2109-4 has arrived!
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
Showing posts with label Winston Microspey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winston Microspey. Show all posts
Jun 5, 2023
Nov 30, 2022
GFS Kits - Winston / Hardy Trout Spey Kit - Charlie's Favorite
Trout Spey, Winston, and Hardy come together to make up Charlie's Ultimate trout swinging setup.
Outfit Includes
- Rod: Winston BIII Micro Spey 3106-4 - 10'6", 4pc, 3wt
- Reel: Hardy 1939 Bougle Heritage 3 1/2" (New for 2023)
- Backing: 100 yards of 20 lb. White
- Running Line: Scientific Anglers Absolute Flat Mono 35#
- Skagit: Scientific Anglers Spey Light Skagit Head 270gr
- Scandi: Scientific Anglers Spey Lite Scandi Head 240gr
- Polyleader: RIO Trout Versileader 7' Floating
- Sink Tip: RIO MOW Tip Light 10' T-8
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
Nov 7, 2022
Understanding Trout Spey Rods
Trout fishing with a light Spey Rod has become extremely popular. As interest grew in the last few years, the tackle became increasingly more specialized. This has led to endless possibilities for swinging flies, but has also created a bit of confusion among anglers looking for the appropriate outfit. The following information is a very basic guide to Trout Spey rod weights and their ideal fishing applications.
1 weight-
Yes, there are 1 weight Trout Spey Rods! These are rather specialized tools best suited for swinging wet flies on a Scandi head. They do not handle heavily weighted flies well, but can still cast a light sinking leader and a small streamer. A 1 weight is a very fun "second" Trout Spey to own. Think of this as the "ultralite" of the Spey world.2 weight-
2's are still great rods for delicately presenting unweighted wet flies, but are much more capable with smaller weighted streamers and sinking leaders. The jump up in grain weight packs quite a bit more punch in the wind compared to a 1.3 weight-
This is the Trout Spey everyone needs to own. The jump from a 2 to a 3 is substantial. 3's can cast most weighted flies well (within reason). They handle 10' sinking leaders and some heavier sink tips, like 10 feet of T-8, with ease. 3 weights have plenty of fish fighting power to handle large trout, but they don't feel like too much rod for average sized fish. If you're going to pick up your first or only Trout Spey, make it a 3 weight.4 and 5 weight-
4's and 5's are on the heavy end of the Trout Spey scale. Understandably so, many anglers getting into the game assume that either of these sizes would be the most versatile, but that isn't the case. If you're specifically targeting big fish with large, heavy streamers and sink tips, look to a 4 or 5."The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
Feb 11, 2016
Winter Troutin' 2016
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| Ice on my rod guides and Trout in my hand, Priceless! |
Those words are as much to encourage myself as they are to encourage others. You see I don't need another excuse to not go winter troutin' but when I put it all aside and finally get to release a strong beautiful fish like the one in the picture all of the excuses to not do it are erased.
How to do it
 |
| coffee break |
On this day I had three rods with me. That's another advantage of floating, you can carry multiple rods. My tried and true Winston BIIIX 4110-4 Microspey with a Bauer CFX #4 Trout spey reel. I loaded it with the Airflo Switch Streamer line of 330gr and 10 foot of T-7 Sink Tip. I must confess I modified the Airflo line. Everything is perfect about this line except the abnormally large running line part of it. I couldn't take no more so I chopped it at the back side of the head and applied a RIO Braided loop so I could connect it to RIO SlickShooter mono shooting line. I'm not suggesting everyone should do this. Try it first and you might be fine with it. I made it through last year fishing it but winter freezing temps finally made me give up on it. Too thick to work in icy guides and shooting lines such as mono are much better for this cold weather fishing.
