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Spey FAQ

Jeff Putnam’s Custom Spey Rods

Jeff Putnam’s Custom Rods are now producing one of the finest two handed rods in the industry. With over 35 years of fly fishing experience and working for various manufactures we understand what makes a fly rod worthy of exceptional status. A fly rod should be designed around fishing conditions and the angler that is using it. Our rods are designed and built for the discriminating angler that desires the “feel” not only when casting but also when fighting fish by being extremely lightweight and full of soul.

The feel can be best described as a moderate flexing taper with a fast recovery and extremely light tip section. This allows the angler to feel connected to the rod when casting which makes its easier to learn new casting skills or fine-tuning existing ones. Feedback is enhanced during the cast due to the finely tuned tapers and lightweight feel. You’ll also feel every headshake and tail thrust the fish has to offer during the battle. Each rod is made by hand one at a time with extreme focus on cosmetic finish. Cork handles are built on the rod one ring at a time with no consideration for premade tapers. Each handle is built from the finest cork and composite materials available. Hardware including guides and reel seats are built for durability, longevity and the lightest weight possible. Cast a Jeff Putnam Custom spey rod and you’ll understand how true performance can never be compromised.

 

Navigator H20

The proof is in the feel. Unmatched for sensitivity and lightweight feel the Navigator H20 series has redefined how a spey rod should feel when casting and fighting fish. The lightweight design allows the angler a feel of connection to the fly line when casting making the art of spey casting more enjoyable and easier. During the fight every headshake is amplified, and the thrust of an angry tail has never been more pronounced. This also creates a heighten sense of feel during the presentation which intensifies the “grab”. The Navigator H20 unique flexing taper design bends into the lower mid-section leaving plenty of power in the bottom section for a more powerful casting stroke when fishing in the wind or reaching the far bank.  The fast-recovering lightweight tip section enhances a quick and easy forward stop offering incredible loop control.

Photographer Mark Hayes, 2021
Tributary of LLiamna Lake, AK

Model Line Wt    LengthSectionsLine GrainsPrice
1113-4 311’14235-255    $850
1144-4411’4”4265-295    $875
1215-4512’1”4315-355    $900
1256-4612’5″4375-415    $925
12117-4712’11”4420-470    $950
1348-4813’4”4480-530    $975
1399-4913’9”4620-670    $995

Reel Seat

Reel-Seat_web_80

Ultra lightweight stripping guides
Hard Chrome Snake guides and tip top

Snake Guide
Snake Guides

Blank Color 
Smokey Black

Blank Color

Winding Check 
Black Rubber

Handle
Hand turned cork and composite rings with cork layers. Handle design incorporates appropriate
hand position placement for casting and presentation

Rod Handle

Storage Case
Gray Cordura Lined Heavy Duty PVC outershell with black nylon sleeve insert. Zippered top
cap and a rubberized protective bottom cap. Adjustable carrying strap and fixed strap handle design.
Separate cloth rod bag is included for even more protection

Custom hardware options available

Rod Weight Recommendations

3 WT – Trout

 4 WT – Large Trout, Half Pound Steelhead

 5 WT – Summer Steelhead (up to 8lbs), Shad

 6 WT – Summer Steelhead, Nor Cal Winter Steelhead, Great Lakes Steelhead

 7 WT – Summer Steelhead, Pacific Coast Winter Steelhead

 8 WT – Large Winter Steelhead, BC Steelhead, Atlantic Salmon

 9 WT – King Salmon, Atlantic Salmon

Warranty & Repair

This warranty is limited to repair and replacement of the finished rod and does not cover any other type of damage resulting from the use of the product. This warranty does not cover missing rod sections, intentional breakage, misuse, cosmetic wear, scratches, modification or customization of the finished rod.

This warranty is available only to the original owner of products purchased directly from Jeff Putnam’s Custom Rods. 

For all warranty and repair work, the entire rod must be returned. Place the rod in its rod sock and tube. Broken sections should not be placed in the bag but instead shipped loose in the tube alongside the rod sock, then package carefully and ship in a cardboard shipping box. Please ship rod via UPS with the appropriate insured value. Once we receive your rod repair we will determine repairability and email you an invoice.  Please understand, due to material availability, some rods may no longer be repairable. Colors and components may vary between original and replacement parts.

