Spey casting is an effective and fun way to fish for steelhead, salmon and trout; even in the saltwater too, for certain species. The development of Spey casting occurred in the mid-1800s on the River Spey in Scotland. The river Spey’s high weed laden banks made traditional fly casting very difficult. Alas, the spey cast was born.
Mia began pursuing steelhead in 2001 with a two-handed rod when Marty taught her how to cast on the banks of the John Day River. In 2006 she started guiding steelhead trips and teaching spey casting and continues to guide the Grande Ronde, John Day, Deschutes and the Kasilof Rivers for steelhead, using two handed rods. Mia’s love for spey casting eventually lead to her to competitive casting at the GGAC in Spey O Rama from 2010 to 2019. Her style incorporates lessons she has learned from other steelheaders and spey casters that include her husband, Marty Sheppard, and professionals; Al Buhr, Brian Silvey, Mike Kinney, Tim Arsenault, Zach Williams and James Chalmers. Her style is practical and hands on.
For those who wish to master the art of spey casting, whether with a single or double-handed rod, a lesson provides an excellent foundation in the fundamental techniques. Whether you are new to two-handed casting or have experience under your belt, Mia can teach you from the beginning or tune up your cast and diagnose breakdowns in the cast.
Spey Casting Instruction Info & Pricing
When – Group Lesson March 29th and April 5th 2025
Where – March 29th Gresham Oregon, Oxbow Park, Alder Shelter – 9am – 1pm
April 5th, Maupin Oregon, Deschutes River 9am – 1pm
All spey casting instruction takes place on water, so bring your waders. Rods and lines provided or you can bring your own.
Group Spey Instruction (4 people) – Group classes are 4 hours of instruction. Includes snack and drinks.
$200 per person
Spey Instruction private lesson – scheduled per hour by appointment.
$95 per person
Why Spey Cast
Little room needed – When spey casting you minimize the amount of line you carry behind you. This makes brush covered or high bank fishing situations possible.
Less effort – A two-hand rod requires very little effort to cast. Both hands are used to deliver the cast – 80 percent of the power comes from using your bottom hand and the top hand is the guide
Line control – Being longer, two-hand rods manage and control your fly line much better than conventional fly rods. Fly control is one of the best ways to increase your catch rate.
Change direction easily – Taking your line from straight downstream and casting it back out at a 45-90-degree angle to the current is easy and effortless, very little stripping and no false casting.
Fun & rewarding – Spey casting is simply fun!
More on speycasting check out an Intro to Winter Steelhead Fishing at Anchored Outdoors