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| Peregrine Falcon |
My next outfit is the new Sage ONE 3110-4 Trout Spey coupled with a Lamson Litespeed #3 reel and the RIO Intouch Switch Chucker #3. The Sage rod feels great! I'll be doing a full review on it in the near future once I've had a chance to fish it some more with some different lines and heads. Right away this grip on the Sage feels so great...It just fits me and the rod balances perfect. What I didn't like on this day was the Switch Chucker. I just don't get this line. It just doesn't turn over for me easy. Maybe it's me or maybe I expect too much from it. I started out with 8 foot of T-7 sink tip but backed off to a 10 foot fast sinking polyleader. It still seamed difficult to turn over. Maybe it needs a 5 foot polyleader or just a regular leader. I will fish the Sage rod again soon with the RIO Skagit Trout Max heads and also try my favorite scandi the RIO Scandi Short VersiTip. I wished I had the VersiTip with me this day. It would have been ideal for some of the slower riffles that were holding fish. The sink tips I was fishing were too much for them.
 |
| Mr Brown hammered a streamer in icy cold water |
Towards the end of my float is a long great swing run. Another advantage of floating is I was able to set up on the opposite side of the river of were it could be foot accessed. A nymph angler was across the way so I stayed clear of him. I was backed up tight to the bank and needed to Snap T cast to set up my swing. A minute later the nymph guy yelled down and said "Nice Snap T!" I yelled back and said you are the first person on this river to know what that is. I went on and caught a couple and he also caught a couple. When I left I rowed my boat across river and up the back eddy to the guy. Got out and chatted. Yep he lived in the NW and had been spey fishing for 20 years on the peninsula and BC. He continued to fish as we chatted and I couldn't help noticing the double spey he was doing with his single hand nymph rod setup. The only reason I bring this up is that it doesn't matter what technique you're doing out there anyone can benefit from some two hand techniques. After watching him perform endless double speys I had no reason to doubt any word he spoke of his steelhead experiences. He wasn't thinking about what he was doing, he was just doing it.
So back to the question "Why do I do it?"
I think the answer to that is somewhere in this article
More articles like this one in Trout Spey Chronicles
Jul 8, 2015
Deschutes River Streamer Fishing
A few weeks ago I had a chance to hop in my buddy Tom Larimer’s jet boat and shoot up the Deschutes for a day of trout fishing with Tom. Most of all hopefully a day of swing streamers to Deschutes Redsides with little Winston Micro Speys! Yes there were still a few stones around meaning you could still catch a few trout on stone dries, but for me swinging a streamer on a little two handed rod and getting drilled when an 18 inch Redside hammers the streamer is much better.
We blasted up river to the first little riffle that had been producing fish for Tom. I was rigged with a 11’ 4 weight Winston Micro Spey, 330 grain (4.5 wt.) Airflo Streamer Switch, 10’ of T-8, 3’ of 1x tippet all loaded on my Abel Switch reel. For a fly Tom had me tie on one of his olive colored creations, similar to a size 8 Sculpzilla. I was ready, “Tom where do you want me”. Tom said “go to the top where the riffle is faster, but starts to drop off”.
 |
| Got a couple of fish on dries |
I made it to the top of the riffle, pulled some line off my reel made a short cast throwing a belly in my line downstream, bouncing my rod tip with one foot quick jabs, finished the swing and pulled 3 more feet of line off my reel and repeated one more time. Bam I was freight trained, lost it the steelhead angler in me forgot to set the hook. Trout bite and let go quickly requiring you to set the hook quick. In two more cast I was hit again. This time I did everything right and landed a typical 14 inch Deschutes redside. I held it up for Tom to see and slipped it back into the water.
I continued down the run hooking several more fish, landing a few. Then it happened, I was working my fly across the run when my rod was about yanked out of my hand. I set the hook and the trout quickly boiled, this was a honest 18 to 20 incher, a Deschutes football. It started to peal line off the reel and then was off. That was a rush, that is why I like to fish streamers on Micro Speys.
Walked down and met Tom at the boat, we loaded up and heading to the next run. That is the way most of the day went, stop at a run get several hard takes, land a few nice Redsides and move on to the next run. It was a great day of fishing, if you are not swing streamers on mini two handers, you need to try it. Why do I like it so much? How much time do you have?
First of all I have hit that point in my life that my shoulders do not stand up to a day of single hand casting for very long. My trips to Montana where most of the fishing is all done from the boat with single handers really wears on my shoulders and about kills me, fun, but I pay for it. Just like fishing two handers for steelhead, mini two handers for trout are very easy on your should. I can fish all day and not have to come home in pain.
Why do enjoy it so much, if you are a two handed steelhead angler you will get this. Standing shin deep in a riffle casting a mini two hander is a dream, anglers love the casting, it is relaxing. Amazing the cast you can make with these rods. Once again just something you won’t understand until you do it.
