I had had the good fortune to attend the Spey-O-Rama on April 23 and 24 with my daughter, Leslie Ajari, at the world-renowned casting ponds in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The event was the World Championship of Spey Casting sponsored by the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club.
Leslie Ajari launches a cast during the Championship Round at the World Championship of Spey Casting. | Bruce Ajari
It features some of the best distance Spey casters in the world. Spey is a form of fly-casting done using two hands with long rods, typically in the 13-foot range. For the championships, rod lengths are typically 15 feet for women and 15 feet, 1 inch for men.
The technique and hand position are totally different. The hands are relatively quiet and inside an imaginary rectangular box in front of you for fishing. For this type of casting, the hands are carried much higher, out of the box, with a much different technique and timing. It takes an inordinate amount of practice to become proficient.
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“For this type of casting, the hands are carried much higher, out of the box, with a much different technique and timing.”
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On Saturday morning, we got to watch some of the open men’s qualifying rounds. It was quite impressive watching the best in the world launch casts that were around 170 to 180 feet. That is a long way to throw a fly line.
On Sunday, before each competitor competes, his or her rod, line and leader are measured before practice and again before competition to insure compliance with the rules. The rods themselves are heavy.
Ireland’s Gerard Downey won his fourth Spey-O-Rama with a world record total of 724 feet, including the longest cast of 193 feet. Norway’s Tommy Arkvisla was runner-up and Oregon’s Travis Johnson was in third place.
Oregon’s Mia Sheppard won the women’s title for the second time in three years with a 2016 total of 520 feet. Sheppard and Canada’s Kara Knight, who finished second, tied for the longest cast with 137 feet. California’s Whitney Gould finished in third place. Leslie took fifth place.
The senior men’s division is now in its fifth year. Ireland’s Martin Kiely won with a total of 620 feet. Canada’s Tyler Kushnir placed second, while Idaho’s Lee Davison placed third.
FISHING REPORT
Boca | Inflow is at 366 cfs, and the outflow is at 242 cfs. Powerbait, nightcrawlers and lures are all working. Fly-fishers have been catching some fish near the inlet with nymphs, streamers and dries.
Donner | Fishing has been fair to good. Kokanee fishing has been good, although the fish are small. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main baits. Mackinaw fishing has been good. Fly-fishers are catching some fish with streamers.
Lake Tahoe | All tributaries are closed to all fishing from July 1 to Sept. 30. Fishing has been fair to good for mackinaw. A guide is highly recommended if you are fishing for mackinaw for the first time. Toplining and shore fishing is fair. Most shore fishermen use inflated nightcrawlers.
Little Truckee River | The flow is at 366 cfs. Be prepared to share the water with a lot of anglers. It has been busy so far this season. With the water at this level, nymphs are your best bet. Hatches are similar to the Truckee River.
Martis Lake | Zero kill. Catch and Release only with barbless artificial lures or flies. Fishing is the best early in the season and again in the fall. There are still a few nice fish in this lake. It was once a premier fishery, but no longer has that status. Smallmouth bass are now here.
Prosser | Fishing has been fair to good. Anglers using bait, lures and flies have all caught fish. Fly-fishers have done well near the inlet areas. Bass fishing has been fair.
Stampede | Fishing has been fair to good from shore. The ramp is available to launch most boats. Nightcrawlers, Powerbait and lures have all produced from shore. Fly-fishers have been doing well near the inlets with nymphs and streamers. The Kokanee fishing has been fair to good for those getting out. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair.
Truckee River | Not flowing out of the lake at Tahoe City. The flows through Truckee are at 380 cfs. Great early season flows in the river. Fishing has been fairly good. Carpenter ants and termites are out and about. Ant, Baetis, March Brown, Caddis imitations, PMD and streamers are your best bet. This is special regulation artificial only with barbless hook water. Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged in this section, but an angler may keep two fish with a minimum size of 14 inches during the regular trout season.
Other Waters| Davis and Frenchman are now if full swing. Boat, shore and fly anglers are catching fish. Reports from Davis are only fair. Blood midge and Callibaetis are the main insects presently. Frenchman fishing has been good. Try the same hatches as in Davis.
Bruce is a long-time area fly-fisherman and past president of Tahoe Truckee Fly Fishers. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com to read more.
