Anchored Podcast Ep. 289: Michael Rebholz on… the Bonker Spey?

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­Anchored Podcast:

In this episode of Anchored, I sit down with Michael Rebholz to discuss Bonker Spey, his controversial approach to Spey casting that uses a rod-borne anchor by draping the line over the rod…. and then some. Michael explains how he developed the technique, why he believes it can be especially effective in strong wind and when casting heavy flies, and how the fly-casting community responded when he first introduced it.

Our conversation expands well beyond Bonkerspey. We explore Michael’s theory on casting panic, the psychology behind learning to cast, the limitations of traditional instruction, and whether the sport needs to reconsider how casting is taught. 

You may have noticed me wearing Skwala fishing apparel for the past year or so, and I gotta say, I’ve been really impressed with everything I’ve tried. I love the way they design gear. They manage to strike a perfect balance between durable and functional but also comfortable and mobile. I stay warm and dry, but never feel cramped or restricted when I’m wading, casting, or rowing. I’ve enjoyed fishing in their apparel so much, I recently joined their team as an ambassador. We’ve even been working together on ways to translate their expertise with technical fly fishing apparel into gear that’s specifically designed for women, and I’m really excited about the progress we’ve made. If you haven’t already done so, go check them out at skwalafishing.com and see what they’re all about. Anchored listeners can get 10% off their first order with Skwala by using the code “anchored10” at check out.

Looking to go deeper with your learning? Come see what we’ve been working on at AnchoredOutdoors.com. We’ve built a library of 30 in-depth, sequentially organized Masterclasses taught by past guests of this podcast — and we’ve watched over 1,000 members grow their confidence and skills on the water. Want to check it out for free? No money down, no strings attached. Just head to anchoredoutdoors.com/premium-insiders/

The post Anchored Podcast Ep. 289: Michael Rebholz on… the Bonker Spey? appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.


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April Vokey
April Vokey is a fly fishing writer, FFF certified casting instructor, fly-tyer, speaker, and host of the popular fishing podcast, Anchored. After ten years of guiding in British Columbia, she now splits her year between camp in northern BC and Australia.
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