Every fly fisher who has delved into the world of Spey flies immediately finds that there are a
lot of contradictory ideas about what constitutes a Spey fly, and even in the definition of
the word "Spey" as it relates to modern fly tying and fly fishing methods.
There is no argument that the original Spey fly patterns were developed for salmon and
sea trout fishing on the remote banks of the Spey River in the Strathspey region of
Scotland, perhaps as early as the 1700's. The original Spey 'standard' patterns varied
considerably but the ones that were documented have were developed from locally
available materials with generally similar characteristics: Long flowing hackle that swims
in a life-like manner, very sparsely dressed slender bodies, fairly subdued material
colors,and mallard flank or turkey quill feathers for wing material tied in a particular
low-angled "tent" style that was critical for the action of the fly. A very basic answer to the
often-asked question: "Dee" flies were developed on the River Dee and differ from Spey
flies in the winging style (open "V", rather than tented); materials (often more colorful); and
in being tied on very long-shanked hooks.
Today's modern North American Spey or "Spey-type" salmon and steelhead flies have
evolved into types and styles that often aren't even recognizable as Spey flies except for
one or two characteristics. Although fly tying purists are dismayed by the rather loose
use of the word Spey nowadays, fortunately there are plenty of historically-minded fly tiers
who still pay homage to the original design parameters. Meanwhile creative fly tiers on both coasts and in
the Great Lakes fisheries, have created new paradigms for Spey fly design and have not only
elevated them to an art form in some cases, but have created wonderful practical fishing tools for the
modern fly angler.
Today's Spey-type flies have evolved into highly fishable creations with hackle and hair
wings or even with no wing at all; brilliant and even gaudy salmon and steelhead colors
popular in the Northwest and Alaska; and even (gasp!) marabou hackle and tails. Many
traditional North American steelhead and salmon wet flies like the venerable Green Butt
Skunk have been converted into Spey flies with great success. Tube flies for steelhead, salmon and large trout are the new
frontier for the innovative Spey-type fly tier.
For those interested in the North American perspective of the history of Spey fly tying, and
in how to tie these must-have flies, either as art or to fill your working fly boxes, these two
books are absolutely necessary:
Spey Flies: How to Tie Them , Bob Veverka Spey Flies and Dee Flies: Their History and Construction, John Shewey
To answer the other question that often arises: Spey flies do not have to be cast with
Spey rods, nor can Spey rods only be used to cast Spey flies. Spey flies can be cast with
any fly rod that will throw them, and for any species including trout and bass. Spey rods
will cast everything from standard trout dry flies to weighted nymphs to saltwater flies the size and
weight of a chicken.