Skagit/ology
By George Cook
February 2007

Nearly 2 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 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, Mike McCune and Scott Howell among others where 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 where 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 is an incredibly 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.

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 to any given rod regardless of manufacturer.  The great casters often find themselves 50 to 100 grains apart on any given rod.  In the end the angler must boil it down and get the details.  Often, the “weight bump” up 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 15’ 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, 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) or WindCutter Line (shorter). Essentially the Cheater theory allows the customization of a Skagit Line pursuant to the given length of rod.  Generally, spey rods 11-13 feet will utilize no cheater or “naked”.  Rods 13-15 feet utilizing a 5 foot cheater.  With rods 15-16 feet using either a 5 foot, a custom cut 7.5 foot cheater (from a 10 foot cheater) or possibility a full 10 foot cheater.

Full Floating and 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.  You can attain a full floating Skagit line one of two ways.  Full Floating in 500, 600,700 or 800 grain varieties are available.  Averaging a 46 foot taper, this format will bomb skaters or wet flies for summer runs with ease.  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 47 foot Skagit Floating Line.  The obvious difference between the two is that a full line floater is “seamless” versus looped parts of the a la carte. 

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.