Master Two Handed Casting: The 2027 Dec Hogan Spey Clinic at NWFFO

Rejoice, steelhead fanatics! Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters welcomes back Dec Hogan, the Godfather of Pacific Northwest steelhead fishing himself, for our annual hosted Spey casting clinic.

Join us on April 9 and April 10, 2027 for our foundational classes, or April 11, 2027 for advanced techniques, as Dec helps you take your Spey casting game to a whole new level.

Learn From Pacific Northwest Steelhead Legend Dec Hogan

For anyone unfamiliar with his work, Dec Hogan is the author of arguably the greatest steelhead and Spey casting book ever written, A Passion for Steelhead. As a renowned Far Bank ambassador working closely with Sage, Redington, and RIO Products, Dec has spent decades shaping modern two handed rod and line design across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

He has helped countless NWFFO clients learn how to cast a Spey rod with effortless power and precision over the years. Last season was the first time we brought him on board for three consecutive sold out days. These classes fill up quickly, so do not delay in grabbing your spot. If you happen to miss out, be sure to reach out to the shop, because we may add a fourth class this year if interest exceeds capacity!

Each clinic features a full day on the water working directly with Dec Hogan, alongside Colby and Gabe from NWFFO, who will be right there to provide extra coaching, feedback, and more hands on instruction than any casting class you have ever experienced. We keep class sizes strictly limited to ensure a valuable, personalized day with plenty of individual time with Dec.

What You Will Learn: Foundational vs. Advanced Spey Casting

You do NOT need to be a seasoned steelhead expert to sign up for or enjoy this clinic to its fullest extent. These sessions include something valuable for every two handed angler on the river:

• Foundational Spey Classes (April 9 & April 10): Built for anglers looking to build rock solid mechanics and tighten up essential river casts like the Double Spey and the Snap T. You will learn how to form a proper D loop, set a clean anchor, and let the bottom hand and rod load do the work with both Skagit and Scandi setups.
• Advanced Spey Class (April 11): Tailored for experienced casters who want to refine their timing, generate tighter loops in tough wind conditions, and add versatile strokes like the Snake Roll and Single Spey to their repertoire.

In fact, many of our regular customers come back for Dec's clinic year after year as their go to tune up before summer and winter steelhead seasons!

What to Bring to Your Spey Casting Clinic

We will have plenty of demo Spey rods, reels, and lines on hand for attendees to cast and test out throughout the day. However, you should also plan to bring your own personal gear so Dec, Colby, and Gabe can help you dial in your exact setup:

NWFFO Recommended Spey Gear for the Clinic

Looking to put together a new two handed outfit before April, or curious which lines match up best for this class? Because Dec works directly with Far Bank brands (Sage, Redington, and RIO), we stock our shelves with the exact rods, reels, shooting heads, and literature that shine in this clinic:

Frequently Asked Questions About the Dec Hogan Spey Clinic

Do I need my own Spey rod to attend the clinic?

While we encourage you to bring your own rod, reel, and both Scandi and Skagit lines so our instructors can help you tune your personal outfit, NWFFO also brings a wide selection of demo Spey rods and reels for students to test and cast throughout the day.

Which day should I choose between the Foundational and Advanced classes?

If you are brand new to two handed casting or want to solidify your anchor placement, D loop mechanics, Double Spey, and Snap T casts, choose either the April 9 or April 10 Foundational Class. If you already cast comfortably on the river and want to dial in distance, wind control, Single Spey, and Snake Roll casts, register for the April 11 Advanced Class.