Next standing with your feet firmly planted on the river bottom swinging a streamer you will get violent strikes that you just don’t feel when you are floating down a river, casting to the shore and retrieving. Tight line downstream takes on a streamer is like no other. Not that trout are not hitting a streamer as hard when you are casting from a boat, they are. It is just you do not get to feel it as much.
Is a streamer fishing on a mini two hander more effective? Sometimes, but most of the time not. Why do it then? Because it is a blast!!!
I continued down the run hooking several more fish, landing a few. Then it happened, I was working my fly across the run when my rod was about yanked out of my hand. I set the hook and the trout quickly boiled, this was a honest 18 to 20 incher, a Deschutes football. It started to peal line off the reel and then was off. That was a rush, that is why I like to fish streamers on Micro Speys.
Walked down and met Tom at the boat, we loaded up and heading to the next run. That is the way most of the day went, stop at a run get several hard takes, land a few nice Redsides and move on to the next run. It was a great day of fishing, if you are not swing streamers on mini two handers, you need to try it. Why do I like it so much? How much time do you have?
First of all I have hit that point in my life that my shoulders do not stand up to a day of single hand casting for very long. My trips to Montana where most of the fishing is all done from the boat with single handers really wears on my shoulders and about kills me, fun, but I pay for it. Just like fishing two handers for steelhead, mini two handers for trout are very easy on your should. I can fish all day and not have to come home in pain.
Why do enjoy it so much, if you are a two handed steelhead angler you will get this. Standing shin deep in a riffle casting a mini two hander is a dream, anglers love the casting, it is relaxing. Amazing the cast you can make with these rods. Once again just something you won’t understand until you do it.
Next standing with your feet firmly planted on the river bottom swinging a streamer you will get violent strikes that you just don’t feel when you are floating down a river, casting to the shore and retrieving. Tight line downstream takes on a streamer is like no other. Not that trout are not hitting a streamer as hard when you are casting from a boat, they are. It is just you do not get to feel it as much.
Is a streamer fishing on a mini two hander more effective? Sometimes, but most of the time not. Why do it then? Because it is a blast!!!
Travis Duddles
Owner and CEO | Gorge Fly Shop
541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
Jun 27, 2015
Airflo Super-DRI Switch Float - Now in Stock!
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| Power Up your Switch Rod |
Finally...a taper formulated for switch and small spey rods with the same feeling and performance you'd expect from Airflo's family of spey products.
After years of splicing, welding, and testing "Franken-Lines", Tom Larimer and the Airflo Design Team have produced the best weight-forward, integrated switch line available today. The Super-DRI Switch is an ideal match for light switch and small spey rods, designed for anglers tossing surface patterns or swinging soft hackles and small streamers.
Based loosely on the popular Rage Shooting Head, the Super-DRI Switch has a compact weight-forward head designed specifically to compliment today's lighter two-handers, making loading the rod incredibly easy.
The innovative front taper is capable of turning over a variety of leader and fly combinations, and is also able to accommodate light sink tips. Perhaps the most important feature is the seamless joint between head and running line, making it easy to strip flies all the way to your feet. For easy rigging, each line is packaged with an Airflo 10' Floating PolyLeader.
Get more information about Trout Spey Lines - No Perfect Answer!
Get more Trout Spey Buzz from Trout Spey Chronicles
The innovative front taper is capable of turning over a variety of leader and fly combinations, and is also able to accommodate light sink tips. Perhaps the most important feature is the seamless joint between head and running line, making it easy to strip flies all the way to your feet. For easy rigging, each line is packaged with an Airflo 10' Floating PolyLeader.
Available in line weights 3-6, and grain weights ranging from 210-390.
Compliment your Airflo Switch Float with the ALL NEW Airflo Streamer Switch line designed especially for Sink Tip use.
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Switch Streamer - Designed for real sink tips!An evolutionary step from our popular Skagit Switch design, the Super-DRI Streamer Switch features an aggressive front taper with a shorter, heavier head designed to make tip tossing a dream. Specifically designed to easily load modern switch and short spey rods, the Streamer Switch will help anglers of any level of skill or experience cast more efficiently and effectively. |
The Airflo Switch Streamer is a complete head and line integrated together and includes a 10' Fast sinking replaceable Polyleader. Just add tippet and fly and your switch rod is ready.
