Hi all,
I’m looking for a bit of advice on Switch rods. They seem to have become very popular recently (perhaps fashionable would be a better word) but I remember several makers, including Forum contributor David Norwich, producing something very similar getting on for 30 years ago.
(They weren’t called Switch rods then, of course. It was just case of popping off the button at the end of the handle and attaching an extension piece.)
In those days I was starting out on the long road to becoming a competent caster and, once I could put out a decent line with the ordinary single-handed rod, I saw little or no advantage in a light double-hander.
But the years have gone on, and an advancing degenerative condition, topped off by a recent stroke, have left me with limited use of my right (casting) arm. So here is the $64,000 question for any of you casting gurus out there.
Would a Switch rod allow me to use my left hand, in tandem with my right, to improve my control of the rod – and therefore my cast – to any meaningful extent?
These rods are not cheap, and I must avoid an expensive mistake, so I would appreciate any advice that might prove helpful.
Cheers,
Angus

Angus,

I am not a casting guru, however I do own a Beulah Switch rod 4/5. It differs only slightly from the hand and a half rods you describe in that it has a significantly longer foregrip.

I have come to use it more than any other trout river rod that I own. It is fine for dry fly although not as good as the 8.5 ft 5 weight, it is perfect for spider fishing and nymphs (czech and other). It can be used just as easily single or double handed which is great for me as I can cast in the double handed style left or right hand uppermost.

A word of warning: these long light rods are not immediately palatable to people who have become used to fast action rods. Persevere however and you will find a very versatile tool and after a week or so you may be reluctant to go back.

If you live in the west of Scotland area then I could arrange for Zoomer or Scotty9 to let you have a try as I am an intermittent visitor to the Glasgow Casting Club which in which Zoomer is a leading light. As it happens when I let Zoomer have a try of this rod he very quickly picked up the action and was delivering beautiful spey, roll and overhead casts in no time.

Malcolm

Angus/Malcolm, i found it strangely addictive, you can make surprisingly long perfect looking casts when you get the hang of it, the amount you lift seems to be critical, switching hands for the off shoulder unsticks me though

I have the same, nice rod wet and nymphing, not so much dries although it does that passably.

Overhead casting it rates a #6/7 standard WF line. I use it that way and also two-handed without hauling, rather than spey style

This model flexes quite deeply and thus (IMHO) also makes a nice boat road, heavier rated versions are apparently a bit faster actioned.

If you're a builder there is also a batson switch rod blank or kit US$80/130ish respectively which apparently makes a nice rod - search it on US rodbuilding sites.

You could also put an extension butt and extended foregrip on any 10' rod to cast two handed. A straight forward DIY job. Provided it was a strong blank and fuller flexing model it should spey OK too.

Sorry to hear of your ill health.
why not try one and compare it to your single handed rod, this way you can be sure with out forking out your money on something you may not like.

John.

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply, lads. It is much appreciated.
Can anyone else contribute any ideas which might help me?
Cheers,
Angus

just a thought, i use one of these....

i can retrieve line with the same hand i cast with if that helps.