Fly Fishing

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

hey everyone,, ... my buddy pete who spends a great deal of time on canadian atlantic salmon waters sent me this email ... his buddy who lives in nova scotia has one and he said its great .. i like this rod idea and concept very much .. it was developed in the UK for fly fisherman looking for exactly what i was looking for .. a spey rod that was not sooo big and more versatile in most steelhead/salmon situations than the standard single or 13-16 spey ... a balance .. ,,, i like the fact that the switch concept can even be brought down to 5 and 6 weights .. so single hand or spey on a 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 weight rods that are designed to do both .. (double handle ..etc..) ... it is just what i was looking for .. and clearly, i wasn't the only one ... thanks pete .. going to research it more on their website.

Pete wrote:

"Thought this might be of interest to you based on it's simplicity and
versatility. My buddy Sean has one so I used it a bit in Nova Scotia. Pretty sweet rod and quite different than
anything else on the market. Could be just the tool for you. They've got
5/6, 7/8, 8/9, etc weight rods. All are 10'6" and they match the rod up
with their own lines so they are matched up perfectly. The 8/9 wt might
actually be paired up with a 12wt DT line. Not to expensive either. I
think the 'switch' concept came from the UK."

http://www.beulahflyrods.com/switchrods.html

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

so - i am looking for some feedback .. how does this switch rod . differ from the rod that mike helped me build? Clearly other fly fisherman in the Uk and Canada were looking for the same thing I was looking for ... I am curious as to how the "switch rod" which is manufactured exactly for the need is "better" than the rod mike helped me put together .... obviously the switch rod has 6 more inches .... and a double handle .. but the rod mike helped me build has a fighting but which could be considered and used as the bottom handle ... i do like the fact though that the switch rod concept is designed just for the application and can be utilized for all rod/line weights and not just 7wt 10ft.... less or more depending on fishing situations .. but all give the ability to effectively comibine single/double overhand and spey casting ... any thoughts?? below is the "switch rod" version mike helped me put together .. and the actual "switch rods" made by Beulah Rods..

THE 7 wt. 10 ft. "SPEY" ROD THAT MIKE SET ME UP WITH
http://www.fliesandfins.com/simplespeyrod.wmv

THE SWITCH ROD
http://www.beulahflyrods.com/switchrods.html

mike holt · Posted: Thu 11/09/06 1:04 pm Post subject:

Jeremy - they are close to the same.

As it says on the Beulah site "The term Switch Rod, which is owned by Bob Meiser, is a series of fast action 10’6” rods with two handed grips available in the following sizes; 5/6, 6/7, 7/8, 8/9, 9/10, and 10/11."

And there are a couple of guys in the area who have Bob Meiser's rods and they like them a lot. You can indeed cast them single or double handed and they are good casting rods.

Like any lighter spey rod if you're casting it two-handed a common problem is overpowering the rod - you have to be tuned into the load when you use these.

One thing to watch our for is that at some point two-handed rods aren't justified over single handed rods. You just get to a point where you can achieve the same casting distance and mending ability with a single handed rod.

This happens at different points for different people but it is something to watch for when you get down to the 10' range in rod length - ask yourself before you buy a "switch rod" Do I need a double hander?

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

mike =--- agreed ... like you have always said .. at some point you come to a place where the 10 foot "spey" overlaps with the "single handed rod" ... and the return on investment is negotiable ... so the 10 foot 7 that you set me up with has its versatile benefits .. and .. yes.. spey casts can be done on it .... but the benefits are for easing the strain on repetitive casting situations and executing on spey casts when your back is against the walll .. but it is just a matter of science that a 10 ft rod won't be able to do what a 14 foot rod can do ... in terms of distance .. and, distance is certainly the primary benefit of spey casting ..... so, i think i will stick with the 7 wt 10 ft "spey" you set me up with .. and use it for most of my steelheading applications and on rivers that don't demand spey rods ... because, yes, i am able to do it all .. but with distance limitations .. and if i find myself fishing on rivers such as the kennebec river or penobscot river or the other gigantic ocean going rivers in maine that truly warrant spey rods ... i will use the 12 or 14 spey rod ... but i doubt i will use a 14 foot rod on rivers that are better served with a single handed rod just for the novelty of it ... that seems foolish .. ok thanks mike.

gunner · Location: Monmouth, ME & Hudson, FL

I have a 10 1/2 ft switch rod. Had it made by a guy in Oregon; here's his site (and he attends most of the speyclaves west of the Mississippi if you get to one). I can't recommend it enough; a great rod designed for what I told him I was going to use it on and for.

meiserflyrods.com/

Read through the stuff on his site; gives good descriptions, etc.

gunner · Location: Monmouth, ME & Hudson, FL

Here's some rod reviews of various spey rods:

speypages.com/rods.html

gunner · Location: Monmouth, ME & Hudson, FL

This same discussion is ongoing on another spey forum; here is the response of a switch rod maker:

"We originally developed the switch rod concept, and suggested correct line systems for them to aide anglers that for one reason or another were physically burdened by repetative single hand double haul delivery.

... Or early on, there were a few anglers that asked us to build these rods custom because they were savy enough to realize that at times; two hands simply can be better then one.

The concept has now pretty much gone full circle, and many anglers now find applications for them within their specific fishing enviornments.

Most of the anglers that use the higher grained switch rods: 400 to 650 will use them in a two handed mode as they are physically just a tad too much in weight to handle with one hand for a long period of time.

They are best used either with two handed anchor point deliveries, or two hands on the over head.

The two handed overhead approach is generally applied to reduce the physical burden of the repetative single hand double haul shooting head delivery to easily reach extreme distances...With minimal expended energy on the part of the caster.

