The Switch Rod: Tool or Trend?

 

I have to admit. I am not a huge fan of switch rods. I just think at times they are overkill. Do you really need an eleven foot two handed rod to fish a bobber and nymphs from a drift boat? Maybe. In some cases, they just are not enough rod for most spey casting. They seem to fall in the ‘tweener zone in the middle of an already vast assortment of available rods. So for sake of fairness, I put my personal feelings aside and did a little research. I consulted with some experts in the field who were happy to give their opinion. I wanted to dispel some of the myths and clear up confusion looming over these trendy little two handed rods. I hope to, objectively, answer the question: tool or trend?

I asked Simon Gawesworth of Rio Products that very question. He responded, “There is no doubt that they are a tool, not a trend. I use them a lot, and am the least trendy orientated person out there!”

Also, because of their popularity, this topic needs addressing. It seems everybody wants one, think they need one, are curious about them, but in general, really aren’t sure what to do with them. I get numerous emails and phone calls from clients regularly asking my opinion. Should I get one, and which one, they ask.

Here is an actual email from one of my clients:

Jon,

I have not made my decision and must admit I am struggling a bit; I am wanting to dip my toes in the ~Spey/Switch world but would like to in the most universal/generic way possible (code for I don’t want 5+ rods for what I fish).

1.       Can I drift with an 11-footer (i.e. can I use it for high-sticking from a boat and walk/wade; I assume this is “No” for traditional Spey)?

2.       Does a Switch have enough backbone to take to the coast/estuary?

3.       Would a 7wt. be a better call?

4.       Just to confirm, I assume I will need to bulk-up my reel to an 8, 9 or even 10 to balance the length…

Thanks,

Joe Steelheader

Here was my response:

Joe Steelheader,

The six wt is a little light for coastal/winter steelhead. A seven would be better. The problem with getting a switch rod is that it isn't very good at anything. You would be better off with a 10' six for high sticking and a longer spey for actual spey casting. You can still do spey type casts with a single hand rod and it is lighter and easier to fish. That said, you are stronger than the average fisherman and a switch in your hands is like a regular single hander in most others. A seven is better for steelhead, but too heavy for trout. See the dilemma? With a switch, you don't need a big reel like a regular spey. An 8 wt reel should be plenty big to balance out a switch rod. If you already have a good six wt single, you are set. Most switch rods people bring to the coastal rivers stay in their cases and we use the regular speys.

Regards,

Jon

What is a switch rod

Understanding the origin of switch rods are is key here.  R.B. Meiser, who started developing and building the switch rod twenty-five years ago gets credit for coining the term “switch rod”.  He, Bob Quigley, and Paul Miller were fishing the lower Rogue for steelhead in the Agness area. Meiser was fishing a ten foot rod fashioned with an extended lower grip. He used water born, spey type casts with his new prototype. As they rotated through the run, one of them noticed the unique lower grip. “Hey” one asked, “Let me see that thing. How about we switch rods?” As they continue fishing, they all tried the new stick. At the end of that session, one of them asked, “ What do you call that thing, Bob?”  “ I don’t know”, says Meiser.  One of them replied “We keep switching rods. How about a switch rod?” According to Meiser, that was the first time the term “switch rod” was referenced. It was not because they were using the rod for different techniques, but they were just taking turns using what is now called, a switch rod.

As the word slowly got out about these new sticks, it caught the attention of east coast striper fisherman. Meiser’s first switch rods were shipped across the country and used with two hands overhead from the surf and jetty’s. They slowly gained a cult following among steelhead fisherman around the west. Other rod manufacturers took notice and introduced their own lines of switch rods. One of the first to do this was Sage. While Meiser gets credit for inventing the switch rod, Sage’s Z-Axis series certainly popularized them in the mainstream and took the market by storm. Others followed suit. Now every major rod manufacturer has switch rods in their line-up. Most switch rods average eleven feet in length and are available from line weights from five to nine.

So what is a switch rod? In my opinion, the definition is still evolving. I asked George Cook of Sage Fly Rods, and his definition is this, “ Is it both a spey and single hand rod? Yes. Is it a wicked overhead, swung fly and nymph rod? All the above. Is it the ideal first spey rod? Absolutely not. Is it a way to bridge the gap between single hand and spey, a get your feet wet approach? To some degree. Is there a lot of confusion about switch rods? Massive.”

According to Meiser, “ They are often misinterpreted. There is a lot of confusion about what switch rods really are. There are only two kinds of fly rods, single hand and two-hand. Switch rods should be defined as short two handed rods, period.” 

Opinions certainly vary on the topic. Gary Anderson, of Anderson Custom Rods, says ”Everyone buys them for different reasons. Many want to wet their feet in the two-handed rod world. This is the worst reason to buy one. They certainly shine for certain situations, like low water, small river fishing or out of a boat as bobber rods.”

What are they really good at?

Most agree that they niche’ rods used for very specific scenarios and techniques. In the right hands, traditional swing, nymphing, surf or beach casting, float tubing, and streamer fishing in both salt and fresh water, are all uses for them. Today, we see switch rods frequently in drift boats as indicator rods. Swinging flies on small rivers is a great use for them. Beach casting for migrating salmon and coastal cutthroat is a getting popular in areas like Puget Sound. Float tubers have discovered that switch rods have their place on the lake. These are all great uses for these sticks.

