Swinging soft hackles

[newriverspey]

I did ok today. I was using a #24 purple and starling and a #20 purple and partridge as a trailing fly. The switch rod I am using is a 9' 4 wt with a 13 ft, 200 grain skagit line (OSP Commando head) and a 7 ft versi leader with a 6 ft leader of 6.5 X fluorocarbon. It is what Ed Ward calls a micro spey rod. It is a blast to fish soft hackles with. I was mainly fishing down and across and did very well today. It rained for a few hours but it really turned on the fish. Overall, I had a great day and I love catching trout swinging soft hackles.

[letumgo]

Is the rod a custom build? That sounds like a neat setup.

I have not tried a switch rod yet, but I have cast a two hand Spey rod. The switch rod would come in handy when there is little room for a back cast.

Thanks for the pictures.

[newriverspey]

The switch rod that I used was made by Darrel at Skagit Spey Custom Rods. It really is a great set up for swinging flies in tight areas. Here is a video of the same rod being used by Ed Ward. You may have to copy and paste the following link to see it :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC_pzl_PKig

The other interesting web site is opskagit.com

They have commando shooting heads for single hand rods and also for micro spey / small skagit rods.

I use this exact set up for smallmouth bass as well

[tie2fish]

Poetry in motion. Folks like this reinforce my inferiority when it comes to casting.

[Smuggler]

Beautiful. I wanted to build a switch rod for smallies but, never got around to doing so. Looks like a lot of fun.

[Mataura mayfly]

Otto, great to see you out there having some Fall fun. Keep it up.

[hankaye]

newriverspey, Howdy;

Did you teach him to cast or the other way 'round ...
Link worked fine just clicking on it.
Thanks for bringing it to our attention, looks like a hoot.

hank

[crazy4oldcars]

Looks like just an extra chance to perforate my epidermis!
Pretty cool to watch, tho.

Kirk