Specs - Short heavy head for turning over
sink tips
| Line Size | Color | Head Weight | Head Length | Sink Rate | Total Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WF4 | Pale Mint/Orange | 300 | 18ft | Float | 85ft |
| WF4.5 | Pale Mint/Orange | 330 | 18.5ft | Float | 85ft |
| WF5 | Pale Mint/Orange | 360 | 18.5ft | Float | 85ft |
| WF5.5 | Pale Mint/Orange | 390 | 20ft | Float | 85ft |
| WF6 | Pale Mint/Orange | 420 | 20ft | Float | 85ft |
Get more information about Trout Spey Lines - No Perfect Answer!
Get more Trout Spey Buzz from Trout Spey Chronicles
Jun 25, 2015
R. L. Winston Tour
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| Travis Duddles - Montana Trout Stream |
You may have heard the term “It’s a Winston” or “It has that Winston feel” stated like it is something really special. Trust me there is something to this feel! Many anglers put these rods above all others, but why? Winston rods are not always the most powerful, lightest or cutting edge technology so why are they put on such a pedestal? The most common response is it has the Winston feel. Winston just has a feel that is hard to find in other rods. Comfortable and smooth! On a recent trip to Montana I discovered where that feel comes from and so much more!
It all started several months ago when Eric Neufeld our Winston sales representative and good friend called to invite me to the Winston Confluence. The Winston Confluence was something Winston put together to bring a few select sales reps and dealers together in Twin Bridges Montana. This is the home of R. L. Winston Rod Company. The plan was to bring all of us together, give us a inside tour of Winston that they never do. Yes they do tours, but this would be a special one. Winston wanted to let us see all steps of production, even the processes that were top secret! They also wanted to show us the direction they are heading and get all of our feedback good or bad. So after hearing the plan I was quick to say "I'm in!"I flew into Bozeman, Montana where I met up with Adam and Jeff from Winston along with a couple of other dealers and sales reps from around the country and Canada. We all hopped in Adam’s and Jeff’s trucks heading towards Twin Bridges Montana. It didn’t take long to realize this was going to be fun group of guys and was going to be a great trip. After a hour and half drive we were in the small town of Twin Bridges, a classic little Montana farm town. Our lodging for the next few days was a small apartment building provided to us by 4 Rivers Fly Shop. This apartment building is where they house their clients during the guiding season.
The next morning we walked down the street to the R. L. Winston factory. The Winston factory is in a steel building on the edge of town, not quite as big as I thought it would be. When we walked through the front door into the small entry way slash show room we were greeted by Adam. Adam is the person you generally get when you call Winston. Adam was busy answering the phones as usual. While we waited I took the chance to scan through the complete line up of Winston rods displayed in the front entry. I scanned the rods every once in a while seeing a model that I had not cast or fished yet, which now sparked my interest to fish that rod. With most of my fishing being with two handed rods for Steelhead, I realized I have never fished the Boron III LS 9’ 5 weight. That would change later that day. |
| Lew Stoner |
The Museum was amazing, but the best was about to begin. Annette Mclean who is the rod designer at Winston appeared to take us on our factory tour. We stepped through the door where the entire Winston rod staff was waiting to greet us. It did not take long to tell that these people love working at the R.L Winston factory. Most were smiling ear to ear. From there we went from station to station to see all the steps it takes to build a Winston fly rod. There is so much attention to detail and quality at the Winston factory and that is the difference that makes a Winston fly rod different from the rest. One such example of the attention to detail is the inscription “Barb” has personally been hand inscribing the Winston rods for 15 years. Yes, all of them are hand inscribed!
At this point on the tour I can’t tell you much about what we saw. Let’s just say we got to see lots of cool stuff behind closed doors. Annette talked to us a lot about the design of a Winston rod, the tapers and the materials. I have to say Annette has an amazing amount of knowledge when it comes to rod design and the cool part is she is so humble about it. Annette even let us cast some prototypes that are in the works, can’t tell you anymore, but I can tell you that they are always looking for the next best rod! |
| Reel Seats |
We went back to the lodge and geared up for a couple hours of fishing on the Ruby River. Eric asked “what rod I would like to fish?”. I quickly replied “the BIII LS 9’ 5 Wt.” Once we grabbed our gear we raced to the Ruby, we only had a few hours until we return to the Winston factory for a BBQ.
