Folks:

I've never built a Spey Rod and I'm building one for 9wt and one for 12wt. The plan is to use them on big rivers in Scotland, though no doubt I'll want to try them out in the Pacific NW and on the beaches of Florida. I wonder what is the right length for the foregrip. I've seen mention of anything from 12-14 or more inches. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Whit

You can start by looking at commercial examples and see what's being used there. Then, try to talk to a few guys who practice that style fishing and see what length they prefer.

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One way to do this is to use sliding rings to hold the reel in place on an overall grip length of your choice. Hold the blank, go through the casting motion and you should find the length that you prefer. Concept of a Tennessee handle. If you want you can flatten one side to better secure the reel feet and avoid a problem of the rings loosening.

I doubt that there is any "standard" here. I would think that you would want the length to be somewhat proportional to the length of the rod (longer rod, longer fore-grip), since the idea is to develop leverage to swing the rod.
As Ken suggests, since you are building them for yourself (at least that is how it seems), just take the blanks in hand and give them a swing in the most natural position. Make note of your hand positions and make the grips to match.

Walt Natzke
Ripon, CA

I believe that Bob Meiser had an article in Rodmaker Magazine about building Spey rods. Check on that and then order a copy of it (if it is still available).

Mike Blomme

This works for our shop ...

For two handed fly rods <> Make the length of both upper and lower grip assemblies proportionate to the length of the rod blank.

Rule of thumb for the upper grip:

Make a 12'0" upper grip length 12" <> Then add an inch = 13" total upper grip length.

14'0" blank = 15" total upper grip length.

Rule of thumb for lower grips:

40% x rod length = lower grip length in inches.

Lower grip for 16'0" rod: 16 x 40% = 6.40"

Lower grip for 12'0" rod: 12 x 40% = 4.80"

Bob Meiser

Aha! Thanks very much. One is a 15' one is a 13' so I'll do the math to get started, then adjust as necessary! Warmly, Whit