Spey Education Program

GGACC's Spey Education Program is a unique program that teaches students to cast a two-handed rod, and the techniques of a swung fly presentation.  We train students to cast from both sides with either hand up.  Because of its FFI trained instructors, world class facilities, and available loaner equipment, it is the premier Spey training program in the country.  Open to members only, the program consists of three levels of classes:  Spey Angler (2 day), Spey Improver (1 day) and Long Belly (1 day).  Class dates are found on the GGACC Events calendar – typically in fall, winter and spring.  Registration is done online, and there is a waiting list available for all classes.  Each class is limited to 6 students. 


Spey Angler

Targeted at fly fishers who are new to Spey casting, students will learn basic Spey casts (for example: roll, double Spey, snap and overhead casts). Students will use GGACC rods, reels and lines.  Please note the following:  The most successful Spey Angler students arrive possessing certain casting ability.  They are able to false cast and roll cast a single-handed rod at 35’ with a straight top leg of the loop.  They are able to “turn over the line, leader and fly” in the air.

This is a two-day class.  The first day is at GGACC, while the second day is on the American River.  The club provides well matched loaner equipment (rods, reels and lines).  You must possess all other necessary gear.

There is a $150 fee paid online at registration.  The cornerstones of our instruction are the Bob Pauli Spey Casting Manual (registered members will receive a copy) and RIO’s Modern Spey Casting three DVD set featuring Simon Gawesworth (student purchase).


Spey Improver

Meant for students who have taken the Spey Angler class or have experience swinging a fly with a two-handed rod. Stu dents should be proficient performing waterborne anchor casts (snap and double spey casts).  Students will learn more advanced casts (for example: switch, snake roll and single Spey).  Students may use GGACC equipment or their own.  There is a $50 fee paid when registering online. 


Long Belly Class

Meant for those able to perform both waterborne anchor and splash-and-go casts.  Students will learn the fundamental differences between casting Skagit/Scandi and long belly lines.  Students provide rods and long belly lines (matched to their individual rod).  There is a $50 fee payable when registering online. 


Steve Morikawa
GGACC Spey Education Chair
stevenmorikawa@msn.com

 

Upcoming events

  • Spey Angler Fall 2024 Day 1 of 2

    • 23 Nov 2024
    • 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
    • Center Pond at Anglers Lodge - San Francisco
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    GGACC's Spey Angler Program is unique, in that its primary goal is to teach anglers how to swing a fly with a two-handed rod for steelhead and other species.   Preparing a student to fish from a boat with a two-handed rod using such tackle as strike indicators is NOT part of this program.

    A “signature” of GGACC’s Spey training is that we train students to cast with both hands, from both sides of their body.  Maximum class size is 6 in order to give each student lots of personal attention. 

    On Saturday we cover the fundamentals of Spey in a classroom setting, then quickly move to the ponds to learn the basic Spey casts. We meet Saturday @ 8:30AM in Anglers Lodge in our waders  -- but leave spiked boots outside!  We then move into the ponds from 9:30AM - 3PM with appropriate breaks.

    On Sunday, river conditions permitting, we head to the American River in the Sacramento area and learn to fish the casts practiced on Saturday.  Midday we add sink tips to replicate real world conditions. Also covered are rotation fishing, river etiquette, and fighting and landing steelhead as well as other species. On Sunday, we start at 8:30AM sharp ready to cast (rigged up, waders on, etc.) at one of several locations to be provided on Saturday. We finish at approximately 2PM.

    You must be a current GGACC member to register, and there is a $150 registration fee for this class.  The fee must be paid with credit card or PayPal when you register online.  Failure to make this payment within 15 minutes of starting the registration process will cancel your registration.

    Please note the following!  The most successful Spey students possess certain casting abilities!   With a single hand rod, you should to be able to false cast a straight top leg of a loop @ 35’ (both forward and back cast) and have the final forward cast roll out the line, leader and fly above the water.  One also needs to be able to roll cast a loop @ 35', having the fly line, leader and fly “turn over” while airborne.  For best success, we strongly encourage prospective students to develop these single hand casting abilities before taking this Spey Angler class.  If you are uncertain as to your readiness for this class, one of the four Spey Instructors or any FFI CCI (certified casting instructor) you approach will be able to watch you cast and quickly determine your readiness.  FFI CCIs wear printed name tags at the GGACC's monthly free casting lessons (when resumed).   If you don’t possess the above abilities, please attend those free Saturday casting lessons and develop them.  

    The club has loaner Spey rods, reels, and lines available. Bring waders, boots, wading staff, eye protection, hat, and sack lunches for both days; and also a folding chair for Sunday at the American River. Again, students are welcome to use the club's high end, superbly matched Spey rods and lines each day. Students are responsible for their own transportation to both the GGACC casting ponds and to the American River training site.  Arranging on Saturday for carpools to get to the river on Sunday is encouraged since parking may be limited at the river, and often requires a small local park use fee. 

    Registration for this two-day class is accomplished online using the GGACC Event calendar on the Saturday event only.  Registration requires GGACC membership and paying a $150 fee. When the class is full (maximum 6 students), you will have the option of joining a waitlist for that class (any cancellations may be filled from the waitlist, and those waitlisted may be advised first of new class dates).  Registrants and any members on the waitlists will be emailed an attachment containing Bob Pauli’s Spey Casting Manual and encouraged to purchase Simon Gawesworth’s 3-DVD set on “Modern Spey Casting”.  These two resources are the corner stones of our education program.  As such, the instructors expect you to read the manual and watch the DVDs multiple times.  Students who don’t prepare are often frustrated and can fall behind.

