Skagit Casting - Defined and Simplifyed

Great video expaining the basic's of Skagit style casting by Scott Howell.

Big Water Swinging

                    Nothing beats swinging from a boat during high water.

Swinging flies from a boat is a great way to fish high water, Why??
You can position yourself to work water effectively. 
Greater line control.
Set yourself up for a great hang down.
Greater casting distance since your standing higher off the water.

Wade Deep To Cast Farther??

Wading Deep to cast farther??  Not so fast -

Wading deeper to gain distance isn't the answer to gain a few extra feet. Wading deep decreases the height from the water to your rod tip to the bottom of your D loop. The few extra feet you my gain by wading deeper, will most likely be lost in the cast. Wading deeper reduces the height of your D loop and it becomes smaller.

White Mouse

"The White Mouse"

                    That spray of water is called "The White Mouse" it's a big part of Spey casting.

Had A Hour To Play

After taking a break from fishing for the Holiday’s I managed to get out for a short time the other day. We received a few inches of wet, heavy slop overnight and I wasn’t ready to trudge through the snow with only a limited amount of time to fish. I took a quick look at the river down low and saw no slush, Hmmmm, I thought, I need a transitional spot where a hot fish or two maybe resting and there is no shelf ice near shore to hinder me getting access to such a spot. I knew just the place, a resting spot just above some faster water with about 2 foot of depth across most of the spot with a 3 foot bucket with a big boulder in front of it.


So I strung up my switch rod, looped on a 3.9 ips poly leader and tied on a copper prom dress tied on a short tube and got set up in the top of the run. I started out fishing slow and close after working down the run about 20 feet, I was getting into a rhythm as my fly started to get close to the sweet spot. I cast, stepped down and just before the fly started to swing a quick grab…Damn, I knew one would be there…  I finished down thru the tailout and made a few extra casts just over the lip incase I backed any fish out of their lie.

Headed back up and tied on a Orange and Pink Trade Secret, started back down thru the spot and just as my fly gets to the same spot where I had the grab on the first pass, bang! A nice bright chrome fish jumps with my fly hanging out of its mouth. A couple of decent short runs and some near shore head shakes, I was able to grab the leader.

Skagit Double Spey

Skagit Double Spey from Zack Brooks on Vimeo.
Here is the Skagit Double Spey. Notice how close my line lays to me, maximum power with ease! First at regular speed, second part is slow motion. Enjoy!

Here is a short video clip of the Skagit Double Spey. Enjoy.

Downstream Perry Poke

Downstream Perry Poke from Zack Brooks on Vimeo.

Here is a short clip of the Downstream Perry Poke. First at regular speed, then some slow motion of the same cast. Enjoy.

The Downstream Perry Poke. Enjoy.

Thinking out side the box - Got Popper's??

Here is a great video from Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters and Scott Howell on fishing Popper's.

Ska-opper video

Stay Committed



Sticking too it



Over the last month I have guided a lot of people new to spey casting and spey fishing. Trying to convert yourself to getting a steelhead on the swing when your fishing buddies are fishing with other techniques and catching all the fish is tough. You need to stick with it and commit yourself; it will all come together in time. You can catch 20 steelhead under a float and a bead, every drop of the float is the same, not one really stands out. You get 10 takes on the swing with a tight line to the fly and you remember every awesome grab, granted swinging flies isn’t a numbers thing but you can very successful even in 33 degree water.

First day back...

Here is a short clip of my first venture back into flowing water in over 3 weeks. Been down with a disc issue in my lower back. Casting was a bit rusty, but I did manage to break in my new 2010 Taupo Perfect, which isn't as loud as my originals but she'll work just fine. I just need more time on the water with it so she gets that lovely patina of an old hard used reel overflowing with soul and purpose. I was also late on the hook set but as you can see it didn't matter in the end. Watch as my rod bobs 3 times before I set. Oh well, thankfully the fish hooked himself.

Gear Set-up:

2010 Hardy Taupo Perfect

11'7" 5/6/7 Meiser MKS (custom built) 400-600 grain window

425 Rio Skagit Flight (really weighs 441 grains)

10 ft T-14

10lb Maxima tippet material