After a 20 minute drive we ended up at one of Adam and Jeff’s favorite spot on the Ruby River. Eric, Jeff and I headed up river and on the first run I handed the rod to Eric to let him have first cast. Rigged with a dry dropper set up he quickly caught a nice brown trout. It was my turn, I made a few cast, I quickly forgot about fishing. Casting the LS on a small river like this was a dream, it is so smooth, loads easy, very nice! Ok! Snap out of it, time to catch a fish. We worked our way up to the next run, first cast I hooked and landed a nice rainbow. With its deeper flex the LS plays fish very nice also.
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| Brownie |
Eric and I quickly forgot all about the streamer rod we brought with us and took turns casting and catching fish with the LS. This continued for about 2 hours, many cast, many fish, but most of all the enjoyment of casting the LS. The LS was the perfect rod for this size river with plenty of power for the hopper dropper set up yet still very capable of a delicate presentation.
Our time was up and it was time to head back to the Winston factory for a BBQ. When we showed up burgers were all ready grilling. Some of the staff had stayed late to make dinner for us and the gentleman cooking even raided his own freezer supplying the elk burger for our dinner that night. It was an enjoyable evening, great company, great food and cold beer.
After dinner Jeff brought us all back to our lodging where we had a round table about Winston rods. We discussed the pros and cons of Winston rods. What is needed? What trends we see coming and so on. After the discussion was all over Jeff presented to the four of us authorized dealers with a very special, very limited custom R. L. Winston Boron IIIx rod that does not exist on the market, the “Silver Label”. This rod was your standard Boron IIIx, but dressed and finished completely different from your traditional Winston. We were all stunned we did not expect this, it was a very special surprise. Remember this does not exist so don’t ask you cannot get one. In fact we were warned if any of us sold one of these we would be banned from getting personal rods from Winston for life!
The next day we were greeted by guides from the 4 Rivers Fly Shop, this was our last day of fishing before heading back home. Eric and I were off to the Jefferson with our guide Joe Willauer. Joe said that we would be fishing a lot of streamers that day on the Jeff, searching for those big hogs that live in its waters. He had us start off though with nymphs below and indicator where I got to break my Silver Label in on a few nice trout.
We then shifted over to some bigger 6 weight rods and started chucking streamers. The day started off a little slow with streamers, but quickly improved. We caught several nice 14 to 18 browns and rainbows by the end of the day. We both had fish on over 20 inches, but they were never landed. That is why you fish the Jefferson though, not for quantity, but for the chance to land a real pig, maybe even over 30 inches!!! Not that day, but I will fish it again, next time I will have my 11’ 4 weight Winston MicroSpey with me though. That is my favorite streamer rod, no sore shoulder when I am done.
It was sad to see the trip come to an end. The next day we all headed home, back to our families and work. I left this trip with a much more appreciation of Winston and their fly rods. I have always fished Winston’s and enjoyed them but now I really understand that extra mile put into the attention to detail to every Winston fly rod. That gives you that much better of feeling when you pick your rod up. Speaking of that I am going to grab my Winston and go catch a few big Crane Prairie rainbows!
Travis Duddles
Owner and CEO | Gorge Fly Shop
541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
Apr 30, 2015
Airflo Switch Streamer - In Stock!
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| The wait is over! |
Let the games begin! The wait is over for the New Airflo Switch Streamer. Airflo recognized a need and delivered! And now we're off to the races as we watch others scramble to come up with a worthy contender. That is the emotion I feel at this moment in time of writing this.
Trout Spey is a growing market in the two hand fly fishing segment of this sport. More and more anglers are learning the benefits of the spey cast whether you choose to use a single hand rod, switch rod or an all out spey two hander. And why not! Why would an angler not want to swing streamers that entice reaction bites on sink tips that get the fly to where the fish are and do it without needing shoulder surgery at the end of a day of single hand rod double hauling? Two hand trout angling is an effective delivery system of streamers on sinking tips that is easier on your physical body parts and most of all it's fun!
Spey casting does have some learning curves but much of it can be alleviated with lines that are designed for the technique, match the rod they are intended for and provide deep loading that ultimately helps you learn to feel your way to great casting.
