feel that the noise gives you a much clearer understanding of how the fish is fighting. Having said that, there are a wide variety of excellent reels on the market today, so very much a personal choice. Do ensure though that the reel is wide enough to cope with a modern spey line and at least 200yards of backing. Feel free again to get in touch for further advice.
The Hardy Perfect
Lines
Flies
The Kinermony Killer
Most experienced fly fishermen tie their own flies however these days time is of a premium and some of the fly-tying materials are pretty hard to get a hold of. I would like to highly recommend Duncan Egan's flies to you. Duncan is a professional fly-tyer and member of the Guideline Pro team therfore also an excellent fisher. His flies are second to none and unlike most shop- bought flies, last time and time again. This year, I caught over 20 kelts on one of his Arndilly Monkeys and bearing in mind the sharpness of the kelts teeth, I still have it in my box in as-new condition. Finally, a quick question - If you were invited to play golf at St Andrews, would you turn up with a few tattly old balls? I very much doubt it, therefore go and visit Duncan's site and invest in a few flies that really will make a difference. Duncan Egan Flies
The Office