Switch Rods

[Andre]

The Sage "one switch" is about R1K dollars, plus the price of a line, probably another 200 Dollars or so...advantage is that they start at a 4 wt I think.

If you dont want to break the bank Stealth do a Switch rod

http://stealth.co.za/switch-rod/

Unfortunately starts from #7 upwards

[Uli@84]

Hi Uli,

Thank you so much. I visited the site and you were spot-on. Great information. Now I just need a switch rod. Any idea of a good rod available in SA?

I dont know of anything, must be honest, it was simply an interesting read for me, as I still struggle casting 10meters with a single hand, definitely not planning to try and expand into a new branch of skills

My suggestion would maybe be to go through the agents eg. explorer/Jandi are also the reps for St Croix/and Reddington in South Africa, I am sure you can maybe order one through them?? Not sure how open these companies are to these type of things.

Otherwise maybe buy a blank and have one of the local rod builders put it together for you??

Good luck

[Korrie]

I suggest a rod with a good local backup or a brand with good gaurantee.
As you will be doing "funny" stuff until you master the casts, the chances of snapping a tip or a section might be larger than normal

[Fly-o-holic]

Afternoon Gentlemen,
Thank you for your replies.

@Bryan, thanks Bryan. As you have stated, too heavy. I do think that a switch rod and even spey casting is under utilised, especially in the estuary and surf environment. I'm a salty by hart and there is nothing harder than to cast for leeries in the surf zone with your line tangled in your basket, especially a floater. I do think once someone has introduced this type of fishing in the Swartkops or Breede, the guys would be running to acquire such products.
@Andre, you can still buy some for 500-600 USD, no thanks i'll rather have one built in SA. Current ROE is crazy and currently not a viable option.
@Korrie, Again, these rods are so expensive and with limited expertise in SA, I'd rather take my chances and have one built with a local. The only issue is the flex of the rod, I do not know where the design boundaries are.

Is there no rod builder in SA that would have some expertise regarding switch rods?

[Korrie]

Interesting read about it
http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/5...wo-hander.html

[Fly-o-holic]

Thank you Korrie, will have look tomorrow. However it seems that my 5wt bomber has just had a new lease of life.

[Korrie]

Many years ago, about 13 years ago I bought a Sage XP 11' #6 blank and built it up
It is my favourite still water rod and is frequently mentioned in the old threads as a very capable Switch rod.
I only have a fighting butt on it, but are considering a convertible extended handle to do the Switch rod casting.
that will mean a whole set of extra lines. but actually

[Andre]

Switch rods have been around for a long time. Its only in the past 10 years or so that they were given the name ,"swith rods". in about 1995, I tried a Fenwick, which was called a single handed Spey rod (or something like that). It was about 11 or 12 feet, with a long handle, and could be used with one or two hands.

Many years ago, about 13 years ago I bought a Sage XP 11' #6 blank and built it up
It is my favourite still water rod and is frequently mentioned in the old threads as a very capable Switch rod.
I only have a fighting butt on it, but are considering a convertible extended handle to do the Switch rod casting.
that will mean a whole set of extra lines. but actually

[Andre]

Alex, Im wondering if these 6wt , single handed Spey rods can use a normal fly line, or if they require special lines. I assume they need their own specialist lines for distance mending and line control etc. Can you comment on this. What line did you use for this one that you built?

You are absolutely correct Andre they were called "Single Handed Spey Rods", often used for Sea Trout...and the inspiration for this rod

Attachment 25057

I built it for a friend for Sea Trout, 10'8", 4 pc, 6wt.

[Korrie]

Alex, Im wondering if these 6wt , single handed Spey rods can use a normal fly line, or if they require special lines. I assume they need their own specialist lines for distance mending and line control etc. Can you comment on this. What line did you use for this one that you built?

Andre
I have used the normal fly lines on my 11".
No problem
BUT IT IS A BIT OF A BEAST to cast if you are not used to it.