speyghillie

Hey Dutchdryfly , Its the worst type of addiction................... there is no cure, good to hear you are practicing the underhand at work, never mind what they say, , if you find they are getting used to the underhand at work without a rod in hand... throw in a perry poke or a long line cast... usually it keeps them wondering what your doing. I feel this is a quality confession, but you should now have to do a snake roll cast in front of everybody at work, without a rod of course.and let us know how it goes. Gordo.

Toolman, Good that you have it under control, and have come to confession, anybody else practice casting without a rod, think about different casts , or any other form of Spey madness, 6 days...... i know thats true, you need help Toolman. Gordo. dont be scared to admit your addiction...... i know who you all are.

O Headscan, Already thinking of skipping work to go Speycast...... u got it bad alright,...... it will only get worse , winter coming on ect, the good thing is your not alone, i know one guy in Calgary that does his work at night so he can be on the river Speycasting as much as possible..... lets see who comes to confession. Gordon.

OK ladies, <--poke-- Its been a few years now since some of you guys got Speycrazy, i just wanted to know how bad you got it, do you find yourself practicing casts at work, do you look at all the new Spey stuff out there and think I NEED THAT, lets see who has it bad, i guess i should start and tell everybody i went into my garage and counted 27 rods and 13 reels, and i bought another two yesterday that i already don't like, ITS MADNESS but at least its work for me... whats your excuse. Gordon.

Thought i would post a wee intro to Scott's DVD . Gordon.

Forgot to add that there was a great silk line made the 1890's that was made in Canada, there are still a few about, slightly darker in colour when cleaned up, a dark thread running the full length of the line. Around the same time as the multi- tip line was invernted. Gordon.

Check out www.clanrods.com Harry is a master rod builder who makes Greenheart rods to the exact Spec of the Grant Vibration rods, rod builder to the Royal family and the last traditional rod builder in Scotland. Gordon.

Hi Don , I like the post, i fish on the Spey wih a couple in there 80's and they still fish Greenheart, to fish Greenheart Salmon rods requires a different technic of Speycasting, a more upright style of Speycasting, something between a Highland switch cast and a modern speycast. In the 1890's Alexander Grant cast a distance of 65yrds with out stripping line in, cast the whole line on the finest Greenheart rod, or finest Spey rod ever built. The Grant Vibration was the finest ever built, but when he sold the company to Playfair they made some major changes and it was never the same rod. Alexander Grant tuned every Vibration rod so it would be the same pitch all the way through the rod,not easy on a rod that tapers, his rod splices had a special desgn to help carry the same pitch all the way through, he never liked ferrule joints and the splice idea came to him while working in a hairdressers shop in Inverness. The old greenhearts where kept outside all year, modern heating is a killer on Greanheart rods. Anyway the greatest Speycaster ever was Alexander Grant and the Greatest Double- Handed rod ever built was the Grant Vibration, before he sold it to Playfair. Gordon. P.S i am meeting up with Alexander Grants Grandson in a couple of weeks, and hopefully if i get time i will be able to get the whole Alexander Grant story together.

Things i have learned It can be sunny and warm in Calgary and -20 the next day Never let guys know you played golf with pink golf clubs Never be seen in the newspaper with a single- handed rod, after telling your buddies there rods where for ladies. fish the fly you are confident with before any other when fishing ..change is good I never got to try out my old Trat patterns on the Bow Dont let the fish know your coming get a better wading jacket for fishing on the Island Try not to where my kilt downtown Calgary...... to often Try and speak english make more time for fishing Dapping on the Bow would be a blast. Stay away from bears.

Speycasting is the way to go, you can Speycasting single- handed rods or double -handed rods. Head to the next Spey thing on the Bow Toolman does, there you will meet lots of great guys into Speycasting on the Bow, i am sure they are more than willing to help you out.... but remember when you start.... THERE IS NO STOPPING , most of the guys have had a lesson from one hell of nice guy................ will wait to see what is said about that part. Gordo.

Hi Guys, The Z Spey was a disaster, never sold and thats why they are on E:Bay going for next to nothing, when i was at the CLA gamefair the Z Spey stand was empty. Its a bit like a concept car that should never have made it to production, and when it was a concept loads of Ghillie's and guides said no thanks, but they did it anyway, they have tried to get some of the top Speycasting Instuctors involved and most have turned the job down. I don't think they have sold more than a couple of dozen on the whole of the UK, and boy have they thrown some money at it. Gordon.

