Looking to build a 4wt switch rod to fish for trout in high mountain lakes where there is no room to back cast and they get deep so quickly they are impossible to wade.
I was looking at MHX blanks and while they don't have a 4wt switch, they have 4 wt 10' blank. Anybody built a switch rod on this or have any other experience in this category?

jontobey@yahoo.com
www.gointothelight.wordpress.com

You might check out Batson Rainshadow switch blanks at Utmost. they come in 5 to 8wt, but are in single hand weights (unlike most other switch blanks). I have build and 8wt, I just finished but have yet to get it on the water. I am in the process of building a 5wt as well for trout. They seem like nice blanks, they are straight and I like the color.

I haven't built a switch rod out of it, but my single hander MHx 4wt 10' has an ERN of 5.4, AA of 70, if that helps.

I looked at those but a 5wt seems like overgunning for these fish where a 10" is large. I'd actually go to a 3wt if I could find one.

jontobey@yahoo.com
www.gointothelight.wordpress.com

The Batson 5wt is a like a true 5wt single hand rod. Most switch rods are two line witghts heavier than a single handed rod. A 4wt switch would be like a 6wt single hander. There are few switch rods with a lower grain window. Gary Anderson is building a 2wt switch I believe? If you are not casting long distances I would think that any longer 3 or 4wt single handed rod would work, you might even put on a removable butt section. If you are going to want to cast any distance or use for bigger fish I would want to build on a switch blank.

Distance is the goal. To cast into these lakes with no backcast is really challenging.
I saw a demo for a Zpey 4wt switch where they were casting 70', I want to make a rod that can do that.

Switch Rod blanks and Fly Rod blanks are two different animals, I know a blank is a blank and it does not know what its is going to be when it is built out. The difference lies in the fact that Switch rods are typically 2 line weights heavier if you are going to single hand cast them and if you are going to use a Spey 2 Hand style of cast then you use the grain window to determine what type of line will load the rod for a distance cast.
That MHX 10ft blank is better suited to be used as a Euro Style Nymphing rod. I would look into these blank manufacturers: R.B. Meiser, CTS and Beulah. As well as Switch Blanks, you might want to try a shorter 12'-6" Spey blank in the lower line weights. I think a couple of them also offer a blank that is just over 11ft and carries a 5wt rating. I know Meiser has a 3/4wt Switch.
I would give a call to Bob Meiser and explain to him what you are looking for, he is one the most knowledgeable people on the planet when it comes to Switch and Spey rods. I have built a couple of CTS Switch rods, mostly 5wt and 6wt, they are cannons when you use a Spey style cast. I also own a Beulah 4/5wt Switch that works very well. Several of my buddies that are devote Spey guys love their Meiser rods.
My Beulah 4/5 Switch is a bit heavy for small trout, but it does handle larger trout and smallmouth bass a lot better when you are swinging flies with it.

I have found Bob to be remarkably helpful in the past and was looking at his blanks as well as the Beulah's, so perhaps I will give him a call. Just easier to go to the board than to make a call from work! Plus, I had not stumbled across the CTS blanks, so thank you on both counts. I have steered away from them in the past because of expense, but I know they make a great blank.

jontobey@yahoo.com
www.gointothelight.wordpress.com

Jon,
I would be happy to help you with CTS blanks now - or in the future. I am a sponsor on the left side of this site.
Yes - they are relatively expensive - but nothing compares.

Delivery time is 4-6 weeks from the factory which will build you any length, line weight you wish.

A #3 switch rod is not a problem.

I am having a 12'3", #2 two-handed blank build as we speak. BTW - it was mentioned by a prior contributor that a switch blank is different than a fly blank. A switch rod has a full flex butt with a very strong tip section - approx. 400% firmer than a SH rod. It is designed to cast both anchor-point and overhead. If you are not going to cast OH you may want a Scandi action and not a Switch. Conversly - switch blanks are not restricted to 10'6" to 11' blanks. I have a 13'6" #11 switch.
hnlcustomflyrods
U.S. Distributer for CTS Fly Blanks.
hladen@hotmail.com



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2013 10:43PM by Herb Ladenheim.

I actually did some research on CTS adn I'm pretty much sold on the blank for my purposes. Where are you located ? I would love to cast that rod!
BTW, that makes CTS about the coolest company on the planet. I think they did something similar for my friends when they were filming Trout Bum Diaries.

jontobey@yahoo.com
www.gointothelight.wordpress.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2013 10:48PM by jon tobey.

Jon,
MHX has designed an 11' 4wt switch blank and they have been tested and are currently being manufactured. We are expecting to have them in stock by mid April.

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

Well, Todd, I'm also a big fan of your blanks. So please let me know! Suddenly I have a plethora of choices....Any idea on the price point?

jontobey@yahoo.com
www.gointothelight.wordpress.com

it will be the same as the FSW115

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

I very nearly ordered that blank, so I appreciate the heads up!

jontobey@yahoo.com
www.gointothelight.wordpress.com

Jon,
If you should decide upon the 114 get give me a call and I can place one on order for you so it is shipped immediately upon arrival.

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com