Two Handing for Trout in Winter

For the average guy there are 2 ways to trick trout with both hands on the rod. One is on the swing, and the other nymphing. There are plenty of opinions out there on using two handed rods to nymph with an indicator, and if it’s not your thing, it’s not your thing.

Two Handing in the Winter: Fly Rod Choices

I would personally rather swing, but if my buddy is bent consistently for hours, and I’m coming up empty I will admit I like to catch fish, especially when it’s cold (when it’s warm you can say you are "just enjoying the weather," or you are "experimenting" with new fly patterns, in the winter... you start to think you should have just stayed home).

However, nymphing for trout with a two-hand rod on the Missouri is extremely effective due to high winds and big water, and if you are a wade fisherman, then the two-hand rod may be one of the best tools ever invented for nymphing. So if you are already cool with nymphing with a single hand, might as well use both hands and enjoy the ease of using a double handed rod.

Probably the most critical part of the setup is getting the correct line. On the Missouri we think it is best to use a 4-6 weight 10 foot to 12 foot rod. What’s the best rod to start with? That depends on what you want to spend.

There are reasonable switch rods that start at about $200, and of course you can spend as much as you want up from there. The Beulah 11’ 7" Platinum Series comes with high recommendations from a number of our staff members, and we love that rod, that being said, there are a lot of choices out there today, and we offer a number of them at the shop.

Which Line do you Want for Spey Casting in Winter?

Once you know which rod you are going to go with, it is pretty easy to decide on a line. The two lines we recommend for nymphing with a spey rod are the Rio Switch line and the Airflo Speydicator line. Both of these lines have an extended belly section so that you can mend the head of the line, unlike non-integrated Scandi and Skagit lines.

These two lines won’t be as fun to swing, but they are "true" switch lines that you can throw nymphs, dries, or swing streamers with and they are especially good when nymphing the Missouri River. With these lines you can just use the same style leader you would use with your single hand rod, so you don’t need any tips or anything special... just line, leader, and backing like a standard single hand set up.

My First Experience with a Two-Handed Rod on the Mo

I was pretty skeptical myself about nymphing with a two handed rod a couple years ago. I was stubborn and assumed I wasn’t missing out on anything. Fred Telleen from Mystic Waters Alaska insisted I try his Beulah set up down near the Dearborn run. After just a few casts I could stand in one spot, double my range, mend twice as far, and have very little issues with wind or tangling due to the turn over from the power at the head of the line.

Since then Fred has made this a go-to set up with clients in Alaska because of how easy it is to move heavy nymph rigs plus the fighting power and torque from the longer rod offers better outcomes when fighting larger fish.

I wouldn’t compare it to swinging for steelhead or even swinging for trout. It’s a totally separate category. However, it is a very effective way to land more fish without strenuous single hand casting or wind knots... while at the same time covering more water, and has better mending capabilities.

All of the guys in both Ponderay and Great Falls fly shops are educated on this technique and would be glad to offer advice any time on spey casting and gear, whether you like to swing, nymph, or you do both makes no difference to us as long as you’re fishing.