I own one of Bob Meisers fantastic 10'6'' switch rods for 9/10wt. for salmon fishing.
Now I would like to build a 6wt or 7wt switch rod by my own to give the switch rod concept a try out for lighter trout fishing on my home waters. The blank shouldn't be too expensive and I can get the rainshadow blanks here in germany. It seems to me that the 10'6'' (2-piece) or the 10' blanks (3-piece) from the IF series could be well suited.
My questions:
- What action have the 10'6'' or 10' IF blanks? Are that powerful rods?
- Is a length of 10' enough for proper spey casting a switch rod or should I extend a 10' blank with 4'' to 6''?
- Any other suggestions for a not too expensive switch rod blank?
Thanks
Stefan

Stefan , I just hung up the phone with Bob Meiser inquireing about the same thing you are going to try . I'm going to try it on a 5wt. He gave me some tips on what the charicteristics of the blank should be , grip size and a few other tips . Very nice guy to talk to , and well educated on the art of spey casting ,he also gave me some names of vidos to get for casting , and fishing the style.
As for your question on the blank , you are looking at almost the same ones I have . John



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2004 06:29PM by John Dow.

Is a switch rod the same thing as a spey rod? It's not in the Glossary. If not, what is it? Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

Ralph , my best discription is a fly rod that has a rear grip that is removable for both single , and two handed fly casting , or spey casting . I've also read/seen them described (the name) as spinning/fly rods??
I think Stefan is refering to the first one .I am trying to do the single/two handed one as well . John

D'oh!!! Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

You might want to consider the Dan Craft 4pc 10ft FT blanks.They are about $90-100US I think(check the link on the left hand side and download his catalogue).The 9ft blanks are rated as being VERY fast,while the 10ft models seem more mdeium to medium fast in action,however all of them are very powerful blanks,capable of handling some serious grain loads.

They would be perfectly suited for what you are looking for,in fact,Bob Meiser has built several switch rods on these exact blanks and speaks VERY highly of them for this.

Do a search here under "Dan Craft FT" and you should find lots of feedback,including the posts/reviews that Bob gave on them.He put them through some serious workouts.