Switch Rods

The nagy 'noodle' rod is a bit light for my tastes. It is the wild river 10'6" ultra light 2-6 lb noodle rod turned into fly blank. As a spinning rod I always thought it was light (until I saw Ironhed using one a bunch of falls ago in walnut). I still think it is light for my tastes as a spinning rod but I know it works. When you consider that a fly line puts a lot more weight onto the rod during actual use and a lot more water resistance when you have a fish, I don't like it. Yeah, it works and lots of people have used them successfully, but not for me.

Most rods classed as switch rods are as you said, designed with faster actions and are pretty stiff. They are made as big water big fish rods that are capable of throwing heavy heads. Not many are designed as lake erie steel head rods. There are a few out there that will work, but they aren't cheap.

How long of a rod do you want? What line weight? There are other rods available and other blanks available if you want to have one built. If you want to go longer than 10' you should consider a custom rod. All of the productions rods I know of longer than 10' are well into custom rod price range. Go longer than 10'6" and I only know of the Sage 11' 6 wt XP (which would be a good rod for you if you can find one).

Talon makes an 11'9" 4 pc blank that is awesome Mine is spec'd out as a 7 wt (and is 3 pc), and that's how I fish mine, but the blank is very versatile. It was originally called a float-n-fly when it was boutique marketed but now it has been moved to the mainstream line. They offer it in a 6,7, and 8 wt at $440. I have one or two blanks left from the big lot I bought a while back if you're a builder. The blanks are super lightweight but have just the right backbone for 3-8 lb tippet. I built mine as a switch rod with an 11" front grip and 3.5" rear. Not as big as a spey but big enough to cast two handed. Unless I am fishing confined spaces, it is the only rod I'll take for steelhead, and I even use it to nymph fish for trout.

http://www.talon-graphite.com/Rod%20section/Fly%20Rod%20sub%20folder/ITMflyrods.htm

Rain shadow makes 10'6" blanks that fish well too. Go te 10'6" 5 wt, line it with a 6 wt line, and go to town. A little heavier than the talon, but they fish well. I had the 7 wt (Beerman has it now) and it landed a lot of fish for me.

Thanks
Rick

Custom rods don't have to be expensive. They can be, but don't have to be. What budget are you looking for? I've always said that if you are budgeting $300 or more then you need to seriously consider a custom rod. I'd love to help you out but I'm a few thousand miles away. There are plenty of builders around though so it woudn't hurt to get a quote.

Thanks,
Rick

http://www.batsonenterprises.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=121&Itemid=266
That is the Rainshadow switch blanks. I know I could do one for under 300.

Dont forget any of you guys... i can build you a pretty slick website. Wait till you see flyfishers new site, if you liked TU, FFP is even nicer!

I really would like to do a rod builders site. I want something that I can make a crisp clean business type look.

Mike,
 
The batson blanks are matte clear.  That means they aren't colored, just natural graphite.  They are matte grey, similar to the old IMX or a lot of the blanks out now.
 
I don't know those particular blanks, but I've never had a problem with any batson blank.  I was just fishing my $40 (and that includes a nickel silver slide band seat) batson RX6 (formerly forecast) this past weekend on the Test.  They are quality blanks.
 
Thanks,
Rick

I received a sale catalog for madison river fishing co. Their web site is mrfc.com. They have sage 2-handed rods for sale, order # 5120-4B 12ft 5wt 4piece. Reg price 350.00 sale 249.95. Says its a traditional style.

ORIGINAL: mgolf92





I'm looking for a longer rod for steelheading.  Here are a couple things I've been considering.

-A switch rod.  But I can't seem to find one that I like  They are all very expensive and most have a fast action

-John Nagy's "noodle" fly rod.  I don't like the idea of using a noodle rod blank for a fly rod.  Any input anyone?

Mike

Idont build that much and am not really looking to start a business doing it. In a pinch I can do it for you though. I am sure there are some local guys that can do it for less than 300 as well. All depends on how much you want done to the stick for show and how expensive components you want, you could spend alot more. The color is a mat grey just as stated already. Not a bad looking rod at all. The one I just got done with I used candy apple thread with copper trim. A nice combo. Its not a bad blank.

I've got the Cabellas LST 6wt. Its ok but to whippy for my liking. I casted the Rainshadow for the first time today and it handles really nice. Just because the blank is only around 100 that doesnt mean its not good quality. You can get a factory St Croix for 100 bucks. Bigger name. I suggest going with the Rainshadow in a 7 or 8 wt. The rod will do everything you ask it to.

I was just going to post this same name of rod. You can order direct from them also. Nice looking stuff.

ORIGINAL: sudsy1000

The best switch blank available today is the Buelah. http://www.beulahflyrods.com/usmain.html

And if your spending over $200, it should be a custom.  Go to your local shop and look at any production rod, even high ends such as sage, scott or loomis and then visit a custom builder and compare the work.

You'll never buy off the shelf the again.