Amundson Outdoors Spey Rod

I try to recall all the elements that I experience in my first year using the Spey rod. I recognized anglers that had developed their individual preference of brands. For a new Spey angler, the information was overwhelming. I had to streamline all the information I gathered and had to make a final decision. I was targeting salmon. The rod had to be able to absorb their powerful runs but sensitive. I selected an Amundson Outdoors Wind Warrior 9 -wt 14 foot two hand Spey rod while others anglers suggested going with a lighter rod for a better challenge. As a proficient single hand fly angler, I have found that a lighter rod will put more stress on the salmon as the angler does not have the rod strength to shorten the fight. The added duress challenges the survival rate for catch and release. I had found the Spey reels very expensive. A standard fly reel was a the natural choice to keep the cost down. It had to be Aluminum, two-line sizes higher to have the capacity to handle the more massive Spey lines and heavy-duty disc brake. With a manufactures’ site, I was able to narrow down the running line, shooting head, and various sink tips. All based on the rod weight I was using, the type of river flow, the kind of fly ( weighted ) I was tossing and, of course, my targeted fish. I was targeting Spring ( Chinook ), Chum salmon and Pink salmon. I realized that these salmon favour different types of water flow. I had only a T11 sinking tip that sinks 7-8 inches a second. With only one kind of sink tip, this had narrowed my ability to cover successfully different parts of the river flow. So I obtained a sink tip wallet that easily kept the set organized and easily available. With welded loops, it was easy to be able the change out. Now I could cover all various types of river flows.-T-8 240 grains (6-7 in/sec, white)-T-11 330 grains (7-8 in/sec, green)-T-14 420 grains (8-9 in/sec, blue)-T17 510 grains (9-10 in/sec, black)-T20 600 grains (10 + in/sec, none)Last year had some frustration in casting. As a novice, it’s overwhelming with all the different Spey casts. I concentrated on the D cast but had challenges switching to the right from left. It all worked out in the end. Practice making perfect. Mending the cast once laid out was extremely important to allow the weighted fly to drift naturally with the current. It is also essential to wear glasses to protect yourself as you will get hit by the fly sooner or later. By season end, I had caught three salmon species with the Spey rod that was on my bucket list. After the season, maintenance is essential. I take apart the sinking tip, main fly line and the shooting head. I wash them in warm water them use a line cleaner. I found that often the running fly line will have twists that will make the line coil. This twist has to be released, and then the fly running line and the main fly line is loosely coiled and put away. They go back in their box once dry and away from UV light that will degrade them over time. I look forward to another season adventure with the Spey rod. To tick Coho salmon off my bucket list. If you want a change to a new experience, explore the realm of the Spey. https://castingalineblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/02/the-journey-continues-with-the-spey/