Switch line for Great Lakes

[Driftless]

I'm looking to purchase a switch line for steelhead fishing the Brule River in No. WI. It is a smaller river, not more than 40 feet across. Mainly indicator fish, but if the fish are active, I do like to swing flies. Is there one line that can do both fairly well? Possibly a Airflo Speydicator, Rio Switch, or Wulff Ambush? Not much switch/spey going on up here, the shops don't carry much, so I appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

We have sold more of the Airflo 'Speydicator' lines to anglers who fish the Great Lakes tributaries than we have out here in the west.

[shawn kempkes]

Not saying I indicator fish all that much but I ocasionally do. I use to use the speydicator but junked it after i got tired of it sinking all the time. I switched to the rio switch. If I want to swing i use a poly leader set up.

[Larry S]

Shawn,
Gordon L uses the speydicator (not sure if it's Airflo or Sage.) And we all know about his
successes on the Rogue. Hope your rivers drop back into shape for you soon. Can't be
much worse than living in steelhead country and being shut down.
Best,
Larry S

[Langenbeck]

Surprised by Shawn's comments on his sinking Speydicator. Mine is an Airflo and it is wonderful. Have fished it almost three seasons and when it wears out will get another one.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Individual experiences are not always the final word..........good to hear that several folks here like the Airflo 'Speydicator'.

The Rio 'Switch' line is the best seller for us though.

[Driftless]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I am going to be purchasing my first set-up from Kiene's for Christmas. Thinking of getting the St. Croix 7wt 11' Imperial and Ross CLA 5.

[jbird]

Hi Driftless... Fellow Wisco angler ;)

Not sure why you want a switch rod for such a small river? Most single hand rods can be roll cast across that stream. The advantage too of a single hand is the grain window for the line is going to be much smaller than for a switch and you can present it much more quietly.
I saw your post on the other board too. A lot of input that may lead you astray. Im not familiar with all the lines that have been suggested but be careful about any short head lines. You will not be able to mend well for nymphing. They cast a long ways, but again, we're talking about the Brule. Stick with something with a long head and it will serve you well for nymphing and like Shawn said, you can go poly leader for swinging versatility.
If you are definitlely going with the switch rod, get the speydicator. Theyre made for what you want to do. I would personally opt for a 10', 6wt or 7wt S.H. rod and use the Rio salmon/steelhead taper.

[shawn kempkes]

You know how the saying goes " opinions are like A________ everybody's got one"
Airflo's lines are made out of poly urethane and have more line stick than lines that are made out of pvc. I think that is why the skagit compact heads airflo makes cast so much better than Rio.

[Driftless]

Hey Jay Bird,

Go Pack! No, one certainly does not need a switch rod for the Brule. I do just fine with the 9 foot rod I have been using, but I must be getting old. A few days in a row of hucking an indicator, shot, X-legs, and egg and my shoulder is shot. My buddy let me use his 11' switch rod for a weekend and it was so much easier, I loved it. Maybe a 10 footer would be a happy medium, but it was fun trying out some new casts and swinging flies with the switch rod too. I loved the extra leverage too, I felt I could land the steelhead quite a bit faster. Good point about the

[DAVID95670]

[QUOTE=Driftless;126044]Thanks for the suggestions guys! I am going to be purchasing my first set-up from Kiene's for Christmas. Thinking of getting the St. Croix 7wt 11' Imperial and Ross CLA

I own a st Croix it had. Broken twice. Would not purchase it again avoid i5 it n my opinion

[Driftless]

Hi David,

That sucks about your St. Croix. I have couple myself and have never had a problem, but then they are trout rods.