Yes, I’m in a bit of a spey rabbit hole right now. You know I’ve been a Redington Classic Trout guy for a while now. The rod, the reel, I own both, fish both, and have written about both more than once on this blog. So when I saw Redington announce on Instagram they were extending the Classic line into spey territory, oh, well that caught my attention…
Meet the Classic Spey Rod and the Classic Spey Reel
The rod comes in a range of configurations spanning trout spey, switch, and full spey models, from a 3-weight 11-footer all the way up to an 8-weight 136. The one that has my eye is the 3110-4: 11′, 3-weight, four-piece, moderate-fast action in a dark clay brown blank with a matching rosewood reel seat insert. It’s purpose-built for swinging soft hackles and lightweight-to-moderate streamers, which given my general predisposition toward smaller flies and lighter gear, feels like a natural fit.
Redington describes it as “uncomplicated, approachable, and ready for that first hit of two-handed pandemonium,” which honestly sounds like their marketing department wrote that specifically for people like me who have been eyeing trout spey for years and just keep kicking the can down the road. The rod comes with a lifetime warranty, premium cork grip, titanium oxide stripping guides, and a divided brown ballistic nylon rod tube, all for $374.99.
The Classic Spey Reel comes in three sizes: 3/4/5 ($375), 6/7/8 ($400), and 7/8/9 ($425). It’s a mid-arbor, click-drag design, which given my well-documented affection for click & pawl reels, was music to my ears. It has a high-decibel click, heritage styling, and genuinely looks like it belongs next to the Classic Trout reel on the shelf. The 3/4/5 paired with the 3110-4 rod would run you right around $750 all-in for a complete trout spey setup. At least until they build and offer a bundle. $750 isn’t sofa cushion change, but in the spey world, I guess it’s considered accessible…
So Do I Take The Leap?
I’ve said for years that I want to try trout spey, but just haven’t taken the leap. Tenkara, no problem. Bamboo, absolutely. The difference is I’ve never actually been familiar enough with the brands that make spey gear or the models they offered. And I don’t live in Scandinavia or the Pacific Northwest. The Classic Spey might be the nudge I need. The aesthetics match the Classic Trout gear I already own and love, the price point is doable, and Redington has pitched it specifically as a gateway rod, which is either very smart marketing or exactly what I needed to hear. Probably both.
I haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but I’d be lying if I said the browser tab isn’t still open…
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