Switch Rod for Steel?

[Twism]

Ive been wanting a switch rod lately as i have found myself trying to do a spey cast with my 10' 7wt and it doesnt quite work too well. I can get by but would like a rod better suited for a longer cast to swing flies. I dotn want a full spey setup and i want to the ability to still nymph as well.

I was thinking about something ~11' and 7/8wt. Any suggestion. How about line? Can you use the Rio Steelhead line on a switch and get a decent cast?

Tom

 

[eddavidson9]

1-if you dont want to jump right in to the full cost of a setup you could look at lining your single-hander differently (WF or DT in a heavier line weight would probably do but a shooting head or even light compact skagit might be better). malindas might be able to help you out with suggestions or demos.

2-any number of lines will work on a switch but for swinging probably a compact/short scandi, skagit or specifically designed switch line will work best, just keep in mind that 1 and 2 handed rod-line designations dont match up. see: http://www.rioproducts.com/photos/file/Understanding%20Spey%20lines%202011.pdf . stay away from the spey lines, the heads are usually too much to handle on a switch rod.

3-i have a 11' 7wt TFO switch and think it's perfect for all-around steelheading. only 2-hander i own or have cast regularly though. sure beats the hell out of heaving with a 10' 7wt single hander. i run a beulah elixr line and rio leaders in 10' lengths for swinging, can put out decent casts after a couple seasons of practice (if there's not much wind). indicator nymphing is a breeze, i just forgo the poly leader and build a nymphing leader straight of the end of the line. not great for high-sticking though, shoulders wont hold up very long.

 

[Twism]

Thanks. Is that TFO the Deer Creek? Ive been looking at that and the Echo Switch.

I do want something i can high-stick and nymph with also. So a light rod will probably be good. I will be at "the river" this weekend and will probably ask Malinda what she thinks would be good. Im always in there anyway.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Tom you should try the Rio AFS line on your rod I think you will like it . It's a shooting head designed for single handed rods I tried it on my 10' 7wt and it cast like a dream you won't be disappointed . I bought another one and put it on my spey rod and it works awesome on this as well. If you are looking switch either one of the rods mentioned in this post work great have tried them both. Eddavidson9 is right on stop in and see Malinda she will spool up some lines for you to try before you buy . Don't be afraid to try it on several different types of water to be sure it is what works for you.

 

[thrashers.wheat]

Tom you should try the Rio AFS line on your rod I think you will like it . It's a shooting head designed for single handed rods I tried it on my 10' 7wt and it cast like a dream you won't be disappointed . I bought another one and put it on my spey rod and it works awesome on this as well. If you are looking switch either one of the rods mentioned in this post work great have tried them both. Eddavidson9 is right on stop in and see Malinda she will spool up some lines for you to try before you buy . Don't be afraid to try it on several different types of water to be sure it is what works for you.

I fish with a 10' 7 weight, and have been interested to try out a shooting head, as my uncle just did with his switch. i just was not sure if a shooting head would work on a single handed rod all that well. i've looked at the rio afs before, but did not purchase it. i found a source that suggests a grain weight for a 7 weight rod to be between 177 - 193. the lightest grain weight for the rio afs is 310. would lining my 7 weight single hand switch rod with 310 grain shooting head be inappropriate??

lastly, are you connecting the shooting head to running line? if so, how does this set up handle close casts??

do appreciate the info, if ya can give any! thanks!

 

[Twism]

Ive also scoped out the Beulah Switch and am drooling over that.....

Ill definitely see what Malinda has this weekend and maybe test something on my rod.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

I fish with a 10' 7 weight, and have been interested to try out a shooting head, as my uncle just did with his switch. i just was not sure if a shooting head would work on a single handed rod all that well. i've looked at the rio afs before, but did not purchase it. i found a source that suggests a grain weight for a 7 weight rod to be between 177 - 193. the lightest grain weight for the rio afs is 310. would lining my 7 weight single hand switch rod with 310 grain shooting head be inappropriate??

lastly, are you connecting the shooting head to running line? if so, how does this set up handle close casts??

do appreciate the info, if ya can give any! thanks!

Hi Thrashers.wheat,
I have a 10' 7wt Orvis Power Matrix which is a fairly fast rod and strung it up with the Rio AFX for a 7-8wt. floating and have to say it works great . You can work close and cast for distance with it . That being said this is a 460 grain line and is perfect for this particular rod . Depending on the rod you are using you may want to drop to a 6-7wt which is a 400gr line you will have to try them out to be sure which one works for you . This is a shooting head and is attached to a running line , I took my old line and cut the belly out of it and made a large loop to attach the head to via loop to loop connection . These lines were designed for single handed rods so give them a shot your arm will thank you at the end of the day....

 

[eddavidson9]

i found a source that suggests a grain weight for a 7 weight rod to be between 177 - 193. the lightest grain weight for the rio afs is 310. would lining my 7 weight single hand switch rod with 310 grain shooting head be inappropriate??

not sure if this will make sense, but because you are basically performing a roll-cast and the "weight" of line actually loading the rod is a lower percentage of the amount of line outside the tip than if you were overhead casting, you need a heavier line to get decent performance. BHC's suggestion of 400-460 grains intuitively sounds a little heavy to me, but he would know far better than I. again, the only way to really know is find somewhere to try a couple different things out on the water.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

The new listing for Rio lines this year has upped the grain window on most rods by 100 grains or more . But a word of caution try several line weights on your rod to see which one works the best. I tried the 6-7wt AFS on a TFO Deer Creek 7wt. switch and found it to be a perfect match the 7-8wt is a little much as it is a slow action rod.The Orvis 10' 7wt will handle either nicely as it is a faster action rod and the 13' 6-7-8wt cnd expert tosses the 7-8wt nicely for me but would better cast the 8-9wt for a beginner. It is all up to your preference once you have tried them and see what works best for you and your casting style.

 

[Twism]

Al, i tried your Orvis with that line, it was nice. I think there is an AFS line with built in running line, which i like so there is no connection. I think its the AFS Outbound. Hopefully Malinda stocks that.

 

[thrashers.wheat]

Thanks a lot. i appreciate the info.