Which St Croix Imperial switch rod would correspond to the TFO Deer Creek Switch #7 ?

[Takeshi]

Hi,

Glad to join you

I am wondering what the equivalent of the TFO Deer Creek Switch 7 weight would be in the more affordable St Croix Imperial Switch rod series.
It seems I should go for an 8 weight to be able to cast the same head as with the TFO #7 (Rio AFS 7/8 460 grains, for example)...
Has anyone tried these rods and if so could they advise me? I'd like to use it all year round in north west Oregon for steelhead and salmon.
Thanks a lot in advance
Have a great day
Tak

[Seabird]

Tak, I found these Scientific Anglers line recommendations, in another topic in this subforum. I cannot comment with any experience, since I am new to double handed rods. Looking at this chart, I'm only guessing that the Imperial in a 9wt. is the closest grain weight match to that Deer Creek 7wt.:

SPEY SKAGIT COMPACT HEAD MULTI TIP WITH LOOPS - SALMON
984677 *ST- 5-Multi (280 Grain) for St. Croix Imperial Switch 5 weight
984684 *ST- 6-Multi (320 Grain) for St. Croix Imperial Switch 6 weight
984691 *ST- 7-Multi (360 Grain) for St. Croix Imperial Switch 7 weight
984806 *ST- 8-Multi (400 Grain) for St. Croix Imperial Switch 8 weight
316918 *ST- 9-Multi (450 Grain) for St. Croix Imperial Switch 9 weight
316925 *ST-10-Multi (500 Grain) for St. Croix Imperial Switch 10 weight

That chart came from this topic:
http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/s...ad.php?t=36870

Hope this helps!

[Takeshi]

Hi Seabird,

It sure helps, thanks!
Now I'm wondering whether the TFO #7 or the Imperial #9 wouldn't be a little too powerful... I like reasonably light tackle for my fishing - mainly trout to this day. Compared with the kind of single handed rod commonly used by steelheaders, i.e a 9'6 #8, these rods seem super strong...
I'm also new to double handed rods - though I had the opportunity to try a Loop double handed -, and steelhead/salmon fly fishing in fact. Fascinating world!
Well, now I have a new question: only keeping in mind the kind of flies most commonly used for steelhead and medium sized salmon all through the year, what would be the most versatile rod in the Switch TFO / St Croix Imperial series?
Looking forward to your advice
Tak

[SkagitMiester]

The TFO's seem to be pretty popular from what I've read,- its very difficult unless you actually try the rods out- some rods sound so good on paper and then when you actually purchase the rod and go try the thing out its totally different than imagined.

Personally, I'd find out whats the most popular Deer Creek and go with that- preferably cast one and fish with one first- Also, this is personal preference again, I'd go with a bigger size-- its pretty easy to feel undergunned with a switch- but I'm used to the speys- I wouldnt be too hung up on the ultralight aspect- as I tend to myself- the trend is toward lighter gear, but its still a two handed rod and even if it feels a little big at first, they are still fun to catch fish on- like a guy told me- a smaller lighter rod is still not going to make an old kelt feel like a bright hot chromer, or something to that effect- anyway, just my 02- all just opinions- food for thought- have fun on your quest.

Originally Posted by Takeshi

Hi Seabird,

It sure helps, thanks!
Now I'm wondering whether the TFO #7 or the Imperial #9 wouldn't be a little too powerful... I like reasonably light tackle for my fishing - mainly trout to this day. Compared with the kind of single handed rod commonly used by steelheaders, i.e a 9'6 #8, these rods seem super strong...
I'm also new to double handed rods - though I had the opportunity to try a Loop double handed -, and steelhead/salmon fly fishing in fact. Fascinating world!
Well, now I have a new question: only keeping in mind the kind of flies most commonly used for steelhead and medium sized salmon all through the year, what would be the most versatile rod in the Switch TFO / St Croix Imperial series?
Looking forward to your advice
Tak

[GPearson]

Hi Takeshi,

Keep in mind that the set of line recs listed above for the Imperial switch rods are for Skagit multi tips. Once you add the tip weight to the skagit the 8 weight rec is 520 and that is not a heavy Skagit set up for that rod. I have not tried the AFS 460 on the 8 wt. but based on what I have cast on it I think it would work fine for you.

I do believe the 7 wt. Imperial would be a better all around size for trout and steelhead up to about 10 pounds.

Hope that helps.

