Switch Rods

[Lotech Joe]

What do you all think about Switch Rods? Marc can tell you that my wading abilities are gone and I thought maybe a switch rod can get a fly to that water only wading could before.
For those that don't know what a switch rod is, it's a cross between a one handed rod and a spey rod. You can cast them one or two handed. They are longer than a typical one handed rod and shorter than a typical spey rod. They will cast quite a bit farther than a one hander, and you don't need much back-cast room.
Just wondering what your thoughts are or if anyone has tried one before.

[wolverine]

LJ, I have a Beulah 10'-6" 5/6 wt, a Beulah 10'-6" 7/8 wt, 1 Sage 11' 6 wt, a TFO 11' 7 wt, and a TFO 11' 9 wt. I used to several spey rods from 12-6" to 15' but have sold them as I don't fish the big water like the Thompson where the length and power is needed. My 9 wt is only used for king salmon fishing in BC and Alaska as it overkill down here. The 7 wt TFO easily covers Washington steelhead and is overkill for hatchery brats. My 6 wt Sage is used for indicator nymphing for summer run steelhead on rivers like the Methow, Grande Ronde, Okanagon, etc. My favorite rods are the Beulahs. The 7/8 is a great rod for fishing for migrating silvers off the salt water beaches. I use the 5/6 for sea run cutthroat in salt water, and for nymphs, streamers, and chirinomids in lakes and rivers where the chance of tangling with larger trout is a possibility. I'm looking for a 4 (maybe a light 5) wt for general wet and try trout work now but before I pull the trigger the 9 wt TFO will have to go as it doesn't get fished enough.
I've been using switch rods now for 5 years and am very happy with their performance. I just turned 65 and have had surgeries on both knees, 1 hip, 1 shoulder (twice) and 1 wrist. Between a lot of football and a car accident I've definitely had my share of rehab. I don't deep wade anymore as I don't have the strength or desire to do it. Besides if I want to fish the other side of a large river I'll go to the other side and fish it. What the switch rods have done for me is that they allow me to fish longer without injury. Fishing a single hander I could only fish for 3 to 4 hours without experiencing discomfort. The switch rods with their easier motion let me fish all day. Will you get more distance from a switcher? Yes, but as you know its still about proper presentation.

[Lotech Joe]

wolverine,
Thanks for the info. That was exactly what kind of response I was looking for. I'll continue to ponder my choices, but it looks like a sharkskin line has gained some ground in my decision. I really do appreciate your input on this subject. I held a TFO 4 weight switch in my hands today and really liked it, but the budget (at $260) is still a little steep. Thanks for your help.

[ckim85]

Joe, I was hesitant on trying out a switch rod. I have a spey rod and single handers but the switch just seemed unecessary. ALl that turned out to be wrong when Jerry French handed me his Gloomis switch over at the shop to cast for fun.

Overhead cast with AIrflo 40+ or Outbound on and you're booming out 80-100ft of line with ease. perfect for the beach. spey cast it for trout or small rivers and the uses are just endless.

with that said, I'm building a 7wt switch next month over at AATF with the Beulah blank.

[fishing collector]

I built a Rainshadow 8wt switch rod last fall and it has been great. It is the same rod blank used by Fetha Styx. My wrists are bad and this rod has let me get out to the areas that only a spey rod worked before. Now the switch rod lets me get larger flies out to areas without the pain I had . I can either use it as a regular flyrod or a two handed spey type without the weight. It worked very well with the Humpies, steelhead and a chum that was aprox 17lbs without any problems. good luck to you. Check out the rainshadow rods made up in Sequim Wa. The price is very reasonable and the quality is excellent. They are sold on ebay as a kit or complete rod. any size from a 5wt to a 9wt I believe. I am building a 5wt switch now so I can use both hands on a lighter trout type rod.My wrists feel much better at the end of the day when I can use both arms to cast with. I can also cast larger flys as needed. Good Luck to you, Steve

[Lotech Joe]

I think I'm about a week away from starting a switch rod build. It's Batson's RX7, 10' 8", 5 weight. I can hardly wait to cast it.

[fishing collector]

I think I'm about a week away from starting a switch rod build. It's Batson's RX7, 10' 8", 5 weight. I can hardly wait to cast it.

I think my next rod is going to be the same rod... a 5wt switchrod by Batson. My wrists are not very good and I found that casting with a switchrod is much easier on them. I can fish most of the day without any problems. Good luck Joe.

[Marc Martyn]

I think I'm about a week away from starting a switch rod build. It's Batson's RX7, 10' 8", 5 weight. I can hardly wait to cast it.

I'd like to try it when you have it done. Sounds interesting.

[Lotech Joe]

I think I'm about a week away from starting a switch rod build. It's Batson's RX7, 10' 8", 5 weight. I can hardly wait to cast it.

I'd like to try it when you have it done. Sounds interesting.

Sure enough Marc.

[VHMLLC]

So being newer to fly fishing, I have had the Q, for a while and you guys just asnwered some of them. Can I use my Ross reels on switch rods or do I have to re-gear reels? Are the lines the same or due I need different lines too?
Btw hey Joe sorry to hear about you back, I've been focusing on fly stuff and have been off WL for almost a year. I also haven't touched my spin/cast stuff in that time. I think I'm pretty much fly all the way.

[Lotech Joe]

So being newer to fly fishing, I have had the Q, for a while and you guys just asnwered some of them. Can I use my Ross reels on switch rods or do I have to re-gear reels? Are the lines the same or due I need different lines too?
Btw hey Joe sorry to hear about you back, I've been focusing on fly stuff and have been off WL for almost a year. I also haven't touched my spin/cast stuff in that time. I think I'm pretty much fly all the way.

HEY STAN:) I sent you an email.