Winter steelhead rod?

[cunner12]

I am looking to purchase a spey rod and I am looking for advice on what to get. I would like to get a rod to cast some heavy tips and flies. I own a 8wt switch, but find it tough to throw big tips and flies with it. Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations? Thanks.

[btree]

If it were me, I'd just get better at casting the switch rod... it should be plenty of rod. One must assume you are using a skagit or at the very least a skandi line with your switch... A properly matched skagit line should still be able to toss all but the largest tips and flies needed.

What sort of water are you fishing?
What tips are you trying to cast and with what line?
What sized flies are you trying to cast?

[cunner12]

I am mostly fishing the rivers around the lower mainland and the island. I have the 7/8 switch beulah Tonic line. I can cast it decent with 10 feet of t8, but when I throw that amount of t14 on I struggle to get it out. I am usually fishing with larger rabbit strip style flies and other steelhead patterns. I am sure a lot of it has to do with being a pretty novice spey caster.

[bronjuan]

ya, new to spey myself, I'm pretty sure it's the casting...not the rod. the reason why I know this is because every once and awhile, I'll get everything perfect, and that line just wants to go for days. Other times, I'll be casting fairly mid-range set up in terms of weight, and just watch it crash and burn in front of me! Spey rods have the potential to produce gobs of power, just need to harness it properly

[btree]

Nice line! Ever tried poly-tips with it? With tips, it's not always about mass, but rather sink rate and castability. I have a 9'6" single handed rod that I have a home-made ~300 grain skagit line with which I regularly cast 10ft poly-tips at >6ips sink rate without issue. On adventurous days I can even manage a 15' hi-D tip but I rarely cast 6" rabbit strips, but certainly lots of dumbell eye popsicles and up to 1/0 hooks. I've never tried the "T" series of tips - T-14 etc.

Perhaps a 12'6" 8wt spey might help, but perhaps not.

Ever get a casting lesson?
I'm pretty much a novice as well, but a casting lesson here and there has helped me a lot.

[cunner12]

I have a wallet of poly-tips and they do cast well with it. I have never had any spey casting lessons yet, but thinking t might be a good idea. Thanks for your input.

[btree]

How long have you been learning to cast?
Is this the first rod/line combo you've tried? - what rod are you using with that Tonic?

[SalaR]

I am looking to purchase a spey rod and I am looking for advice on what to get. I would like to get a rod to cast some heavy tips and flies. I own a 8wt switch, but find it tough to throw big tips and flies with it. Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations? Thanks.

In 1972 I had a VW bug that took me into the bush fairly well,if I got stuck in the mud all I really had to do was dig it out or leave it there! Soon after I discovered the new Toyota Jeeps of the time and I have never looked back...the same will apply to what you are asking! Your switch rod will certainly perform admirably for certain things but will fail when asked to do something out of it's league. There are some very nice Two handers out there today...since you are on teh mainland you might consider a rod in the 12'6-13'6" range,likely a 7or 8 weight...this size is the most popular for Winter Steelhead,Salmon in local systems and of course able to be managed overhead casting off the beaches for Salmon also. Sounds to me like you are on the right path but need a bigger stick to answer the call...
we have extended our winter sale at Nile Creek for a couple more days because of the snow storm..I hate this snow...treid to get to the river today but didn't want to risk the over the mountain trip
C

[robin]

I agree with SalaR in the length and size of rod. For me it is a Sage Z-Axis 8129 - but it is quite expensive for a starter. It does cover all steelhead and salmon situations. Just as if not more important as the rod is to get some "instruction." Though one can get in some respectable spey casts with a switch rod they just don't load the same. IMHO the most impressive use of switch rods around these parts is overhead casting on the beach or single spey casting on tight quarters on the river while targeting big trout. Moving from scandi style to skagit style is no joke either. Some folks watch the Skagitmaster videos, tie on flies the size of chickens and start flaying about. Though I appreciate the ambition (as that was me in past times) your arm will eventually fall ;-)

So my point is get a spey rod and reel that you can afford. Commit to a number of lessons equal to or greater than the cost of your rod, reel and line(s). Learn on a scandi line, then move to a skagit if you so choose. That way you can maximize your fishing opportunities with both styles. Then go have some fun. Pick up the switch rod later...
BOL

PS -in my profile picture that is a Sage 6 weight switch rod and pink salmon caught on the beaches of the Cluxewe.

[cunner12]

I Have only had my rod a few months and it is the first rod I have tried. Its an 8wt orvis helios switch. I also have an elixir line for it, but figured the Tonic would be a better match with heavier tips/flies.