Ed Ward From Skagit Master Volume 1---Switch rods in Alaska

[@andycinco3432]

Hell yes so stoked on Skagit style fishing. Yes Hopefully it picks us in the Midwest. It’s a fucking blast.

[@FlyFishingChronicles]

So whats the difference between a switch and a trout spey rod?

[@jkdurden]

When building a two-handed rod; there are two basic tapers: Spey and Switch. The Spey taper is more of a moderate butt action with a deeper bend during the casting. It’s a fantastic rod for a swinging focused angler. The Switch rod is a rod that has a stiffer butt section and feels more “tippy” or “snappy”. The switch taper is more closely related to that of a single handed rod albeit longer than a traditional single hand rod but shorter than a Spey - hence the term: Switch. The Switch (a term they have gotten away from for precisely this reason) means you can utilize swing techniques as well as long line nymphing, single hand casting and overhead casting techniques. It’s sort of a jack of all trades rod but a master of none. It’s the most versatile rod in the quiver but it comes with a price on feel. The feedback loop on feel isn’t as strong with a switch compared to a Spey. The Spey rod will talk to you ...it’s like having a drink with an old friend. The switch - not so much. This is the reason you’ll hear people say buy a Spey first and then a switch. I’m stubborn and bought the switch first because, at the time, I didn’t think I’d own another two-handed rod. Fast forward four years; I own two-handers from 2-8 in spey and switch. :). You’ve been warned. There isn’t a 12-step program to save you from two handed rods and Spey fishing. The trout spey’s is a new term to basically describe shorter Spey rods with stiffer actions - AKA Switch rods. Mind you; some of the trout spey’s have a Spey feel even though they are shorter rods. I own Sage One trout spey’s and you can feel that the 2 and 3 wt trout spey’s have a Spey taper. They’re also light enough and stiff enough to do all the things a switch rod can do but yet flexible enough to feel like a Spey. They’re truly unique rods. I love them and fish my Trout Spey 3110-4 90% of the time based on that feel. When I step up to bigger rivers I’ll reach for either the 4116; 5116 or 5126. My personal favorite on that list is the 5126. It’s a true Spey and that rod is an absolute CANNON! What fun to cast. That said, I end up taking my 5116 or 4116 more often because those are switch rods. I can swing down and nymph back up the river. Multi-functional rods. I hope this clears it up for you. Big picture: Spey has more feel and the switch has more capability but sacrifices feel. It’s truly best to learn on a Spey. I’ve yet to cast my switches overhead but I have nymphed with them. They’re great tools for those dreaded days where they just aren’t taking the swung fly.

[@FlyFishingChronicles]

@@jkdurden Thanks a lot mate!!

[@jkdurden]

@@FlyFishingChronicles You’re welcome.

[@Mr777manbearpig]

Is that a glass rod?