Hi Headcan, Hope to have both done in 4 Months, double the work for me, but if not at the same time, then yes its 4 months for each. It really is an intense course , but i have time over the winter, or at least i hope i have time . There are different levels of Qualification in Flycasting Instruction, you think i would have picked an easier one instead of one of the hardest to pass. Keep me busy i guess. Gordo.

After reading this thread, i get a phone call from GAIC (GAME ANGLING INSTRUCTORS COURSE) asking me if i would like to sit the test to be certified as a flycasting Instructor. Normally its almost impossible to get on this course and i have been on the list for 6 months, but there is a spot for me this winter, so going to grab it, its the course i have been waiting for. I am intending sitting both the double-handed and single handed courses, so lots of studing for me. The courses will take 4 MONTHS . yes four months to complete, with loads of different sections to each course, and you must pass every part, if you fail on one section..... you fail the course. Gordon.

Hi Guys, Just wanted to add a couple of points as regards Certification as a casting instructor, first of all i am not certified as a Speycasting Instructor for a couple of reasons, that i will not go into here. I have however worked as a guide on the River Spey for thirteen years, attended Speycasting events and done demo's at fly fishing shows on both sides of the pond, and been lucky enough to spend time fishing with some of the worlds best Speycasters, sounds like i am talking about myself to much ....so will stop here. Scott is Qualified as a casting Instructor by APGAI , the hardest of all the qualifications , Fanky Boy was FFF certified but i believe gave it up, and i cannot speak for the other guys mentioned. I would have to say that if the qualification is worth anything and by that i mean a high standard, it would be better to get a lesson from that Instructor, but only if the qualification is of a high Standard and not just trying to get more members . Gordon.

Happy Birthday Toolman, hope you have a good one. Will see ya in the spring when the snow comes. Gordo. Fae Hollywood.

Hi Guys, Well here's a first for all Speycasters, where can you get advice on-line from one of the worlds best Speycasters, while Scott is busy right now Looking after his guests, he will be available this winter to give advice on all aspects of Speycasting, and believe me there is no one better. Scott will be holding a one off speycasting week in Canada next summer, i will have have the details of that later next week. http://www.scottmackenziespeycasting.com <http://www.scottmackenziespeycasting.com/> http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Scott-Ma...980080209?ref=s Gordon.

Hey Max, Seen them at a couple of events, you need just enough to snag the Grass to help with the anchor point, Loop Loop buddy .

Hey Max, Nice little LOOPS there, but the fish are in the water, good tip for anybody that can't get to the river and want to practice . Gordo.

Hi Headscan, You may have noticed i was fishing a single-handed rod in that well written article, and not a Ladies rod. Switch rods are a bit of fun i guess, but i would rather use a 10ft single handed rod, or like in the UK a long single handed with a detachable 4in butt, this way the bottom handle can be removed if its getting in the way, and you can switch from a single-handed rod to a little double Hander. The term Switch rod goes back over a hundred years, and was a rod for switchcasting, something between a Speycast and a rollcast, these rods where bigger than the normal Spey rod, and where the longest of all Double-handed rods. There is a Switch rod, a trout Spey rod, an underhand rod, an overhead rod ,and even a rod with a wonky handle, a Spey rod, and a Alberta Ladies rod, think i will just stick with a Real Double-Handed rod or Single Handed rod. A little switch rod might be really useful for someone with an injury, or just for a bit of fun. Gordon fae Hollywood.

Hey AL, For sure let me know when you are coming over this way and hopefully we will get out a couple of days.. getting some crank calls from my buddies, its just to funny. Its all good stuff... let me know AL. Gordon.

Hey thanks Sanjaunworm, That signature is so true, try to mix up the the fishin while in Vernon ,not doing the fishing i used to , there seems to be alot of Cougars around, never wear the kilt anymore, it seems to really draw the cougars. Off fishing the south Thompson 2 moro, and bask in my fame.... at last.

Ok , now i'm gona get it, can't a guy just help some Vernon girls get into fishing, i just got the paper and you guys know that photo does'nt do me justice, I can't believe you guys would give a good friend a hard time, because he is trying to get some nice Vernon girls into flyfishing Thanks AL

Happy Birthday Ladystrange, Even though you did'nt show on Saturday, hope you have a great.... like really great day.

Hey Bhurt, I know the weather in Calgary, i was staying with a FRIEND looked out the window and saw all the snow, i asked her what do you do in Calgary on a Sunday when its snowing so much,........ stay in bed she said Sometimes the weather can be a really bonus.

WEATHER WARNING , it will be snowing in Calgary the first weekend in May, April will be nice, sunny and warm, with a big freeze coming in on the first weekend in May. Gordo.