What weight switch rod?

[Woodman]

Against my better judgment, my resistance to buying a switch rod is breaking down...and what with Christmas coming...

What is the best weight to start to fish steelhead on the American, Yuba, Feather, but also potentially use for some of the bigger trout rivers of the Western U.S.

Thanks for the help.

JW

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I would say a 6 weight.........

[Mike R]

Yup, 6 weight.

[Grampa Spey]

I have been using switch rods for about 10 yrs. Bob Meiser made me a 6, 7/8 and a 9/10.

The 6 is a great rod and one of my favorite for most waters except when the big steelhead might be in. I don't have the skills to land a 10# plus hot Steelie in fast water on my 6 Switch without punishing the fish.

I got an offer on my Meise 7/8 that I couldn't turn down. I sold it, and Gary Anderson finished a Sage 7110/7136 Z Axis combo rod.

Two years ago I had the good luck to hook two big fresh and hot Steelies in fast and high water with that rod. I was able to land the fish quickly and releash them with minimal wear and tear. My great 6 wt switch rod would have been overwhelmed. Rio's one handed Steelhead wf10f line works great with this road. That combo has been a meat stick combo for a lot of fly shop guys. It works great with Skagit lines, Meiser's SGS line and the MOW tips. It can handle two good size Shad at the same time with no problem.

[Grampa Spey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6z1_...eature=related