OK, dumb question

[Daryle Holmstrom]

What is a switch rod?

Daryle

[BFK]

A switch rod is one that can be used with either single or double-handed casts. Think of it as a short spey rod or long single-hander. Usually, they have a longish fighting butt or can be rigged with an extension.

[Philster]

add "WWW." before this: meiserflyrods.com/s2h106.html or this: beulahflyrods.com/switchrods.html
Basically a spey handle on a 10 to 11.5 foot rod designed primarily for overhead casting. Designed theoretically to be able to "switch" from one handed to two handed casting for extra distance. Once you get above 7 weight, they tend to get pretty uncomfortable for one handed casting. Unless you're built like Popeye.

[Daryle Holmstrom]

Unless you're built like Popeye.

I lost my Popeye about ten years ago, now it's like poopeye. :)

Daryle

[Tim Garton]

So, let me add to the confusion (at least mine). There is a "switch" cast and a "Spey" cast. Same rod is used. A switch cast is a Spey cast where you don't change the direction of your cast. A Spey caste is when you do change direction.
That info was from Mike at the Ben Howard Spey Casting get together last Sunday, but maybe I have it backwards. Seems like "switch" would more appropriately refer to a change in direction. :confused:

[salt dog]

Here's my two cents. The "Switch" in a switch rod refers to the ability to make either a spey cast or an over head cast with it, regardless of whether you're using a single or double handed grip on the rod.

The typical switch rod is long and flexible enough to effectively make moderate spey casts, but spey rods are not designed to tolerate the stress from regularly doing a 180 degree overhead cast with the entire weight of the fly line head aerialized. A switch rod can be used for double handed beach casting for distance, more common on East Coast striper fishing from the beach. A spey rod used in this manner will likely get stress fractures eventually. The Switch Rod is a hybrid rod, and many like it for its versatility.

[David Loy]

A spey rod used in this manner will likely get stress fractures eventually. The Switch Rod is a hybrid rod, and many like it for its versatility.

Is that true Salt Dog?
I used to "spey" quite a bit and have thrown one of my rods (a Sage 6126) overhead occasionally. I sometimes think about throwing it at the beach for a bit more reach.

[salt dog]

Is that true Salt Dog?
I used to "spey" quite a bit and have thrown one of my rods (a Sage 6126) overhead occasionally. I sometimes think about throwing it at the beach for a bit more reach.

David, send a PM off to Matt Burke for hands on experience. Matt has always been very generous with his time and advice; hope he doesn't mind the reference, but Matt went through a fair number of long rods attempting to find perfection in long distance beach casting with heavy heads. He seems to have settled on a couple of Loomis spey rod models that could hold up, and finally on a prototype from Bob Meiser.

[Philster]

"switch rods" in this discussion are not spey rods. They are rods that you are capable of "Switching" back and forth between single and two handed casting with. Which casts you use with the rod are not the issue. See the description at Bob Meisers web site I provided. Since he coined the term, I think it's only fair to go by his definition...

[Chris Scoones]

Meiz covers it here (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/board/showthread.php?t=38468&highlight=switch+rod).

[David Loy]

Lost track of this thread for a few days...
Jim - Thanks, that's interesting. I will contact Matt. I think we have tentative plans to fish together sometime this Fall.
Chris - Thanks for the link, I missed that.