Members westbranchfly Posted January 2, 2015 Author Members Posted January 2, 2015 I use Skagit heads on my rods. The switch has home built head. I took an old 550 grain Skagit flight and shortened it to roughly 350 grain. I have a floater and 7-1/2 x 2-1/2 floater/ T11 sinker MOW tips for it. I use a 600 grain airflo Skagit head on the 12-1/2 footer. In a pinch, I get by using those MOW tips on low water, higher water gets the 10ish foot T8 and T-14 sink tips. After seeing some of Ed Ward's videos, I did away with plastic coated running lines. I now use 30# Berkeley big game mono on the switch and 40# mono on the big rod.
Members matthill1216 Posted January 10, 2015 Members Posted January 10, 2015 Well, I went out this morning on the White. I was in the water by 9am. The water was low as I expected so I walked up stream just a little from where I parked. After a couple casts I landed one on an olive leech pattern. 2 more casts and I hooked another one. This one was real nice but I noticed that the water was on the rise and moving really fast. Needless to say I lost this one in the current. With the water now at my waist and still rising, I moved myself back about 10' and started again. 3 casts in and I hook another really nice fish. Needless to say to say with the water still rising and fast, he bolted toward the current then made a run straight at me, was in the air in a split second and spit the leech out of his mouth. After I pulled my line in and checked my streamer I had to move back even more and found myself right against the edge of the bank. I looked behind me and there is a big embankment a few feet back with trees, shrubs, etc…. literally no room at all and then I said to myself….. "WAIT A MINUTE!!! I HAVE A 2 HANDED ROD!!" So, I shrugged it off and went right back to fishing as if I had an empty 100' behind me. It was a great day. I spent a total of 6 hours in the water and loved every minute. The main reason I stayed that long was that I wanted to practice on my casts since I'm still new to the switch rod. I changed out my scandi head and went with Rio Scandi Short Versi System that I ordered from Red's Fly Shop. I have a 7wt and ordered a 485gr head. I was concerned it would be a little heavy so I called the guys at Red's and they assured me it would be ok and said it all really depends on the individuals casting stroke. Since I'm still developing mine I decided to give it a shot. All I can say is that I should have picked this up from the beginning. It has a 23' Skagit style head that is looped to a 10' floating tip. I then put about 12' of 6lb Spider Wire Flouro to see how it would do. I bombed a few casts here and there but overall in the day, the head worked amazing. The guys at Red's also said that when they use this, they take off the 10' floating tip and put on a sinking Mow tip with about 4' of 12lb line (remember, they're in Washington state) and it responds as a Skagit head. Put the 10' floating tip back on and it lays out with scandi finesse. Kind of having your cake and eating it too. Had a great day…. I learned a lot in my casting stroke, caught a few fish, lost a few that will always be "the big ones" to me and didn't freeze. I actually was quite comfortable. Just wanted to share what seems to work and pass on the info that was shared with me. Have a great weekend and happy fishing! westbranchfly 1
Members westbranchfly Posted January 10, 2015 Author Members Posted January 10, 2015 Matt, that's great! I have to get down that way some day. I finally got my other switch rod rigged with it's new head and reel. I went with a 540 grain airflo Skagit switch. I cast it a few times today, what a set up. Casts like a dream.
Members matthill1216 Posted January 10, 2015 Members Posted January 10, 2015 That's so cool!!! I have to laugh at myself… I get so excited, I'm like a giddy school kid about this stuff…. We'll have to plan a day where we meet up and plan a day out there. You'll love it.
Members westbranchfly Posted January 10, 2015 Author Members Posted January 10, 2015 Anytime pal. You talk about being excited, I didn't bother with my waders yesterday. I stood the on a grassy point, trying to figure out how I was gonna make a good anchor. Once I got it through my head, it was a simple matter of making the head anchor where I wanted, the thing flew. I've been trying to learn how to cast left handed and cack handed. So far so good. Once you kinda get the idea of making the sweep in the intended plane, the cast will go. This Skagit stuff just amazes me more and more everyday. I know we've already talked about it, but spend the money on Skagitmaster 1. You can get the DVD for 40 or watch it on line for 30. Once Ed explains the casting planes, it all makes sense. The line that really makes it for me is where he says," we're not changing the size of sinktips or flies we use to show you pretty casts. This is real world casting."
Wayne SW/MO Posted January 10, 2015 Posted January 10, 2015 I bought a switch 3 years ago just for Taney high water. I never did use it up there, but I did fish whites with it enough to see that it has advantages. I bought one that is 2 heavy and that's the main reason I haven't used it much. I bought an 8wt and even a 9wt line with a sinking leader isn't quite enough for it to the max out of it. Anyone thinking of buying one should do some research because a 5wt switch is much closer to a 7 or 8 weight than a 5. I think a 5wt would be just abot right for Taney. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
Members westbranchfly Posted January 10, 2015 Author Members Posted January 10, 2015 Wayne, what rod and line are you using?
trapshot25 Posted January 10, 2015 Posted January 10, 2015 Hey guys ordered the conversion for my TFO and new reel is coming too. Just have to get a line and be ready to go. Migth go with that line you have Matt.
Members matthill1216 Posted January 10, 2015 Members Posted January 10, 2015 That's awesome!!!! TFO…. That's a really nice rod! I have the Elixir V2 Switch Scandi head in both the 450 and 500 grain but they don't compare to the Rio Scandi Short Versi. I was really shocked. You're gonna love it! I got mine at Red's Fly shop online. Look in the Clearance section. You can buy just the head with the floating tip for $30. Here's the link. http://www.redsflyfishing.com/Rio-Scandi-Short-Shooting-Head-ON-SALE-p/rio-scandi-short-clear-mp.htm
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