Switch or light spey? Help choosing a new rod

[SteelieStudent]

I've decided my 11'6" Rainshadow needs to be replaced. I built it on a drift rod blank, it drifts and C&D well, but is NOT a good fly rod.

The switch rods on the market seem designed for west coast fishing. They do spey casts and overhead casts well.. but my home river (Salmon River NY) is smaller, and crowded, and overhead casts are almost NEVER used. Rollcasting and short/simple spey casts are the ticket.

I've been looking at switch rods, and its quite confusing.. Some are designed for spey lines (TFO, Beulah), others for single handed lines (Rainshadow, Sage). There are also some nice sounding 11'6" spey blanks out there also. I'm trying to decide which blank to build a new rod on.

Here's what I want the new rod to do:
- 95% of the time I'll be fishing the Salmon River (NY), mix of salmon and steelhead (medium size river, crowded, and long casts not needed)
- at least 10' length for better mending and drifting
- stiff enough in the butt to pressure a salmon when necessary
- finesse enough for precision casting with indi or bottom bouncing rig

- able to do simple single/double spey casts if I want to
- good for swinging/dead drifting eggs and streamers (on a floating line with sinking leader or shot)
- can cast all day long with minimal fatigue, even with indi rig
- long casts not required.. but excellent mending and line control of the drift is essential

I'm looking at the Sage 7110 or 8110 Z-axis, the Beulah 6/7 11'6" spey, Beulah 10'6" 7/8 switch, the Rainshadow 11'6" F1167 spey, and maybe the TFO Deer Creek 7 or 8 wt. 11" switch rods.

Anyone have a suggestion how I can sort this out? Anyone have experience to share with any of the rods above? Line suggestions?

[chrome_dome]

I recently went through the same transition. I am very happy with my new choice which is a 11'7" Mieser 5/6/7 Highlander. Great steel rod and very versitile- swinging flies, nymphing, spey casts and a decent smallmouth bass river rod with streamers. Very light in the hand. Also looking to get a floating line for other applications.

[Dhise]

If you are looking at the Z-axis you might want to take a look (and cast) at the Orvis Helios 10' 7wt.. Also, there is an 11'7wt. coming out early next year (along with a few speys). The 11' 7wt. weighs 4 3/8 ounces and is a real beauty to cast and fish with.

[SteelieStudent]

Chrome-dome - what line are you using with that rod? Would the 5/6/7 spey be well matched for larger fish (steelhead to 15+, kings and cohos) or is it better for the medium size steelhead found say in Erie. Did you consider a Meiser switch rod also? The System 8 or 10 seem quite comparable.

thanks

[SSG Steelhead]

Hard to pass up the new deer creek switch rod at 11' for the money. I have a 5wt (too light for you) but what a dream to cast. Meiser designed it so that speaks for itself.

[mirick2]

i don't think the step between a 10' single hander and a 12'6 double hander is necessary. if you have the single hander with the appropriate length go with the light spey.

[chrome_dome]

SteelieStudent- I was running a 450 NW Skagit. However Mieser recommended a 420 compact skagit or a 6/7 delta. I just ordered the 420 compact which will be very nice for that rod. Mieser assured me that it could handle big fish. I did have a 15+ pound king on with no problem and a couple of rough fish over 10 pounds.

I can say that I did test drive a couple of rods this the 5/6/7 is light and powerful. The action is more spey rod than switch rod. If you want to build your own, I would suggest you get the ready to wrap to save some money but Mieser's handles are real nice.

[kweetech]

finally cast my new TFO 11' 7wt this weekend...nice rod.
If conditions allow, I'll always use a 11' switch over a single hand 10'...hands down more versatile.
Unless of course you're fishing a tiny low flowing river..say like the kewaunee

[Kory Boozer]

Kerry Burkheimer makes some of the finest fly rods in the world and his 11'5" 7 weight is no exception. Something you may want to check out...

www.cfbflyrods.com has all of his contact information...

[Dhise]

I would have to disagree.

[Kory Boozer]

I would have to disagree.

Of course you would you are affiliated with Orvis. You have something to gain by promoting them...

[Dhise]

Wrong. I dont get anything from Orvis. Just been in the business for 21 years and know when I fish with something great. As a matter of fact, my Winston's are just collecting dust. Do you want them?

Have you even picked up a Helios?

[Kory Boozer]

Wrong. I dont get anything from Orvis. Just been in the business for 21 years and know when I fish with something great. As a matter of fact, my Winston's are just collecting dust. Do you want them?

Have you even picked up a Helios?

How can you say you don't get anything from Orvis when you own a Orvis shop! Orvis promotes you as a fly tyer and I am sure in other ways... By promoting Orvis you may get a sale which is what you have been trying to do here on all these boards the last few months anyway. Reminding guys you have Orvis stuff for sale, even offering discounts on Orvis gear. I could care less what you do, but don't try and lie about your affiliation with Orvis...

Anyway I am not hear to argue. My statement as you will read above said that CF Burkheimer makes SOME of the finest fly rods in the world. I was very careful to state it that way as to not bash any other companies.

I have never casted a Helios and they may be nice rods, again I never said they weren't...

No, I do not want your Winstons as I don't like them either...

[kweetech]

someone's giving away winstons? I'll take'em

[Kory Boozer]

Wrong. I dont get anything from Orvis. Just been in the business for 21 years and know when I fish with something great. As a matter of fact, my Winston's are just collecting dust. Do you want them?

Have you even picked up a Helios?

Have you even picked up a CF Burkheimer? What model? Just wondering as you said you disagreed so you must have a fair amount of experience with Kerry's rods...