[wstcstbob]

So am I crazy to think about using a RIO 15 foot replacement floating tip for a micro skagit head? Here is my current logic (FYI this is my first attempt at converting a SH rod to a switch):

•Rod: 7ft 3wt medium - medium/fast action
•home made lower grip: about 4 inches (still need to build it, but this is the plan)
•calculating head length including tip: 7.3 (rod) x 2.5 = 18.25 (head + tip)
I would think 5 foot tip of T-8 max so: Head = 13.25 ft and Tip = 5 ft
•going up 3 line sizes from aftma would put me at a 6 wt SH line = 160gr +/- 8 gr
•RIO #11 tip is 15 ft and 166 gr. So gr/ft = 166/15 = 11.06 gr/ft
•To cut this to the approximate calculated head length (13.25 ft) would make the cut RIO tip equal a final grain weight of 146 gr

So final configuration would be 7.3 ft rod, 146 gr head @13.25 ft, with 5 ft of tip (lets just say T-8). Would that RIO replacement floating tip be a good match and does this all look about right? My source for this was on the 2 handed trout site on making micro spey/switches. There is no logic for this project minus the fact that this sounds incredibly fun and would be a kick in the teeth with smaller trout.

 

[Rickbjr]

Cool idea. That is ultra light micro-skagit! Those tips do taper down pretty fine. I would guess that taking off 1.75' will take off about 10 - 12 grains; so 154 grains instead of 146. A small amount but my point is the fine tip might have some issues turning over the t-8 but maybe a 8' fast sinking trout polyleader cut back to 6'? I like your idea! Keep us posted on how this works out for you.

 

[txtrout]

I used the 15 ft tip sections of my old Rio 7wt (Single Hand) versitip a long time ago as shooting heads on an 8'6" 3wt. I could do single spey casts with the set up. I could also cast a very long way with the set up.

I think what you want to do will work.

If it was me before I cut the length of the tips, I would just try a 5ft poly leader on it and see how it works.

 

[wstcstbob]

Thanks guys!!! You guys are right that the polyleader/versileader would probably make more sense for such a light rod. I will make sure to try the lighter tips and cutting a little less than previously planned along with testing the head prior to ANY cutting. THANKS!!!

Bob

 

[wstcstbob]

Hey guys so finally finished the lower grip on my rod and got some slick shooter and the RIO 15ft replacement tip. I slapped on a versileader and a bead head nymph and I don't think I will be needing to cut the RIO tip at all. I was giggling the entire time i was casting it. Super pumped a bout it all working out and I look forward to catching some trout on it.

Hopefully the pic of the grip attaches correctly below. Let me know if it doesn't.

 

[Lawrence S]

Tips - Cheaters Etc.

I have used Rio tips, floating cheaters and compensated cheaters for single hand spey & if you put together in the right combination they work well.

Lawrence S

 

[domantas]

For what is worth... I've used floating 10' medium MOW tip (120gr'ish) with 5' poly on my 8' 4wt. Tossing some fairly big stuff with this but I felt that I wanted something a bit longer. Wulff Ambush cut to 15' is what you want. These micro skagits are so much fun!

 

[SLSS]

Domantas, what weight Ambush are you using on your 8' 4 wt?

 

[Riveraddict]

The MOW floating tips...

... can be "reversed" - put on with the fine end as the back of the head and the thick end as the front, or tip end - for casting regular types of tips as opposed to poly leaders. As an example, I've used the medium MOW floating tip installed backwards to cast light MOW sinktips.

 

[rfogelman656]

I did a similar thing with my fast action 9ft 5wt. However I calculated my legnth and suggested grain window basted on a previous post by Mr. Ward. I ended up buying a used scandi short line in the that was about 450 grains and cutting it down. I cut it into a 12 ft 260 grain skagit and an 18 ft 150 grain scandi. I used the butt section for the skagit as it really is not tapered, and I used the front section for the scandi as it still maintains the taper. With the skagit style line I have no problem throwing a weighted sculpin or zonker 50 feet with 10 ft of type 3 or type 5 versileader.

The biggest thing that helped me was to keep a focus on your grains per foot. My 12ft 260 has about 21.5 grains per foot, so it has the equivalent power of a 500 grain skagit short. It wont cast as far, but it will sure turn heavy stuff over.

You could do something similar for your 3wt if you havent figured something out yet. Try getting a hold of an old scandi short in the 23ft in the 275-300 grain window. I'm sure you could get way with a 12 ft that would end up with roughly 155 grains ( or more depending on the taper), plus then you would have enough left for a scandi line. You would have no problems with 7-7.5 ft versileader and bunny leech or something.



Just like regular swing fishing, don't worry about getting these flies too deep, 1-2 feet under the surface is plenty deep for the fish to see it, and the trout will come up and smack it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmSn2PCVAVI


Fish in the picture was taken swinging an olive sculpzilla