Klaus Frimor shares a great perspective on scandi lines and casting (aka underhand casting).  Klaus tells his story about growing up in Denmark and how his connection with Loop came to be.  He breaks out the exact line and setup you need to get started with scandi casting.

Klaus is the main rod designer for single and two handed rods for Loop.  Klaus shares his perspective on how and why spey casting and spey lines are different if Europe vs the US.

 

Click below and listen to the Klaus Frimor Interview:

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Show Notes on Loop Fly Lines with Klaus Frimor

04:20 – I noted Martin with the Global Fly Fisher who was on the podcast in episode 99.

08:00 – Klaus talks about running into Göran Anderson who founded Loop.

09:00 – Underhand casting described by Göran Anderson as described further here.

13:30 – We talk about the Line Speed Jedi aka Tim Rawlins.  Tim was on the podcast in episode 27 and wanted to ask Klaus about the limits of underhand casting.

34:30 – I noted the Mariusz Wroblewski episode where we talked about skagit rods for winter steelhead.

35:30 – Guideline is the other big company out of the UK that is leading the way in fly fishing around Europe.

43:00 – We talked about the RIO Slick Shooter Running line.  

(The link above to RIO is an affiliate link and if you purchase through that link this podcast will get a small commission at no extra charge to you.  Thank you in advance for supporting this podcast and our local fly shop)

43:23 – Klaus noted Zack Williams and the excellence to spey casting.  Here’s a video of Zack breaking out some good stuff. 

46:20 – Here’s a link to Klaus’ video and crash course in scandi casting.

47:00 – I last saw Klaus at the Sandy Spey Clave.

48:10 – Simon Gawesworth was on the podcast in episode 9. 

         

1:02:12 – Klaus noted that he thinks the Airflo Poly Leaders are the devil himself.

1:02:30 – Here’s Simon on the Bloody L. 

1:09:12 – The GDC Lines from Loop cover the scandi lines.

1:14:20 – The Green Butt Skunk and the Blue Charm are good flies for A. Salmon and steelhead.

1:23:00 – The Loop Speed Runner is the goto steelhead real for Klaus.

 

You can find Klaus here at Loop.

 

Videos Noted in the Show

Klaus Frimor Scandi Casting

Zack Williams on Spey Cast Angle

 

 

klaus frimor
Photo via: https://www.jswatch.com/klaus-frimor

Conclusion with Klaus Frimor

We talk about how scandi casting came to be and why it’s not just about a line.  It’s about a completely new way of thinking.  Klaus Frimor describes where people are missing on the exact meaning of underhand casting.

And if you’re interested in the right spey rod for steelhead, Click here to see the Echo Spey Rod that has helped me drastically improve my spey cast and find more steelhead at a super reasonable cost (You also get a free spey line if you pickup the Echo Spey).  By the way, the link above is an affiliate link, which means I earn a commission if you do end up purchasing through that link.  It’s at no extra cost to you, and please if you have any questions related to this product, please let me know and I’d be happy to answer them for you.

     

16 COMMENTS

    • haha. It sounds like it. I think he is actually smoking cigs. I don’t think I asked him about it but know he does smoke. Maybe a little vaping as well.

  1. Hi again Dave, I’m really interested in getting into this underhand stuff as the casting looks easy and pretty not to mention stealthy but I don’t get the leader length. I get it, as its used for the anchor and is instrumental in casting this style as opposed to slipping your anchor otherwise. Anyway this is the way I’m looking at it and I hope you can correct me after I explain. The cast aside, I see I would have to buy different heads like a floating all the way down to full sink with all the heads being approximately the same length with no tips on the end, while keeping the same leader length, this would keep your casting stroke the same no mater which head you used. My typical way of thinking is that if I use a sink tip/poly leader I shorten up the leader length (4’ usually) or the fly will ride to high. With Klaus’s set up, if I where to use a full sinking head with a 15’ leader, wouldn’t the fly be riding to high or would it ride to low as the mono leader would allow the fly to cut through the water column and if that is true why wouldn’t I just use a floating head. Other than the leader length confusion. I’m trying to figure out fly size with this set up, if I buy into this setup can I only use small or sparse flies. Anyway I’m confused and could use some help. I use a Loomis 13’ pro 4x 8/9 for my spey fishing, I’m thinking that may help you help me. Thanks in advance Dave.

    • This is a great question Robert. And although I could take a stab at it I think It would be better if I get the answer from Klaus. So give me a little time and I’ll check in with him and get back to you. Thanks for the great question.

