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Columbia River Summer Steelhead |
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Columbia River Summer Steelhead The Columbia is the largest river draining the Pacific Coast of the western hemisphere and one of the most industrialized rivers in the world. There are 1,800 dams in the Columbia River watershed. |
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| The Columbia is perfectly situated for to contain the water quality, temperature and gradient to be the largest producer of anadromous salmonids in North America. Historically it has been such for millions of years and despite the encroachment of our modern civilization it is still perhaps the number-one producer of steelhead in the world. As anglers it is always good to be vigilant and protective of our watersheds. The chart and commentary below is meant to be an audit of how we are doing with the Columbia River steelhead fishery. You will draw your own political and biological conclusions and your commentary is always welcome. |
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Columbia River
Steelhead Numbers
for Perspective The 2009 summer steelhead run in the Columbia Basin was far better than average. Counts are incomplete for 2009, as there are still nearly two months left in the year. However, in most years few steelhead pass over Bonneville Dam in November and December. At 602,306 it is doubtful that we will beat the 2001 total of 633,464. The best news is that at 171,538, the 2009 run of wild summer steelhead is the largest ever recorded over Bonneville Dam. The numbers below are offered for your contemplation. The chart below draws no political or biological conclusions. It is only a table of raw data collected at one Columbia River dam for 71-years (about the length of one average human life). It does appear that within this short period of time that steelhead run numbers fluctuate significantly from year to year. Probably over a longer period of observation they would fluctuate even more. It would also appear that during the last ten year period we are on the high end of these fluctuations. We thought you would like a share of this good news. The period of 2000-2009 saw 3,989,868 steelhead cross Bonneville Dam. This compares to the ten year period of 1990-1999 when 2,180,512 steelhead passed through the same fish ladders. Trends might be seen more clearly when these numbers are compared to even earlier ten year periods. The 2000-2009 period has over twice the number of steelhead as any ten-period 1940-1979. Wild steelhead were not counted prior to 1994. The 2009 wild steelhead count exceeds 85% of the total steelhead counts in the 33-year period before 1970. There is much reason for hope and no reason not to fish. Biologists comments below: There may be several ways to interpret this information. 2000-2009 = 3,989,868 1990-1999 = 2,180,512 1980-1989 = 2,295,710 1970-1979 = 1,267,834 1960-1969 = 1,343,832 1950-1959 = 1,645,113 1940-1949 = 1,304,445 |
| Year | Dam | Steelhead | Hatchery | Wild |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009* | BON | 602306 | 430768 | 171538 |
| 2008 | BON | 356186 | 251093 | 105093 |
| 2007 | BON | 320931 | 239978 | 80953 |
| 2006 | BON | 333250 | 249360 | 83890 |
| 2005 | BON | 314721 | 225827 | 88894 |
| 2004 | BON | 311122 | 213580 | 97542 |
| 2003 | BON | 361412 | 249065 | 112347 |
| 2002 | BON | 481203 | 338158 | 143045 |
| 2001 | BON | 633464 | 483882 | 149582 |
| 2000* | BON | 275273 | 199053 | 76220 |
| 1999* | BON | 206488 | 151424 | 55064 |
| 1998 | BON | 185094 | 149393 | 35701 |
| 1997 | BON | 258385 | 224805 | 33580 |
| 1996 | BON | 205213 | 187838 | 17375 |
| 1995 | BON | 202448 | ||
| 1994 | BON | 161978 | 132804 | 29174 |
| 1993 | BON | 188386 | ||
| 1992 | BON | 314974 | ||
| 1991 | BON | 274535 | ||
| 1990* | BON | 183011 | ||
| 1989* | BON | 287802 | ||
