This perfectly timed photograph was taken by professional photographer Louise Bellin on the Kinnaird Beat of the River Tay at the famous Junction Pool which is directly where the River Tummel enters the Tay. Jock, dressed in traditional Tweeds and waders holds his fishing rod, demonstrating the perfect Spey cast required in this salmon fishing hot spot for maximum water coverage of the lovely Tay salmon pool.

Here's an angler out on the River Tummel in the middle of a Spey casting lesson. The Spey cast is a highly functional salmon fly delivery cast which allows the fly fisher to present the fly when there's no room behind for an overhead cast. Many salmon anglers come to learn this casting technique while salmon fishing in Scotland with a professional fly fishing instructor.

Nothing betters a perfect through actioned salmon Spey rod for delivering a consistent effortless Spey cast to the river. Look at the lovely oak tree on the far side of the river which is the marker for a good fishing area of this salmon water. This fisher was on the River Tay near the village of Murthly and under supervision of career salmon fishing guide Jock Monteith.

Here's a salmon fishing angler mastering the power stroke which is the final part of the 3 stage Spey cast. This shot was taken by myself while serving as a salmon fishing guide at the neck of the Rock Pool on the Lower Tummel Beat of the River Tummel not too far away from the Perthshire town of Pitlochry.

Here's a shot of me teaching Angus how to Spey cast on this popular Scottish salmon fishing show at the neck of the Cottar Pool on the Tay's Newtle Beat. This was me demonstrating D Loop formation for Neen, Angus and the cameraman while I was working on Newtyle as the Head Ghillie.

Here's Jock Monteith amidst a Spey casting lesson on the River Tay under the historic Telford Bridge demonstrating perfect D Loop loading with the single Spey cast. The traditional Spey cast is the most effective and satisfying casts. This photo was taken by local Dunkeld photographer Charlie MacDonald. Jock is wearing his Graham of Menteith tartan kilt while demonstrating Spey cast with his 15ft Monteith salmon fly rod.

This River Tay fisher is Spey casting from the traditional Tay salmon fishing boat during late January on the Tay at Dunkeld. If you look closely you'll see the 200 year old Telford Bridge in the distance which is one of the Tay's most historic & beautiful sandstone bridges. You can see this fly fisher is wrapped up warmly due to the early Spring cold weather conditions.

The action of your Spey rod is best optimised via proper line loading and if done correctly is virtually effortless like what you see here in this photograph. This salmon fishing trip guest is out on the River Tay practicing his Spey cast power stroke forward delivery near the Perthshire town of Pitlochry.

Fine Tune Your Speycast

By Jock Monteith 14th August 2026

The vast majority of Scottish Speycasters tend to cast like 'racehorses with blinkers on' with their heads only aligned to the target area and not to the crucial mid cast 'anchor point' which is vital for a perfectly timed power stroke delivery.

Here's a fabulous action photograph of Jock Monteith loading up a perfect Spey cast for long range salmon fly delivery across the River Tay with his tweed jacket and chest waders on. This shot was captured on the Meetings Pool of the Lower Kinnaird Beat by top Scottish photographer Louise Bellin.

Master The Spey Cast Lift & Swing

Assuming your lift (which is really the key to the whole deal) is high and smooth enough and has merged seamlessly with a perfect evenly energised swing the most important part of the Spey cast is loading the 'D Loop' optimally and minimising your anchor point for a slick and 'soundless' release of the power stroke. When I'm teaching guests I make them completely forget about the target area and only visually study their anchor point shape and position to make certain their power stroke comes in at precisely the right time. This discipline is vital as it seems to be human nature to have instant 'target fever' in most sports. Safety glasses should always be worn while Speycasting for eye protection.

Set Up The Spey Casting 'Anchor Point' Shape & Positioning

The anchor point shape is vital for letting you know if there's an error in your lift or swing as any sudden movements in the lift or swing will lay the anchor point down like a dog's breakfast. A correct lift & swing with smooth control will allow you to 'place' the anchor point down in a straight line perfectly aligned to the target area to maximise 'energy release' to the fly coming off the water and not lose any of that in-cast energy unravelling & lifting a messy 'heaped' anchor point. The anchor point only needs a split second on the water and to be only the front metre of your fly line as any more will 'sap' in-cast energy while powering off the water. The optimal positioning of the anchor point for normal fishing requirements should be one rod length away from you so turn your shoulders more through the swing and make sure you're facing the target and that anchor point positioning should be fairly easy to achieve.

Achieve Perfect Power Stroke Timing

If you're not watching this vital part of a successful Speycast prior to developing the eventual ability that would allow you to successfully Spey cast blindfolded (by only listening to the cast) you'll typically fluff 1 out of 4 casts by giving the anchor point a millisecond too long (or not long enough) which can be caused by the most subtle adjustments like the constantly changing depth you'll be fishing from while wading down a salmon pool which is usually always encountered while fly fishing. Study the anchor point shape even if it's your peripheral vision you're using and take the 'guesswork' out of your power stroke timing. Once you've delivered that perfect & 'silent' power release from the water then turn your head to the target to serve your target fever!