For steelhead fishing, switch rods can certainly make life easier. The two most popular methods for steelhead fishing are indicator nymphing and traditional swing fishing. “Swymphing”, a hybrid nymph/swing technique is also becoming more popular. It is best described as a non-indicator tight line nymphing technique.

The typical nymphing set-up involves a ten foot leader, indicator and two flies. This rig is paired with a floating line. Traditionally, a ten foot six to eight weight rod is standard. Switch rods, averaging eleven feet, are replacing single hand rods for this job. From a boat, this is a deadly combination on small rivers like the Trinity.  For the most part, they are overkill. But, when the leader length starts eclipsing the length of the rod, casting becomes more of a challenge. This is where it is a real advantage having the extra length of a switch rod. More length means more lifting power and leverage. Pulling a long leader, heavy split shot and flies out of the water prior to the cast is much easier with a switch rod. When wading against a bank, that extra length gives the angler a distinct advantage. The angler has to remember to use two hands in this case. If not, the extra weight of the switch rod will take its toll by the end of the day.

For swinging small rivers and creeks, switch rods also perform well. An average length spey rod, say thirteen feet, is too much rod on the Upper Trinity, for example. Spey casters tend to over-cast on smaller water. Paired with a short Skagit or Scandinavian line, switch rods are deadly weapons for short-range spey casting.

Swymphing, a technique gaining in popularity, is typically done while wading. A floating line, longer than average leader, and multiple nymphs are standard rigs. Switch rods are ideal for this method. Usually spey type casts are used to set up drifts. Will we see a “Swymph Rod” on the market some day?

The problem with switch rods

Most agree that switch rods are not good tools for learning spey type casting. There is a misconception that a switch rod can transition anglers from single hand to spey. This couldn’t be more false. It is like saying that pot is a gateway drug. It’s not. It is backward. If you are interested in learning to spey cast, get a real spey rod. Learning to spey cast with a thirteen foot spey rod is much easier than with an eleven foot switch rod. Why? They are easier because longer rods have more leverage and therefore are more forgiving. Shorter two-handed rods require a more compact, precise stroke with better timing. This is only achieved with practice; time on the water. One problem Anderson sees with beginners and switch rods is the notion “I can barely cast a switch rod, how can I possibly cast a real spey rod?” Suggesting a beginning spey caster should start with a switch rod most likely will be more discouraging and frustrating than productive. That angler is less likely to move on to a traditional length spey rod.

For most indicator fishing, a switch rod is overkill, especially from an elevated platform like a drift boat. More length means more weight. At the end of the day, fatigue will play a factor.

Also, they are niche’ rods that perform very specific tasks. They can certainly perform a wide range of tasks, but you need right lines to do so. There are very few lines designed just for switch rods. The problem here is that not all switch rods are created equal. There is no AFTMA standard for switch rods currently. According to Meiser, about half of the rod companies producing switch rods are using single hand standards and the rest are using two-hand rod standards for line weights. Remember, he says, ” Switch rods should be defined as short two handed rods, period.” If this is true, than why are rod companies using single hand standards for switch rods? The number seven on a two-handed rod means something far different from that on a single hand rod. It requires far more grain weight to properly load a two handed rod of an equal line designation. While opinions vary on this, the fact is, finding lines for switch rods requires more trial and error than necessary. Anderson says, “If line companies put the grain weights on lines it would help.” Anderson also sends the appropriate spey line with each rod.  I asked Simon Gawesworth if we will see more switch rod specific lines in the future. He says, “I have no doubt there will be more and more switch rod specific lines. It is only the natural evolution of this branch of the sport. Bring it on!!”

Also, if it is your intent to use a switch rod for various tasks, you will need multiple lines. Spey lines, indicator lines, lake lines, and salt-water lines are all very different. Be prepared to purchase extra lines and spools in order to accommodate the full spectrum of switch rod opportunities. Consult your local professionals before buying a line off the shelf.

Speak the language

In the modern spey world, we speak in terms of “grain windows” and “grain weight”. Grain weight refers to the head weight of the line. A grain window is the working range of grain weight necessary to load the rod. That working range is subjective in itself, determined by casting style and load preference.  AFTMA standards for two-handed rods are different than single hand rods. Switch rods standards are supposed to fall under the requirements of two-handed rods, not single hand, Meiser believes. If only half of the rod manufacturers are designing switch rods under two-hand standards and line designation, how do we know what we are getting? Am I getting a seven weight single hand or a seven weight spey? One solution, which Meiser has done for years, is to put the grain windows on each rod. A few other rod manufacturers now also do this. It gives the consumer a point of reference. It also helps those new to the concept learn to “speak the language” of grain weight and grain windows. Most, if not all, spey line makers have moved in this direction. I suspect single hand lines will follow suit.

Closing Argument

I believe switch rods will continue to have their place in steelhead fishing. Rod and line manufacturers will answer the call, fulfill our need for clarity and simplification, and offer more in switch rod line selection. As consumers and anglers, part of the fun of fly fishing are new challenges, new approaches to fishing. Switch rods certainly offer this, not just as a trend, but as viable tools in our pursuit of the majestic steelhead.

Pros

Long leader nymphing

Small river swinging

Versatility

Cons

Difficult for learning spey casts

Heavier than single-hand rods

Line matching more challenging