[ibboone]

I was thinking about using some single hand lines on my light switch rod.

Would single hand steelhead lines work like scandi lines? Similar taper.
Are the heads to long, as some head are over 40'. It would be the long belly for short rods.

Wulff triangle taper lines (not ambush) have 30' heads.

I would like to fish some indicators at local pond for crappie, and wonder if a regular single hand line up lined a size or 2 more than the scandi line would work with indicators.

Here is what I am thinking. I have a Echo SR 3 wt switch which seems to like a scandi 210. If I was to up line to a 9wt single hand line with 30 ft head, would it be a good indicator line. I know the scandi line is very thin on the end and not designed to turn over anything with weight.

I am going to be doing some testing here before long. I have 7, 8, 9, and 10 wt single hand lines.

Give me some feed back on what kind of lines you have tested on your light 2 handed rods.(Skagit, scandi, single hand)

Oh, by the way. Here is my trout/ small fish 2 handed rods.
*A.R.E. 11' 2/3wt (built myself), Orvis Encounter reel, SGS 240 grain head, elf20# running line.
* TFO Ticrx 9' 6 wt lt with lower hand added, TFO LA 340, rio ambush 5
* Echo SR 3 wt, Hatch monsoon 5, Rio 210 scandi, Rio 225 Skagit (haven't cast this head yet), Elf 20# running line.

Looking to get the new Lazer running line.


Dan

 

[middlecalf]

The issue I have with single hand lines is the length of the back taper before the max diameter. It's typically too long on WF SH lines for my casting abilities. I've cut down an 8wt WF SH line by removing about 4ft of the back taper (so it's now only about 2 feet). More like the back taper on the DH scandi lines. But my welds suck. The front taper is nice for light applications. Oh, this is on a light bamboo switch, so I have to be careful and not overpower the tip. If I leave too much inside the tip, the thicker line doesn't shoot very well. Too much overhang, and the tip collapses.

 

[Nate Bailey]

I was thinking about using some single hand lines on my light switch rod.

Would single hand steelhead lines work like scandi lines? Similar taper.
Are the heads to long, as some head are over 40'. It would be the long belly for short rods.

Wulff triangle taper lines (not ambush) have 30' heads.

I would like to fish some indicators at local pond for crappie, and wonder if a regular single hand line up lined a size or 2 more than the scandi line would work with indicators.

Here is what I am thinking. I have a Echo SR 3 wt switch which seems to like a scandi 210. If I was to up line to a 9wt single hand line with 30 ft head, would it be a good indicator line. I know the scandi line is very thin on the end and not designed to turn over anything with weight.

I am going to be doing some testing here before long. I have 7, 8, 9, and 10 wt single hand lines.

Give me some feed back on what kind of lines you have tested on your light 2 handed rods.(Skagit, scandi, single hand)

Oh, by the way. Here is my trout/ small fish 2 handed rods.
*A.R.E. 11' 2/3wt (built myself), Orvis Encounter reel, SGS 240 grain head, elf20# running line.
* TFO Ticrx 9' 6 wt lt with lower hand added, TFO LA 340, rio ambush 5
* Echo SR 3 wt, Hatch monsoon 5, Rio 210 scandi, Rio 225 Skagit (haven't cast this head yet), Elf 20# running line.

Looking to get the new Lazer running line.


Dan

Double tapers, two line sizes above the rod weight will work. I like double tapers for nymphing as they are easy to mend and will turn over big flies, but Airflos speydicator beats a conventional DT all day long. So if you have a 4wt switch you'll need a 6wt Dt. I have also used the LTS sx wf lines on my small trout Spey's with great success. They work well because they have a long rear taper. So I think any wf line with that profile would cast well. I also have a Mini Scandi that I'm playing around with from LTS it swings great but lacks the power to turn over big nymphs. The cool thing about it is that its a triple density floating to hover to intermediate up front, making them super stealthy!

 

[troutless]

Yes, this works. Both ways (SH to DH and DH to SH) if the specs are right. Conversion is 2-3 line sizes either way depending on your loading preferences.

Combos in the SH to DH direction I have liked:

1. Rio Steelhead/Atlantic Salmon. Works if you want a long-belly feel for a short, light two hander. Is also reasonably effective as an indicator line.

2. Airflo 40+. There are a couple threads on this one. A bit like a long scandi or short-belly experience, in an integrated running line configuration.

3. LTS III-S SH shooting heads. Triple-density heads weighted light enough for trout-class two-handers. Both FHI and H13 are available. Get in touch with Donna at Fish-On! sports.