| 1988 | BON | 279277 | ||
| 1987 | BON | 300351 | ||
| 1986 | BON | 376752 | ||
| 1985 | BON | 330170 | ||
| 1984 | BON | 315795 | ||
| 1983 | BON | 218419 | ||
| 1982 | BON | 157640 | ||
| 1981 | BON | 159270 | ||
| 1980* | BON | 129254 | ||
| 1979* | BON | 114010 | ||
| 1978 | BON | 104431 | ||
| 1977 | BON | 193437 | ||
| 1976 | BON | 124177 | ||
| 1975 | BON | 85540 | ||
| 1974 | BON | 137054 | ||
| 1973 | BON | 157823 | ||
| 1972 | BON | 185886 | ||
| 1971 | BON | 193966 | ||
| 1970* | BON | 113510 ** | ||
| 1969* | BON | 140782 | ||
| 1968 | BON | 106974 | ||
| 1967 | BON | 121872 | ||
| 1966 | BON | 143661 | ||
| 1965 | BON | 166453 | ||
| 1964 | BON | 117252 | ||
| 1963 | BON | 129418 | ||
| 1962 | BON | 164025 | ||
| 1961 | BON | 139719 | ||
| 1960* | BON | 113676 | ||
| 1959* | BON | 129026 | ||
| 1958 | BON | 131437 | ||
| 1957 | BON | 139183 | ||
| 1956 | BON | 131116 | ||
| 1955 | BON | 198411 + | ||
| 1954 | BON | 176260 + | ||
| 1953 | BON | 223914 + | ||
| 1952 | BON | 260990 + | ||
| 1951 | BON | 140689 | ||
| 1950* | BON | 114087 | ||
| 1949* | BON | 119285 | ||
| 1948 | BON | 139062 | ||
| 1947 | BON | 135444 | ||
| 1946 | BON | 142807 | ||
| 1945 | BON | 120133 | ||
| 1944 | BON | 100518 | ||
| 1943 | BON | 92133 | ||
| 1942 | BON | 151800 | ||
| 1941 | BON | 118089 | ||
| 1940* | BON | 185174 + | ||
| 1939* | BON | 122032 | ||
| 1938 | BON | 107003 | ||
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ODFW biologist, Rod French has these comments about the data listed
here: Mark, Attached are estimated steelhead run size estimates upstream from Sherars Falls. This last year's run estimate will not be available until about May 2010, when the fish have completed spawning. I found your analysis of the Bonneville counts interesting, but I would urge caution in reading too much into those numbers. I'm uncertain how the historic counts actually compare with the modern counts, as there are likely many factors which may confuse the comparison (i.e. counting periods, ability to identify hatchery and wild fish, and other issues). Another issue which comes to mind, is the fact that considerable new upriver hatchery production has come online in the last 10 years. It would be very interesting to pull together the total number of smolts released over those same time periods, as I think you would see a rather large increase in numbers of hatchery fish released. Another potential issue with the Bonneville counts of wild fish, is the large number of unmarked hatchery fish (primarily from tribal hatcheries) that are not fin-clipped and likely counted as wild at Bonneville. Just a few thoughts, nonetheless it was a huge count over Bonneville, regardless of how it compares to previous counts. Preliminary data from the Deschutes suggest a similar large run. It will be interesting to see the final Deschutes counts this spring. Let me know if you have further question on the Sherars data. Rod Rod A. French Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Mid-Columbia District Fish Biologist 3701 W. 13th St. The Dalles, OR 97058 (541) 296-4628 Mark Yes, the analysis is correct. We hit a low period of survival in the 1990's and the returns for 2000-09 are much better. Although not posted on the websites there is data on wild fish abundance since the early 1980's or late 1970's. Typically Columbia River TAC uses counts from April 1 - Oct 31 to index summer steelhead counts because winters show up from Novemeber through May. Which means the count during the winter period is a mixture of summers and winters. From 1986 to ~2000 all hatchery steelhead were ad clipped. Since then a small portion of hatchery fish are not ad clipped because they were intended to increase escapement in the UC and Snake ESU. I had a footnote attached to DART explaining this. IN the end we are doing better probably because of ocean but maybe due to more fish friendly operation of mainstem dams!
