The double spey cast

Left bank - left hand up. Right bank - right hand up.

Not twice as difficult, but merely a Single Spey with one extra movement! In fact, the Double Spey with a short line is rather easier than the Single Spey because the timing is less critical. This is not a distance cast without a strong downstream wind.

I teach the Double Spey before the more efficient Snake Roll cast because it is easier to learn, and still works even if you are standing on the bank. If you have a bit more clearance for a bigger loop, the Snake Roll is the superior cast for distance

Assume you are on the right bank with a good down-stream wind. Face the target, but leave the rod pointing at the fished out line downstream. With the rod across your tummy and your right hand uppermost on the handle, your hands will not be crossed.

1. Tow some line upstream - Lift just slightly and tow the rod top upstream until your hands are crossed over (as they were for the Single Spey). This will bring enough line up stream to form the loop but will leave the fly still downstream of you.

2. Lift - up to 10 o’clock and slightly in towards the nearside bank up-stream of you (just as you did for the Single Spey). Pause for the 2, 3 of the waltz time.

3. Sweep - now (again, just as for the Single Spey) sweep the rod out and around (i.e. back downstream) and lift back up so your right thumb is level with your right ear. As you do this, the line will peel back downstream and round before forming the D-loop behind the rod just off your downstream shoulder. The ‘foot’ of the loop (leader and fly) should be anchored lightly in the water. Pause again for the 2, 3

4. Hit - Drive the loop out as for the Single Spey: a firm, wristy snap punching out towards the target with the upper hand; a simultaneous sharp tug in to your hip bone with the lower hand.

The snake roll cast

The Snake Roll cast must only be used in a downstream wind. In fact, it is positively dangerous without one. Creating bigger loops, it is the better cast for long distances.

On the right bank. Start as for the Double Spey, facing the target and with the right hand up the rod handle. Then, lift the rod first in towards the bank, and then up, curving out towards the stream before tucking back in and under, as if painting a mirror image lower case letter ‘e’ with the tip of the rod, before lifting back up into the launch position with your thumb level with your right ear.

This entire movement should lift the line off the water, spiral it back towards you, and deposit the required last few yards of line plus leader (the ‘anchor’) down onto the water about a rod-length downstream of your right shoulder. At the same time, the D-loop will form behind the rod, ready for you to punch it forwards to the target. Adjustment must be made with the amount of initial lift and the size of the tuck-under circle to get it right, but it is really worth the practice.

Casting is notoriously difficult to describe in words. Buy my videos or DVDs ...it’s much clearer there!