BUYER'S GUIDE TO TROUT SPEY REELS:

Well, that time of year is right around the corner.  More and more folks are talking Trout Spey and before we know it trout fishing will be in full swing.  Those who have fished the winter months and braved the cold, are looking forward to longer, warmer days.  Those who haven't braved the winter months outside chasing after trout or steelhead are just looking forward to getting back outside period!

With the rise in trout "Spey" fishing interest in the past few years, the topic of reels is always good to address.  Maybe you got a trout spey rod for Christmas, or maybe you plan on getting a trout spey outfit with your 2023 tax return dollars.  What ever the case, we hope to help you sort through some of the better choices that we like here at the Gorge Fly Shop.  There's always room for debate when it comes to reels and rods, but again, these are a few of our favorite reels for fishing with a two handed trout spey rod.

Bauer RVR MS (MicroSpey): (Trout Spey Specific)

Bauer came out with a stunning reel specifically designed for trout spey rods a few years back and it has been very popular to say the least.  Bauer, for a long time has created great reels, and gained a respectable reputation due to quality and performance.  Sporting beautiful asthetics and a silky smooth drag, to help protect some of the lighter tippets we fish when swinging soft hackles and such. This is a dream of a reel and it balances out very well with nearly every trout spey rod, especially the older Winston BIII TH Micro Spey and the newer Winston Microspey Air2 trout spey rod lineups.

The Bauer RVR Micro Spey reel accomadates plenty of backing for your typically trout needs, with plenty of room for Skagit and Scandi heads as well as any itegrated lines.  The RVR MS will hold 100 yards of 20# Dacron backing with up to a 360gr head or integrated line.  It is pretty rare that you would need more than 100 yards of backing when trout fishing.

"Gem of  a reel:  Bauer is known for crafting reels that have buttery smooth drags and this reel is no exception.  Along with its buttery drag, the RVR MS is an aesthetically pleasing reel.  The one thing I wish this reel had was an audible retreive.  Besides that it is still one of the best Micro/Trout Spey specific reels on the market." - Brock. C.

If you have a  3, 4 or 5wt trout spey rod and you're wanting a top tier trout spey reel, the Bauer RVR MS reel would be a delightful addition to your favorite trout spey rod.  If you own or are thinking of owning a Winston Trout Microspey rod, you would do well to match the Bauer RVR MS reel specifically to that rod.  Match made in Heavan.  That doesn't mean you can't use a different reel, I am just saying they make an amazing couple and most likely would stay together forever.

Additionally, the Bauer RVR MS reel has a full caged frame which is a must when using thin monofiliment running lines.  This full caged frame feature eliminates the line slipping through the frame and into the spool when casting.  If you've ever experienced this, it is super annoying to say the least.  The way this happens is when you are casting for distance and you carry a few loops and release them on the forward cast, the line speed generated by the casting stroke brings the loops up near the reel and sometimes can get wrapped around the reel and then the line slips through the frame and ends up inside the spool.

  

Trout Spey Bronze

Sage Trout Spey Reels: (Trout Spey Specific)

As above when talking about the Winston Micro Spey rod being matched with the Bauer RVR MS reel, same goes here if you own or are thinking of owning a  Sage Trout Spey HD rod, you would do well to match the Sage Trout Spey reel  to it.  They are a stunning couple as well.  I have the Bronze model on my Sage  Trout Spey 2wt and it is perfectly matched in every way.  Again, that doesn't  mean you have to do it.  It's just a strong suggestion.

Trout Spey Silver

That being said the Sage Trout Spey reel was specifically designed for trout spey rods.  As stated, I purchased the 1/2/3 Bronze version which paired BEAUTIFULLY with my Sage Trout Spey HD 2wt rod.  I also honestly bought the 1/2/3 size because I wanted it to serve double duty.  First being on my 2 and 3 weight trout spey rods, but secondly on my 5 and 6wt single hand rods if needed.  I have on occasion, had to use it on a single hand rod and it worked great.  Just a tad big, but doable on a 5 or 6wt single handed rod.

I am not big on spare spools when it comes to reels and fishing.  I would rather have multiple reels in the event that a reel malfuntions and have back up, rather than having one reel with 3 spare spools and have the reel malfunction and the spare spools of no use to me.  It is alsways good to have back up.