Dan Rawding, WDFW
Rod & Dan, Thanks for the help. MB Next weeks "Insider" will examine the Sherars Falls counts. |
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Switch
Rods There is a lot of interest in Switch Rods throughout the fly angling community, and we are asked many Switch Rod questions every week. Here are some of the answers: "Switch" is a classification like single-hand, two-hand, Spey, saltwater, freshwater. Switch Rods fit all of these previous categories, but "Switch" is usually defined as a cross between single-hand and two-hand rods, and a marriage between the two casting styles. Switch Rods can be used with either one-hand casting or two-hand casting. They are equally adapted to over-head or spey casts. |
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| Sage | TFO | G. Loomis | Winston | Beulah |
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As an example: If you own a 5-weight Switch Rod, you can use it to your advantage over a wide range of applications. On a certain day you are on a tiny meadow stream that is completely surrounded by tall overhanging grass. No problem, you simply sneak up through the grass and dap your fly on the water with your long Switch Rod. The extra rod-lenth has worked to your advantage. The next day you are on a big western river, and you encounter a pod of trout sipping tiny mayfly emergers in the center of an eddy 80-feet from the closest casting position. They are far out of range of most anglers, yet they are not safe from you, because your 5-weight Switch rod can deliver the fly that far. Long rods allow you to fish dry flies at incredible ranges and control slack in your line with maximum authority. The long slim rod also protects fine tippets, because it will absorb shock very efficiently. A 10 1/2' to 11 1/2" rod allows you to control much more line than a standard 9' rod because it's about 20% longer. Switch rods may be the best of all "nymph" rods for: "high-stick", "indicator" and "Czech" nymphing. Your 5-weight Switch is also an excellent choice for half-pounder and one-salt steelhead. That is only a very few examples of the diverse capabilities of one size of Switch Rod. Advantages in a wide range of applications: Switch Rods give the most tactical advantages on medium size and larger rivers for trout, small mouth bass and anadromous fish. Their most popular use is as shorter/lighter Spey rods on moving water where the angle of presentation needs to be changed efficiently. Switch Rods give more advantage while wading, rather than fishing from a boat. Five to seven weight Switch Rods have gained a lot of popularity with anglers fishing from the beaches in Puget Sound for resident trout and salmon. The most popular line-sizes for Switch Rods overall, are #5, #6, #7, #8. Some manufacturers also offer #4 and #9 sizes. Generally #4, #5, & #6-wights are used for trout, #7 & #8 are for steelhead, and #9 & #10 are used for larger salmon and saltwater much the same as single hand rods. Most Switch rods will perform adequately with lines that are commonly used for both single-hand and two-hand rods. Each series can lean toward single-hand or two-hand weights depending on the manufacturer. Best Switch Rod performance is usually achieved with short belly shooting head Spey lines. We will try to include line preferences in grain weights. Proven history: In the time of Izzak Walton, when the Complete Angler book was written, anglers regularly used long rods for fishing for trout because they felt that the extra length gave advantages. The fact that English anglers already had two-hundred years to refine their tackle and techniques probably means they were pretty well thought out. Long rods were use under a wide range of situations. You might go as far as to say that they were using Switch Rods then. So, although Switch Rods are new to our angling scene, they have had a long time to be developed and refined. |
| Sage Z-AXIS Switch Rods FOR 2010 | |||
| 11' #5 | 11' #6 | 11' #7 | 11' #8 |
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Application for Switch
Rods in the Pacific Northwest stretches both far and wide.
Switch Rods allow the Northwest Angler to pursue a multitude of
specific fisheries as well as fishing methodologies with one tool.
Examples of this abound; ·
Small stream
steelheading, particularly in Oregon and Alaska ·
Beach
overhead casting on Puget Sound ·
Single hand
nymph fishing for both trout and steelhead ·
Small rod
spey casting for steelhead, sea run brown, sea run dollies, silvers and
chums ·
Strategic,
tight-corridor Spey use
Specific examples of these methods and the applicable versatility could
be seen as…
Alaska-Spring
Rainbow fishing, spey or overhead, swinging sculpins or leeches.
Transcending to fall fishing
with indicators for both rainbows and dollies as well as fall steelhead
fishing in South Central Alaska.
Washington-Lots
going on in the Evergreen State-overhead casting on the beaches of Puget
Sound for resident coho, sea-run cutthroat, migratory coho and chum
salmon; nymph fishing trout on the Yakima transcending to nymph fishing
for steelhead on the Klickitat or Methow; strategic single-hand spey-use
for summer-runs on the Stilly; tight corridor Spey-use on the Sol Duc in
February; bombshot cast with AFS lines on Eastern Washington lakes. Oregon-
Nymph fishing for steelhead on Saturday on the Rogue transcending to
single hand Spey or tradition spey casting swinging flies on the Umpqua
for steelhead on Sunday. All
in all the “Switch Rod” concept allows for a single tool for multiple
tasks. Versatility is at a
premium particularly for the angler looking for the dual mode function
of both overhead as well as a spey type tool.
