Two Hand Rods

[westbranchfly]

Nighthawk, that sounds like a nice rig. I'm envious, I'd love to build my own two hander.

[westbranchfly]

Dylan, I'd be looking at a bass pro or cabelas rod to get started. There's no sense in piling a bunch of money into something you're still not sure about. If you want money well spent, get a Rio Skagit head and tips to start. About 150 bucks. Like Matt said, you'll need a bigger reel, but it doesn't matter how good the drag is, we're not getting into 20# fish every day. You'll need running line behind the head, 30 or 40# Berkeley big game does well, and it's cheap. You just have to decide if you want a switch rod or a longer two hander. Both have their place. If it was me, I'd be looking for a 6 or 7 wt. 11' switch to get started.

[trapshot25]

Just saw this about TFO Ticr-x rods, they make a 2 handed conversion kit for 9 ft 7 &8 wt rods. Since I happen to have a 7wt might be option.

[westbranchfly]

Jack, the guys from Olympic peninsula Skagit tactics are currently working on something like that. Ed ward has been fooling around with converting single handers for tight stuff on narrow water.

[trapshot25]

I have a standard conversion for my 3wt turns 8 ft into 10ft very impresseed with it.

[matthill1216]

I have a standard conversion for my 3wt turns 8 ft into 10ft very impresseed with it.

That's so cool!!!

[matthill1216]

I watched a video with Jeff Putnam on switch rod casting and his rod screwed out at the bottom and slid down for the 2 hand switch and then he screwed it back in for single hand casting. Pretty nice....

I'm taking my 8wt back to bass pro and down sizing back to the 7wt I had originally. Felt better all the way around. They were actually pretty cool about me swapping back. They said they have the 7 wt set back with my name on it.

[grizzly]

West, its awesome that you are into two handed rods as well. I started with an Orvis Access Switch 7 wt, but some idiot broke into my car and stole it. Luckily enough, I was able to upgrade to a Sage One spey at an affordable price, 12'6 7wt. I love it, but am still learning the art of it. A good cast for me is around 70 - 75 feet. I am using the rod to fish the White below BSD when generation kicks above 2 units. We should meet up sometime and swing some flies.

[westbranchfly]

West, its awesome that you are into two handed rods as well. I started with an Orvis Access Switch 7 wt, but some idiot broke into my car and stole it. Luckily enough, I was able to upgrade to a Sage One spey at an affordable price, 12'6 7wt. I love it, but am still learning the art of it. A good cast for me is around 70 - 75 feet. I am using the rod to fish the White below BSD when generation kicks above 2 units. We should meet up sometime and swing some flies.

Anytime! Sorry to hear of the theft of your rod. I'm lucky to have a St. Croix 11' 5wt. switch and a 12'6" Cortland CL 7/8wt. I recently had a Versitex 11' 8/9 switch passed on to me, just have to get off my butt and get a head and reel for it. I've never fished down that way, but have heard many good things about it.

[grizzly]

West, Bull Shoals will blow your mind. I often fish with Tom Smith who is a hell of a guide, and person, out of copper johns resort. We must have counted around 20 "footballs" upstream of Newlands on one evening this August. Heck of a river to swing flies on. PM me.