Steelhead junkies Tim Rajeff and Tom Larimer also trout fish. Together they went out trout fishing and talked to others who are trout fishing with two hand rods and gathered the ingredients needed to cook up a line that would meet the demands of today's trout anglers. Various fragments of lines were chopped and welded into functioning prototypes that were secretly being deployed on backcountry trout waters across the nation by a select few trout junkies that had been sworn to secrecy.
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| Winston BIIITH-MS - Microspey |
Sure there are a lot of great trout size two hands rods on the market today and plenty of trout size two hand lines to load on them, but when have you heard of a line made for a specific rod or a rod made for a specific line? The marriage of the Winston Microspey and Airflo Streamer Switch line is no accident!
Now I know that many of you out there will resist what I tell you. You'll be out to prove me wrong. You have your own ideas different than mine. After all freedom of choice and freedom to explore your curiosity is what makes angling an attractive sport! The desire of angling freedom we all seek and if you're a lucky few to persevere you occasionally find it in some unsuspecting river or stream.
My point is you don't need a Winston Microspey rod to enjoy the benefits of the Airflo Streamer Switch line. While the two could be the perfect union the beauty of this line is it works great on all trout size spey rods. Breath new life into any switch rod sitting around collecting dust or strip off that nymph line and get your streamer game in gear. Spring is here and the streamer bite is on!
Specs -
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| Tungsten Sink Tip |
The Airflo Streamer Switch features an integrated running line so no more loop to loop hassles when an overhead cast is appropriate and no loop to rod guide interference when a turbo charged brown trout is in hot pursuit of your "hand tied, the night before, new favorite" streamer pattern.
My line matches for the Winston Microspey are 330gr for the 4110 and 390gr for the 5116. The 330gr is also a great match on the Sage ONE 4116
So loop on some Airflo T-7 or T-10 Tungsten sink tip, tie on your best pattern and let the games begin!
Apr 6, 2015
Trout Spey Lines - No Perfect Answer!
I have put off writing this article for months now. It's not that I don't want to write it but I know as soon as I do some new switch line will hit the market and already this article will be old news. I know many of you are reaching out looking for this info so therefore I will wait no longer to publish what I know and we'll tackle the new when it gets here! For the purpose of this article I am focusing on trout size spey/switch rods.
For the latest info on trout spey lines be sure to read "Trout Spey" - New Line Options" posted on 8/16/2016
Trout Spey/Switch Rods
What are they exactly? Baby spey rods...Small switch rods... Smaller versions of steelhead rods...I'd like to point out that a switch rod cannot switch into anything! The rod itself cannot change! It is not a transformer! The action and power of any particular rod is fixed. To change what you do with a switch rod REQUIRES you to change the line to match the style of fishing you wish to do with it. With that out of the way let's now accept the fact that there is no one line that does it all, period! End of discussion! But here's the good news! With a little information, planning and practice you can tune your fishing conditions with various lines that will let you fish many different techniques with your switch rods.Can you do it all with today's switch rods? The term "Switch Rod" implies that it is both a single hand rod and a spey rod but think of it in terms of the game of golf, that's like calling one golf club a switch club, same club that can drive your ball can putt your ball...I'm sure Tiger Woods can beat me in golf with only one club BUT! He would never agree that there would ever only be one club to do it all! And I Agree! Now with that out of the way I do believe our modern trout spey rods are closer than ever to what we want in a trout rod action.
What line do I need?
To make this as simple as possible I've decided to take it line by line and supply you the details of each including rods I have tried these lines on.
Airflo Switch Streamer |
| Airflo Switch Streamer |
The Airflo Streamer Switch retails for $99.95 and comes with a Fast Sinking Polyleader to get you started. You will most likely want to go ahead and get an Airflo Custom Cut Single Sink Tip in the T-7 size.
