Meiser Switch Rods

[btree]

Hi all, just browsing my options for building a 6/7 or perhaps a 5/6 switch rod. Looking at something to take on fish in the 5-15lb range without taking the joy out of getting an 18" cuttie or trout by accident.

Now, no one wants to stress fish by being undergunned, but I've found that I can lean quite hard on the light rods I have without feeling like I'm putting the fish in danger. For example, I've landed coho (beach and river), chum (river) and springs (river) in the 5-15lb range on a 10' #5/6 single-hander without taking longer than 5 min from hookup to release. And looking at Meiser's recommendations for the 5/6 Highlander, it seems that the rod was intended for fish in the 5-15lb range.

So with that, to the real topic at hand - it seems that Bob Meiser has had his hand in developing switch rods for a number of outfits like TFO and Beulah, plus he has his own line of products. Just wondering what the differences are between these rods. Has anyone had the chance to do some testing to compare the TFOs, Beulahs and Meisers?

I'd prefer a rod in the 9'9" to 10'6" range and not get up into the 11' area like the TFOs are.

Any way, here are the links to the products for those interested in just looking about:

http://www.meiserflyrods.com/switch-rods.php
http://www.beulahflyrods.com/product...rods/index.php
http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/pro...ds/switch.html

It seems that for blanks, going directly to Meiser is cheaper than Beulah, and TFO blanks are not available as far as I know.

As for built rods, TFO is the cheapest followed by Beulah, and of course a Meiser rod will cost you...

[TieFlier]

I wish I could lend a hand here, but I don't have any experience with these rod bands. I am very interested in what you end up going with. If it were me I would probably go with a meiser as they are (from what I have heard) a softer action which would fit your wish to still have fun with an incidental 18" trout. This sounds like a fun problem to have! Hope you can find the information that you are looking for.

[Speynut]

head up to Nile Creek and test cast a couple of the Beulah switches, also give the new Snowbee Prestige switch a cast as well, very nice switch rod, he also has some of the Clan switch rods as well.

As far as comparing the 3 brands you mentiioned, I'm partial to the Beulah as I have built and fished quite a few of them. Bob Meiser was involved with designing Beulahs original switch rods (classics) but Beulah has definitely taken them to the next level with their new Platinum series. The Meiser rods are fantastic as well and I don't think you can go wrong with one of his rods either (other than the price maybe). And personally I'm not a big fan of TFO rods, especially when their number one selling point is their warranty, although both Bob Meiser and Mike Kinney were involved in the development of the Deer Creek series so there may be some merit in them.

Best advice is to cast a few and see which one suits your style the best and fits your pocket book.

Colin

[btree]

I do put in some regular time at the Nile Creek Fly Shop and have given the Snowbee and Beulah rods a wiggle. A fishing buddy of mine has the Beulah 7/8 Classic switch, and it's a really forgiving rod to cast, and has a nice balance of power and softness. Certainly gets a really full flex when it has a ~10lb fish on the other end.

One thing about the Snowbee stuff - it seems that it is not yet possible to get their blanks, so that's out, though I do enjoy their rods.

I recently emailed Bob Meiser through his website, and he replied quickly with an offer to call me and chat over the phone, so I'm certainly going to do that this week.

What surprises me the most is that while the built Meiser rods cost an arm and a leg, plus your first born child - the blanks are much more reasonable, and are about 20% cheaper than the Beulah blanks. Now, I assume that blank to blank, the Beulah's and the Meisers are quite comparable - just wondering what the differences would be.

I'll likely stay away from the TFO switchers since they are all 11', and I don't think I want a rod that long...

Any other ideas for blanks that I should be aware of out there?

I really like the sounds of the #6 Beulah Platinum, but at ~250 USD for the blank, I think I'd just go with a Meiser blank for about 100 bucks less...

[SalaR]

The Classic Beulah blanks and the Meiser blanks are quite similar in action and price,however,you can't compare the Platinum Blank to the Meiser Blank,different animals completely! A better Comparison,if there are any would be the new Snowbee Switch rod,Orvis Helios or Z-Axis and even the TCX...Beulah has developed these rods in a very unique and smart design...fabulous rods. The finished manufactured rods will stack up against any rod we see today even at twice the price,great finish and good quality components...IMO
C

[btree]

So essentially, the Beulah Platinum and the Snowbee switchers are more of a "progressive" tip flex (if that's the right terminology?), much like the 12'6" snowbee spey I'm enjoying, while the Meiser and Beulah Classic switchers are a fuller flex, though still "progressive" (what ever that means ).

