Just Getting Started II

[glcaddis]

I've been reading quite a bit and seem to be getting more confused. I own a 6 wt Switch Rod (Beulah). I'm seeing quite a bit of information that doesn't make sense to me. With my single handed rods, line weight and rod weight go together with a few exceptions and those are based on the length of the typical cast being made. With the switch rods it seems to me the kind of fishing dictates the line size. Indicator nymphing seems to call for an 8 weight line on the 6 weight rod. The shooting heads seem to run all the way from 350 grains up to 450 grains with no real indication of when to use one over the other. I'm left to assume that using a 6 weight line on the rod would be relegated to swinging streamers or other wet flies.

So, I'm looking for someone or someones to help me understand this new world. Thanks, in advance.

Gene

[Larry S]

Gene,
Here's some good reading -
http://www.rioproducts.com/skin/summit/pdf/Understanding%20Spey%20lines%202013.pdf

Best,
Larry S

[Rick J]

nice link from Larry.

You might also go to Kiene's spey site and click on your rod to look at recommended lines for it. For nymphing you would typically want a line that has a longer belly that allows you to stack mend. For swinging flies, there are a number of otpions from medium to long belly lines that really were at the forefront when this all began; to shorter shooting head systems that have become much more popular over the last several years - of the short belly there are two avenues - scandi lines that are relatively short heads that generally have a pronounced taper to them making them best for smaller flies and floating line conditions though you can use sinking poly leaders with them and can even find full sinking versions (for many difficult to cast). These lines are generally cast using an underhand style and like the mid and long belly lines also use a touch and go type cast.

The second shooting head system is a skagit system - usually thicker belly systems to which you add a tip before putting on a leader. The tips can be anything from floating to sinking and typically range in length from 10 to 15' - most consider skagit systems best for throwing bigger flies and heavy sink tips to get down in the water column and generally you are using a heavier grain system than you do for scandi. The cast is called a water bourne cast where you let the line set in the water befor going into your d loop as opposed to touch and go.

There are recently a type of bastard combos that are between a skagit and scandi that are becoming popular - a good example is the rage lines.

[Larry S]

Gene,
I'll defer to Rick for first hand info since he has far more experience in two-hand rods than I. I do have Beulah's 5-6
switch and find that their lines - Elixir and Tonic - take care of most of my needs. They are available as heads or
integrated lines. You might want to start looking at the spey pages site. Enjoy the ride.
Best,
Larry S