Airflo Streamer Switch Specs -
| Line Size | Color | Head Weight | Head Length | Sink Rate | Total Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WF4 | Pale Mint/Orange | 300 | 18ft | Float | 85ft |
| WF4.5 | Pale Mint/Orange | 330 | 18.5ft | Float | 85ft |
| WF5 | Pale Mint/Orange | 360 | 18.5ft | Float | 85ft |
| WF5.5 | Pale Mint/Orange | 390 | 20ft | Float | 85ft |
| WF6 | Pale Mint/Orange | 420 | 20ft | Float | 85ft |
RIO Scandi Short VersiTip
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| RIO Scandi Short Versi-Tip |
Specs -
| SKU | Line Size | Head Weight | Head Length | Color | Sink Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6-20659
|
#4
275gr
|
275gr
|
33ft
10m
|
Straw
|
Flt
w/ 4 tips
|
6-20660
|
#5
320gr
|
320gr
|
33ft
10m
|
Straw
|
Flt
w/ 4 tips
|
6-20661
|
#6
370gr
|
370gr
|
33ft
10m
|
Straw
|
Flt
w/ 4 tips
|
6-20662
|
#7
425gr
|
425gr
|
33ft
10m
|
Straw
|
Flt
w/ 4 tips
|
6-20663
|
#8
485gr
|
485gr
|
33ft
10m
|
Straw
|
Flt
w/ 4 tips
|
6-20664
|
#9
540gr
|
540gr
|
33ft
10m
|
Straw
|
Flt
w/ 4 tips
|
 |
| Notice this chart gives you the actual head weight and tip weight separately |
S/A Adapt
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| Scientific Anglers Adapt |
Scientific Anglers you almost got this line right! So close! I liked this line and I wanted to really like this line! The Adapt (like the Airflo Streamer Switch) is an integrated line with a somewhat aggressive skagit head. The thin diameter running line really flies through the guides and the textured head stays on top of the water better than most others I've fished. The problem is the front taper. It's fine if you are fishing tapered leaders but the problem starts when you add a sink tip. The line tapers down too small to retain enough mass to turn over a sinking tip. The result is struggling to turn over your casts. Polyleaders work decent with the Adapt line but forget fishing T-Series tips. I actually modified my line by cutting the tip back and welding a new loop to the end. The difference is huge. But who wants to chop their brand new $86.95 line. I'm sure out of the box it would make a good nymph/indicator line.
| Order # | Line Size | Head Length | Sink Rate | Total Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
120500
|
280gr
|
22ft
|
Float
|
100ft
|
120517
|
320gr
|
22ft
|
Float
|
100ft
|
120524
|
360gr
|
22ft
|
Float
|
100ft
|
120531
|
400gr
|
22ft
|
Float
|
100ft
|
120548
|
440gr
|
22ft
|
Float
|
100ft
|
A note to the manufacturers - As a line company y'all need to decide if your switch line is made for leaders or tips. NOT BOTH! And please stop telling us they will do both! I've been around the river long enough to know that the "MIDDLE GROUND" fly lines do not do anything good! There is no one line for all switch rod applications. In reference back to earlier in the article remember a switch rod cannot switch into anything. We must switch the line to match the technique desired from our switch rod. We have a serious need for technique specific switch lines.
RIO Switch Chucker |
| RIO Switch Chucker |
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| RIO Switch Chucker |
RIO Switch Line
I'm not going to spend any time with this line other than to say this is a great choice if you use a switch rod to nymph from a boat. Don't expect to enjoy spey casting this line! End of discussion!
Skagit Heads
RIO, Airflo and S/A all make skagit heads down to trout rod sizes. For big rivers, sink tips and full on swinging flies these skagits work great. The RIO Max Short comes in sizes all the way down to 200gr. S/A Skagit Extreme comes in sizes down to 280gr and although S/A does not designate these as short or switch heads these smaller sizes do have shorter lengths suited for the shorter rods.The Airflo Skagit Switch starts at 360gr which can help your 5 weight and up switch rods. I don't spend much time with these skagits. Yes they work but they are really just downsized steelhead skagits. Two hand trout anglers like myself are really looking for a line designed for my game and not just an adopted line that already exists.
Overhead casting lines
Many anglers have found great use with switch rods for making long casts from beaches or jetties.I've heard many accounts from east coast striper anglers to west coast sea run cutthroat anglers of the use of switch rods for overhead casting. Typically we find in most cases that a 2 line size bump up will get you in the ballpark for matching these lines to switch rods; so for example if you have a Sage ONE 11'6" 5 weight switch rod then a Rio Outbound in the 7 weight size will get this rod happy. I like the fact that RIO posts the grain weights of their lines but please keep in mind that lining a switch rod for overhead casting is a lower grain weight window than lining the same rod for two hand spey casting.
RIO Outbound
One line that really jumps out for this purpose is the Rio Outbound. Not the short but instead the original 37.5' Outbound. Outbound's have shorter than normal heavy heads for deep rod loading and seamlessly attach to long thin diameter running lines for maximum distance. They come in Floating, Intermediate and a Type 6 sinking tip attached to full intermediate running lines for the ultimate in a sinking line.
