NEW PRODUCT REVIEW - Rio Switch Line

Rio’s new Switch fly line is designed for those shorter spey rods out there; or are they long single handed rods for fishing stillwater; maybe they’re nymphing rods built to roll cast 50 feet with ungodly amounts of weight on the line; or maybe, just maybe they’re surf fishing rods that will outcast their shorter counter parts and get the fly in the feeding zone; either way, we all call them switch rods. Today’s latest and greatest trend in fly fishing. Or is it? Only time will tell if the switch rod will be around 5, 10, 20 years from now.

Rio was smart to introduce a dedicated fly line for these rods to take some of the guessing out of the popular question these days. What fly line do I buy for my switch rod? However, the question is not all that easy to answer without some follow up questions being asked. First off, switch rods are built in line weights from 4-8 weight. You can target a lot of different species within that range and you probably decided this when you purchased the rod. 4-5 weights for trout, just like a single handed rod. 6-7 weights for big big trout and steelhead, maybe some other species in there as well. Finally 8+ weights for Pacific Northwest steelhead and salmon. Now, you’ve bought your rod, you know the species your targeting. The questions is, what style of casting will you be using? Overhand, skagit, scandanavian, roll casts, you name it.

Now before the Rio Switch line was developed, what was everyone using? There were two main lines used, and many others out there. For nymphing and roll casting, a steelhead/salmon line was used approximately 2 line weights up from what the rod was rated for. So on a 10’ 5 weight switch rod, used for nymphing for trout, a 7 weight Rio Steelhead Atlandtic Salmong line was used. The 7 weight line had enough grain weight to properly load the deeper flexing switch rod and the long belly with a short front taper made roll casts a breeze. On the other end of the spectrum were the folks using the shorter skagit or scandi lines, with grain weights to match the rod for a casting style like the different variations of the skagit cast, using a sustained anchor. This technique is great for smaller rivers holding steelhead, when a longer spey rod would be too much. The appropriate skagit short head and a running line will make skagit casts 80+ feet a no brainer. Need to get deep, fast? This setup will do it on a 7 or 8 weight 11 foot rod like the Red Truck Diesel or Premium 7110-4. Both of these lines and techniques are widely used and work for their intended purpose, but now onto the Rio Switch Line.

According to Rio, the Switch line is used for...”for a multitude of applications for anglers using Switch rods. The long head and thick diameter tip turns over big flies and indicator rigs while allowing anglers to throw mends and control the fly's drift at great distance. The front taper and weight distribution form tight loops with minimum of effort, also enabling anglers to cast streamers and sinking VersiLeaders. The perfect all round line for Switch rods.”

Do I agree? Yes, but this is not your be all, end all fly line for switch rods. The folks swinging using skagit lines, heavy tips, and targeting steelhead should keep that setup. It works. Now, for those who have been up-lining 2+ with a steelhead taper line for nymphing and overhand casts, or swinging light polyleaders and small flies...Keep reading.

The Rio Switch fly line is for those who are looking for a switch rod line to mostly nymph with using indicators, one or two flies, and maybe a bit of split shot. Maybe even a lot of split shot, because this line can handle it. Nymphing isn’t the only thing it can do well. It will overhand cast, with little effort. The key here is letting the rod do the work. Swing woolly buggers, wet flies, or even big dry flies like hoppers and Stimulator's. It can be graceful and present a fly with little wake. The key once again is letting the rod do the work. This line doesn’t like to be overpowered.

Among those techniques, depending on the line weight you decide to get, you can make effortless roll casts like the single spey. If you want to cast using different spey techniques with sinking polyleaders and smaller flies, this line works, but I suggest buying the line using the second number according to Rio’s specs. For example; You have a 11 foot 7 weight switch rod and Rio makes a 6 / 7 and 7 / 8, buy the 7 / 8 for spey casting techniques. If you’re going to overhead cast and mostly nymph. Buy the 6/7. The grain weight window is 50-70 between lines, which is quite a bit. The 6 / 7 is 410 grains which for spey casting a 7110 is a little light. The 7 / 8 is 460 grains which is right about where you want to be for skagit casts.

Now what about lakes, surf fishing, and all the other techniques you can use a switch rod for? I haven’t tried this rod on a lake, and don’t necessarily plan to, but the Switch line would work. In the surf, this probably isn’t the best line either unless you plan to fish in calm water, with little wind.

Overall Rating

PROS - Versatile line that can be used for many different casting techniques without having to change multiple lines for each technique. The ultimate switch rod line for indicator nymphing.

CONS - For dedicated spey casts or overhand casting, two different lines must be used. Either the heaver line for spey and the lighter for nymphing, or stick with a dedicated skagit or scandi line for traditional casts.

BOTTOM LINE - Finally, a line to take the guesswork out of choosing a dedicated line for today’s modern switch rods. It’s more versatile than using an up-lined steelhead taper or skagit/scandi setup and for the dedicated nympher, you just found the perfect line.

SPECIFICATIONS

Sizes: 4/5, 5/6, 6.7, 7/8 & 8/9
Length: 100 ft (30.5m)
Color:Beige/Pale green

Reviewer: Casey R.
Fog City Angler Contributor