Single Hand Spey Cast for the Single Hand DIY Angler

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NO BACK-CAST?!  NO PROBLEM:  Using a single-hand spey cast with your general trout set-up.  

One of the most limiting factors in walk-and-wade fly fishing—especially in rugged terrain like the Yakima River Canyon—is a lack of room for a traditional back-cast. Overhanging trees, steep banks, or tight brushy corridors can make standard overhead casting almost impossible. That's where the single-hand spey cast becomes an invaluable technique, particularly for dry fly anglers who still want to make precise, delicate presentations in tight spots.

What Is a Single-Hand Spey Cast?

The single-hand spey is a type of roll cast that allows you to reposition your line and make a forward cast without the need for a full backcast. It borrows its name and mechanics from two-hand spey casting but is performed with a standard single-hand fly rod. This technique relies on an "anchor"—where a portion of your line stays in contact with the water—to load the rod during the casting stroke.

In the video above, I demonstrate an upriver anchor(Snap-T) and a down-river anchor (Double Spey). These moves involve forming a quick D-loop and sweeping the rod in an upstream or downstream motion to reposition the line. The Snap-T is particularly effective for dry flies because it sets up a clean forward stroke with minimal disturbance to the water.

When and Why to Use It

If you're a DIY angler, hiking and wading your way through water with limited casting lanes, this cast is a game-changer. It allows you to:

• Make effective casts under overhanging trees or near steep cutbanks

• Present dry flies delicately, without the slap or drag of overhead mends

• Reduce false casting, which can spook fish in tight, shallow water

• Access holding water that most anglers pass up due to casting difficulty

This isn’t just a workaround; it’s a skill that increases your range and makes you a more versatile angler.

Technical Considerations

To successfully execute a single-hand spey cast, particularly a Snap-T:

• Use a line with a short, aggressive front taper or a dedicated single-hand spey line for best results.

• Focus on smooth transitions—the goal is a fluid movement from anchor set to D-loop to forward cast.

• Practice on water. This cast depends on surface tension and water load. It's not a lawn-casting maneuver.

Final Thoughts

Adding a single-hand spey cast to your casting arsenal opens up a whole new world of water. It’s not just for switch rods or steelhead anglers—it’s incredibly effective for dry fly fishing on rivers like the Yakima where casting space can be unpredictable. With a little practice and attention to line management and timing, you’ll find this cast to be both powerful and elegant.

Next time you're in tight quarters, don’t curse the brush—use it as an opportunity to practice your single-hand spey. Your casting game (and catch rate) will thank you.

Stay tuned for more spring fly fishing insights, and get ready for some exciting days ahead!

We teach these techniques and more through our various courses in our University of Fly Fishing.

UPCOMING COURSES TO HIGHLIGHT 

Our classes are moving and shaking and folks... it's getting good!  We have many offerings and you can access the course calendar anytime to find a class that works for you.  Women's Intro Course this Saturday, April 12th at 10am. Get after it Ladies!

• Thursday, April 10th, Trout Taxi, 11am
• Friday, April 11th, Yakima River Fishalong 1pm
• Saturday, April 12th, Women's Intro Course, 10am
• Saturday, April 12th, Intro to Trout Spey, 10am 
  
• Saturday, April 12th, Yakima Fishalong, 2pm
• Sunday, April 13th, Fly Fishing 201, 12pm
• Tuesday, April 15th, Euronymphing Fishalong, 9am 
  
• Wednesday, April 16th, Trout Spey Fishalong, 9am
• Thursday, April 17th, Trout Taxi, 11am

ENTIRE COURSE CALENDAR HERE 

Our University of Fly Fishing is the most unique, comprehensive fly fishing education available.