Learning the Double Spey cast
The Double
Spey Cast
The double Spey cast is one of the downstream wind casts. It is not so dynamic as the single Spey, but the double Spey cast is a valuable cast to learn as it tends to be more suitable for a wider variety of tackle and techniques including sunk lines and even Sgagit outfits. Many of the other Spey casts like the single and snake roll require the line to be more dynamic. This can place certain limitations on what will be effective without causing any unnecessary and inefficient impact on the rod tip. The movements during the double Spey Cast however are much more progressive making it a good all round casting technique for many types of equipment.
Stance
As with all of the other casts my preference would be, when possible to place the leading foot facing the target on same side that I am casting from. If I am casting from the right hand side then it would be right foot forward and if casting from the left, left foot forward. The gives freedom of body movement but helps prevent over body rotation and misalignment of the shoulders and upper body during the casting movements.
Performing the Double Spey Cast
With the line fished out downstream and our leading foot facing the intended direction of the cast, the first movement is to raise the rod sufficiently to free some line from the surface of the water. We can then sweep the rod upstream encouraging the line slightly out stream as we do so, before dropping the rod tip and placing most of the line on the water’s surface. If done correctly sufficient line will be positioned upstream and the tip of our line and leader will be positioned approximately a rods length downstream opposite the intended direction of the cast. It is important to make the upstream sweep smooth to minimise any slack line on the water’s surface. Also as mentioned above I stated that the line should be encouraged slightly out stream as we make the upstream movement. The main reason for this is that the final preparation for all the Spey Casts require us to encourage the line into position and form a neat and efficient D or V loop. This movement can be optimised during the double Spey as it can with the other casts if the line has been placed slightly out stream during the sweep. This allows us to track round just above or just inside the line that has been placed on the water’s surface. Doing this will not only prevent the line crossing over itself as we sweep round, but we can create valuable momentum as we peel the line from the water’s surface tension. This movement combined with the correct and efficient use of the hands and upper body can be fundamental in optimising the formation and alignment of the D or V loop.
The rod will often be pulled round with the upper hand with little effective use of the lower hand which can result in the D loop and anchor placement being a lot farther upstream than required rather than in correct alignment. It is essential that the lower hand pivot’s and turns correctly in time with the upper hand in the latter part of the sweep as the rod tip passes the target before rising back and inclining into the key casting position. This combined with correct body movement will create the desired momentum in the correct alignment.
These movements will not only allow us to make an efficient change of direction but as mentioned are completely necessary when striving for the most efficiency. It is one of the things that make the difference between an average double Spey cast and an excellent efficient one.