Spey rod enthusiasts should view these rods as a small spey rod
or strategic spey approach.
Single hand casters can view these as transition tools bridging single
hand casting to spey techniques. The
following rod/line match up conversation is based on both specific test
sessions along with multiple angling experiences over several years.
The test sessions focused on three application formats.
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| 5110-4 Z-AXIS |
Length: 11' Line: 5 Pieces: 4 |
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The smallest of the fab-four.
The 5110-4 will mainly see duty as
a trout switch rod, with both nymphs and streamers, along with the
occasional desire to fish hoppers on the “other bank”.
Sea-Run Cutthroat and Sea-Run
Dollies, both beach and stream round out the menu.
Oh yeah, not to be overlooked; the
super-mega lake fishing tool with an AFS 5/6 coupled with various 10’
Spey Versileaders.
Reel Match:
Sage 6080, Tibor Everglade, Sage 4580, Redington Rise 9/10
Sinktip Use:
10’ Spey Versileaders, all ‘types’.
15’ 95 grain sinktips in type III
& type VI.
Line Matches:
Rod weight: 5 1/16 Ounces |
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| Item |
Series
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Line Wt
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Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| 5110-4 | Z-AXIS | 5 | Fast | E | $715 | -->SALE ENDED |
| 6110-4 Z-AXIS |
Length: 11' Line: 6 Pieces: 4 |
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The all around Northwest performer.
From the beaches of Puget Sound
coupled with summer run pursuits from the Rogue to the Stilly. Long over
head casts transcend to spey style techniques covering both nymph and
steamer fishing. The versatility of this rod will earmark this as a
Northwest favorite.
Reel
Match:
Sage 6080, Tibor Everglade, Sage 4580, Redington Rise 9/10
Sinktip
Use:
10’ Spey Versileaders, all ‘types’.
15’ 95 grain sinktips in type III & type VI and 15’ 109 grain type 8 cut
back to 12’.
Line
Matches:
Rod weight: 5 1/8 Ounces |
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| Item |
Series
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Line Wt
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Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| 6110-4 | Z-AXIS | 6 | Fast | E | $715 | -->SALE ENDED |
| 7110-4 Z-AXIS |
Length: 11' Line: 7 Pieces: 4 |
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For those in pursuit of Steelhead,
outsized Sea Run Dollies, big Alaskan Rainbows along with TDF Browns
this rod is a true trout-anadromous cross over, “the .30-06 of switch”.
Reel
Match:
Tibor Everglade, Sage 6080, Sage 4580
Sink Tip
Use:
15’ in 109 grain type 3, 6 & 8 densities.
T-8 & T-11 in 9’, 11’ & 13’
lengths.
Line
Matches:
Rod weight: 5 3/8 Ounces |
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| Item |
Series
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Line Wt
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Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| 7110-4 | Z-AXIS | 7 | Fast | E | $725 | -->SALE ENDED |
| 8110-4 Z-AXIS |
Length: 11' Line: 8 Pieces: 4 |
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A true anadromous performer, the 8110-4
is ideal for Alaskan rainbows, Steelhead and Silvers alike.
Couple this as a true “double
threat” switch rod covering such diverse environments as Oregon’s Rogue
one day and the Umpqua the next.
The TDF crowd has its Sea Run
Brown rod, along with a wide range summer run and Alaska cross over
stick.
Sink Tip
Use:
15’ in 129 grain type 3, 6 & 8 densities.
T-8 & T-11 in 9’, 11’ & 13’
lengths.
Reel
Match:
Sage 6080, Tibor Everglade, Sage 4580
Line
Matches;
·
New for 2010;
Skagit Flight 425 grain “the new player has arrived!”
Can combine with #8 15’ Skagit
Floating Tip for Nymph fishing.
·
Rio
Skagit Short 425.
A shorten Skagit type line for both single hand and 2-Hand Spey.
