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| Post Number: 1
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Ankers 
Group: Members
Posts: 139
Joined: May 2010
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Posted on: Jun. 12 2012,19:47 |
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Hi all,
Winter well upon us and my switch rod is seeing the light of day again each weekend on the Clutha River. Last winter was the first year it had seen use and to be honest I failed miserably at casting and ended up casting it single handed.
This year I'm determined to get better and to a certain extent I have. I'm getting a cast out there concentrating on the Snap -T cast. You tube has been my source of learning.
I seem to be better at it, actually the only time I can manage it is river flowing left to right. Line out and pulled directly down stream of me. Raise the rod up, snap in a clockwise direction which forms my D loop on the water (fast disappearing as the current takes it), swing around to the anchor point and forward cast.
Please excuse how basic that is but Im at a very very basic level. Keen to learn.
At times I manage it and I can cast a very heavy streamer quite a long way. Other times it fails miserably. I also noticed twice on sunday that on the forward cast I actually snapped the line at the fly.
Any tips on this would be greatly appreciated. I use an Airflo switch rod #8 - the standard package that is sold. I have read lots on specialist fly lines etc but Im nowhere near that. Just want to master the very basics.
Any help or references would be greatly appreciated
Cheers
Anks
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| Post Number: 2
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Chris Dore
Play hard!
Group: Members
Posts: 3887
Joined: Jul. 2005
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Posted on: Jun. 12 2012,20:08 |
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The 40+ line which comes with that package is very handy othe switch.cYou want the head outside of the tip and maybe a foot of overhang initially. Practice facing downstream and simply raising the rod, forming the D and sending it out. Minimal power, remember \\\/ to rotate late and pop the D loop up so that only the leader really anchors.
Give me a yell if you are around queenstown sometime.
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FFF Certified Casting Instructor
SCOTT Pro Staff
www.CHRISDORE.com
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| Post Number: 3
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Johnno
Group: Members
Posts: 3410
Joined: Jul. 2005
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Posted on: Jun. 12 2012,20:08 |
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Tip: employ Dore for an afternoon. That's what I plan to do! 
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"I never understood the appeal of flyfishing Jim. It's too much like masturbation for me, without the payoff".
( Gabriel Shear - Swordfish )
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| Post Number: 4
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waitakidan
Group: Members
Posts: 924
Joined: Sep. 2005
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Posted on: Jun. 12 2012,22:42 |
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Learn the snake roll as well, then you are covered for the current coming from either side.
From my experience, switch rods aren't the easiest to master. I learnt on a proper double hander.
Dan
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| Post Number: 5
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Boydo
Group: Members
Posts: 13
Joined: Jul. 2010
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Posted on: Jun. 12 2012,23:30 |
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Another vote for getting a lesson, there are also some excellent dvd's out there as well like 'Modern Spey Casting' by Simon Gawesworth or 'Spey to Z', Both are great references and very easy to follow.
But nothing beats a one on one lesson.
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You're only crazy as the people around you!!
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| Post Number: 6
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Ankers
Group: Members
Posts: 139
Joined: May 2010
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Posted on: Jun. 13 2012,20:24 |
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Thanks guys.......
I got the switch rod after reading an article of Chris's. I fish the Clutha a lot in winter. The lesson has always been on my mind but so has the misses engagement ring!
Chris popping the D loop up makes sense and I haven't been doing that. I'm down in Lawrence and get to Queenstown now and again on weekends. I must touch base. What type of leader is recommended if that is all that anchors?
Dan definately need to cover off current coming both ways. I just need to get this one right first. I sure will press on though.
Boydo - thanks for the references
Thanks all. Keen to learn
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| Post Number: 7
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jafa
Group: Members
Posts: 90
Joined: Jul. 2008
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Posted on: Jun. 13 2012,22:27 |
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I would also recommend getting a lesson. Tried to get lesson from Mr Dore last winter when I was down in Wanaka. He had some lame excuse like hunting...
But I would still recommend him from what I have heard.
If you can't get a lesson, the DVD from Ed Ward "Skagit Master" is a really good starting point.
If I could some up my year's experience in switch casting, SLOW DOWN the casting stroke. Let the rod do the work. With skagit heads, casting 70-90' is easy, but take it slow.
I have really enjoyed big rivers like the Tongariro and Whanganui with a switch rod.
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| Post Number: 8
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Chris Dore
Play hard!
Group: Members
Posts: 3887
Joined: Jul. 2005
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Posted on: Jun. 14 2012,10:10 |
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Owen for the set up you are using, 10' polyleaders are fine. Use a fast intermediate for slack water and maybe a fast sink or similar when swinging in current.
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FFF Certified Casting Instructor
SCOTT Pro Staff
www.CHRISDORE.com
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| Post Number: 9
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Ankers
Group: Members
Posts: 139
Joined: May 2010
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Posted on: Jun. 14 2012,22:53 |
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I've been using poly leaders so will continue to do so. I guess it's just getting the practice in that is key. Chris I will touch base next time I'm in Qtwn and please stop by if you are passing through Lawrence.
Thanks everyone for the tips and references
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| Post Number: 10
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CharChaser
Group: Members
Posts: 27
Joined: Nov. 2010
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Posted on: Jul. 19 2012,15:16 |
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Here's some really simple tips from what I have learnt over the years
Slow it down! I've seen people pick up my spey rods when teaching, and the first thing they want to do is cast it as far as possible. This is big mistake. Let the rod do the work
Also, use the bottom hand. Most of the power application comes from snapping the bottom hand
Watch your D-loop. Very simple. Some of the best casters I have ever seen, always look at their d-loop
This also goes for the 180 degree rule - exactly the same as single handed rods
Start with easy casts like the switch (essentially a single spey) and then the double. The perry poke is also a very simple cast
Go heavy: The grain window for most rods are quite open. Go lighter if you like casting from the tip, go heavier if you like to fully load the rod! Im guessing the rod came with a 450 -480 grain skagit head? I would go +/- 20 % more or less
Slack is the enemy of spey fishing (unless your perry-poking). The more slack that there is on the anchor position the less energy. Less slack means that the rod will start to load as soon as you start the sweep
Let the Sink tip sink! There is soo much mass in modern skagit lines and skandi heads that your line should pick up the tips easily
Use the polyleaders first. The taper design allows for maximum turn over. Then use level sink tips once you have mastered the polyes
One good I use when I teach my mates are go short. Start by simply casting the full head out. Strip out 10 ft of running once the above is mastered, and just keep mastering every 10 ft increment. You'll soon be booming out 70 ft casts in no time
Get a short spey rod. Yip they come in 12.5 ft lenghts. If you really want to get into spey/switch fishing, shorter spey rods are the way to go. I see people buy switch rods, and all they do is basic spey casts. If your going to do that, why not invest in the real thing. But, thats just personal opinion
But most importantly, get more time on the water. Salmon season is almost here. There's a lot more casting, then catching
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Apart from having to work, If I didnt fish, I'd never leave the house.
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