"Sage Trout Spey Reel:  I love this reel, I own several Orvis fly reels and this is every bit as good as those reels.  This reel is beautiful, smooth, and has a very strong/smooth drag system.  The first fish I hooked with this reel was a Salmon, and the reel met all of my expectations." - Richard Kidwell

I loved this reel so much that I also bought it's big brother the Sage Spey Reel (original series) 6/7/8 and have been using it on my G.Loomis Asquith 7130-4 spey rod.  No complaints, no issues, works like a dream.

Hardy Reels: (Non-Trout Spey Specific)

Marquis LWT

Hardy Marquis:  If you like the classic look and feel of a reel, then look no further than one of the oldies but goodies.  Hardy has been making reels forever and they are still going strong.  The Marquis LWT has been re-modeled with more porting, to help make it a bit lighter, an indented regulator button and regulation range.

The indented regulator button and increased range of tension help you keep the reel from backlashing in the heat of battle, yet still light enough to protect the lighter tippets associated with trout fishing at times.  When it comes to putting the right size Marquis LWT on your trout spey rod, think LWT #6 for your 1wt, 2wt and 3wt, and the #7 for your 4wt.

Beautiful Boulge

Hardy Bougle Heritage Series: Another Hardy masterpiece. Oh the sound of the growl this reel makes when your fish is going berzerk.  These are beautiful with their dark Grey Gunmetal anodizing.  The Original Bougle was last produced in 1939 but only few in numbers with similar anodizing.  They are easily converted to Left or Right Hand retreive.  The Bougle will look absolutely stunning on any trout spey rod you would want to put it on.

In size, the Bougle is a bit smaller than you think, when compared to other reels, in that when you see a diameter of 3 1/2" that does'nt mean that the spool is 3 1/2" with the Bougle. It would be more like 3 1/4" and that is because they measure the diameter from the outside edge of the housing of the crossbars making it seem bigger than it really is.

That being said, if you wanted to put a Bougle on your 1, 2, 3 or 4wt trout spey rod, I would suggest that you go with the 3 1/2" version.  It may look small on the rod, but the reel has some weight to it and it has the right capacity to fit everything.

"Beautiful Reel:  This is our first Bougle.  If you don't have one, they're much more impressive in person than in pictures.  It's a well built and beautiful piece of old school engineering.  If you like loud reels, this one is great!  Based on it's design, you will never have your running line slip through a gap to get stuck somwhere it shouldn't be like some reels.  Depending on how you mount it, it takes getting used to, to palm the drag, as it does not have a palming ring to the outside of the spool.  The spool is contained within the frame.  Thus, you have to palm the face of the spool.  It ups the challenge a bit in a fun way!" - Thomas Battaglia.

 

Narrow Spool Perfect

Hardy 1912 Narrow Spool Perfect:  Now this is a true classic, made by "master" craftsman in Alnwick England where it all began.  The beautifully polished Red Agate line guard is stunning.  If you have a 1 or 2wt trout spey rod, the 3 1/8" reel is a Perfect match.  Did you see it? Did you see what I just did?

If you love classics, you just really can't go wrong with a Hardy anything.  The Marquis LWT, the Bougle, the Narrow Spool Perfect or the Widespool Perfect you're good to  go.  I'd like to note that as you go up from the Marquis, to the Bougle then to the Perfects the growling sound gets more refined.  Meaning that, the sound seems to tighten up.  The Marquis sounds like a few ball bearings in a coffee can, while the Bougle seems a bit less agressive and then finally the Perfect even lesser aggressive.  I don't know how else to explain it.

Agate Detail

The Agate line guard is just sweet looking and as they say..."it's icing on the cake.  The Narrow Spool Perfect reels specifically come either in Left Hand Retrieve or Right Hand Retrieve so be mindful of that if you decide you just can't take it anymore and need to order one.

We have a "Trade Up Program" here at the Gorge Fly Shop and I can honestly say that I have never seen a Hardy Perfect sent in to trade up for something else.  Why do I even mention that?  It's because folks fall in love with them and just tend to keep them once they have them.  Some even collect them or pass them down to other generations in the family.

Wide Spool Perfect.

Hardy Wide Spool Perfect:  This new model compared to the Narrow spool offers the same quality but in a wider spool for greater capacity.  More room for backing and the thicker heads that come along with fishing a two handed trout spey rod.  The Wide Spool does'nt have the line guard that the Narrow Spool has.  Nonetheless, it is still beautiful.

