[Nick Clayton]

Well I came home from work today to find my new Deer Creek 11' 4 wt switch rod with line waiting for me. I tore it open in a manner resembling a 9 year old on Christmas morning, only making a small tornado of a mess across my fishing room as wrapping was strewn about. Put the rod together and took it outside to wiggle around a bit. (Discovered that an 11' rod is not so easy to handle in the house). It feels like a noodle in my hand, but that's partially due to the fact that I've been fishing a TICRX exclusively the last couple weeks. Plus I really don't know what a two handed rod is supposed to feel like. I put a few different reels on it, just to feel the weight. The CLA 4 is my first choice, but it almost feels a little heavy. I read somewhere that a two handed rod should be pretty much balanced with reel when balancing it over a finger near the top of the cork. With the CLA it seemed pretty bottom heavy. Next I tried my Orvis BK LA III, and that seemed to be a much better fit. Not sure how well that reel will hold the slightly cut 40+ line that came with the reel. I'm thinking I'm gonna try the CLA first, and see how that goes, then work my way down from there. Anyhow, I am terribly excited to get this bad boy out on the water. It certainly feels light enough to single hand cast no problem, which should get me fishing right away. Then I need to work on two handed overhead. I've been giving that some thought, and it seems like maybe a roll to get the head out, followed by one back cast and then shoot. Does this sound any good? If that is the case, do I just hold the line with my right index finger during the backcast, and release to shoot? Just idle thoughts. I'm pretty excited.

 

[Steve Saville]

I've been told that you need to strip out 30 ft of line or so when balancing the rod because that's not going to be on the reel when casting. And balance it where you normally hold the rod. If you are spey casting, the upper hand is higher than in Skagit casting. I don't know if that's true but it does make sense. That being said, I would think that a CLA 4 would be the perfect size reel for a 4 wt switch. I use either a BG4 or a Gunnison 5 on my 5 wt switch and it balances pretty nicely. The G5 is not a large arbor reel as you probably know. It's slightly larger in diameter but has a much narrower spool.

 

[Nick Clayton]

Interesting. Thanks for the info Steve. That does make sense to strip some line off. I think I'm gonna go with the CLA for now because frankly I just love that reel and I think it looks so sweet on that rod!

Nick

 

[Steve Saville]

I have two. One's a pinky though and will probably never be fished. The other is a heck of a reel and I have two BG4 reels as well so they are the ones I use for my switches and I use slightly larger reels for my spey rods.

 

[Nick Clayton]

Well I just finished spooling up my CLA with the 8 wt 40+ that came with the rod. I will start there, and also try a 6 wt Outbound, a 7 wt 40+ and another 6 wt head I have of custom design and see where that leads me. I'm so very anxious to throw line with this rod.

Nick

 

[Steve Saville]

Thaoe seem a bit heavy for a 4 wt. don't you think? I think I'd start with the 6 wt. Outbound. 8 seems too much. Maybe not.

 

[Nick Clayton]

Honestly I have no idea. This line was cut down to 300 grains, which is right in the middle of the grain window for this rod. The previous owner said it was a beast on this rod, so I figure I'll give it a shot and see where it goes.


Nick

 

[NomDeTrout]

That is quite a load...anyone know if the DC switch rods are rated for spey grain window or single hand?

Anyway, when I test casted a few switch rods, I put on Airflo 40+ and Outbound in 6wt on a 6wt switch rod and it still casted great. 7wt line better but from what I felt, I wouldn't go any higher than that. but an 8wt line cut down....sounds interesting but i would just go with a 5wt or 6wt for overhead casting since you'll want the head length on there as well instead of cutting back on an 8wt.

I'm thinking the 8wt cut back was made for spey casting on the switch rod, but hey...if it works then it works :]

and your idea of two handed overhead cast is right. That's exactly what I was doing and getting 80-100 ft with ease!

