Spey fishing for steelhead has never stood still for long. Tactics change, line systems evolve, and every season seems to bring a new round of ideas about how to fish more effectively, more elegantly, or simply with a little more intention. At the same time, part of what keeps spey fishing so compelling is that it still leaves plenty of room for personal style, experimentation, and the kind of opinions from actually being on the water, fishing.

We asked our friend Tom Larimer to share some perspective on where things stand right now in the world of — steelhead spey. Tom brings decades of experience to the conversation, and his gear references and recommendations reflect both time on and off the water with various setups. We think the greater value is in the insight itself. Whether you are just stepping into spey or looking to refine your approach, his take offers a useful look at where modern steelhead tackle and technique continue to move.

The world of spey fishing for steelhead is constantly evolving. This relentless pursuit is often driven by the idea of a “silver bullet”—that one edge that might help us capture lightning in a bottle. But effectiveness isn’t always the catalyst for change. For many anglers, the motivation runs deeper: a desire to connect with the past, to tap into the soul of the sport, or simply to learn something new.

From a summer steelheader’s perspective, there’s a noticeable shift. Many anglers who cut their teeth on shorter Scandi and Skagit heads are now looking for the next rung on the ladder. After all, it’s in our DNA to ask, “How can I make catching one of the most elusive fish on the planet just a little harder?” Jokes aside, there’s a clear movement toward longer rods and longer lines for summer work.

Part of that shift is rooted in the challenge. Anglers are embracing the learning curve that comes with more traditional, longer-line techniques. While modern long-belly and mid-belly lines are vastly improved in both materials and taper design compared to their predecessors, they still demand a higher level of precision and timing.

One of my favorite setups in this category is the Sage Spey R8 7136-4 paired with a RIO MDC Kit. While there are certainly longer lines out there, this multi-tip system offers versatility across a wide range of summer scenarios—from skating dries and fishing hair wings near the surface to swinging small and medium marabou or rabbit leeches on sink tips.

Winter steelheading, on the other hand, is trending in almost the opposite direction. Shorter rods paired with compact, multi-density Skagit heads have become standard tools in cold-weather arsenals. More and more anglers are reaching for setups like the Sage Spey R8 8116-4 matched with the RIO Elite Skagit Pickpocket.

When combined with sink tips, these multi-density heads allow anglers to achieve depth quickly and maintain it throughout the swing. That’s a critical advantage in winter conditions, especially in heavy, turbulent flows where maintaining consistent fly depth can make all the difference. In contrast, a traditional floating Skagit head often struggles to keep the fly in the strike zone under those same conditions.

Tom Larimer
Far Bank Enterprises
Director of Wholesale Sales

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Tom’s perspective is a reminder that the world of spey fishing continues to evolve without ever losing its roots. New materials, refined tapers, and specialized setups have expanded what anglers can do, but the heart of the sport remains the same: thoughtful presentation, time on the water, and the willingness to keep learning. That balance between progression and tradition is part of what makes steelhead spey fishing so compelling season after season.

Every angler, every river, and every season asks slightly different questions. At SHB, we see that as part of the beauty of the swing. Our goal with the Steelhead Spey Pages is to share credible insight, honest perspective, and carefully chosen gear recommendations that help anglers fish with greater purpose, refinement, and enjoyment.

- SteelheadBum.com