So since the 5/6 Meiser Highlander should have that fuller flex much like the Beulah Classics, and the 5/6 Highlander is rated for 5-15lb fish, can I assume that the 5/6 Beulah Classic would perform similarly and is suited for 5-15lb fish? But the Beulah site suggests that the 5/6 Classic is more for trophy trout up to 25" (only ~5lb)...while the Classic 6/7 (suited for light summer steelhead) seems to be more comparable to the 5/6 Highlander.

I guess what I'm after is to figure out what would be the difference between say a the 5/6 Meiser Highlander and the #6 Beulah Platinum?
And, is the 5/6 Meiser comparable to the 5/6 Classic, or is the 5/6 Meiser more like the 6/7 Classic?

I think that I'll just have to do a test drive or two to really make up my mind, but thanks for the feedback.

Like I said, I think I'm after something that is a fuller flex so that an incidental small-ish fish still puts a good bend on the rod, and can offer some fun, while at the same time, if I tie into a lunker, I still have enough power to haul it in, and really see the rod bend!

So far, I'm battling between the idea of the #6 platinum and the 5/6 Meiser... and the 5/6 Meiser is winning by ~100$ on price for the blank...

[SalaR]

Yes,the Beulah Platinum and Snowbee switches are very light in hand with a progressive Tip Flex...what that really means is a pleasure to cast and fish yet able to manage large fish. The irony is that the 4/5 Beulah classic will land be fish...however,it is one of those arguments about the fish after the battle!.. The 6/7 Beulah Classic would be more in line with the Meiser 5/6 Highlander. One of the attributes of Switch rods of quality is that you can enjoy fish of all sizes. The Beulah 6/7 Classic,or similar, is likely the rod style that might suit your ideals...I too prefer the more full flex Switch rod,but I have to say that the new Platinum Switchers are something special!

[btree]

Well, after talking a bit with Bob Meiser over the phone, I've been convinced that the 11' 6/7 Highlander would be my best bet if I were to pursue a blank for building a rod myself, but if I were to look into an already built rod, perhaps the 6/7 Beulah classic would offer the best bang for my buck.

It was suggested that the 5/6 would be a bit light unless it was primarily for trout and pinks, or unless one was able and fully prepared to take some extreme action when battling any fish that gets into double digits (apparently). I do chase my fish a bit and prefer to be fighting them from across current, but I have to admit that often this is not always possible and one does need to have some power in reserve to be able to haul fish up stream on occasion. Also I did not consider the versatility offered by a rod with a wider grain window when it comes to combating wind. It was suggested that the difference between the 5/6 and the 6/7 would be noticed more when casting into the wind more than when battling small fish, and certainly the the 6/7 would perform better when pitted against double digit steelhead or coho.

If anyone out there is considering a switch rod, I'd recommend contacting Bob. He is a wealth of information and has had some hand in the development of many switch and modern spey rods on North America. Plus he carries a great conversation.

So now the next step is to start saving! Perhaps this time next year I'll be staring at a blank, a pile of cork and dozen bits of metal wondering "now what do I do?" Can't wait to get into rod building! Till then I guess I'll just fish what I have

[bthomas]

Meiser blanks are rolled by CTS , a company out of New Zealand .http://www.ctsfishing.com/flyfishing.php

They do , or did have a distributor in Texas at one time that sold the blanks at good prices .
Personally , if I were to get a Meiser blank to wrap , I`d save up a little more and get the ready to wrap version . These blanks come with the handle and reel seat already installed .

[btree]

Ya, I've not considered anything but getting the full kit from Meiser, but will have to start saving for sure if I want the ready-to-wrap version. Certainly takes out some of the business that I could really mess up. Plus they do make some really sweet looking grips.

Thanks for the link to CTS - I'll check them out and see if there any savings. Could be a good option for single handed blanks as well.

Any way, off to hit the water. Beautiful afternoon shaping up.