Excellent Spey Instructors

[Don Powell]

I was pleased to view a client's review of an excellent spey instructor...I was reminded of my interactions with another local product.

Yesterday, I practiced at Watt Ave. Jeff Putnam had clients scheduled there and I offered my piece of water to Jeff and his client. Courtesy is a virtue my parents taught me is frequently rewarded.

Returning to practice slightly upstream of Jeff and his client, I resumed whacking away at my version of the single spey, recognizing there was some key deficiency in my ability to turn the fly and leader over to complete a competent cast.

To my surprise as I paused for a break, Jeff offered, "I've been watching you..." He offered a simple suggestion to help my inability to diagnose my problem.

When I put his suggestion into my practice, I began seeing immediate improvement...

When I quit, I made it a point to thank Jeff.

Today, when I returned to the river to reinforce his helpful comment, I was successfully casting consistently better than ever before.

Thanks, Jeff, for all you offer to the local community...you are truly a Master Instructor and can dissect and correct even from 30 yards away while casually taking in what is happening on the river.

Most gratefully,

Don

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Jason Hartwick of Kiene's Fly Shop will be spending most of September and October in Weaverville, CA on the Trinity River so he can guide and teach people two handed techniques for Steelhead on the Trinity and Klamath Rivers.

This is prime time for "swinging" flies on a floating line for fresh run Steelhead in these drainages.

This is one of my favorite types of fly fishing.

Jason's Blog:

http://steelheadonthespey.blogspot.com/

Jason's Web site:

http://www.steelheadonthespey.com/Site/Welcome.html
__________________

[Steelie-Stalker]

Spent my first day with a two hander today along with Jeff Putnam, Jason Hartwick, and Adrian Psuty.

it was AWESOME! oh man am I excited to get a spey rod now and cast every single day for the rest of my life! All three guys were extremely knowledgable, extremely helpful, and also extremely enjoyable people to be around. I'd suggest Jeff Putnam to anyone I know.

Plus, spey casting is simply amazing. Shooting line out to 80 ft. no backcast, barely any effort! I'm hooked for life!

See you on the water,
Ryder

[STEELIES/26c3]

Damn fly guys! Look at you Ryder... Pretty soon I'll be hollering at you, "HEY! You're STANDING on the FISH!!" and "MAN, that rod is noisy!"

JUST KIDDING!

You were in very good and very skilled hands X6 today. I've met Adrian Psuty and Jason Hartwick on the river and both are top-shelf characters as well as serious steelhead junkies. I've only heard great things about JP also so you chose a great welcoming committee...

I'm happy for you and amazed at how quickly you've progressed as an angler in the 4 seasons I've known you especially, considering your experience has been limited to a handful of trips each winter.

Once you get wheels, I imagine you'll be on a river somewhere every opportunity you get and before too long, I'll be picking your young mind for advice.

Columbus Day wouldn't be at all too soon to start chasin' so get your school work done and be really nice to your mom~;)

Here's a little blast from the past to get you psyched

...as if you need it...;-)

http://treeofknowledge.org/markphotos/steelryder1223061.jpg

http://treeofknowledge.org/markphotos/ryderfly1.jpg

http://treeofknowledge.org/markphotos/ryderfish2.jpg

http://treeofknowledge.org/markphotos/ryderfish3.jpg

http://treeofknowledge.org/markphotos/steelryderjan20072.jpg

http://treeofknowledge.org/markphotos/steelryderjan20071.jpg

[Don Powell]

That's what I'm talkin' about...

Getting the word out about who can really help in our progression to just get out there, fish in the manner that makes us most happy and enjoy what nature has remaining to offer...

Jeff, Jason and Adrian are committed, addicted and can't help but show it! Glad you spent time with them Ryder...

Thanks STEELIES/26c3, this kid is a "natural"! What great pix!!!

On the river, we are all one (except for the greedy a-holes who bring their "work ethic"? to the river and can never seem to get enough, posting their 50 fish days and loudly boasting in the cafes at day's end 'til I just have to get up and leave...)

In the end, it is what we as individuals make it...but I still appreciate the thoughts and suggestions of polite, thoughtful and real sportsmen.