Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: obie1fish on September 14, 2016, 07:08:39 PM

Title: Switch rod
Post by: obie1fish on September 14, 2016, 07:08:39 PM: I have an 11 foot, 8/9 Flextech switch. Any suggestions re: a good grain weight for the line? Any thoughts on the rod, especially from anyone who has tried one?
Title: Re: Switch rod
Post by: halcyonguitars on September 15, 2016, 09:49:41 PM: I have two. One has a blue Scandinavia line and I have a hard time casting it. The other has a Rio SwitchChucker and I can get 60-80' cast with ease. Not sure of the weight...
Title: Re: Switch rod
Post by: HOOK on September 17, 2016, 10:15:07 AM: being an 8/9wt I would think a Skagit in the 600-725 grain window should work nicely. I wasn't able to find much info on the brand. If you want a Scandi line then drop about 50 grains off the skagit size to match it. Make sure you know the difference between the lines and how they cast and what you want it to be able to do before buying as there is a huge difference

You may need to borrow some lines to play with in order to find the one that fits best for you. I had to do this for an older switch I had when switch rods were still relatively new to the game, fun process for sure
Title: Re: Switch rod
Post by: JBB on September 17, 2016, 12:35:07 PM: Are we discussing Flextec rods from the UK or is there a Flextech brand ?
Title: Re: Switch rod
Post by: obie1fish on September 17, 2016, 03:32:25 PM: I believe the UK. I was told these rods were supplied to the Irish during the World fly fishing championships a few years ago.
Title: Re: Switch rod
Post by: VAGAbond on September 18, 2016, 01:47:32 PM: I think the 600-725 grain window would be a tad heavy for an 8/9 switch. I have a 10' 6" 8/9 Beulah 'classic' and the skagit head they sell as their 'Tonic' line for this rod is a 22.5' 450 grain head. Works well for me.
Title: Re: Switch rod
Post by: ByteMe on September 19, 2016, 11:20:47 AM: Quote from: obie1fish on September 17, 2016, 03:32:25 PM
I believe the UK. I was told these rods were supplied to the Irish during the World fly fishing championships a few years ago.

UK rod line ratings are different than N. America ratings, as they use AFTMA standards. Your 8/9 switch would be best a 7/8 by US ratings. I have an old Made in Scotland Daiwa Whisker switch rod rated 7/8/9, I have been using 5/6 NA rated lines on Skagits at 400gr, Scandis at 350 and short head speys at 430grs
Title: Re: Switch rod
Post by: Knnn on September 19, 2016, 03:42:14 PM: I have a short 8/9 Loomis spey at 12' 6" and it runs a 550 Skagit max (short 23' shooting head). If you have a different rating then I have not clue. Sounds like you will be in the 450-550 region.

Try your local tackle shop, many shops carry lines you can try out before you buy.
Title: Re: Switch rod
Post by: RalphH on September 19, 2016, 05:05:08 PM: try contacting them and ask for a recommendation: https://www.flextec.co.uk/pages/contact-us
Title: Re: Switch rod
Post by: obie1fish on September 19, 2016, 09:13:25 PM: This is great information, everyone. It has cleared up a lot of additional questions I had. Thanks for all the help.