I’m a big fan of the sustained-anchor casts associated with Skagit lines and Skagit casting. The West Coast Rivers I love to fish have big water, big fish, and I frequently need to use heavy sinking tips, and large Intruder-style flies to go after the fish. Also, I’m not the world’s best Spey caster, and casts like the Perry Poke and Snap-T allow me to have imperfect timing and still launch the fly out there.

“Scandi” casting is a new world to me. I know it when I see it—”touch-and-go” casting with a short stroke and tight loops—but it’s not something I’ve been able to put into practice. Here’s a great little video from Simon Gawesworth showing off a new RIO Scandi fly line, and at the same time highlighting the advantages of the style.