I have just built an 11' switch rod, listed as a 6,7 wt.
I tested it with the common cents system, and determined the following values:
ERN: 10.24
AA: 75 deg
CCF: 66.6

I'm having trouble interpreting these results. Can someone give me an idea of rod weight, and possibly, what weight skagit or scandi line I might try with it?

thanks,
Rick

The system works the same way our systems for weight, length, temperature, etc., work. Here's the result:

Your blank is more powerful than any blank with an ERN of less than 10.24 and less powerful than any blank with an ERN of more than 10.24.

Your blank has a faster action than any blank with an AA of less than 75 degrees and a slower action than any blank with an AA of more than 75 degrees.

Your blank has quicker response and recovery (speed) than any blank with a CCF of less than 66.6 and a slower response than any blank with a CCF of more than 66.6.

That's all there is to it.

............

i would start with a 9 wt line

BUT

It also depends on how it feels to - you - and your casting stile
call some friends and borrow 8 - 9 - 10 line See what line the rod likes best

Bill - willierods.com

There are lines built expressly for Switch rods. If you used a Batson blank, talk with them, they will be very helpful.

Switch rods are just short spey rods, they live by the weight window that the blank will carry, not line weight like single hand rods. A lot of great info on the R.B. Meiser site that will explain a lot. Some great custom lines also built for spey/switch rods are available there also. He came up with the concept many years ago. He helped develop the CTS and Beulah spey/switch rods, and I bet many others.

Very few Spey/Switch rods are measured or advertised using CCS so I don't know of any relative references you could use to compare.
That blank sounds quite interesting though - I think it would make an excellent steelhead float rod.
I measured the Batson RX6 spey 11'6" 6/7wt blank at ERN: 10.2, AA: 68 which is a bit slow for my tastes.
Do you mind sharing which blank it is?

I really like the CCS, but it becomes pretty useless in making decisions if you don't have a large database to make meaningful comparisons.

That's why rod builders should continue to ask the manufacturers to provide these figures. Can you imagine if they didn't provide length measurements?

............

Based on my own frame of reference (absorption of numerous different CCS ratings) I would say that the numbers taken describe a short spey blank, not a switch. I would select a lighter spey line in the desired taper rather than a switch rated line for this blank base on the numbers. What is the butt O.D. of this blank? I'm guessing greater than .450" as well as a faster taper like a spey and less like an single hand rod?

-The Batson TEAM
BatsonEnterprises.com

It's an Anglers Roost 11' 6/7 switch blank. I seem to remember the butt dia to be .490 ", but would have to check with A.R.E. to be exact. (it's built over now)
I,ve seen very good reviews on the A.R.E. spey blanks, so thought I'd give this one a try, even though not much info is available on this one.
I did a static test for guide placement, and found it best with 12 guides. I can provide my placement if anyone is interested. It does have a fast tip.

I was informed yesterday, that a local fly shop has a RIO head demo kit with a whole selection of various weights that I can sign out to dial the rod in.
It will be interesting to see how closely the calculations come to on-the-water testing.

This is the one?
[theanglersroost.com]
I would not expect a blank with AA:75 to be described as "Medium action".
I am interested in your guide placement for future reference.
Thanks,
Rick

Neither would I. It's simply 75 degrees, period.

...........

Hi Rick,

Definitely not a medium action blank. My finished rod does seem to have some backbone to it, but definitely flexes in the top 1/3rd. Comes with a butt extension and reel seat, which I didn't think was good quality, so didn't use, and, for what I feel is a pretty decent and nicely-finished blank, not necessary to include anyway. My impression is that the blank is better than the price indicates, however; I'm still relatively new to the rod-building pastime, so, field-testing will tell.
I used a 4" lower grip, built on the blank, 4" seat, and a 10" upper grip. I balanced the reel seat location to my reel, loaded with the tip out.
Starting with a guide calculator chart, then adjusting with a static test, I arrived at the following spacing (12 guides):
4 1/16.... 8 7/8...14 7/16... 20 11/16... 27 11/16... 35 1/2... 43 7/8... 53 1/16... 62 15/16.. 73 9/16.. 84 7/8... 97.

Rick,
If you are talking traditional lengths of single handed rods I would agree. The physical characteristics of long spey blanks cause them to inherently have greater action angles than shorter single handed blanks due to the greater distance the blank's flex has to occur. A 14' spey rod with an AA of 60 for example, would be nearly unfishable I imagine. I would suggest only comparing action angles between similar models.

Thanks Geoff,
Good info. I will see what info I can find.

Rick

Back from the test-flight of my 11' 6/7wt A.R.E. switch build.
Started with a 410 skagit switch, with 12' 3.9 ips spey polyleader. Felt pretty good, and I thought that might be it. Then put on a 440, 470, then 510.
The 440 and 470 definitely felt "in the sweet spot", the 510 started to bog down. Also tried 10' T-11, and the 440 and 470 both turned it over well.
I felt the 440 was a little better. (for me)
I then tried a 420 compact scandi (first time I'd tried a scandi) with the polyleader. Was effortless to put out 30' of running line.
I'm happy with my rod, the line choices, and the help I received on here.
thanks for a good discussion.

I take it that those numbers are the ( weight ) of the lines you tried at a certain number of feet from the tip ?

Like i have said a rod casts ( weight ) since it is a fly rod it is casting a weighted line and the Correct line will cast ( to your feel ) and load the rod correctly
You just have to find the ( Correct ) line weight

Bill - willierods.com

Just a late-breaking update to my original post:
I've been using my A.R.E. 11' 6/7 wt for a year and 1/2 now. It actually tested out as a 7.8 on the spey scale, and finally dialed in to a 540 gr skagit switch and a 510 Airflo Rage. With these lines, I can pound out 80'+ casts all day. I use it rivers for summer and winter steelhead, landing several up to 16 lbs. I also use it on the beach for coho. It has become my favourite all-around rod, and thought it deserved this follow-up, since there is very little info available online on this rod.