    • Klaus got back to me quickly and here’s his reply to your question Robert:

      “Yes I change the whole shooting head and not only a tip (like in a versi-tip/skagit) but when I go to sinking lines, I of course fish a much shorter leader (typical tapered mono) down to app 4-5 feet. I think we touched this shortly when it came to the different running lines? So when I fish sinking heads I use mono, float or intermediate I use coated running lines…. So I can get away with the shorter leader because of the lower friction on the mono.
      There is a small “but” because when casting sinking heads and needing the same “anchor” you will have to let the tip of the line anchor in order to get enough “stick” to load the rod… this doesn’t change your casting stroke though… it is only a timing issue.”

  2. Thanks a ton Dave! Perfect answer, just what I needed to know, it does seem like a more expensive route though compared to buying tips. Especially if I wanted to buy the Loop GDC lines as I can’t find them in Canada grr. Please thank Klaus for me, he’s one guy I really like to watch and learn from.

  3. Hi Dave, I’m hoping to ask one more question. I’m looking at purchasing a Loop line for my single hand rod 5wt for underhand casting. I see Loop has two different lines out, the Evotec 105 in different densities and also the opti flex series with a floating and hover only, both the Evotec and opti lines are integrated. My question is, which one would be better for this style? I fish mostly for browns but I also target small mouth bass. Thanks in advance Dave.

    • Here’s what Klaus said Robert: “So there are actually more options. My absolute favorite line for this type of casting is the Opti Drift line, get a short head (shorter than any of the other lines mentioned) so a more compact mass to transport bigger flies. If wanting to use the same line for dries or finer presentation, adjust through a longer leader (13-15′) , the next best choice to this line is the Opti Flex, got a slightly longer head, but will still do the job…”
      Let me know if that answers your question?

  4. Thanks Dave, so I would use the opti drift hover for streamers with a shorter leader like 9? And the opti drift float with 16’ leader for dry fly work? That said most not all my fishing is swinging wets or streamers For browns and bass but when I see the browns rising I will defiantly tie on a dry fly. Thanks again Dave, your a great source of information for me as I really want to learn this style. The more I read and watch the videos, I’m becoming a really big Loop/Klaus fan.

    • Hi Robert

      Just to clarify, the Opti Drift line only comes in a floating version, if you want a hover line, you need to get the Opti Flex line.
      But otherwise seems like you got it dialed in….

      Klaus Frimor

  5. Hi Dave, after listening to yourself and Klaus talk about the running lines and how it effects casting. I’m not really understanding a couple of things, if I heard Klaus right, he suggests to use a mono running line for a sinking Loop GDC head but if you where to use a floating or possibly an intermediate head, you should use a coated shooting line? This is where I don’t understand, to me if you retrieve your head in after a swing, just your head is involved with the next touch and go cast and the shooting line just follows the head on the outgoing cast. I typically use S1/S2 and float/int Loop GDC heads with mono shooting line, should I be switching out the shooting line each time I switch heads for better casting effects? I really am baffled how this works. Thanks for your help Dave if you can explain this to a newbie.

    • No, not exactly what I meant. I personally know when I’m going to fish a float or a sinking head, depending on where I’m going. But if you just want one I would choose a coated runningline, depending on which one you fish the most?

      Hope that clarified my thoughts.

  6. Hi Dave, I’m really hoping I can get away with asking one last question please. As a result of your podcast, I went out and bought two GDC heads float/int and a S1/S2 both 36g and a Speedrunner real, not that the reel matters as I needed a new reel anyway. My rod is a 13’ 8/9wt G Loomis Pro4X which is suppose to be a fairly fast action rod. My rod states to use a 34g for Scandi so I bought my new heads at 36g thinking they would be better when I face any real windy conditions. I wasn’t considering pulling the line out after the lift. My other choice would have been a 31g head and 3 feet shorter. Any way my rods spec is right in the middle of the two options. I’ve been practicing nightly and I’m struggling to get this underhand cast down perfectly. I can’t help but question the lines weight although my skill level is lacking at the moment. I would like to know and have piece of mind that I have the right weight line or did I make a mistake and I should have bought the 31g line. I know I’m obsessing but starting out on the right foot is important to me. Thanks in advance Dave/Klaus.

    • Hi Robert

      There’s no problem in cutting back your lines (from the back end) until you find either the weight or length that suits you…. These lines have a braided core so you can strip the coating off and make a nice loop from the core by pulling it back through itself.¨

      Best

      Klaus Frimor

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