 

[Nick Clayton]

Thanks for the input Nom. I'm still pretty much in the dark when it comes to two handed rods, so I appreciate it. Perhaps you were right as to the intent of the cut 8 wt for spey casting. I plan on trying a 6 wt Outbound, as well as a 7 wt 40+ as well. Perhaps I will like the 6 wt for overhead casting, then use the customized 8 wt as I learn to do some spey casts with the rod. Only time and tinkering will tell me I suppose.

Nick

 

[Mumbles]

I'm pretty sure that the TFO Deer Creek Switch series are spey line rated and have grain windows that cover a HUGE range. Keep me posted on lines you might want to try Nick. Besides, that means I might get a chance to cast that thing.

 

[Nick Clayton]

I certainly will keep you updated Ed. Its looking like Saturday after work, then Sunday for sure will be my first chance to give this thing a whirl. Planning on heading back to the beach where I stuck the huge cuttie last weekend, and toying around with it. Will bring my full arsenal of lines and see what I can come up with. My work schedule is pretty crazy for the next week or two, then will be settling down drastically so we will have to meet up on a beach somewhere and put this thing to the test.

Nick

 

[soundflycaster]

Nick,

I have that DC 4wt and the CLA works just fine on it. I use a 400 skagit and a 8wt ambush on that rod with great results. Good luck.

 

[Nick Clayton]

Well against my better judgement I decided to brave the wind and throw some line with this rod after work today. What a dumb mistake. The wind was blowing right into my face. Hardly the time to be trying out a totally unfamiliar type of rod. I played with it for maybe a half hour, just long enough to realize I have a long way to go, before giving up and heading home. I felt just as I did the very first time I picked up a fly rod. Felt like a bumbling idiot. Its sure a different feeling holding and casting a bigger rod. I can tell I have a long way to go. Hopefully the wind will be calmer tomorrow as its my only day off and I'm really anxious to give this rod a serious try.

Nick

 

[Mumbles]

Nick, study the weather, tides and mostly wind direction. It is a casting session so find a sheltered place to cast and don't worry about any incidential hook ups. Enjoy learning that thing.

 

[Fred Krow]

I am using the AirFlo 40+ standard line in WF5F on my Deer Creek 4110 with excellent results. I also test cast the rod with a 40+ in WF6F and it was O'K but the lighter line is my preference.

This is for spey casting,,,, not overhead.

Regards,
FK

 

[Nick Clayton]

Well I got the rod out on the beach for a few hours yesterday. Boy was that interesting! It is light enough for me to single hand cast no problem, so at least I have that until I learn how to handle it better. I started with the 8 wt 40+ that came with it, and threw that for an hour or so. It could really bomb out line, single hand casting, but as the distance increased the line seemed to almost over power the rod. It would load well, but on the forward cast the line would often collapse at the end, as if it wasn't being sent forward with enough power. I dunno, just my rookie impression. Next I tried a 6 wt customized shooting head that came with my TICRX, and it didn't really want to load the rod too well. Switched to an Outbound 6 wt floater, and that wasn't too bad, but I'm seriously thinking a 7 wt is the way to go. I have a 7 wt 40+ intermediate, but I did not have it spooled up. I think on payday I will pick up a 7 wt floater, which I want for my 6 wt anyway, and give that a shot.

Tried playing around with some two handed overhead, and felt like a monkey having intercourse with a football. I was totally lost. It felt so goofy. I really need to get some sort of lessons, or at least some pointers! All in all though I really love the rod. I enjoy the extra length, and once I got used to holding such a big rod in my hand it felt very nice and I was able to fish it now. Was already thinking of some high stick nymphing applications for certain rivers I fish, but thats a ways off.

Nick

 

[mtnwrkr]

I got used to holding such a big rod in my hand, it felt very nice

I think you're in the wrong forum...:rofl:

 

[Nick Clayton]

Haha Don't make me tell everyone how you were holding my rod too at one point. With both hands even!

 

[Bob Jones]

If you can get over to one of the spey classes held on the weekend. Saturday in Fall City and Sunday in Monroe. both are free and run from 9 to 12 on the rivers.

 

[Nick Clayton]

How often do these classes run?

Nick