[Takeshi]

Hi,
Thanks for the input. It does help. I hadn't realized the Imperial recs were for heads to which you had to add tips.
For the TFO 7 it says:
Skagit 450/480 <> Tips to +-130 grains
Does it include the tips? I don't really get the meaning of <>
I suppose it does include the tips, or else the difference in weight would be important between the Scandi line recommended (460grains) and the Skagit+tips. Unless the rod really has to bend much deeper with the Skagit technique...

SkagitMiester, I believe the most popular Deer Creek for steelhead is the 7 weight.

I will really be targeting steelhead and salmon. In fact, I'm more concerned with the kind of rod required to cast properly the different sizes of flies all year long than whether the rod will be powerful enough for very big fish. If the fish is too big, then I'll make sure the leader snaps before the rod (hopefully!) or before the fish gets dead tired.

Greg, what lines have you cast on the Imperial 8? Have you tried the 7? Have you cast different sizes of flies?

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated +

[USAFluefiske]

Hi

Anything new? Have you tried the two rods?
What about the TFO #7? Has anyone tried the new Rio Steelhead Scandi or the Airflo Skagit Switch on it?

[t_richerzhagen]

The advice to try the rod is a good one. That would have saved me a fair piece of change. It is also good to get some good instruction before you purchase, as you will then be able to cast and make a better evaluation of what works for you.

Also, you will want a second rod for kings, so a #7 and something heavier for kings would be the better option, rather than trying to do it all with one rod.

[surfnfish]

[QUOTE=Takeshi;304305]Hi,
Thanks for the input. It does help. I hadn't realized the Imperial recs were for heads to which you had to add tips.
For the TFO 7 it says:
Skagit 450/480 <> Tips to +-130 grains
Does it include the tips? I don't really get the meaning of <>
I suppose it does include the tips, or else the difference in weight would be important between the Scandi line recommended (460grains) and the Skagit+tips. Unless the rod really has to bend much deeper with the Skagit technique..

That would be the Skagit head of 450/480 (variable on your casting style) plus a tip of up to 130 grains. T11 = 11 grains a foot, so a 10' - 11' T14 tip should work..or an 8' - 9' T14 = 14 grains a foot...

I've got a 13' 7 wt. TFO Deer Creek spey, and a 10'10 7 wt. Echo switch (shop was out of TFO)...I much prefer the spey unless I'm indie fishing, which I use the switch rod for exclusively..

[Anadromous]

I have the TFO DC 7# Switch and have tried a lot of lines on it. All of them worked very very well, and 99% of that is due to the fact that the lines matched the rod...not my ability to exploit that setup. The grain window is pretty big, I liked the #7 Orvis switch line, a 450 compact skag, Delta's, #9 Airflo 40+, just about any of the compact scandi's in the window (same with the Vision Ace lines)...you get my drift?

TRY TRY TRY TRY...

The same trial is going to benefit you whether it is the Imperial or the Deer Creek.

[USAFluefiske]

Hi,

I've processed a lot of data about these rods, and the TFO switch #7 comes first. Will get one for Xmas while the money is still on my bank account LoL Won't be able to try any before I order - I'm abroad - but I don't really think I can go wrong.
Rio told me the 385 grain would be their first choice for the new Steelhead Scandi. Funny, they always go light with their recommendations compared to what most fishermen actually use on this rod (e.g ASF 460 grain). Though they do say that for big flies you can go heavier without impairing the action and efficiency of the rod...
Cheerio

[Takeshi]

Likewise Seems an excellent rod. I've been through lots of posts and reviews too and it's definitely a winner.
Will try one as soon as possible.

[SkagitMiester]

Originally Posted by USAFluefiske

Hi,

I've processed a lot of data about these rods, and the TFO switch #7 comes first. Will get one for Xmas while the money is still on my bank account LoL Won't be able to try any before I order - I'm abroad - but I don't really think I can go wrong.
Rio told me the 385 grain would be their first choice for the new Steelhead Scandi. Funny, they always go light with their recommendations compared to what most fishermen actually use on this rod (e.g ASF 460 grain). Though they do say that for big flies you can go heavier without impairing the action and efficiency of the rod...
Cheerio

460 grain AFS on a 7wt switch? Holy Cow! I use a 480 on a 1307 spey and it feels a tad heavy. I bet you'll love that rod if you get it lined right. Good luck.

[USAFluefiske]

Thanks. Yep, 460 grains seem a bit on the heavy side. I think they cast it Skagit style. For Scandi style and not so heavy flies I intend to follow Rio's recommendations. I wonder if this rod works better Skagit style or if the guys who use it with a heavier line are just more accustomed to the Skagit style and/or favor big flies... Well, I'll experiment when I get it
In the meantime I'll be on the lookout for more testimonies about this rod and the recommended setups
Have a nice Sunday!