RIO Fly Fishing Modern Spay Casting DVD Fly Tying Materials

I've reviewed numerous spey/switch/skagit casting videos and books in my quest to learn the techniques. While all have their virtues and are produced by skilled "practitioners" of the sport, Simon is simply the class of the field as an "educator." It's clear he's taught spey for years from his comfortable patter, the quality of his analogies, the excellent analysis of root causes of failed casts, and his overall confidence and encouragement to the noob caster. Production quality is high--you can actually see the rod and the line (shockingly poor in several other examples) there are slow motion sequences for emphasis, 3D kinetic video analysis in multiple planes, and helpful overlays added in post-production to further tie Simons words to what's highlighted onscreen. Technique-wise Simon personally delivers the traditional spey casts plus the snake roll. He then has cameos from several pioneers of the west coast skagit scene for their adaptations and extensions of them. The result is a well organized 3 DVD library ideal for preparing the noob for a first casting clinic or just getting on the water and doing it. I'd encourage buying this for basic instruction. Related--I would encourage buying the Skagit Masters series. The latter provides some review on instruction and some application of techniques. There are also meaningful instructional sequences for the experienced fly-tyer, with over the shoulder details that are fascinating about how modern skagit flies like the intruder were both invented and tied efficiently. But mostly, it's a very entertaining documentary style film that tells the story of how skagit developed on the west coast and introduces us to some of it's most colorful characters. [Soundtrack: Simon's is a bit prim with Scottish pipes/flutes to keep your posture forward, where Skagit Masters is a modern soundtrack better laid back with a brew.] UPDATED --- TOM LARIMERS VIDEO SET NOW PUBLISHED: Tom's part of the tradition, and carries on and updates what Simon did in the early days of the discipline. Noone can replace Simon as the original gangsta of spey casting. But there've been many attempts to continue that meaningfully, and Larimer's series is in my view by far the best. If you're into spey, you're going to bend over and grab that wallet. Get used to it. Spring for Larimer's vids too--you'll find they are a much better alignment to the equipment and lines you have today vs what Simon's using.

I'm looking to get into spey casting. This DVD is very good. Combined with his book it really helps understand the basics without being on the water. Only wish there was more about equipment such as switch rods, various lines, shooting heads and such.

I've been studying and experimenting with spey casting for almost four years. During that time I watched many videos and DVDs; and yet I surprisingly learned a lot from Rio's Modern Spey Casting, partly because it is so in-depth and describes, in language I can easily understand, so many different kinds of casts.Simon's description of how to properly execute a snake roll, for example, is the best I've ever heard or read, and so are the descriptions of the Perry Poke and Snap-T. Also, what makes this DVD so special is that Simon shows how to avoid so many spey casting faults - many of which I didn't even know existed.While I believe no DVD, book, or instructor has all the answers; if I had to buy one DVD, I'd buy this one.Where then, do I feel this DVD falls short? I believe, for example, while demonstrating the lift, Simon never explains that the height of the lift is relative, and depends on the type of spey line, and/or the length of the spey rod, and finally on how deep the water we're standing in is. I've learned the hard way that, when it comes to the lift, one size doesn't fit all. Also, the DVD, contains relatively little about the techniques of executing a proper back swing without inadvertently lowering the rod tip at the end of the swing. (This casting defect plagued me for quite some time.)

This set of disks is a badly made collection of misinformation, not clear cut, no real goals or instruction just opinions about how to cast Rio spay lines, RIOs modern raft of spey sh8 is a must miss and a complete RIPPOFF, if you were going to do this correctly you would set out clear and consise instructions about which cast to learn first and how to perform them correctly, then go to the river and present them in a real world cenerio, as you can tell I am not happy with this poorly executed set of DVDs, the other reviews are from people who have never spey fished, I build my own spey rods and was looking for a good instructional disk on spey casting, this one is not it, all of the casts presented are very vague in presentation and miss alot of points while covering ther opinions about RIO spey lines, you suck RIO and you will keep on sucking with this over priced raft of drivel!!!!!! So I am still looking for a good DVD about spey casting, if you do not like my review you can suck it just like RIO..!!!!

Don't think they break the information down very well. You have to wade thru casting you might not be interested in to get to the type of casting you are interested in. I start to watch and fall asleep.

The DVD will not work in my Mac. All others do work and the Mac was tested at the Apple store.Works in the home DVD player only.

If you are a beginning spey caster or even an experienced caster this is a must have video. I have seen a number of casting videos and this is the most complete review of the subject I have encountered. This video starts with the basics and then moves to the particular mechanics of each individual cast. During this entire process there are detailed explanations of what the caster is doing. In addtion there is a seperate glossary of terms and each cast is followed by a biokinectic description. This video is well worth the money if you are intersted in learning spey casting or improving on your knowledge base if you are an experienced caster.

Really good comprehensive casting instructions, but mainly revolves around traditional casting styles that scandi and skagit styles are based on. Lots of coverage on different types of casts and casting technique. Price for this is a little high, but it's still a must buy for spey casting with a DH or SH fly rod. Really good reference to go back to too.