So why not use a small Spey rod for trout? Swinging a soft hackle or stripping a steamer on Montana’s big waters with hungry trout make it ideal for a double hand rod. Whitney Gould, steelhead guide and champion speycaster says,
"Mike (McCune) and I find streamer and soft hackle fishing with a light weight trout Spey to be a blast. For us, trout Spey is not to replace the tried and true techniques and gear of the single handed world. It's another opportunity to fish for a species of fish that we love, in the fashion that we enjoy."
My own spring trip to Montana had me preparing to tour Yellowstone and fish a couple days with Alice Owsley of the Riverside Angler. I called Rajeff Sports and asked them to send me one of their smallest Spey rods to bring on the trip. They sent the Echo SR 4106, with an Airflo Switch Streamer and intermediate tip. Perfect for swinging flies or casting from a boat and stripping. While a four weight double hand rod has similar power as a 7 weight single hand rod, the ease of turning over a heavy fly with a sink or intermediate tip with two hands is effortless compared to false casting all day with a 7 weight single hand.