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Thread: Switch rod versus Spey rod choice

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Norcal
    Posts
    909

    Default Switch rod versus Spey rod choice

    So I have to get into the two handed game next year...shoulder just can't take
    much more of casting a single handed 7 wt anymore.

    For you seasoned spey and switchers, what is the determining factor of choosing
    either a switch rod or a spey rod?

    What are the advantages, or disadvantages of both, if any?

    Welcoming your wisdom and thoughts.

    Eric O

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
    Posts
    23,837

    Default

    For most two-handed casters the Switch rods are merely shorter Spey rods.

    Most will have at least 2 outfits depending on the rivers they fish.

    Tell us what rivers you plan on fishing.



    I like an 11' #4 line Switch rod for trout and half-pounders. They are about like an 11' #6 line single handed fly rod for power.


    My next rod is the popular 12'6" #6 Spey which will do much of what people do today.


    For bigger water I would get a 13'6" #7 Spey.


    **In the Fall on the wide Clearwater river in Idaho many use 14' to 15' #8/9 Spey rods with long belly floating fly lines.



    You need to talk to someone like Andy Guibord, Jeff Putnam or Doug Duncan......all have web sites.
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Norcal
    Posts
    909

    Default

    Thanks Bill,

    Primarily swinging on the Klamath, American River and Feather. I've been leaning towards
    the Redington Chromer 11'6", 6 weight switch rod as it looks to have plenty of backbone for
    half pounders and an occasional adult fish.

    I guess I'm wondering what the advantage would be going to a Spey rod length. Or maybe it's
    just preference?

    Eric

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
    Posts
    23,837

    Default

    I think it sounds very good....

    Be sure to have someone get you set up with a good floating running line, the right weight and length Scandi head and some short Versi/Poly leaders and some Rio 12' Steelhead tapered leaders.

    For winter you can get a Skagit head and MOW tips for fishing deeper with bigger flies.


    Andy Guibord works on the weekends at Kiene's. You can go there or just call him for some professional advise.

    .
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Norcal
    Posts
    909

    Default

    Thank again Bill. Yes, I plan on hitting up Andy, in addition to some lessons.

    Maybe one day I'll be in the Jeff Ching casting length category.

    Eric

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Citrus Heights
    Posts
    2,142

    Default

    EDawg, I can let you try every rod I have to see what you like before you buy (5 to 8 wt switch rods and a 12-6 6 wt Spey)
    Get a lesson to learn the basic casts (switch, snap t and double Spey). Andy, Doug or Jeff Putnam are excellent instructors!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Hello there, I hope I may be off help here.
    An interesting question there young man.

    Personally over the years I would say anything up to 11' 0" 5/6 - 6/7 - 7/8# I would class as switch rod, a good quality make of rod will handle highish summer rains and high water plus 10' heavy tips with large heavy flies for those bigger migratory Beasties (Scottish word from the north ), the better the stiffness/fastness of the rod the better it is for power, remembering add a 1lb or 2 to a fish in fast water, you don't want to bottom out on your rod if you hook something of size in complex conditions, but switch rods are also perfect for lighter floating lines and size 14 nymphs and that delicate approach, any over head casting with a switch rod will require a lighter line, but do some trials before forking out on lines etc, I do believe you have the perfect choice of equipment and knowledge on here, too heavy a line will eventually injure you if over head casting, so yes try before you buy, a heavier exact grain or slightly higher grain line is perfect for switch/spey casting, remembering the length of tip, fly size and weight, weather and water levels will determine the fine tuning required on that day for your casting.

    Ultimately as the season progress , the weather and water shall determine your tool of choice for the day or night if your a night fisher. When stepping up to 11'6 11'9 8/9# upward, these rods I would class these light salmon rods progressing to the 13' 14 15 and 16' ranges.

    Over here our rule is have rod for all occasions, always a 10' 8# Grilse rod, defiantly an 8# or 8/9 11'6 (good all round rod) and always the trustee go to either 13' and 14' 9/10s that would stop a train.
    Our Weather can be unpredictable so always be best prepared lol.

    Many Thanks Tight lines
    ST

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    el dorado hills
    Posts
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    Default

    Erico-
    I'm looking for something (switch) for the Truckee, American Half pounders, Lower Sac. I would love to find a Sage Z Axis 11ft 5wt but I probably be more likely to get struck my lightning. I came across an Oregon based company Beulah that makes a few nice switch rods for the Rogue. Anybody have any experience? Price point seems to be right in the "middle" at about $500.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Norcal
    Posts
    909

    Default

    Hey CD,

    Yes, I have heard Beulah makes some nice rods. I've seen comments on this board and never
    heard anything negative about them. That Sage is hard to find.

    So you'll use a switch for streamers primarily?

    My new arrow in my quiver for the Truckee is a 9 foot 6 wt G Loomis IMX Pro. I had a super old
    GL3 that had a broken ferrule...so I used the Xpeditor program with Loomis. They had to jump
    up two models because mine was so old. $495 rod for $100. Major score!!!

    Eric

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Garden Valley
    Posts
    1,076

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by cdevine View Post
    Erico-
    I'm looking for something (switch) for the Truckee, American Half pounders, Lower Sac. I would love to find a Sage Z Axis 11ft 5wt but I probably be more likely to get struck my lightning. I came across an Oregon based company Beulah that makes a few nice switch rods for the Rogue. Anybody have any experience? Price point seems to be right in the "middle" at about $500.
    I’m a big fan of the Beulah Platinum series Spey rods. Compared to the Z Axis, my humble preference would be the Platinum. Not to start a pissing match of which is better/worse; but in my hands I like Beulah rods a lot and would not consider them to be a “mid-level” rod at all (other than price)! The 11’7” 5wt Platinum was one of the smoothest casting rods I’ve ever had the pleasure to use. I have only cast their older “classic” series switch rods once or twice and it’s been too long to really say much about my experiences with them but I don’t remember being overly wowed by them. I haven’t cast one of the Platinum switch rods yet, but I would expect them to be very sweet rods given my experiences with the Platinum Spey rods (13’2 7wt, 13’8” 8wt, 11’7” 5wt).
    JB
    "Lord help me to be the person my dog thinks I am"
    - unknown

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