[sean]

I cast all the same outbound line weights on the same rods overhead. Are you changing fly size? For spey casting though it probably comes down to technique and the shorter lever rods you are using.

It is not the easiest to spey cast those type eight lines as they start sinking quickly and you are getting a lot of stick. It becomes harder the shorter the rod.

-sean

 

[Grampa Spey]

Sean, we were casting them from a boat fishing for Stripers

I cast all the same outbound line weights on the same rods overhead. Are you changing fly size? For spey casting though it probably comes down to technique and the shorter lever rods you are using.

It is not the easiest to spey cast those type eight lines as they start sinking quickly and you are getting a lot of stick. It becomes harder the shorter the rod.

-sean

Sean, we were using Meise's Switch rods with some sinking Striper Lures from my boat. The casts were overhead and/or under handed casts.

The California Delta/local River method for fly fishing for Stripers most of the year is to cast as far as you can to the lanes or holding areas and let the sinking line sink until just before or as the fly hits bottom, which is often 10' or deeper. Then, you slowly retrieve the fly until you can see it if the water is clear enough. If nothing is chasing it, you set up the cast with a roll cast. Sometimes you bring the fly right to the side of the boat. Nothing wakes you up any faster than a big Striper running into your boat trying to catch your fly.

With both the 5/6 and 7/8 switch rods with the 6 wt OB type 8 on the 5/6 and the 8 wt OB on the 7/8, neither my friend or I could managed the entire head and a fairly heavy sinking fly. We had to pull in 7 to 8' of the head past the rod tip to even set up the roll cast for the two handed overhead or underhand cast with a quick touch and go of the fly after the roll cast for the two handed version of the haul and cast. Once we pulled in the 7 to 8' of the head past our rod tip, we were very pleased with the results.

Even with my 9/10 switch rod with a one hand Rio 350 grain/26' built in head line, I have to have the beginning of the head at the rod or just inside the rod tip to properly cast a good size sinking fly. I also have the Rio Striper Versa Tip line for this rod. I and my Cro Mag son max out @ about 400 grains casting from our boats and we have to bring the loop where the sinking tip is connected to the rod tip, and these tips are 26' long.

My friend and I used these sinking OBs with these rods in a local lake, to get deep for the trout. To say the least it was a hassle. So we are anxious to try the Skagit 450 with the 7/8 Switch Rod and the 10 wt OB floater with the 5/6 switch rod and some 15 sinking tips, Rio's type 8 12' sinking leaders and some T8 tips from my boat to go deep and floating tips for top water and intermediate action. Skagit casting these shorter rods is a lot easier than hauling the sinking lines around.

 

[sean]

Hmm that it interesting as the lines are all the same grain weights across densities.

I use the atlantis rods with outbounds which are about the same length as meisers switch rods. We use the same wt line for all densities. I use the floater, intermediates and type 8 off the beaches here. I do not spey cast these rods though and use them strictly as overhead sticks. The grains are all the same so it really should not matter but it sounds like it does for you on your rods...

-sean

 

[Bob Pauli]

Dave,
Lower grip length will be a problem. The only six weight and lower rated Spey rod I have cast with a decently sized lower grip is a T&T. My hands are not large.

 

[t_richerzhagen]

Get some instruction

for your friend. Since he is a beginner, he needs help in getting started. Just because someone can cast well, does not mean they are a good instructor. The latter takes the ability to see and explain how to correct a fault. There are some little things that make a big difference in this style of casting.

It sounds like the Skagit or scando heads are going to work best for your situation. That takes very little effort when you are doing it right, so the temptation to use more power, will be one of the biggest issues.

 

[Moose]

Gramps, I'm 6'3" and 260 pounds, played football, boxed, etc.. I love the ultra light spey rods and don't think there's any concern there except for 1 thing: big guy, big wing span. Make sure the grips are full sized and both are long enough to accomodate not only large hands but a wider shoulder spread. I prefer a longer grip because where I put my hands out measures wider than where an average 5'10" guy will put his hands out and the shorter grips just don't feel right to me.

 

[Grampa Spey]

Moose, I thought about you when I posted this ?

