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Like so many of the new wave of steelhead fly fishers that got their start in the 1990s, I first met Mike Kinney on page 413 of The Book, Trey Combs' Steelhead Fly Fishing. Reading those few paragraphs I got the distinct impression that Mike was a unique character, and wondered why such a singular steelhead personality didn't get his own chapter. When I finally met Mike a few years ago in Seattle and spent time with him whenever our paths would cross at speyclaves, I slowly came to understand more about the man and his understated genius.

Mike is one of the few anglers I've met who can cast anything. It's magical to watch him pick up any rod and line combo, wiggle it around for a second or two and then launch a cast across the river. Mike makes it all look so effortless, but his deep understanding of the two-handed rod has been developed over years of casting and fishing in the tough winter conditions of the Pacific Northwest. Standing belt deep in cold water will teach you a thing or two about conserving energy, and there's nothing wasted when Mike picks up a spey rod.
 Mike Kinney Biography

Mike's years on the rivers have given him great first-hand knowledge of fishing under a wide range of lake and river conditions. He has developed special flies, lines and techniques to match these conditions. He is considered one of the top contemporary teachers of fly fishing specializing in Spey and Single Handed Casting. His teaching abilities will enhance your wet and dry fly presentation techniques on lakes and rivers around the world, helping you to maximize your day on the water whether fishing for Trout, Salmon, or Steelhead.

 Mike Kinney's Signature Rods

Mike Kinney Special ~ MKS Series

S2H1367MKS ~ 13'0" ~ 4 pc ~ 6/7 wt. Skagit Style ~ Fast/Med Fast Progressive

S2H13689MKS ~ 13'6" ~ 4 pc ~ 8/9 wt. Skagit Style ~ Fast/Med Fast Progressive

S2H13678MKS ~ 13'6" ~ 4 pc. ~ 7/8/ wt. Skagit Style ~ Fast/Med Fast Progressive

S2H14910MKS ~ 14'0" ~ 4 pc ~ 9/10 wt. Skagit Style ~ Fast/Med Fast Progressive

S2H15910MKS ~ 15' ~ 4 pc ~ 9/10 wt. ~ Skagit Style ~ Fast/Med Fast progressive

The MKS series was designed with direction from Mike Kinney, and are named after him.

The MKS rods are all based on the Skagit style family of two-handed rods, all with fast/medium fast recovery progressive actions.

The Skagit style of rod taper starts with a very fast recovery, powerful top end. Progressing, and increasing in power through the taper as it heads towards to the bottom two-thirds of the blank. From this point the taper slows a bit, to allow the caster a friendly connection to sense loading well into the grip.

These are rods designed specifically to un-hinge, and deliver lots of advanced weight forward head grainage, and extreme sink tips from the anchor. They are no-nonsense, very authoritative casting tools. All with ample power to not only deliver a broad range of lines to both Summer and Winter Steelhead, but also to defeat all Salmon species as well... Equally at home as grease liners as they are at delivering and swinging 24 feet of T-14, over a wide variety of river systems, in equally diverse river conditions.

These are thoughtfully designed two-handers with equal emphasis on both casting and fishing.