·
Rio AFS
7/8; Oregon style spey gig. ·
Rio Skagit 400 + 15’ tip; Has been the
line for all forms of spey (single hand and traditional).
Good Overhead
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| Item |
Series
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Line Wt
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Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| 8110-4 | Z-AXIS | 8 | Fast | E | $725 | -->SALE ENDED |
| $725 | -->SALE ENDED |
| Temple Fork Deer Creek Switch Rods | |||||
| 11' #4 | 11' #5 | 11' #6 | 11' #7 | 11' #8 | 11' #9 |
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Two handed rod designers Mike Kinney and Bob Meiser continue to
expand the TFO Deer Creek series of fly rods with the introduction
of the Deer Creek Switch Rod Series. Bob Meiser has been in the
forefront of popularizing and refining blank designs for the Switch
Rod concept of fly rods since the mid 1990s. His expertise with this
unique family of rods is well established within the two handed rod
community. Bob’s original concept has been universally accepted over
the past decade and teaming with Mike Kinney in design and
application for these rods has now taken the concept to the next
higher level. We have used our proprietary Axiom material lay-up
process for these blanks. These are extremely light weight, durable,
thoughtfully designed fly rods with superb performance … Best
defined simply as: “Totally efficient delivery tools.”
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| Length: 11' Sections: 4 Line Weight in Grains: 200-400 | ||||||
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Mike's Remarks: |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| TF 4 110 4 DC | Deer Creek | 4 | Med | Deer Creek | $324.95 |
-->SALE ENDED |
| Length: 11' Sections: 4 Line Weight in Grains: 250-450 | ||||||
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Mike's Remarks: |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| TF 5 110 4 DC | Deer Creek | Med | Deer Creek | $324.95 |
-->SALE ENDED |
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| Length: 11' Sections: 4 Line Weight in Grains: 300-500 | ||||||
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Mike's Remarks: |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| TF 6 110 4 DC | Deer Creek | 6 | Med | Deer Creek | $339.95 |
-->SALE ENDED |
| Length: 11' Sections: 4 Line Weight in Grains: 350-550 | ||||||
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Mike's Remarks: |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| TF 7 110 4 DC | Deer Creek | Med | Deer Creek | $339.95 |
-->SALE ENDED |
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| Length: 11' Sections: 4 Line Weight in Grains: 400-600 | ||||||
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Mike's Remarks: |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| TF 8 110 4 DC | Deer Creek | Med | Deer Creek | $349.95 |
-->SALE ENDED |
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| Length: 11' Sections: 4 Line Weight in Grains: 500-700 | ||||||
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Mike's Remarks: |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| TF 9 110 4 DC | Deer Creek | Med | Deer Creek | $349.95 |
-->SALE ENDED |
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| G. Loomis RoaringRiver GLX Switch Rods | |||
| 11' #5 | 11' #7 | 11' #8 | |
| When you'd like the flexibility of making a traditional single hand cast, a roll cast or a full-on spey cast, our new switch rods offer it up like no others. At 11' they are a little more than traditional single hand rods giving you the ability to throw long casts with one or two hands. From a nice light 5-weight to a 8-weight, you'll be able to cover almost all water from your favorite trout streams to large steelhead drifts. |
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| FR1325-4NRGLX Switch |
Length: 11' Line: #5 Pieces: 4 |
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| Steve's Remarks: Medium trout and steelhead. Great Nymph rod.. Spey and overhead. Steve's Line Recommendations: Scandi: Rio AFS 5/6 340-grain, Airflo 5/6 330-grain Skagit: Rio Skagit Short: 325-grains, Airflo Skagit Compact 360 <> Tips to +-130 grains Two Hand Overhead: Rio OutBound 7 Comes with Cordura covered hard case & sock. Rod Weight: ? ounces |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt | Power | Taper | Handle | Price | To Top |