Like the Narrow spool, the Wide spool has a beautful purring sound to it when line is being reeled in or better yet when line is screaming off the reel.  The is a subtle difference in the sound as line is going out but it still calms your soul like a kitten purring in your ear.  If you're a cat lover you know what I mean.  I am not a cat lover, but I have had a few kittens purr in my ear and it just makes me think of them.  If you like the Hardy Wide Spool Perfect and want to adorn your favorite trout spey rod with one, go with the 3 3/8" for your 2, 3 or 4wt rods.

In closing, these by far are not all the reels you could potentially put on your trout spey rods.  The possiblities are close to endless.  These are just some of my favorites for the job.

Clarification on sizing reels for your rods:  When choosing a reel that is specifically designed for a single hand rod, that when you are choosing one of those reels for your two handed trout spey rod, the general rule is to size up at least two sizes, and most of the time, three sizes on the reel for the rod.

In example:  if you have a 2wt trout spey rod, and you want a reel that is not specifically designed for two handed rods, buy a reel that will hold a 5 or 6wt fly line.  This does a couple things for you in that #1. the larger reel balances out the longer two handed rods and #2. it gives you room for the appropriate amount of backing, your running line and the thicker Skagit and Scandi style heads that are used with the two handed rods. I own a 4wt trout spey rod that I put a Galvan Torque T-7 reel on and it balance out the rod perfectly and had plenty of room for the line system. (see photo below)... 

My 11' 4wt Winston BIII TH MicroSpey rod with a Galvan Torque T-7 reel, oh and yeah, a toad of a Deschutes River Redside...look at that thing!

Note:  Pictured above is a Galvan T-7 reel, that at the time, I used on my 4wt, but I must say it was not my favorite reel for the job.  As stated early on in this article, a full cage frame is a must if you use thin mono running lines, which I do.  This photo was just to show you the importance of sizing up the single hand reel size for the two handed rod.  Could I survive and still have used this reel, absolutely but since switching to a full caged frame reel, I have never, not a single time had the running line slip inbetween the frame and spool.  Hope that makes sense.

Hope this helps in choosing your next trout spey reel but if it doesn't and your head is still spinning from all the options, you can certainly give us a call here at the shop anytime and we would love to help you get dialed.

Thanks for reading, I'm standing by...

GFS Team

John G

"The Gorge"

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Sage Trout Spey HD 10’9” One Weight Review

Finally got a chance to get out and really test out my new Sage Trout Spey HD 10’9” one weight rod.
I made a trip to the Malheur Mountains to explore some small streams that feed the Malheur River for Redband Rainbows.

Mike Prine and I have had this trip planned for a while. We knew going into this that the feeder streams would not likely produce much if any fish over 12”, but one could hope right. So along with my two and three weight single hand rods I packed my Sage Trout Spey HD one weight two hander.

By the second day we had reached a camp on a stretch of the stream that slowed and broadened out to twenty to forty feet wide. This was a perfect place to swing some soft hackles. I set down my dry fly rod and started swinging with the two hander.

Matched with the Sage Trout Spey 1/2/3 Reel and a RIO Trout Spey Scandi Head in 190 grain weight it made the perfect soft hackle outfit. The rod is light enough you can single hand cast it if you wanted unlike most two handed rods.

Swinging soft hackles on the one weight is a blast for the 8” to 12” Redband Rainbows found in these streams. Even though these fish are small, they still are a lot of fun on this rod. Don’t under estimate this rod because it says one weight on it, a good angler can do much more than many would think possible.

As we worked up stream I spotted what looked like a fairly large Brook Trout, maybe a bull trout. I quickly clipped my soft hackle and 5x tippet off. Grabbed my streamer box and tied on a 2” long white Sculpzilia.

I made a couple of cast and spooked the fish. So I made a couple more cast just for fun. Managed to hook a little bull trout about 14”.

I then realized that I forgot that the rod was called a one weight. I would not sell this as a streamer rod, but I was casting the small #8 Sculpzilla just fine even with the scandi style trout spey line. If I had it rigged with a RIO Skagit Trout Spey it would cast this set up even better.

A short ways up river I could see a huge shadow of a fish moving up into a riffle. If I was back home I would think Steelhead or Salmon, but not here. This drainage is I would guess a 100 plus miles and three dams away from the furthest point migratory fish can pass.

I grabbed my Trout Spey and quickly launched a cast out. As soon as the fly hit the water I started stripping and this fish instantly chased down my fly and inhaled it. I yelled to Mike, “Huge Fish!” He grabbed his camera and came running.

