[Sandy Nelson]

I seem to remember a wee topic on switch rods

I can't seem to find it anywhere so i may have dreamed about it

So whats the general opinion on the above topic, i'm thinking summer sea-trout and salmon with small flies.
or small spate rivers at the right moment

What i suppose i'm wondering is would it be better going for a 12ft6 7wt salmon rod or a 11ft6 7wt switch rod.
Just been perusing blanks with an eye to making something for the summer. IF 6 or 8 would be more useful then WHY
And coupled with an SLX i'm sure it would be good addition to an Arsenal

Sandy

[Rob Brownfield]

I am currently building a 5 weight Switch rod..well..I would be if i could get small enough reamers for the handle!

Not sure why!! Seemed like a good idea at the time!

[Ben Dixon]

I don't get a huge amount of use out of mine but I would not be without it.  If the intention is to use it two handed (the only way I use mine) then line it with a Spey rated line, by that I mean that a #7 single handed line will be too light on most #7 rated switches for two handed use.  Would be fine with a #7 single handed line if you wanted to use it as a numb, overly long single hander with a goofy oversized clumsy handle but, I can't imagine why you would want to do that!

If thinking about an SLX sandy, then you'd be looking at putting a #8 on a #5 rated switch blank for two handed use but to be honest you'd be better off with a #7 rated switch rod and getting an appropriate line for it

Cheers

Ben

[Sandy Nelson]

Ben

The thought was for having a lighter two handed for smaller rivers and flies.
Plus I fancied making something.
So maybe lighter 'heads would be a good plan as I want to stick with the two handed casting.
Would a switch rod be better than an actual spey rod though? Certainley lighter but easier to cast
So far I'm finding the longer rod easier to get on with for heavier lines.
If I went to a 7(irrelevant with heads I know) then does the same ring true or is it necessary at all
As you are using small flies so can get away with lighter lines. Only ever fished like this with a single handed rod
But I can see how a two handed approach might feel more comfortable.

Might need to play first methinks

Sandy

[Ben Dixon]

Hi Sandy,

Switch rods tend to be more delicate and less clumsy to use close up than even a 12' "Spey" rod, so in confined spaces, yes they are easier to cast and easier to fish with.  Most switch blanks have a grain window, line it towards the upper end with longer lines or skagits and towards the lower end with heads.  I mainly use the Beulah Elixir switch line on my rod, it is a 29' head and I fish it with either a 10' poly or 15 - 18' tapered mono leader for full floating work.  It's an integrated shooting head with a short back taper that lets me set up a small D loop and still get a good shoot when required but gives me good feel and accuracy at close range.
It's less tiring fishing the switch at 25 yards all day than it is fishing a 10' #8 single hander all day at the same range although in most situations where I would pick up the switch the 10' #8 with appropriate line would suffice.
Get a shot of my switch sometime, may help you decide what to buy, got a few different lines for it too.

Cheers

Ben

[Paul Garrigan]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I have a wee question for ya Ben....

I have a 9'6" #7 single hander that I use for salmon in small rivers with a rio iline. (greys xflight) If I was to make my own screw in extention handle for the butt, then match it with a switch line, would I have myself a switch rod?? ???

Paul

[Ben Dixon]

Good question Paul, not really sure!!

9'6" does not really warrant having a lower handle IMO, you'd be as well just using it as a single hander really however if you wanted to throw heavy tips and flies, the sort of thing that could not be carried on a single handed line that was comfortable to cast single handed then there may be some merit to it.

Cheers

Ben

[Iain Cameron]

Ben

The thought was for having a lighter two handed for smaller rivers and flies.

I'm still thinking that a double-handed rod, around 11', would be great for the river for grilse/sea trouts. Many places on the Don where back-casting is tricky, and i've been using single-handed roll casting a lot this last year, but it sometimes feels just slightly under-gunned.

The orvis catalogue & Orvis.com show some Helios & Access switch rods in 5 & 6 weights this year. tempting. (the 5&6 weight access rods don't show up yet on orvis.co.uk).

[Ben Dixon]

That's what I tend to use mine for Iain and on the upper river with bigger gear in bigger water.  The #6 should work out fine for what you want it for, I'd forget the #5 really as a #5 rated Spey line will not really have any more authority than a #8 single handed line.

The Access #5 & #6 are available just not listed on the web yet, not seen one but the Access #7 & #8 are very nice for the money.  Tapers and actions are similar to equivalent Helios

Cheers

Ben