| 11740 | Native Run | 5 | Med-Stiff | Med-Fast | 1010 | $740.00 | -->SALE ENDED |
| FR1327-4NRGLX Switch |
Length: 11' Line: #7 Pieces: 4 |
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| Steve's Remarks: Large trout, salmon and steelhead. Spey and overhead. Steve's Line Recommendations: Scandi: Rio AFS 7/8 460-grain, Airflo 7/8 450-grain Skagit: Rio Skagit Short: 475-grains, Airflo Skagit Compact 450 <> Tips to +-130 grains Two Hand Overhead: Rio OutBound 9 Comes with Cordura covered hard case & sock. Rod Weight: ? ounces |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt | Power | Taper | Handle | Price | To Top |
| 11741 | Native Run | 7 | Med-Stiff | Med-Fast | 1010 | $750.00 | -->SALE ENDED |
| FR1328-4NRGLX Switch |
Length: 11' Line: #8 Pieces: 4 |
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| Steve's Remarks: Largest trout, salmon and steelhead. Spey and overhead. Steve's Line Recommendations: Scandi: Rio AFS 8/9 520-grain, Airflo 8/9 540-grain Skagit: Rio Skagit Short: 525-grains, Airflo Skagit Compact 510 <> Tips to +-130 grains Two Hand Overhead: Rio OutBound 10 Comes with Cordura covered hard case & sock. Rod Weight: ? ounces |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt | Power | Taper | Handle | Price | To Top |
| 11742 | Native Run | 8 | Med-Stiff | Med-Fast | 1010 | $760.00 | -->SALE ENDED |
| B2X7011 |
Length: 11' Line: #7 Pieces: 4 |
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An extraordinary lightweight
medium-action Switch Rod that may be cast with one or both
hands. Andre Scholz Scandinavian Shooting Head Recommendation: 401-432 grains. Floating Line Recommendations: Airflo Scandi Compact 420, Rio AFS 400, Rio WindCutter 5/6 Use: 420-grain Skagit Compact for sinking tip work. Rod weight: 4 3/4 Ounces. |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| 7011 | B2X | 7 | Medium Fast | Spey | $735 |
-->SALE ENDED |
| 4/5 | 5/6 | 6/7 | 7/8 | 8/9 |
| Beulah Switch Rods are constructed of IM8 graphite using bias ply roll up for maximum strength and lightness. The Beulah Switch rod is a series of fast action 10'6" rods we cary in the following sizes.4/5, 5/6 wt, 7/8 wt, and 8/9wt. These four models are basocally tow trout sizes and two steelhead sizes. The 8/9 wt is also a great beach rod for fishing big lakes or saltwater. Because of their size and relative lightness, Switch Rods have unlimited potential in a variety of casting and fishing applications. The Switch Rod allows an angler to cast with double haul, spey cast, roll cast, and two handed cast. The two handed cast is basically bringing the line back with a back cast and swinging the rod overhead with two hands, allowing the line to shoot forward. Two-hand overhead casts with the larger Switch Rods may reach out over 100-feet with power in reserve. These casts are easy to master and open many new opportunities. | ||||
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| Length: 10' 6" Line: #4/5 Pieces: 4 | ||||||
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Dedicated trout nymph and dry fly rod for fish 8"-18". A perfect spey rod for trout. |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| SR1064/5-4 | Switch | 4/5 | Fast | Standard | $380 |
-->SALE ENDED |
| Length: 10' 6" Line: #5/6 Pieces: 4 | ||||||
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Dedicated trout 10"-24" ish range , and small summer steelhead rod for nymphing, larger dry flies and streamers . This rod has some good spey ability and is great in lakes with sink lines for large trout . |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| SR1065/6-4 | Switch | 5/6 | Fast | Standard | $386 |
-->SALE ENDED |
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Beulah Switch
Rod -10’6” 6/7 4-piece |
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Beulah is a comparatively new line of rods coming out
of Southern Oregon. They first appeared at the Sandy River Spey Clave in
2007. We started getting requests for them shortly after the event.
Their popularity has been building ever since. Like most companies, they
offer both single-hand, two-hand rods and "Switch Rods". Switch rods are
designed to be cast either with one hand or both hands. Beulah makes a
full range of Switch Rod models from 4/5-weight to 10/11-weight. All are
10 1/2' long. The
Switch 6/7 is first stick in Beulah’s line-up that can be considered an
everyday summer steelhead rod, but can also serve as a trout rod.
