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Post by B.Ingersoll on Feb 16, 2012 9:57:04 GMT -5
Lines,heads and two handed rods continue to evolve, increase in numbers.
What are some of your current favorite two hand rods, lines & reel combo's for swung fly, spey casting this region.
Big rivers to small creeks ..............
Pics welcome too ......
Amazing how well manufactures have filled the once limited void.
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Post by fishtech on Feb 16, 2012 12:14:55 GMT -5
I just fish on the Salmon River.
the favorite length & weight for this river for the fall/winter/spring season according to Malinda in Altmar seems to be a 13' 7wt.
She also told me most guys are using Scandi heads with polyleaders.
My arsenal of 4 rods is as follows:
Echo Dec Hogan 13' 7wt. TFO Deer Creek 13' 7/8wt. 540 grains Airflo Skagit Compact with medium MOW tips and a selection of 10'polyleaders.
for messing around in the summer months I use:
Echo Dec Hogan 12'2" 5wt. TFO Deer Creek 12'6" 4/5wt. 300 grain Airflo Scani Compact
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Post by Frank Swarner on Feb 16, 2012 13:28:42 GMT -5
I've only used the two hander to fish the Salmon River so far.
I have two spey rods and they are both 13' 8wts.
A fly logic Dec Hogan rod combined with CND GPS 8wt is my favorite with a Decho combined with an airflo delta a close 2nd.
I have been doing fine using 10ft poly leaders and haven't used any T material up to this point. Personally, I didn't get into spey fishing to bring weight back into the equation and fish close to the bottom, although that is possible with poly leaders depending on flow. I also don't fish many big or heavily weighted flies.
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Post by alexcontino on Feb 21, 2012 9:36:52 GMT -5
I think many anglers like to geek out on gear. I am no exception. I will gladly take the opportunity to post about my gear. top: Echo Tim Rajeff 12' 6" 6wt, Hardy Marquis Salmon No. 1, Lined with an Airflo Skagit compact 480gr, Airflo Rage Compact 450gr (not pictured). middle: Echo Switch 10' 10" 8wt, Orvis Battenkill Mid Arbor V, Lined with an Airflo Scandi Compact 480gr with the front 5ft cut off. (This is basically my girlfriend's rod, but if I go alone, I might sneak it out with me... I did pay for half of it). bottom: Echo Switch 10' 6" 4wt, Heddon Daisy 320, Lined with a Royal Wulff Ambush 7wt (275gr). This is rod is for when I am pretending that I'm steelheading, but really I am fishing for inland trout with bigger streamers. I do love two handed rods.
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Post by alexcontino on Feb 27, 2012 16:20:52 GMT -5
I'm glad to see some more pictures. I wish I had some fish pictures with my rods.
Tinman, What do you think about that 4wt Echo Dec Hogan? Where do you use it around here? I have been very curious about that rod. I really like my 4wt switch, but even that sometimes feels like overkill. I'd really love to try out the 4wt spey... but more importantly, I'd really like to find some bigger water to swing flies for trout (I don't know what it is about two handed casting and swinging flies... but I just can't get enough).
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Post by B.Ingersoll on Feb 27, 2012 20:15:30 GMT -5
Hello Alex, don't think we have met? I like your outfits, click pawl reels etc. Not sure your question? I live a couple hours away from Williamsville. The Echo DH 4wt is similar in power to a 6wt single hander, streamer rod on fish if that helps. For me thats what I want. I have waggled the 4wt Echo switch in your photo and liked it a lot. I would guess mine, although very moderate in action, has more power down low. As with a 6wt single hander it's a bit much on smaller 14" range Trout. Yet, large Trout and large smallmouth bass crank it for all it's worth in good sized waters. Yours would be more versatile for various water sizes. Mine better for larger water. I have room for a longer Trout/Smallie two hander than the typical 10 1/2' - 11' ers out there. Longer rod buys you a longer line......bit less stripping .......bit more swing control.........bit longer lever for lifting sink tips........ is about it. Shorter is a bit lighter......casts nearly as far with heads but bit more strippin.......fits more waters big to small......slightly less control of the swing. I have owned about 4 switches and liked them too....either or........to me they are just short two handers, I don't "switch" to one hand with them and only swing anyways. I appreciate your pasion "I don't know what it is about two handed casting and swinging flies... but I just can't get enough"I think you have a more versatile all around Trout/Smallie two hander as it will fit smaller water better too it also has a bit less power low for smaller fish. Personally I don't expect two handers to be like a 905 or 904 single hander dry fly rod..........more like 906 - 966 streamer rods. Think you would need to add a lower handle to a 9' or 10'4wt single hander if you wanted less power for trout.......but you would have a hard time with smallmouth bass size flies / tubes, etc. on it. Think my line I made is 285 grains plus sink tips or 10' 65 grain poly f.w.i.w. I use it a lot, was out this afternoon in fact and got one little 14" brownie.......had a few other short takers......lickers but no commit.......the little guy took a black/grizzly sz. 1.5, coast variant and ripped it though Looking to add to your arsonal maybe a 8wt?