 

[Nate Bailey]

Yes, this works. Both ways (SH to DH and DH to SH) if the specs are right. Conversion is 2-3 line sizes either way depending on your loading preferences.

Combos in the SH to DH direction I have liked:

1. Rio Steelhead/Atlantic Salmon. Works if you want a long-belly feel for a short, light two hander. Is also reasonably effective as an indicator line.

2. Airflo 40+. There are a couple threads on this one. A bit like a long scandi or short-belly experience, in an integrated running line configuration.

3. LTS III-S SH shooting heads. Triple-density heads weighted light enough for trout-class two-handers. Both FHI and H13 are available. Get in touch with Donna at Fish-On! sports.

I love the LTS IIIs FHI on my 4126. Its labeled a 6wt single hander , but it is a great double handed line as well. If you haven't swung a triple density line you really need to the control is amazing.

 

[FKrow]

I strongly recommend purchasing a grain scale and weigh the lines at the length you wish to cast. The scales are commonly used by shooters for reloading and are also available on the famous auction site for about $25. Make certain they have a grain readout (gr or grain). This is the only way to be certain what line balances your rod.

I have experimented with RIO Trout LT which have a level section at the end of the head and a long gradual front taper, WF4 thru WF6 make great light trout Spey lines. Cut away some of the front taper to make shorter heads if desired.

The Wulff TT are very long about 40+ft of continuous taper and a drop to running line,,, we cut off about 11-12ft from the front for a shorter easier casting line. Not the most efficient casting line for spey rods.

The Airflo 40+ lines make nice casting light lines however, again are 35ft long heads which is not optimum for light short rods. I like how these lines cast on 11'6" and longer rods.
Airflo 40+ head weights
5=243grns
6=261grns
7=284grns
8=323grns
9=365grns

If you want more of a Skagit delivery the Wulff Ambush lines also work great with short sections of T8 or floating/sinking Polyleaders added to the tip.
The lightest Ambush is 195gr @ 18ft and are available in gradually increased weights and length thru 600gr.

Size @ Length Grain Weight

TT-4-F @ 18’ 195

TT-5-F @ 18’ 215

TT-6-F @ 18’ 235

TT-7-F @ 20’ 265

TT-8-F @ 20’ 290

TT-9-F @ 24’ 350

TT-10-F @ 24’ 400

TT-11-F @ 24’ 450

TT-12-F @ 25’ 500

TT-13-F @ 28.5’ 550

TT-14-F @ 29’ 600


Regards,
FK

 

[ibboone]

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback.

FK, I have a grain scale and when I figure out a sweet spot I try to keep my lines in that general area of grains.




Dan

 

[mikeb90]

Also check out vision fly lines. They specialize in single hand spey casting. Look at their single hand lines, some of their tapers run from about 100-300 grains

 

[hasu ma]

I like my switch rods as short as possible (9.5 to 10 ft) in order to be able to use both in single hand and spey casting;

For these rods I like the lines which can do both types of casting without the need to change anything.

For a WF line generally I look at the length of the head and I try to choose it based on the rule of 2.5 - 3 times the rod length. This enables me to use it in spey casting;

Choosing the weight of the head - I have to know exactly what the rod likes - this I do it through trials;

As line recommendation

- Vision vibe 65/85/100
- Guideline has also lines with short heads
- SA GPX are in the range of 33 ft;
- Airflo 40 + - also heads around 33 feet;
- Ambush lines

On a 10ft 6/7 switch I use an Vision Vibe 85 6/7 (8.5 m head at 230 -260 grains)

 

[FKrow]

I have been changing over to integrated lines for my Trout Spey rigging. The shooting head loops are a pain for short casts to pocket water. I like the upstream cast close to the banks and fast return strip with articulated streamers.

Visited with the Airflo rep. and he suggested testing the Streamer Max lines for larger streamers. I will be purchasing some after the holidays for my rods.

Specs appear to be ideal:
The web site tapers as follows:
Tip = 1'
Front taper = 16'
Belly = 5'
Rear taper = 4'

This will give us nice turnover with most of the line mass concentrated at the rear of the head.

Weights (the web site head length does not agree with the above published taper length)
WF5 = 160gr @ 22'
WF6 = 200gr @ 24'
WF7 = 240gr @ 24'
WF8 = 280gr @ 27'
WF9 = 320gr @ 27'
WF10 = 380gr @ 27'

The rep also stated some casters (with single hand rods) like to cut away some of the tip for better turn over with larger flies.

Note: The head on this line is sinking, ideal for unweighted streamers.

Regards,
FK