Progressive in nature, the rod is strong enough to cast for distance and
handle windy conditions, yet delicate enough to make the short, ten cast
buckets much more enjoyable to fish. This is a short two hander that
naturally makes small energized “D” loops. Tough casting situations are
when this rod really comes alive. Imagine solving common casting
problems such as: two steps in the water with a steep boulder strewn
bank, line catching overhead tree branches and other common obstructions
call for no changes in style or technique with the Switch 6/7. |
 Deep wade with a "line catching tree obstruction" and a normal D-loop not a problem. |
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The
versatility comes about because the
Switch 6/7 covers a variety of species and fishing situations. Of course
we’re talking steelhead but the Switch 6/7 is an incredibly diverse
fishing tool. Smaller streams to large river trout fishing, fishing
lakes from a float tube, Small Mouth Bass, Large Mouth Bass, Grayling,
Silver Salmon and Steelhead. Any fish from a pound to twelve-pounds will
put a good bend in this rod and smiles on many fishermen’s faces. Even
the occasional trout that forgets you’re Steelhead fishing will be
appreciated by the wiggling the Beulah Switch 6/7. Nymph it, Swing it,
Overhead cast it, just match the correct line for the job and get to it! |
 This steelhead did not forget we were Steelhead fishing! Skater and a 6/7 super fun. |
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Setting up your Switch 10’6”
6/7 to maximize performance! |
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Recommended Line List:
Beulah Elixir 335, Rio AFS Outbound 6/7 F 400 grain (dry line standard
9’ tapered leader, can be cut back to accept full range of Poly leaders
or up to 95 grain max. Rio T8 tips). Skagit Shooting Heads: Just a hair over 2 x rod length will be the ticket for getting the groceries to the fish. These lines will excel casting moderate to heavy sink tips, large heavily weighted steelhead flies and large streamers when getting down and getting down quickly is essential to success. Sink Tips from 6-12’ and 80-120 grains will amaze with a properly chosen Skagit line/tip system. Recommended Line List: Beulah Tonic 320, Scientific Anglers Skagit Spey Single Hand ST-6 (320 grains @ 22’, those who prefer a deeper rod load might look at the ST-7 360 @23’) |
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Specialty Line Tapers:
These are recommendations for fly fisher’s who want a line more specific
to overhead casting (single or two-hand), nymph fishing, and some Spey
ability. Recommended Line List: Rio Outbound 7 weight: 37.5’ Head makes a great overhead shooting line and close in control nymph line. Rio Steelhead/Atlantic Salmon 7 weight: 59’ head makes a terrific nymph line to run out long drifts with control. This is also an excellent overhead line for maximum distance casting. Try this line in an 8 weight if your style is turning over nymphs that make spark plugs seem light! Scientific Anglers Mastery Steelhead line 9 weight: This line is a long time classic of Scientific Anglers and maybe does not belong in the specialty line category, but this is another excellent choice for general overhead casting situations, nymph fishing and is probably the best of the bunch for cross-over Spey ability. |
| Length: 10' 6" Line: #6/7 Pieces: 4 | ||||||
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Trophy trout, Sea-runs, lighter Summer Steelhead rod. Has excellent spey fishing ability, and can throw Clouser's overhead beach fishing. This rod has a fuller flex, is excellent for roll and spey casting and moves a lot of line overhead casting with only a few false casts. Nymphing for Winter Steelhead on really small coastal streams good as well. |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| SR1066/7-4 | Switch | 6/7 | Fast | Standard | $390 |
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| Length: 10' 6" Line: #7/8 Pieces: 4 | ||||||
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Good crossover Winter/Summer Steelhead rod for Spey or Nymphing. Excellent indicator and nymph fishing from boat or bank. Great for spey work. Would make a terrific dedicated everyday Deschutes river dry line Steelhead rod. |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| SR1067/8-4 | Switch | 7/8 | Fast | Standard | $394 |
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| Length: 10' 6" Line: #8/9 Pieces: 4 | ||||||
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The first 10'6" Switch rod that can do the work of 12'6"-13'0" Spey rods. Legitimate Spey rod that has no problem with any wind, sink tip, and requires virtually no back-casting room. Also excellent for two hand surf casting. |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| SR1068/9-4 | Switch | 8/9 | Fast | Standard | $398 |
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The Fly Fishing Shop, Welches, OR
1(800)
266-3971
Fish long & prosper,
Mark & Patty
