Rods: We prefer Sage fly rods for their performance, selection, customer service, and commitment to building the finest spey rods. There are other great spey rod builders and designers who also deserve a mention. Read below to view all of our recommended rods.

Lines: Rio introduced and started the Skagit line craze a few years ago. We use and endorse them for their effectiveness, no-nonsense design, and castability. There is no better sink-tip line system on the market. For floating lines, we recommend Rio's AFS Shooting Head Spey lines. They are the smoothest casting floating lines available on the market today. No custom tweeking or cutting needed. Right out of the box, the AFS lines perform flawlessly when fished with a long leader or versa-leader (like a polyleader or mini sink-tip). Buying Shooting Head Skagit or AFS lines allow you to change out your lines quickly without having to buy an extra spool or reel. Rio makes two different shooting lines, Powerflex Core and Slickshooter. Powerflex core comes in a 3 diameters. We recommend the 0.030" for general steelhead use. It comes pre-looped and is very user friendly. Slickshooter shoots like a rocket but is a little higher maintenance. Contact us for more info.

Reels: Choosing a reel is mostly matter of personal preference. A spey reel does need the capacity to hold the line and the ability to balance the rod. A reel too light makes a spey rod “tip heavy” and vice-versa. Balance is key. Consult your local fly shop to select a reel that matches your spey rod.

Recommended Rod & Line Combos:

Six Weights:

Sage Z-Axis 6126 Length: 12' 6" Lines: Skagit 450 (Cut back 4 feet), AFS Shooting Head  5/6 (340) Cheater: not necessary Tip length: 8-12' Notes: This is the best 6126 Sage has made yet. It's light and crisp, perfect for picking apart small water. The Skagit 450 out of the box is a little long and heavy for this rod, but if you cut four feet off the end it balances perfectly.

Seven Weights:

Sage Z-Axis 7136 Length: 13' 6" Lines: Skagit 550, AFS Shooting Head 7/8 (460) Cheater: 5' cheater for a short tip, not necessary for a 15' tip Tip Length: 8-15' Notes: Best of the Z-Axis series. Definitely guides choice. It's the most interesting, versatile, and finest casting rod on the market. Sage VT-2 7130 Length: 13' 0" Lines: Skagit 650, AFS Shooting Head 8/9 (520) Cheater: not necessary Tip Length: 8-15' Notes: Best of the VT-2 series. It's a Skagit machine. Anderson Custom Rod 7133 Length: 13' 3" Lines: Skagit 450, AFS Shooting Head 6/7 (400) Cheater: not necessary Tip Length: 8-12' Notes: A true 7wt, this ACR is perfect for smaller water like the Trinity. Made for light duty tip fishing.

Eight Weights:

Sage Z-Axis 8129 Length: 12' 9" Lines: Skagit 650, AFS Shooting Head 8/9 (520) Cheater: not necessary Tip Length: 10-15' Notes: Winter steelhead and Kings bring it on! This is the muscle of the bunch. This rod takes no prisoners. Sage Z-Axis 8134 Length: 13' 4" Lines: Skagit 550 or 600, AFS Shooting head 8/9 (520) Cheater: none with Skagit 600, or 2 1/2 to 5" with 550 Sink-Tip: 8-15' Notes: Recently released, this rod is a must for winter or BC steelhead fishermen. It fits perfectly in the Z-axis line-up between the 7126 and 8129. The action is similar to the 7136 (currently my favorite rod) but with more horsepower. It casts like a dream. This rod is another example of why Sage is the leader is spey rod design and performance.

Nine Weights:

Sage Z-Axis 9143 Length: 14' 3" Lines: Skagit 650 or 750, AFS Shooting Head 8/9 (520) or 9/10 (580) Cheater: 5' or 10', depending on tip length Tip Length: 10-18' Notes: Big water stick. Light, powerful, versatile.

For more information, please see the following pages:
• Spey Page