Now I am hooked up to a fish on a one weight trout spey rod that could easily estimate 28 to 30 inches. He rolled and took off upstream as I loaded the rod all the way into the butt.

Not sure what I had hooked but I saw an odd golden color as he rolled and turned. My mind was racing! What do I have? Don’t lose it! Keep the line tight, don’t let it in the logs! Is it a bull trout? It flashed more like a brown, but there are no browns in here, at least that I know of.

Crazy but I was able to keep the fish in control and lucky enough to land him after good little tussle.

Mike asked “what is that?” I looked at hum and said honestly it looks like an old spawned out Spring Chinook, but that is not possible here. We quickly took photos and released the fish.

The next few days we pondered what this fish was. It was really driving me crazy! Most everything pointed to an Spring Chinook that had been in the river for a while but it had no signs of looking like a zombie fish in which a Spring Chinook in September would. The mouth was much more trouty than most Chinook. I was just at a complete lost.

A few days went by and we dropped into cell coverage. I quickly texted my buddy Steve, a good friend and retired fish biologist, the picture of the mystery fish with caption "what is this?" He replied it is an old Spring Chinook.

I called him and told him there can't be no Salmon where I am. Once I told him where I was he said you are right. I see why you are so confuse. He then told me that Oregon Fish and Wildlife had just started a program a few years ago trucking a few hundred left over adult hatchery Chinook to this watershed and releasing them. They were doing this for some of the tribes so they could fish some historic grounds with traditional methods.

So mystery was solved.

Now I am not telling you this to promoting catching old worn out salmon on a one weight trout spey rod. I would have never cast to the fish if I knew what it was. The point of this is to show you even a one weight trout spey with the proper technique can cast a fairly large fly and land a fairly large fish.

My thoughts on this rod after spending more time with it is that it is one of the most fun rods I have fished ever. It is a blast to cast. Most of all it makes your small water trout fishery a lot of fun with a two hander.

This Sage Trout Spey HD 1109-4 is amazing fun with soft hackles and can handle light duty streamers on smallish water. It wouldn't be my first choice on big water like the Deschutes but for small water and wild trout then I say...YES! GET ONE!!!!
Trav

"The Gorge"

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Sage 1 Weight Trout Spey Review - New for 2020

With the evolution of today’s shorter Skagit and Scandi heads the size of our spey rods keep getting lighter and smaller. This is the same case for trout spey rods. I remember when the first few 4 weight spey rods were introduced and we all thought finally rods light enough to fish trout with.

Fast forward to 2019, my work horse Skagit/streamer trout spey is 3 weight. Matched with a short heavy Skagit this rod cast a fairly large streamer and 10’ of t-8 to t-10 sink tip with ease.

Originally I bought my 3 weight to fish soft hackles, but found myself wanting something lighter.

This last spring I was about ready to pull the trigger on a Sage One 10’9” 2 weight when I heard the new Sage Trout Spey HD would be out late summer. What really intrigued me was that there was going to be a 10’9” 1 weight.

Keep in mind a one weight spey rod is about like a 4 weight single hander, the perfect soft hackle rod.

So I put my order in and waited. It showed up right as I was leaving for a family trip to Crane Prairie.

Crane Prairie is a large reservoir South of Bend Oregon. Crane is well known for its population of very large rainbows. Not exactly the stream I wanted to try the rod out on, but I it was my first opportunity to play with it.

I matched the rod up with a new Sage Trout Spey 1/2/3 Reel, RIO 35 lb. Slick Shooter and a RIO TroutSpey Scandi head 190 grain.

Normally I would tell you that a lake is not a place I person enjoy a trout spey, but I had to go play with it.

So one night I was taking the kids out in the boat I brought the new rod along. First I just spey cast it a little from the bow of the boat. It was a dream, light, comfortable, powerful, but yet deep loading to protect light tippet.

It was so light I cast it over head a few times. It was so light, it did not feel like it was 10’9” long, most of all it launched 90 feet with ease!

I rigged up a double chironomid rig with an indicator and started fishing. I spent about an hour casting this rod single hand and hooked a few nice fish, landed one about 21”. This rod did this well. I was surprised, I just don’t generally care for casting these small two handers single hand. It was a pleasant surprise.

If you want a fun little trout spey this is it!

Mike and I will be taking an Oregon tour next month where I will actually get some stream time with this ultimate spey soft hackle rod. I can't wait and will do a follow up report asap!
Trav

"The Gorge"

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