Mastering the art of casting a spey rod is arguably the most challenging aspect of winter steelheading. These purposefully designed rods possess immense power, capable of effortlessly propelling a fly over distances exceeding 100 ft. The underlying principle is to effectively cover a larger expanse of water, and by honing your casting technique alongside other essential skills, you pave the path to ultimate success.

Finding Steelhead is no easy task. It's the million-dollar question that demands thorough study. Simply put, they can be found in walking pace bouldery water, typically 2-6ft deep. But the truth is, they could be anywhere in the water. To successfully chase these fish, one must closely monitor river levels, tides, water color, and more. Paying attention to these details is key to a fruitful pursuit.

In this course, we will discuss my recommendations for winter steelhead fishing gear, including jackets, waders, fly lines, and flies. Having high-quality gear is crucial to help you endure the elements and make the most of your experience on the water. We will cover topics such as selecting the right rod, reel, and flies so that you can feel confident in your choices by the end of the course.

Orvis Spey Casting Basics: For those new to Spey Casting, Orvis provides a comprehensive guide to the basics.

Simon Gawesworth Video: Simon Gawesworth demonstrates various types of spey casts, such as Single Spey, Double Spey, Jelly Roll, and Snake Roll.

John Hazlett Video: Learn the Snap T cast for fly fishing with Jon Hazlett from the Ashland Fly Shop.

Skagit Casting: Explore the Skagit Snap C or Circle C cast, Snap T, and Snap Z casts.

How to Read Steelhead Water with Scott Baker McGarva - This video addresses the common challenge of understanding river currents and breaks down the head, body, and tail of each run.

Beginner Spey Tactics: Episode 4 - Marcus explores the key factors of speed, depth, and structure when it comes to reading water.

Wet Fly Swing Podcast - Listen to local guides sharing their expertise on locating steelhead in nearby waters. Don't miss the episodes featuring Marty & Mia Shephard and Mark Bachmann.

Check out this website for waders, rods, and reels: NW Fly Fishing Outfitters.

For layers, socks, thermals, and more, visit Next Adventure

If you're looking for affordable gear, I recommend checking out Far Bank.

For high-end rods, R.L Winston is the place to go: R.L Winston.