[mobeasto123]

Hi There, I'm completly new to Switch or Spey World, I have 25 years of fishing Trout with single hand overhead cast, and last 2 years Fishing salmon Still with single hand overhead cast. I want something new. So now I'm sick about ordering an Echo Classis 11ft in 8wt. Switch Rod outfit, Coming with an Echo ION Reel, and line of my choice. The seller Offers the Rio switch line not the Rio switch Chukar. I want to know what is the best choice of line for this Rod. Here are some Infos. I will Fish Atlantic salmon in narrow Rivers 100ft wide or less with some exceptions going more than 100 ft wide. Water depth 10 feet or less also with some exceptions maybe 15 feet. Many pools have lots of back cast room but lots of them have no back cast room. I use standard salmon flies From 2 to 10 size some with Spey shape but not really bigger than that. I know that Switch Line have a 55ft head that is more than 3 times the lenght of the ROD. They say that this line have the ability to be mended to have the right presentation. What about Switch chukar mending ability. Everyone tells me that in salmon fishing presentation is the key. Some other people recommends the Rio Scandi Body 23Ft head, on which I would have to use a rinning line Grip shooter or connectcore. Really I'm lost and I'm gonna be on my own on that cause I don't know anyone that fish a spey or a switch rod here. I have another question about the reel , The rod is a 8wt and the reel included in the outfit in a ION 8/10 is that ok or I need bigger than this considering that I fish in smaller river. There will be 200 yards of backing on that.. Also another question on the Versitip or verisleaders. In 10 ft of water do I need to have fast sinking tip or slow sinking tips for Salmon. I have always used Floating line with standard tippet But I,m open to everything. So there it Is I'm really confused and alone in this Big world. What would be your best combination to use on this Switch rod.

 

[reelstory]

I fish Atlantics, and have started to use an 11' 8 wt switch. Conventional Wisdom seems to dictate a head length of 2.5X rod length, give or take for spey type casts, and with my limited experience I tend to agree with that. Some of the longer heads appear to be designed to use varied types of casting such as overhead. I read that they are a compromise, and not the best of each world. I only fish floating lines for Atlantics, and yes, sinking may be an advantage at times, but I prefer to fish on my own terms regardless of success. Can't offer opinion on the reel in particular. Get one that holds line of choice with backing, and balances. Also, I prefer integrated lines.

 

[beau purvis]

I have a 8# Switch Chucker on my ONE 8116 and a OPST running line …and love all of those!

 

[shotgunner]

I've been up there on some of your water (Bonnie, Grand C, Petite) Personally I'd consider a little longer rod in (approximate) 12'6" range. You'll still have your single hand rods for times when they make more practical sense. My focus would be on gaining and utilizing spey casting skills. Longer rod offers more line control and will be better suited to longer head lines. I like and use mostly floating Scandinavian shooting heads and occasional short head spey lines with head in neighborhood of 50' length.

Of the lines you mention, the Switch Chucker looks decent but the 25' head is a little short for my tastes, lose a little finesse and mending ability. Poly leaders would help.

RIO's 23' Scandi body also comes in a Versi-Tip kit. These actually fish pretty nice, with the 10' tips total head length is now 33' http://www.rioproducts.com/fly-lines/spey/scandinavian/scandi-short-versitip/ Or you could option for cost affective floating Scan head.

Sink tips are mainly for use in high cold spring water. Majority of time floating lines / heads are fine. Sometimes an Intermediate Poly leader can be used to keep a fly from planning on the surface in fast broken water runs.

 

[Rick J]

the Rio Switch is close to 40 feet head length which for touch and go type casts is fine but for water borne casts is a bit on the long side and for a beginner may be a bit harder to learn with. The Chukar would be a better choice as would many of the scandi compacts/ Rage lines available or even Skagit line systems.

Sounds like you are not throwing large or heavily weighted flies so any of the lines will do ok. If you want to throw sink tips you may be a bit restricted though you could always go to a sinking poly leader unless you go to a Skagit system or perhaps a Rage.

Regarding mending ability I have never had a problem mending short heads even when using a mono running line - just not an issue unless you need to stack mend.

One issue with the reel - make sure if you go with the longer line that it will fit with adequate backing. An 8 wt spey line takes up a fair amount of room and that reel may be on the small side though I don't know it.

If the seller is also providing the line, I would ask him to make sure it fits on the reel

 

[fredaevans]

You call Steve Godshall.

541 840 2594