switch rod questions

[castaway]

I am in the process of putting together two rods and I have some questions.

First rod

10'6 3wt... high sticking dream rod.. ultra-fast action with a lot of backbone (I will probably upline it with a triangle taper 4wt line) Now my question is: Should I put a 4" fighting butt on it and make it into a hybrid for switch casting if I ever learn? and if so... the triangle taper lines boast that they are great for roll casting - is this a good line for switch casting?

Can this be done with a 3wt?

And.. I want a 6wt switch for steelhead fishing... how does an 11' IM6 rod sound?

and can someone recommend two lines: a floater and a sink tip or steelhead line?

[Ming Moua]

Castaway, that is great way to feel a double handed rod by adding a 4 in fight butt....It should work, try it out if you don't think the 4wt line load the rod deep enough go up to a 5wt or even a 6wt line...In fly casting and spey casting, it's important to load up the rod for the cast.....Let me know how it goes if you do make it a double handed rod.....Ming

[Pete]

Good questions Castaway. Since Ming is our forum expert, I sent him a PM last night asking just about the same questions. Looks like we should start a switch rod project . We'll have to compare ideas this weekend.

Pete

[Ming Moua]

Pete a switch rod project will be awesome... ....great rod build skills you got there.....Ming

[briansII]

When it comes to line selection, I would call the guys at Kiene's Fly Shop in Sac. They are very knowledgeable about that stuff, and could have some good info on any question you have. Ask specifically for one of the spey/switch guys. Very helpful and friendly.

Single hand, overhead casting wisdom does not quite work the same for spey lines. I think there is crossover on switch rods, but a Wulff TT may or may not be a good line to spey with. I tried a couple trout lines on my 5/6 switch, and was told to try a steelhead/atlantic salmon(which I already had)line. Speaking spey lingo, that line is considered a short head. Speaking standard fly, it's really a longer head. If you plan to make efficient spey/switch casts, you'll need to tweak your leaders. I haven't had the time to practice, so my switch setup is gathering dust.

briansII

[rkfiske]

Switch rods interest me... are they a good choice for like stillwater fishing from shore and tubing... say a 6wt?

[stanbery]

Billy

You can do it with a 3wt.
Take a look at this site http://www.infinityrodcreations.com/

My next build will be a 10' 6wt switch rod.

Jon