Monday, October 8, 2012

Snake Rolls, White Mice, and Bloody Ls

Spey casting is enjoying a significant increase in both interest and popularity on this side of the big pond from its origins in the UK.  In the Great Lakes area there are several events each year to teach beginners and advanced anglers both the fundamentals of this most interesting style of fly casting with its own unique terminology.  Attendees also get a chance to try out the latest in rods and lines and learn from a variety of skilled instructors.
One of the most recent of these events took place at Henning Park on Michigan's Muskegon River just outside the town of Newaygo.  The Great Lakes Speyfest is hosted by the Great Lakes Fly Fishing Company of Rockford, MI.  It is free to all who attend and each year provides regional, nationally, and even internationally known presenters. 





This years star-studded cast featured SA/Ross/Scott Pro Jeff Liskay, Guideline Pro Pete Humphries, SA/Ross/Scott Pro and guide Capt. Kevin Feenstra, and the Big Spey Daddy himself- Simon Gawesworth from Far Bank.  Casting, fishing, and flies for Spey applications were covered in depth by this talented group.  Quite an impressive line up considering the (lack of) cost to attendees.  Speyfest 2013 will again be at Henning Park in Newaygo, MI, the last Saturday in September.  Mark your calender now!