best lines for switch rods

[flyfisher]

First post on the board here - lots of nice stuff, thanks for the resource.

I have a Scott A3 11 ft. 8wt. switch arriving in my future soon enough and now I want to try to find an ideal line or two for it. Most of my fishing will be on the Salmon River and I prefer the more moderate runs or diversions to sweeping a big swing in the larger water sections - I figure if I want to do that I can push the switch a bit now and then or buy a regular spey rod. So the advice that I'm looking for is Skagit head, AFS, Beulah line or other ? I don't fish huge flies most of the time, but do want to toss a tip big enough to get down to the fish as necessary. Since I am a novice at spey casting, maybe a Skagit will be more forgiving and a little easier to master and then try some lighter heads? Guess part of what I am asking is whether comments on some of these lines here apply to switch rods equally - said another way, how is a switch different from a regular spey rod and, generally, what/how to compensate for this?

Thanks again for the site and any help/suggestions -

[Chris C Crane]

I'm sure Nick can help out here, but I really enjoy the Airflo Compact Scandi or Snake River Outfitters Balistic Shooting heads for my switch. The are lot's of options...one question are you planning to use in rivers or cast from shore or boat?

[Nick Pionessa]

switch rods would be better labeled as "compact spey" rods. all of the same principles apply and unless you are wading very deep a lot the shorter rods are extremely versatile and totally capable of handling anything our area has to offer. two types of lines, full lines with the running line permanently connected and then heads, which have a separate, common running line. then you have different tapers from scandi type heads which are essentially a triangle taper, fat at the back end and tapering down up front. great for when little weight is needed, poly leaders and weighted flies at most. then skagit type heads which are much more level in taper and no where near as fine on the front end. used to move large sink tips and heavy flies. the common running line with two heads has recently emerged as the front runner for the area since we seem to do all of it through the season. another option for all around fishing (indy to swinging) would be like a clouser line the newer favorite the outbound short. these are standard overhead lines but work well for poly leaders or just a mono leader and shot or indies too. they do not spey cast as well but there is always a trade off.

with that info you should be able to decide what type of line suits your fishing the best. we have a bunch of demo lines and typically let people decide for themselves what they like, it really is the best way. let me know if we can help you with your selection and welcome to the site.

[ANDYCAMPING]

Nick is dead on. My Airflo compact scandi set up is sweet and I'll be getting the compact skagit head for the winter this year.