Fall/Winter Steelhead --- Best Skagit Head

[Rick J]

could try it but I for one am not a fan of the plastic shooting lines - I just use Berkeley Big Game Solar Green - really cheap and replaceable - anywhere from 20# to 40# depending on grain head I am using

[Idadon]

I grew up using Amnesia like a lot of guys. Can't say as I ever had any problems with the stuff. Older arthritic hands might could better handle something like the Gripshooter. I think something with low stretch would be an advantage. Just so many choices!

[Rick J]

your reasons are sound for going to a plastic running line - but Big Game has much less stretch than amnesia - totally a different animal

PS - will send you a message shortly

Best
Rick

[TaylerW]

Opst heads are lighter because they are "driver forward" while rio lines are "driver rear"

[briansII]

I do have some old lines. Good idea! I see them at garage sales all the time too. I even have a couple of Rio Grand Spey experimental lines I can chop up. Thanks!

That gives me another idea. Could I use the back of one of those Grand Speys as a shooting line. Not sure how long the level backend is but might be long enough.

Those old Grand Spey lines have no contemporary equal, and somewhat prized by long line casters. IMHO, I would not chop those lines up, and end up with a head that MIGHT work. There are so many excellent skagit choice for your rod, and no more Grand Speys.

Do a search on OPST Commando heads. You will see that they do run light, and work extremely well. Better yet, give them a call/email and they can recommend the head you need. Nextcast has a very nice skagit head called Zone. Give the guys at Kiene's a call, and they can set you up with either head.

briansII

[Idadon]

So, what I'm hearing here and researched about the OPST Cammando is that a lighter, shorter head with a radical weight distribution profile (forward driver) is better. It will require changing your cast but worth it because the rigs lighter weight requires less energy. Price is about the same and it can do everything from nymphing/bobber fishing to throwing heavy flys with sink tips. This means I can stop carrying an extra spool with my Rio switch line and just get a floating tip? Sounds pretty good to me!! Especially since I'm just getting into the Skagit process.

one other question, with this OPST line would I still need to worry about my line-Rod length ratio? Or is that out the window?

Anyway, I like learning new STUFF especially when it makes things easier and catches more fish. Keep the ideas coming!

[Rick J]

Don - if you decide to go with the OPST - length factor should not be a problem with a switch - just remember to keep a "VERY" compact stroke and keep well "in the box"!!! These are effortless as are the RIO Trout skagits which are even shorter

Know this will add even more stripping than a typical 20' or so short skagit

[troutless]

The OPST site recommends a 300 grain head for my rod weight but the the Rio site recommends a 425-450 grain head. I know the Rio site is taking into account I am using a two-hand. I'm wondering if the OPST site is basing their weights on a single hand rod. They have 425 grain heads but this weight is recommended for 8-9 weights? ??????

Have not cast the OPST heads, but, just to point out:

The OPST commando is 300gr@15' = 20gr/ft.

The Rio Skagit Max Short is 425gr@20' = 20.25gr/ft.

Not as different as appears on the surface. Raw grain weight in different length lines is not necessarily comparable.

[troutless]

Opst heads are lighter because they are "driver forward" while rio lines are "driver rear"

That doesn't make any sense. Elaborate.

[troutless]

So, what I'm hearing here and researched about the OPST Cammando is that a lighter, shorter head with a radical weight distribution profile (forward driver) is better. It will require changing your cast but worth it because the rigs lighter weight requires less energy. Price is about the same and it can do everything from nymphing/bobber fishing to throwing heavy flys with sink tips. This means I can stop carrying an extra spool with my Rio switch line and just get a floating tip? Sounds pretty good to me!! Especially since I'm just getting into the Skagit process.

There is no free lunch. If you are utilizing stripped-fly tactics on relatively small rivers e.g. trout an ultra-short skagit head is a great idea. If you are pursuing dry-line swung-fly tactics on big-water steelhead rivers it's an awful idea. Be skeptical of anyone pushing a one-size-fits-all line solution, particularly if it is at an extreme of the line spectrum.

Rick has already given good advice about casting short heads. You have to be disciplined and smooth in your casting or bad things will happen, blown anchors, flies in the bushes, flies in yourself if you have a tendency to hook the cast. IMO ultra-short heads are specialist tools for intermediate+ grade casters, my personal advice to new casters is to avoid them.