Bill Kiene semi-retired
08-18-2012, 07:57 PM
We are very lucky today to have hundreds of new modern two-handed fly rods, Spey & Switch, to choose from that have fantastic actions at all price points from $249 up.......
We also have dozens of different types of shooting heads or heads to choose from that come now in 25 to 30 grain increments.
On the west coast it has gone about 95% to looped heads with looped running lines.
This allows you to actually choose the type, brand and diameter of running line you like and not having to use the integrated running line that you get on a full line which can be too small or too large or too stiff or too limp. This is one reason it has gone over 90% to heads as far as the real world is concerned.
Even top "long liner" (tournament caster) Doug Duncan, who works for us now, says he likes heads because he can choose the running line he likes.
You have Scandi and Skagit heads with many that are somewhere in between called "tweeners".
After you get a new two-handed fly rod, a reel that balances well with it, some backing and the running line of your choice, you can buy different types of heads for about $50 each to do different jobs for you.
At Kiene's we have full sets of most of the popular heads in 25 or 30 grain increments so you can take several down to the river with tips, leader and fly, by yourself or with one of our staff to see exactly what size fits you and your rod.
This is what is called custom fitting a line to your rod.
No need to chop up line any more now that the top companies like Rio and Airflo have done all the work for us.
Spey guide and instructor Jason Hartwick told me that this past year while teaching in large group Spey classes up on the Trinity and Klamath Rivers he had students arive with two-handed tackle that just was not right. After a short while he would merely let them cast one of his balanced outfits and they improved instantly. It is hard enough to get going in Spey casting and even worse if your tackel is not fitted up right.
Rio and Airflo worked with the top Spey people to design several series of lines (looped heads) so we can choose between these line to throw anything we need to with ease. These new diverse shorter heads are what is drving the popularity of the two-handed sport.
One of the biggest problems with two-handed casting is the fact that many show up with a rod that has the wrong style or wrong weight of line for their rod.
One of our top two-handed mentors, veteran guide and line designers, Mike McCune says that there are not too many bad Spey rods today. He says they just need someone knowledgeable to get the right line and tips on it.
Naturally every fly shop and box store wants to make sales in the Spey area but many don't have the product lines or staff to do it right....
If you don't think your two-handed rod is casting well for you, bring it in and we can get you down to the river and try some lines and get you dialed.
Steelhead are headed up our rivers as we speak.
.
We also have dozens of different types of shooting heads or heads to choose from that come now in 25 to 30 grain increments.
On the west coast it has gone about 95% to looped heads with looped running lines.
This allows you to actually choose the type, brand and diameter of running line you like and not having to use the integrated running line that you get on a full line which can be too small or too large or too stiff or too limp. This is one reason it has gone over 90% to heads as far as the real world is concerned.
Even top "long liner" (tournament caster) Doug Duncan, who works for us now, says he likes heads because he can choose the running line he likes.
You have Scandi and Skagit heads with many that are somewhere in between called "tweeners".
After you get a new two-handed fly rod, a reel that balances well with it, some backing and the running line of your choice, you can buy different types of heads for about $50 each to do different jobs for you.
At Kiene's we have full sets of most of the popular heads in 25 or 30 grain increments so you can take several down to the river with tips, leader and fly, by yourself or with one of our staff to see exactly what size fits you and your rod.
This is what is called custom fitting a line to your rod.
No need to chop up line any more now that the top companies like Rio and Airflo have done all the work for us.
Spey guide and instructor Jason Hartwick told me that this past year while teaching in large group Spey classes up on the Trinity and Klamath Rivers he had students arive with two-handed tackle that just was not right. After a short while he would merely let them cast one of his balanced outfits and they improved instantly. It is hard enough to get going in Spey casting and even worse if your tackel is not fitted up right.
Rio and Airflo worked with the top Spey people to design several series of lines (looped heads) so we can choose between these line to throw anything we need to with ease. These new diverse shorter heads are what is drving the popularity of the two-handed sport.
One of the biggest problems with two-handed casting is the fact that many show up with a rod that has the wrong style or wrong weight of line for their rod.
One of our top two-handed mentors, veteran guide and line designers, Mike McCune says that there are not too many bad Spey rods today. He says they just need someone knowledgeable to get the right line and tips on it.
Naturally every fly shop and box store wants to make sales in the Spey area but many don't have the product lines or staff to do it right....
If you don't think your two-handed rod is casting well for you, bring it in and we can get you down to the river and try some lines and get you dialed.
Steelhead are headed up our rivers as we speak.
.