Gramps, I'm 6'3" and 260 pounds, played football, boxed, etc.. I love the ultra light spey rods and don't think there's any concern there except for 1 thing: big guy, big wing span. Make sure the grips are full sized and both are long enough to accomodate not only large hands but a wider shoulder spread. I prefer a longer grip because where I put my hands out measures wider than where an average 5'10" guy will put his hands out and the shorter grips just don't feel right to me.

You and he are similiar in build.

Do you like the longer light rods?

Hopefully, I can get him down to the Spey O Rama on Saturday to see about hand/grip fitting.

 

[Grampa Spey]

You are correct re pro instruction

for your friend. Since he is a beginner, he needs help in getting started. Just because someone can cast well, does not mean they are a good instructor. The latter takes the ability to see and explain how to correct a fault. There are some little things that make a big difference in this style of casting.

It sounds like the Skagit or scando heads are going to work best for your situation. That takes very little effort when you are doing it right, so the temptation to use more power, will be one of the biggest issues.

I have promised him a trip to one of the rivers. However, I would not dare to try and teach him.

 

[Grampa Spey]

I have thought about your T&T lighter rod.

Dave,
Lower grip length will be a problem. The only six weight and lower rated Spey rod I have cast with a decently sized lower grip is a T&T. My hands are not large.

I don't do well with the T&T's , but their lighter rod might be great for him.

 

[Grampa Spey]

Hopefully it will stop raining and we can our boats out

Hmm that it interesting as the lines are all the same grain weights across densities.

I use the atlantis rods with outbounds which are about the same length as meisers switch rods. We use the same wt line for all densities. I use the floater, intermediates and type 8 off the beaches here. I do not spey cast these rods though and use them strictly as overhead sticks. The grains are all the same so it really should not matter but it sounds like it does for you on your rods...

-sean

Hopefully, it will stop raining, and we can go out in my boat and try the sinking and floating OBs with the Switch Rods on the same trip. Last fall I didn't have the floating OBs. We just had the sinking OBs for our trips. I remember very well the how the sinking OB 8 was all that the 7/8 Switch rod could handle and we needed to pull in about 7-8' of the head to even set up an over or under hand cast. Yet while wading and casting in a river with the Rio Skagit 450 is a great match for the Switch 7/8 Rod using Double Spey Skagit casts.

Yet, when Bob Pauli and I tried the floating OBs while wading and casting on the river with Skagit and Double Spey casts, the Floating 0B 8 didn't even load my 5/6 Switch rod. The OB 10 floater was a great match for the 5/6 Switch rod, and I have the feeling that it may too much of a line for my 9/10 Switch Rod in the boat with the 425 grain head and a Crease fly. The OB 8 floater w/the 330 grain head will probably be a good match for the 9/10 Switch Rod and a floating striper fly.

Thanks for your responses and time.

 

[Moose]

Gramps, I love the long light rods. Faves are the Meiser 12 1/2 foot 4/5/6, the Burkie 7133 and 7141. On my rods I had Bob and Kerry build long, full length grips on them and I still grab them at the very top of the upper grip and at the ball at the bottom grip like Steve does. Works great.

Kush is also a big ol boy and I know he loves the lightweight CND's, maybe he'll chime in on his thought too.

Jim

 

[Grampa Spey]

Moose, thanks for your comments

Gramps, I love the long light rods. Faves are the Meiser 12 1/2 foot 4/5/6, the Burkie 7133 and 7141. On my rods I had Bob and Kerry build long, full length grips on them and I still grab them at the very top of the upper grip and at the ball at the bottom grip like Steve does. Works great.

Kush is also a big ol boy and I know he loves the lightweight CND's, maybe he'll chime in on his thought too.

Jim

Jim, thanks for all of your comments. As you know a large part of the waters we fish in N California don't really require the heavy/big fish rods. I imagine you big and tall guys when matched well with the long light rods can really reach out and touch the feeding and holding lanes with ease. The suggestion of long full length grips has come from several of our taller guys.

My friend travels a lot, so a 5 piece rod with a long full length grip might mean some casting and fishing when he travels. A rod tube a little longer than 30 inches will fit into a two suiter suitcase. I used to do that with my one handed rods when I worked or consulted after retirement or visited relatives and friends.