Two Hand Rods

[westbranchfly]

I've been fishing the river this fall with my two hand rods ( switch and 12'6" spey), and was curious if anybody else is doing the same. I've heard that there are a few others, just haven't run into them yet.

[Amery]

What's the advantage?

[Dylan Cluver]

You can cover so much more water with a two handed or spey rod. I was out in the boat a month or so ago and the water was up on Taney, maybe 2 units or so and a gentlemen was fishing out in front of outlet 3. I thought he had a nice D loop.

[westbranchfly]

Let me preface my reply by saying this, I'm on foot. I dont own a boat, have access to a boat, or even have one on the horizon. I'm like everyone else in the fact that I have a limited amount of time to be on the river. That being said, I like to be able to fish when the dam is running water.

The big advantage, for me, is the versatility the two handers offer. I use a Skagit set up on both the 12-6 and switchrod. Basically, this set up allows me to cast a larger streamer, and, in the event of higher flows, to cast a very heavy sinktip. Let's say the river has 4000 cfs on it. Most of the guys would have come off the water, or retreated to one of the outlets. The beauty of two hand casting Plus the rod length allows me to tuck up along the bank, in a safe wading position, and still swing a fly from 30-90 feet away. The other big advantage for me is the amount of energy involved. Two hand casting doesn't take near the effort that a single hander does, in my opinion. I have a shoulder that doesn't do well trying to double haul a long line. The other thing is this. By simply changing the head, I can go from tossing 3"+ streamers to nymphing, especially with the switch rod.

I don't know if all of that random nonsense makes any sense, but that's how I see it.

[duckydoty]

Nathan,

It seems you are one of the pioneers for two handers on here. We all have a to learn from you about it and I for one am looking forward to learning more. Over the past couple of years guiding in Alaska, I have seen two handers taking more of a hold in fly fishing bigger water. When Table Rock Dam is generating, Taney can be some big water. I think we will see alot more to the two handers and spey rods showing up in the near future.

[Geoff]

I keep thinking about getting one simply because of what you've stated, its a good way to cover alot of water.

[westbranchfly]

I'm glad for everyone's responses. I wouldn't go so far as saying pioneer, more like a guy thats just standing in the water waving a stick. The other thing I intend to fool around with is Scandinavian heads on my rods. They're tapered differently than a Skagit, anchor differently, and have ability to make a delicate presentation at distance. Ie - midges and scud rigs on a switch rod.

I started with the Skagit rigs, namely because of the ease of learning to cast. It has since turned into an obsession. Swinging large flies, heavy sinktips, and not expecting large numbers of fish. It's been a ton of fun so far. And casting with two hands is a very engaging thing.

[Ham]

I guess I would be concerned about the ability to backcast that much line or is there more of a BIG roll cast?

Used trout boats aren't that expensive to own or operate.

[westbranchfly]

If you can roll cast a single hand rod, you can cast a two hand rod. All it is, is overgrown roll casting with a change of direction. As far as back cast room, all I need is enough to get a d loop, and that won't be much. My Skagit head on the 12-1/2 footer is 27' long. That's all i need out of the tip top. Granted there may be 10-12' of T material plus a short leader,but, in this case that is irrelevant. My set up is basically an overgrown weight forward line. I don't have to try to manage a huge amount of line like I would with a traditional long belly spey line. Skagit and Scandinavian heads are shooting head systems essentially. I run 40 pound Berkeley mono as my running line. Cheap and simple, plus it shoots like it's been shot out of a cannon.

[strangercreek]

Westbranch.....I think I ran into you near Taney on friday night. You mentioned Ozark anglers and ive always had my bookmark named "LilleysLanding" ....anyway it was good to talk two handed rods with you. Taney is an ideal river for that.....I havent been able to spend much time there in several years.....but still surprised I havent seen switch or spey rods when units are running