Skagit/ology
Revised 2010 George Cook/Ryan S Petzold
Over 5 years have passed since the introduction of the vaunted Skagit Line. However, despite its
effectiveness and popularity, misconception, confusion and lack of overall clarity of the use of Skagit Lines
remains. The following is a short but specific conversation regarding the history and usage of the various
Skagit lines in the Worldwide spey fishing theater.
History- Beginning in the 1990’s many of today’s most recognizable spey authorities
independently where developing Skagit type of lines. Noted casters and anglers such as Ed Ward, Mike
Kinney, Scott O’Donnell, Scott Howell. Mike McCune, Jerry French and the legendary Harry
Lemire among others were at the forefront of the Skagit revolution. Along the banks of northwest rivers
coupled with late nights in the depths of fly tying rooms of the Pacific Northwest the chop-shop artist and
line theologists were hard at work developing what would become today’s Skagit Lines. Some
would cut and splice their way, others would utilize bumped up WindCutter bodies to perfect the craft.
The shorter belly approach was underway. The day had come to maximize the spey rod for winter
conditions with large outsized flies. The use of Northwest hybrid and Skagit Casts such as the Snap Tee,
Perry Poke, Snap Z and Wombat lent themselves to the shorter belly approach. Today the Skagit line
approach is “the� approach to sinking line endeavors worldwide. Be it Kings in Alaska to Sea Run
Browns of the Rio Grande from the Umpqua to the Babine and all points in between. The Skagit Line has
become the omnipresent tool. Originally developed purely as a sink tip line, the Skagit line also can be an
effective full floating line particularly on 12’ to 13’9� rods. To be sure the spey caster will
endure a greater level of stripping of line to recast (applies to all Skagit lines versus long belly lines) but the
reward is a undeniable highly energized long and straight cast.
Types- The original Rio Skagit Line worked from a 27’ body that still today serves as the basic
Skagit Spey approach. In 2009, the Skagit Short came onboard providing an ideal line for switch rods as
well as shorter spey rods in the 12-13’ range. These lines are specialized shorter 20’ Skagit
lines. Often times the Skagit Short serves the ardent spey caster well in strategic tight corridor situations
often found in such steelhead haunts as the Oregon Coast, Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island.
New for 2010; the arrival of the Skagit Flight head. The Skagit Flight redefines the Skagit Line concept
with a new focused entry. The Flight comes in 25 grain increments from 425 to 700 grains with one last
50 grain jump to 750. These lines feature a taper that produces outrageous line speed coupled with tight
loops. The head features expediential length from 24’-32’. These new lines have you covered
whether you are a rank beginner or seasoned expert. It might also be noted that the Cheater concept as
an add-on piece is not required nor needed with the new Skagit Flight lines.
Usage- Specific Skagit Line size (grain weight) match-ups come with a degree of variability coupled with
angler opinion. Line speed versus load, moderate versus fast action all add up to a witch’s brew of
variables that must be fleshed out on any given rod regardless of manufacturer. The great casters often
find themselves 25 to 100 grains apart on any given rod. In the end the angler must boil it down and get
the details. Often, the “bump up weight� theorem coincides with a naked (no cheater) approach.
In the end, one must discern the details before going forward. All in all, most spey rods 12’ to 15â
€™ in length will have as many as three different Skagit Lines that will work. Generally one will be ideal.
To discover this the angler must seek out opinion within the spey community, be it guide, angling buddies,
factory rep or retail representative. Again, be sure to discern the details (i.e. line grain weight and cheater
consideration, etc).
Skagit Cheaters- With the demand for shorter belly lines growing in popularity, here is a tool that allows
the spey enthusiast the ability to completely dial in their Skagit Line (longer). Essentially the Cheater theory
allows the customization of a Skagit Line pursuant to the given length of rod. Generally, spey rods 11-13â
€™8â€� feet will utilize no cheater “nakedâ€�, although is should be noted that 13 to 13’9â€�
rods may possibly work well with a 2.5 foot Cheater. Rods 13’9�-15 feet will utilize a 5 foot
cheater. Rods 15-16 feet will use either a 5’ or the 7.5 foot cheater.
Skagit Short Lines- Ideal for switch rods in the 10’6� to 11� range along with application for
shorter spey rods in the 12’ to 13’ range, 7 weight and under. These are specialized shorter 20â
€™ Skagit lines. These lines are also perfectly at home on 9 to 10 foot single handed rods in a single
hand spey approach. New 2010; Skagit Short 525 along with a full array of 20’ head format lines
that allow easy changeover with other shooting head style spey lines such as the AFS.
New 2010; Skagit Flight Line- The Skagit Flight redefines the Skagit Line concept with a new focused
entry. The Flight comes in 25 grain increments from 425 to 700 grains with one last 50 grain jump to
750. These lines feature a taper that produces outrageous line speed coupled with tight loops. The head
features expediential length from 24’-32’. These new lines have you covered whether you are a
rank beginner or seasoned expert. It might also be noted that the Cheater concept as an add-on piece is
not required nor needed with the new Skagit Flight lines.
Building a la carte Skagit Floating Lines- The Skagit line as a floating line is both an effective and elegant
match up particularly on 12’ to 13’9� spey rods. The a la carte construction for a full floating
line works as follows; Skagit 550 body as an example (27 feet) plus 5’ cheater (8/9/10 Skagit
Cheater Pack) along with a #9 15’ Skagit Floating Tip (which so happens to be the front end of a
WindCutter 8/9/10) which makes a 47 foot Skagit Floating Line. This format gives you a complete
VersiTip approach with your Skagit line. It should be noted that with the new Skagit Flight heads, that
based on their “dialed-in� length pursuant to expected (length) rod use that the use of a 5’
Cheater is not needed nor desired in the a la carte floating line approach.
No doubt spey casting has more opinion out there than any other sport other than maybe Archery. In this,
one thing remains true to form. Sink tip lines in conjunction with intruder type flies get free flight lessons
long and straight with the Skagit taper line. Floating line enthusiasts upon acceptance of extra line strip will
enjoy the benefit of highly energized long straight casts with dries and summer patterns as well.
George Cook/July 09