Airflo Forty Plus
A 35' shooting head seamlessly attached to Airflo's famous ridge running line for extreme distance. The Airflo Forty Plus comes in Floating, Intermediate, Type 3, Type 5 and Type 7 sinking tips. The Forty Plus is built on Airflo's Low Stretch Braided Power Core for increased sensitivity and overall strength. Like the Outbound a 2 line size jump up will usually put you in the game.
Can you use standard single hand lines?
No! and Yes!As sure as I say "No you can't", I'll have 10 comments waiting for me from those who say "Yes you can!"
What you have to remember is switch rod weights do not match single hand rod weights. A 4 weight single hand line will not load a 4 weight switch rod effectively. Shooting head lines like the Forty Plus and Outbound are already bumped up way beyond single hand rod specs and still a 2 size bump up is usually needed to satisfy most switch rods. If you find a single hand line that cast well on your switch rod then you now basically have a really long single hand trout rod. Think, when was the last time you needed to make a 100' cast to a trout?! Never! I have found some of the shorter small trout speys like the Winston 3106 Microspey to overhand cast quite well with a RIO Grand WF5F line but I'm not ready to trade in my 4 weight dry fly rod. Personally I think we will have to see even shorter switch rods to obtain quality overhead presentations. I'm not saying it can't be done...It's just not the best tool for the job!
Let's summarize:
Overhead casting switch rods for distance...Yes!
Overhead casting switch rods for delicate trout presentations...No! Not really!
What's an integrated line?
Fully Integrated lines are just like what we know of as standard lines like a RIO Gold or S/A GPX. The weight forward head and small diameter running line are seamless just like a knotless tapered leader. Shooting line / Head systems are two separate lines. The Shooting (or often referred to as Running Line) is the thin section of level fly line similar to the back end of any fly line. But that's it, they cannot be used by themselves. You must attach a Head to the front to complete the line. The heads and shooting lines attach via a loop to loop system. The advantage of an integrated line for a trout angler is that stripping in close for say a following Brown is not hindered by a loop connection hanging in the rod guides. The disadvantage of course is you don't have the option to change heads quickly like steelheaders often do to adapt to changing conditions. If you fish large water and only swing flies then the loop of a head system won't bother you. But in small water or short overhead casting or stripping a streamer on a following trout, the loop to loop can become the difference of a hookup or not!What is the difference between T-Series Sink material and Polyleaders?
Airflo Polyleaders and RIO Versileaders are similar products with different names and are quite different than T-Series. The first major difference is that these are leaders in such that they have a taper built in just like a standard knotless tapered leader. How that is accomplished is where polyleaders differ from leaders. A polyleader starts with a level nylon core usually 24 lb for most steelhead sizes. Then a poly coating is applied starting at the butt end and thinning out toward the tippet end. In this coating tungsten powder can be mixed and applied making it a sinking polyleader. The advantage of polyleaders is 1) they turn over better than regular leaders, 2) for spey casting dry lines they provide better water surface tension for improved anchor points, and 3) with sinking densities they allow us to gain the advantage of a sinking tip with a floating line. With all these advantages why not just use them in place of Tungsten sink tips? Well there is a major difference. Polyleaders just don't sink as good! Probably partly due to the nylon core and another reason is the thickness. Sink tip diameter plays a major role in how fast a tip sinks. Braided core is thinner therefore the overall diameter of the tip is thinner creating greater sinking ability. Polyleaders certainly have their place in our world of fishing but I would like to see some changes. Can a polyleader be built on a braided low stretch core? Can we build even smaller T-Series than our current T-7 size for the needs of a two hand trout angler? I would like to see T-5 and T-3. For now my Tips wallet includes a 10' T-11...10' T-7...Extra Super fast sinking polyleader...Fast sinking Polyleader...Slow sinking Polyleader and an Intermediate sinking Polyleader.More information on the sinking tip/polyleader subject can be found in Sink Tips, Polyleaders, Versileaders - A Buyers Guide
Give us your experiences and examples of lines you have used and what you think. We welcome your thoughts and other readers do too. The subject of switch lines is far from being a closed door and the future still holds much room for new and improved.
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