... A logical alternative to single hand double haul deliveries while search casting over stillwaters, beach, rocks, jetties, or estuarian salt, and platform standing from a small craft.

At 10'6" in length, the rods are not to long to lever fish while standing/casting from the bow of a ponga, flats, or river drift boat.

With two handed anchor point: (spey deliveries), most wading river anglers will find these shorter rods most efective on smaller rivers where the back cast is burdened by riparian, high steep banks or the like.

... Or for detailing close-in slots or buckets on the bigger river.

In this case the angler may simply want to minimize graphite <> Yet still get the job done in an efficient manner....};^)...!!!

On the other hand (as it where)

The lighter grain carrying capapability switch rods in the 150 to 350 grain range can easily be used in both the single or two handed mode

<> If desired.

Within the diversity of Trouting techniques, there can be advantages with either single or two hands. These lower grained rods are light enough in hand weight to not burden either.

It's really more an issue of personal preference and logical application.

Again at 10'6" in length the rod offers a lot of mending, reach, and swing advatages for Trouting tyechniques, and they are ideal anchor point delivery tools while presenting from the casters station in moving drift boat.

No back casting required, just do a lazy Snap T from the dangle to a frontal anchor, and underhand power pop to the bank.

With practice you can get pin point accuracy, and it's really fun.

For line systems:

In essence <> Switch rods are short belly spey ... slash ... shooting head delivery tools.

They do multi-task best with shorter belly spey lines, and/or the advanced grain weight forward single hand line tapers.

On the lighter grained switch rods:

Single hand lines like the Airflow 40 Plus, Airflow Delta Freshwater, and Rio Outbounds work well within their grain windows on the lighter grained rods because the grain distribution within their tapers are correct for multi-tasking.

In the higher grained rods:

The Skagit family of line tapers made by both Rio and Airflow are also really effective, primarlily again; because the shorter length rods will physically do better with these shorter spey tapered bellies ... A logical issue of line management.

The Adapted WC main belly section used as a shooting head with tips are my favorite, as they are so diverse in both fishing, and casting applications.

The same holds true for the 35 to 40 foot something Scandi shooting heads made by Vision, Guideline, Airflow etc ... Very effective lines for both casting and fishing these shorter rods.

All and all switch rods are not the finite answer for all angling requirements ...

No rod is.

They are probably best defined as niche rods ...

... But they sure do seem to meet a diverse range of "Niche" applications within a broard spectrum of angler needs these days.

Meiz"

Hope that helped you.
Joe

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

gunner ... i'm in .. sold ... sounds like just the right tool for me .. got a question ... where can i buy one ... are there any retailers that have them in stock or do i have to order through the UK or whatever .. ok thanks .. i am definately a impulsive buyer and when i decide i want something .. i want it YESTERDAY! so ... can you recommend somewhere that can get it to me FAST! or i can pick it up .. thanks for all the great info on this rod .. a big help ...

gunner · Location: Monmouth, ME & Hudson, FL

My switch rod was made in Oregon by Bob Meiser; you spend about an hour on the phone telling him exactly what you want, including color of thread and inlay, and it took about 6 weeks for him to make and ship. His warranty is great and annually you send him the rod for a complete checkup. I posted his abbreviated link on one of these threads I posted on. I don't think you will find a better rod after having one of my own and listening/reading comments from other speycasters. But its not cheap; check his site. I ordered mine with an extra tip, since I ordered a travel version -- didn't want to be somewhere special and break a tip and ruin an otherwise good trip.
Joe

Shakeyfly · Location: MA

Dug this one up Shocked

Thought I would do some searching before firing off this question. I am in the market for a switch rod. I can't quite fire off a 80 - 90 foot roll cast with an 8 weight just yet.

Does anyone know where Beulah rods are manufactured? They say they are designed in Oregon, and their lines are manufactured in the UK. ARe the rods manufactured in the UK as well?

This was an extremely informative post and hoping that someone can shed some light on my questions!! Thanks!

flytyinfreak · Location: Idaho Falls ID

I have had some first hand knowleged with switch rods a buddy of mine is addicted to them and I HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO USE ONE A TIME OR TWO. check out an Anderson (beautiful stuff) http://www.andersoncustomrods.com . He makes a sweet sweet hybrid setup. it's a single hander which can add a section and a two handed handle section to turn into a spey rod. We had Craig Nielsen ( one of the pioneers in switch rods) to out club and he had a quiver full of switch rods, (even had a 4 wt!!)I would also recomend checking out a Meisner (pure beauty and workmanship) http://www.meiserflyrods.com/s2h106.html the only problem with these two guys rods are that sometimes they are way to beautiful to cast let alone take to the river! LOL just kidding but both Meisner and Anderson put together functional works of art. just check out Andersons handles. He has hardwood beavertail handles and beautiful wood inlays in his handles as well as laquered feather inlays. Either way you are going to get an amazing fishing tool. A switch rod gives you the ability to spey cast in tight quarters and the spey-cator fishing" DUDE!! talk abut high sticking and getting an extended drift. think about that, 10 and 1/2 to 11 feet give you an extra 3 to 4 feet of high stick to your drift.

Shakeyfly · Location: MA

Thanks for the information! Those rods look beautiful!! a little out of my price range, but defintiely something that I would aspire too!

Your thought process is the same as mine. High sticking an additon 1.5 - 2 feet off my 9foot 8 weight. plus the added load and ease of spey casting across 1500 - 1750 CFM. Razz

Do you know where Beulah rods are manufactured? Are Anderson and Meisner all in US?