Spey Nation: Spey School 2025
Dates: August 7th and 8th, 2025
The first-ever two-day Spey Nation Spey School event brought to you by Swing The Fly in partnership with Douglaston Salmon Run (DSR) is designed to be a comprehensive learning opportunity for anglers to develop and/or refine sound fundamental spey casting techniques as well as every necessary aspect to successfully spey cast and fish the swung fly. Participants can expect a fun, fulfilling and informative two days at DSR on the Salmon River in New York, that is guaranteed to greatly improve skills and assist in becoming a more complete angler.
The 2025 Spey Nation Spey Nation School will be taught by some of our community’s top anglers and instructors including:
Tim Arsenault - Reigning Spey-O-Rama World Champion and owner of Bridge Outfitting,
Rick Kustich - Swing THe Fly Great Lakes Editor, multi-time author
Jeff Liskay - legendary Great Lakes guide and instructor
Nick Pionessa - renowned casting instructor, experienced regional guide
Daniel Ritz - Editor, Swing The Fly
And more.
Summary of Spey Nation Spey School 2025 Curriculum
- Equipment: In-depth discussions on rods/lines/reels/leaders, rigging and demystifying spey terminology
- Spey Casting
Waterborne Anchor Casting
Touch and go casting
- Fishing Casts and Tactical Spey Fishing: Adjusting the cast to real fishing situations
- Presenting the Fly: Controlling the fly speed, depth, angle with intent.
- Species: Steelhead, Atlantic salmon, King salmon, resident trout, Smallmouth bass, other predator species and more
- Flies and Fly Tying: Discussion of flies for various species and conditions along with tying instruction
- Conservation & Becoming An Advocate: Basics of wild fish conservation, tips to becoming a wild fIsh advocate and the importance of anglers leading on fisheries resiliency.
Spey Nation Spey School 2025 Logistics
Spey School attendees will arrive at the DSR lodges on Wednesday, 8/6/2025. Spey School will be using the lodges on the south side of the river. Details on the exact lodge where each participant will be staying will be provided prior to arrival.
All classes will on/near the water as needed. We will be utilizing the DSR facilities for all classes. All participants will receive passes to the DSR water for the two days as part of registration.
Full day Spey School classes on Thursday, 8/7 and Friday, 8/8, followed by less formal activities at the lodges in the evening like fly tying, etc. etc.
Spey Nation will provide breakfast, lunch, dinner for 8/7 and 8/8. (Drinks are included but BYO - Alcohol)
NOTE: Outside of 30 days, Swing the Fly's refund policy is to only offer a refund if your spot can be filled. No refunds can be offered inside of 30 days.
If you have any questions about Spey Nation Spey School, contact Rick Kustich, Great Lakes Editor, Swing The Fly at RKustich@hotmail.com- or Daniel Ritz, Editor, Swing The Fly, at DanielR@SwingTheFly.com