Thanks Herb, your input is actually quite helpful. I'll do some research on what Bruce Richards wrote about DT lines before going any further. Thanks Woody. Steve actually made me one of his scandi style lines for a different switch rod a few years ago. I initially thought a DT line may be a more cost effective option but after looking at some of the prices a custom line by Steve will likely b
Forum: rodboard

Hi all, I'm looking for a fly line for a 11" four weight MHX switch rod for spring trout in Southern Ontario. 90% of the time I am doing roll casts, and will be mainly drifting nymphs and worms with/without an indicator with the occasional use of wet flies/soft hackles. I have some indicator/nymphing line but want to try a double taper line. The specs I can find from MHX suggest the
Forum: rodboard

Hi all. Odd question maybe but I was wondering if there are any alternatives to musky blanks for musky fishing? A friend wants to introduce me to the sport, and said we can go to some "confidence" lakes where there are higher numbers of smaller fish. The average size fish in Ontario is between 10-20 pounds so I am going to guess the majority of the fish are in the 10-15 range where
Forum: rodboard

Hi all, Thanks for all the replies and input. I'm leaning towards a line twist issue for one main reason. The braided mainline is the third line I have tried on this particular reel. The first two were 10 pound Suffix (can't remember the exact type of line) and 8 pound Bekley XL. Both had twist issues which was a bit strange because I spooled them up the same way I have been doing for 30+ year
Forum: rodboard

Hi all, I have a question. Yesterday I went steelhead fishing. I was using a float + jig, with 10 pound braided main line. The rod was built from an 11 foot 6 weight switch rod blank. The guides are Pac Bay Minima match frames with Pac Bay single foot fly guides as the running guides (I can't remember the size). While fishing I was getting quite a few tangles near the top ten inches or so o
Forum: rodboard

I am partial to Hook and Hackle's Xi Series fly rod blanks. They are a moderate fast blank which are very easy casting. Also the company occasionally has great sales on the blanks so you can get a good deal and try a few different models if budget allows.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the feedback Rick. I'll check out the XST 1263 - I like blanks with some power compared to the usual steelhead rods most use in this area. Just for the clarification, the switch rod blank I am currently using is a Pac Bay Quickline, not an MHX. I've used several of these blanks for steelhead rods and the eight weight seems to have the most tip wiggle at the end of the cast.
Forum: rodboard

Hi all, I'm looking for a blank which could be used for a Great Lakes spiral wrap float rod. So far this blank seems to be a good candidate: ST1262, 10'6", 4-8lb, 1/8-1/2oz., mod-fast action, medium light power. At the moment I am experimenting with spiral wrap rod built from a 11' 8 weight switch rod blank. It is okay, a bit more flexible than I expected and casting a float is more
Forum: rodboard