I’m going to be building a switch rod soon and I’ve been told that I would want to get a line for it that is rated as 2 sizes bigger than the rod weight. i.e. if it’s a 5 weight switch rod I would need a 7 weight line. I can live with that but I’m wondering if a Double Taper would be better than a Weight Forward, knowing that some spey type casting will be involved. Am I crazy, confused or just trying to make this more difficult that it really is?
Thanks Ahead,
My switch rod doesn’t really go be 8wt or 9wt (as an example), rather, it goes by grain wt and a grain window. You might ask some questions of the blank maker to give you some ideas.
Hi Lotech, it all depends on the manufacturer. My Airflo Switch works with a 40 Plus line One weight heavier than the rod rating. You really need the Grain weight for the blank, but this will also vary with the type of line. You may need for example a 300 grain line for a Scandi line and a 350 grain for a skagit line. Unless you want to swing big flies on fast sinking leaders I would go for a Floating Forty Plus line and a poly leader or a Scandi line again with a poly leader to achieve the depth required. With the Forty Plus you will be able to easily switch between Nymphing and swinging streamers by adding a fast sinking leader and the line is good for 2 handed overhead casting and also very good for Switch casting and some Scandi style Spey casts.
Hope this helps.
All the best.
Mike
Mike,
I’ve never fished a switch or a spey rod before, and to be perfectly honest, I’m hearing some terms that I’m not familiar with. I’m sure the with the right questions asked at the right pro-shop I’ll get some quality answers. For now, I’m just trying to keep things simple.
Talk to Poppy at Red Shed.
Joe,
What Kerry said. Poppy will not steer you wrong.
REE
Tapers on so called “Swtch Rods” vary all over the place. I tried a bunch of them and found some way too soft and full flex like a traditional spey rod action. Others–like the Sage Z-Axis Switch are fast action 11 ft rods that need to be lined with the specified weight line.
This whole thing about what grain is the rod? is a can of worms I do not want to open.
I now have 2 Switches and love them----both Sage Z-Axis-- a 7wt and a 5 wt. I use both SA GPX WFF and Rio Windcutter Spey lines on them.
Joe I actually know the guy that designed that blank your getting for Batson (Rainshadow) and he actually makes lines up himself with the proper grain heads made specially for that rod your going to be building. I’ll give you a call this coming week and I’ll give you his name and number so you can call and talk to him. His prices are fantastic as well …$50 for the line and he usually ships it to you first and has you try it out before he even asks for payment on it. Real good guy to deal with when it comes to matching the line to that rod.
Steve
Thanks Steve,
I can’t get this build out of my head. I’m like a little kid on Christmas Eve. Your suggestion on the garnet and silver wraps won me over too. Subdued but elegant.
Yeah it’s hard to beat Garnet without CP on those Matte colored blanks. It gives the look of custom built yet does it in a way that’s still classy and not “in your face” like some other colors are.
Steve