Rods received without rod tubes are not guaranteed safe return shipping and will incur the Non-Warranty repair charge if broken upon return to the customer. 

Jeff Putnam’s Custom Rods reserves the right to determine whether to repair or replace any Jeff Putnam’s Custom Rods covered by this warranty and the right to replace any discontinued models with comparable models when necessary.

We realize how important it is to return your rod to you as quickly as possible.

Please fill out our form completely and click on the Warranty and Repair Form before sending your rod back to us for repair in order for us to send you a Return Authorization. Your information will allow us to prepare the appropriate rod sections enabling us to to start on your repair as soon as it gets to our shop.

Repair Costs & Shipping

Two-handed Rods: mid and tip sections,
plus $40 shipping  U.S. (except Hawaii and Alaska $55.)  

Two-handed Rods: handle section,
plus $40 shipping U.S. (except Hawaii and Alaska $55)

Please Calculate the correct sales tax from your area and add to the Total

You will be emailed when your rod is shipped

Please allow up to 2-4 weeks for repair to ship.

Please ship your rod repair to: 
Steve Godshall 4843 Industry Drive, #102, Central Point, OR 97502

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Warranty Repair Form

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Spey FAQ

  • 1.) What is Spey? Spey refers to a casting style in which the water’s surface tension is used to load the rod.
  • Where did Spey come from? The River Spey in Scotland is where Spey casting originated from in the late 1800’s. High, steep banks made single handed overhead casting impossible.
  • 3.) What is the dfference between single & two-handed Spey fly fishing? The primary difference between Spey casting and overhead casting is that Spey casting utilizes the water’s surface to load the rod rather than the weight of fly line in the air behind the caster.
  • 4. Why Spey? How to Use Online Reviews to Boost Your Business. . Spey casting not only allows for limited or no back casting room, it’s a much faster way to change directions when casting, generates less fatigue, more control during the presentation, allows for more presentation time while covering water faster and doesn’t require deep wading positions. Two handed rods are longer than single handed rods making Spey casting easier, especially at longer distances and deeper wading positions.
  • 5.) What are the differences between a Spey rod, switch rod, two-handed trout rod and Euro nymphing rod. Spey rods (generally longer than switch rods) are best used during “swinging” presentations. During this presentation the fish grabs the fly and hook themselves. Spey rods are not designed for removing slack in the fly line when setting the hook. Switch rods are used for swinging presentations, dead drifting presentations and overhead casting techniques. Two handed trout rods are lighter sized Spey rods generally 2 to 5 weights. Euro Nymphing rods are single handed fly rods that are used to present a sinking fly under direct contact to the angler’s rod without any slack.
  • 6.) What Rod Size for What Fish? Spey rods weights are matched to fish size. 2-5 weights are designed for trout, 6-7 weights are for steelhead fishing and 8 - 9 weights are for large steelhead and salmon.
  • 7.) What's the Most Important Cast Setup for a Spey Cast? Spey casting features two different casts including sustained anchors as in a Snap-t or Double Spey and touch and go casts like the Single Spey or Snake Roll. Sustained anchor casts are better when there’s absolutely no back casting room. Touch and go casts are used when there’s some room behind the caster.
  • 8.)What are the Key Line and Leader Setups for Spey? Spey lines are balanced to the rod and are measured by their physical grain weight and length. The most common designs have three sections including a running or shooting line, the head and a tip. A leader is then attached to the tip section. This allows for quick changing of various heads and tips. Skagit heads are designed to deliver larger, heavier flies. Scandi heads are used for medium to smaller flies.
  • 9.) What Are the Spey Fly Casting Casting Presentation? Spey fishing presentations are limited to swinging flies. A stripping presentation can also be used during the swing. Overhead casting presentations can be swinging, dead drifting and stripping.
  • 10.) What is Mending ,and How Important is it? Mending line is a technique that can alter the speed of the fly during the presentation by changing the angle and or location of the fly line on the water. Longer rods make the technique easier to execute.