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Post by alexcontino on Feb 27, 2012 21:52:24 GMT -5
No, I don't think we've met. I've been up to the Oak Orchard fly shop a handful of times. I don't know too many other people in the local fly fishing community.
I guess I was just more or less curious about that 4wt dec hogan specifically. You did answer my question well. I love the 4wt switch, but as a two handed rod. I'm not a fan of the way switch rods cast as a single hander... especially with heavy tips and shooting heads. I keep the 4wt switch lined up for swinging streamers and wet flies. I have a few shorter sinking polyleaders that match up well. I am currently living down in the southern tier area (Hornell) my closest waters are the Genny and the Cohocton. Both have a several pieces of water where the switch comes in handy... but mostly I use a 9' 4wt single hand rod when targeting trout.
I have been thinking of building a custom 10' or 11' 3 or 4 wt super light switch rod using a single hand blank. It would definitely be a "for fun" rod. But could be a ton of fun.
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Post by B.Ingersoll on Feb 27, 2012 22:33:35 GMT -5
"but as a two handed rod. I'm not a fan of the way switch rods cast as a single hander."
Hi Alex, It took me a moment to realize what your stating, as switch rods with spey shoot heads cast a mile, just lots of stripping. Then I realized what you meant. Your right, I agree, switch rods / compact two handers do now single hand spey cast for Trout well at all except close.
From my experiance with my small stream Steelhead conversion you would much prefer a single hander, with lower 3"-4" handle added for this.
Surprised how many recently have been wanting a 3-4 wt single hander conversion for such lately to swing wet flies,spiders and such for Trout.
Think you will find it very easy and economical to add a lower to a single hander yourself if you want. I used Jack Ulrich as he lives just 10 minutes away and is a friend. If you ask on any of the rod build forums I am sure they would make suggestions. The lower aids distance spey casting but, they still single hand spey much better than a switch/compact.
Think you would find something like a Wulff Triangle Taper 2 up (maybe 3?) in size/grains ideal for spey casting wets,spiders,emerges , etc.
Definitely better, more fun for wets,emerges,spiders,etc. I don't care for spey casting dry flies other than wakers as.........your dry fly is always getting dunked and it's not as accurate hitting tight lanes of sippers.
The region your in seems to have a lot of Trout wet fly type anglers & tiers historically. It's also quite a rich region historically in terms of flyfishing in general. I believe some of the old cane rod builders were from around there so...........keep your eyes open at garage sales!
Best of luck....... <//--<
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Post by casey beattie on Jul 1, 2012 21:56:52 GMT -5
fish tech how do you like the tfo 4/5 weight? its not to overpowering for bass and smaller trout is it?
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Post by B.Ingersoll on Jul 2, 2012 22:07:37 GMT -5
I bet it is for "smaller Trout". TFO switches are "two hand rated". Bit more beef or in their, TFO's case bull ......... For "smaller Trout" spey casting wets,soft hackles & small streamers have you consider a 9' 3wt single hander , moderate action and using any mfg'ers triangle tapered <- 5 or even a 6wt wt line, single hand spey? Two spools on a cheap clicker reel would allow you to pop on a wf-f 3 wt line for dries also during major hatch time, swing classic wets,soft hackles and smaller streamers the remainder via spey cast's = fun Hmmmm you got me thinking. I should add another clicker spool, for single hand spey casting specific my Scott G 8'8" 4wt........... BTW- not sure if there is really much to gain adding lower handles on little 3wts. I could see where it would actually take away from the light rod joy in contrast. Single hand spey, with the right line, smaller rivers, wets, lt.streamers, moderate distance, should work well/ideal. www.amazon.com/Single-handed-Spey-Casting-Simon-Gawesworth/dp/0811705595
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