Question:
Heading out trout fishing in a couple weeks in Southcentral, AK. Fish range in size from 19" - 24". Thinking about a switch rod. Budget for the outfit closer to $500 than $1,000. Recommendations?
Answer:
Hi and thank you for the inquiry. Exciting stuff here!
I have a few options for you to look at which I have listed below. For rods, you can go with either a four or five wt. Four wts are going to be more fun when you’re hooked up, but you will be a little more limited in the size of flies that you can throw. 5 wts will be able to throw bigger flies like size six dolly llamas and mice, but also fish more like a single hand 7 wt. Here’s what you are looking at.
Rod:
Echo SR 10’6″ 4wt or 10’8″ 5 wt – $329.99
Redington Duelly 10’6″ 4 wt or 11′ 5 wt – $279.99
Reel:
Redington Behemoth 5/6 – $119.99 (many color choices)
Lamson Liquid 5+ (4 wt) $99.99 or Liquid 7+ (5 wt) $109.99
Lamson Remix 5+ (4 wt) $189.99 or Remix 7+ (5 wt) $199.99
Sage Spectrum C 5/6 – $175
Lines: all $99.99
Rio Switch – Good indicator line, roll, single hand and double over hand casting. Not so good at spey/skagit casting
Rio Switch Chucker: – Good swinging/streamer line. Good at roll, double overhand and skagit casting. Ok for single hand .
Airflo Switch Float – Good swinging/streamer lines indicator line. Great for roll and spey/skagit casting. Good at single and double over hand casting. My pick for best “Switch” line
You choose the rod, reel and line; I’ll include the backing, a leader and a polyleader or sink tip.
Shoot me an email or give a call and I can go over all of this in better detail. mike@alaskaflyfishinggoods.com or 907-586-1550 (Mon-Fri)
Tight Lines,
Mike