Re:�[VFB]�Sandy�River�Spey�Clave

[mark romero]

Boy Wes, i would sure like to see Simon do his thing on a real river or 
lake/pond. Everytime i've seen him cast it's been at a show on a casting 
set-up, (four inch deep/20 ft wide/you know) or out on a lawn. That does no 
justice to a spey situation. Videos are cool, but i would really like to see 
it up close, live and in person on a river. Only twice have i ever seen it 
done on a river. Our water here goes to the left too, on our side of the 
river of course. Maybe someday you can get out here for the 
Gathering/Fish-In (first week in June) and the Clearwater Junction (first 
Fri. and Sat. in June) and bring your spey tackle for the Big D. That river 
is definately big enough for spey fishing for sure. And on the New York side 
it runs to the left.  mark.....

From: Wes Wada <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: <vfb@troutnet.com>
To: <vfb@troutnet.com>
Subject: Re:�[VFB]�Sandy�River�Spey�Clave
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 21:33:03 -0800
> DANG! i would LOVE to go to that spey/clave. My wife has been talkin' 
with Simon Gawsworth (sure hope i spelled that right, lol) about doing one 
here
> off our properrty maybe in 2007. The water here is the single widest 
place on the Willowemoc, is easy wading, and runs the right direction for 
most
> of the cast. So it's perfect for teaching spey casting. When and if it 
happens, i'll let y'all know. I think the closest one to us has been in New
> Hampshire.......and it's always when something else is going on. How do 
they do that conclave for free like that? Anyone know? mark

Hi Mark,
Simon Gawsworth would be able to tell you quite a bit about the operation 
of this event, as he has worked with Fly Flshing Shop owner Mark Bachmann 
in a number of capacities for several years including master class 
multi-day float trips down the Deschutes River.  The Spey Clave is the 
largest event of its type in North America, running two days in May on 
Oregon's Sandy River and a park a good distance above river level.  This 
will be the fifth year it has been held.

I attended one two years ago with my Portland friend Bill, who is a 
speycaster.  Other than throwing a line around during the event, I have not 
used a spey rod for river fishing.  It is quite a happening, attending by 
about 400 flyfisher folk the first day, and a smaller crowd the second.  
There is a huge representation by manufacturing vendors, all the big names 
in spey gear.  My guess is the vendors' exhibit fees are where I think Mark 
gets most of the money to run the event free to the public.  There is also 
a food trailer that would make a little dough, and Mark gets a lot of 
goodwill and future business at the shop from budding spey enthusiasts.  
Spey gear ain't cheap!!

Mark has created a hugely successful operation (which y'all should visit 
some day if you are near the Mt. Hood region and the town of Welches).  
Their online flyshop has great service, and they offer some unique 
products.

Back to the event:  in the park above, you can cast any combination of spey 
rod and lines by numerous manufacturers.  There are times when there are 
fifteen casters throwing lines on the grass by the picnic pavillion.  The 
pavillion itself has the typical trade show displays. Down the trail to the 
river are the scheduled on-water demos by europeans such as Gawsworth and 
Andy Murray, and U.S. luminaries like Steve Rajeef (U.S. All-Round 
flycasting champion for 34 straight years and world champion for 13).  
There are guys at this event who can cast a spey line the proverbial 
country mile.   Also, if you plan your time right, you can get a free 
30-minute private lesson from one of the guest instructors.

There are camping sites within the park itself, lodging in the town of 
Sandy nearby, and Portland further west.  The Sandy River runs river left 
at the demo site, and it's a great setting since in season this IS a 
steelhead and salmon river.  Doesn't take a whole lot of imagination...

Here's Mark Bachmann's contact info:
The Fly Fishing Shop,�
P.O. Box 368�- 67296 East Hwy 26
Welches, Oregon 97067, USA
 Voice: (503) 622-4607 or 1(800) 266-3971�
Wes Wada
Bend, Oregon