Keep it simple…Easier said than done when it comes to finding the correct line for a two-handed rods. However, finding the perfect line for your two-handed rod is easier than you may think.

Some spey lines are described by their corresponding grain weight instead of their line weight. Others are described as a line weight or maybe even a range of line weights. For example, an 8 wt spey line could be a 600 grain Skagit head, 7/8 Short Belly, or a 7/8/9 Long Belly! The madness behind this is that each two-hand rod has a slightly different operating grain window based on the rods action or flex. Instead of telling people that a fast action fly rod by manufacturer X casts better when over weighted, many people refer to the grain weight or a range of line weights to simplify things (hopefully!).

Unfortunately, line manufacturers and rod manufacturers are not simplifying things. Most anglers who are seeking out information are walking away more confused. So we’ve broken it down so that an angler who purchases an 8 weight two-hand rod can easily walk away with the correct line.

Remember, every two-handed rod has a wide range of line weights that it can cast. The lower range of weights should be considered for slower action or higher flex rods, smaller bodies of water, or lighter presentations and lighter sink tips. The higher range of weights should be considered for faster action or low flex rods, larger bodies of water, or heavy flies and heavy sink tips.

The following charts will help in choosing the right Scientific Anglers spey line. We’ve broken the information into two pieces – shooting heads and full lines. Shooting heads include the Skagit Extreme Head and the Scandi Extreme Head. The full lines include the Evolution and the Distance Spey. Typically, shooting heads are referred to in grains while full lines are line weights.

Table 1: Shooting Head Recommendations

Table 2: Full Line Recommendations

The above recommendations should help when purchasing a new line. Remember to keep it simple, 40 grains too heavy or too light of a shooting head is not going to make a two-hand set up obsolete. Nor will using a 7/8 line on a 6 weight rod. In the end, it is all user preference. Use the target recommendation to get started then branch out. For a more detailed chart for specific rod manufacturers and Scientific Anglers lines, refer to the following chart: 2011 Scientific Anglers Spey Recommendations