    Cancellation: If you cancel prior to 20 days from the class, your fee will be refunded. Cancellation inside the 30-day window which causes the class size to drop below 4 students (minimum class size) will result in fee forfeiture. Notify Steven Morikawa (stevenmorikawa@msn.com) as soon as you know you need to cancel.

    Please check the GGACC events calendar for Spey Angler classes. When possible, there will be at least two Spey Angler classes in the spring and two in the fall.  (The Spey "Improver" classes are not for beginners!)

    Any Question give a call!  Steven Morikawa FFI-Two Handed Master Instructor 707 315-2020

    Show details

  • Spey Angler Fall 2024 Day 2 of 2

    • 24 Nov 2024
    • 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
    • TBD - Most likely American River Sacramento or Ponds at GGACC in San Francisco
    Register

    GGACC's Spey Angler Program is unique, in that its primary goal is to teach anglers how to swing a fly with a two-handed rod for steelhead and other species.   Preparing a student to fish from a boat with a two-handed rod using such tackle as strike indicators is NOT part of this program.

    A “signature” of GGACC’s Spey training is that we train students to cast with both hands, from both sides of their body.  Maximum class size is 6 in order to give each student lots of personal attention. 

    On Saturday we cover the fundamentals of Spey in a classroom setting, then quickly move to the ponds to learn the basic Spey casts. We meet Saturday @ 8:30AM in Anglers Lodge in our waders  -- but leave spiked boots outside!  We then move into the ponds from 9:30AM - 3PM with appropriate breaks.

    On Sunday, river conditions permitting, we head to the American River in the Sacramento area and learn to fish the casts practiced on Saturday.  Midday we add sink tips to replicate real world conditions. Also covered are rotation fishing, river etiquette, and fighting and landing steelhead as well as other species. On Sunday, we start at 8:30AM sharp ready to cast (rigged up, waders on, etc.) at one of several locations to be provided on Saturday. We finish at approximately 2PM.

    You must be a current GGACC member to register, and there is a $150 registration fee for this class.  The fee must be paid with credit card or PayPal when you register online.  Failure to make this payment within 15 minutes of starting the registration process will cancel your registration.

    Please note the following!  The most successful Spey students possess certain casting abilities!   With a single hand rod, you should to be able to false cast a straight top leg of a loop @ 35’ (both forward and back cast) and have the final forward cast roll out the line, leader and fly above the water.  One also needs to be able to roll cast a loop @ 35', having the fly line, leader and fly “turn over” while airborne.  For best success, we strongly encourage prospective students to develop these single hand casting abilities before taking this Spey Angler class.  If you are uncertain as to your readiness for this class, one of the four Spey Instructors or any FFI CCI (certified casting instructor) you approach will be able to watch you cast and quickly determine your readiness.  FFI CCIs wear printed name tags at the GGACC's monthly free casting lessons (when resumed).   If you don’t possess the above abilities, please attend those free Saturday casting lessons and develop them.  

    The club has loaner Spey rods, reels, and lines available. Bring waders, boots, wading staff, eye protection, hat, and sack lunches for both days; and also a folding chair for Sunday at the American River. Again, students are welcome to use the club's high end, superbly matched Spey rods and lines each day. Students are responsible for their own transportation to both the GGACC casting ponds and to the American River training site.  Arranging on Saturday for carpools to get to the river on Sunday is encouraged since parking may be limited at the river, and often requires a small local park use fee. 

    Registration for this two-day class is accomplished online using the GGACC Event calendar on the Saturday event only.  Registration requires GGACC membership and paying a $150 fee. When the class is full (maximum 6 students), you will have the option of joining a waitlist for that class (any cancellations may be filled from the waitlist, and those waitlisted may be advised first of new class dates).  Registrants and any members on the waitlists will be emailed an attachment containing Bob Pauli’s Spey Casting Manual and encouraged to purchase Simon Gawesworth’s 3-DVD set on “Modern Spey Casting”.  These two resources are the corner stones of our education program.  As such, the instructors expect you to read the manual and watch the DVDs multiple times.  Students who don’t prepare are often frustrated and can fall behind.

    Cancellation: If you cancel prior to 20 days from the class, your fee will be refunded. Cancellation inside the 15-day window which causes the class size to drop below 4 students (minimum class size) will result in fee forfeiture. Notify Steven Morikawa (stevenmorikawa@msn.com) as soon as you know you need to cancel.

    Please check the GGACC events calendar for Spey Angler classes. When possible, there will be at least two Spey Angler classes in the spring and two in the fall.  (The Spey "Improver" classes are not for beginners!)

    Any Question give a call!  Steven Morikawa FFI-Two Handed Master Instructor 707 315-2020

    Show details

Questions? Please direct your inquiries to the appropriate mail box:

General Information:
club.ggacc@gmail.com

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ggaccsocial@gmail.com

Learn To Fly Fish Program:
ltff.ggacc@gmail.com

Our Mailing Address:  Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club  ·  P.O. Box 591476  ·  San Francisco, CA 94159

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