Switch Rods and MOW Tips

[JC523]

I'm getting ready to order a switch rod. I'm thinking probably a 7/8 Beulah. It's something I will only use 3-5 times a year chasing Great Lakes steel. Is this a good choice?

Mainly though......my question.....if I pair the Beulah with the Tonic line......can I use Rio MOW tips (light). Or, should I look at the Rio Skagit Short Head instead?

Thanks so much for your help!

[Fatbelly]

With a switch rod, you may consider the skagit/switch for short rods performs well with short heads. But not completely etched in stone. It is all about what feels good and more efficient. Doesn't mean you can't. Likewise with the tips- your 7/8 rod would be better matched with the med and heavy while the light would be better with smaller weighted rod. However that doesn't mean it wouldn't work. You could always get a med weighted MOW with a 2.5/7.5 or 5.0/5.0 in order to get your tip to sink more quickly and give you a quicker anchor, -to allow your rod to load more efficiently.
In single handed situation, you don't see anybody fishing streamers with a 3 wt. rod for example. It is no different with the 2H... Certain combination of things just work together better.

[MJC]

Your 7/8 Beulah will be roughly the equivalent of a 9/10 weight single hander. I think it would be a great choice for your intended fishing.

Yes you can use MOW tips with the Tonic. My choice would be the mediums.

[JC523]

Thanks for the replies fellows!

One thing I ddn't mention......I don't plan to do any nymphing/indicator fishing with this setup. I want to 100% swing. I've grown tired of drifting eggs, nymphs, etc. I had one switch rod....a Winston BIIX 11' 7 wt. I sold it a few years ago.....but kept the line. It's a 375 gr Rio Skagit Short. From what little research I've done.....it looks like it is going to be too light. I also like the simplicity of the MOW tips.

I'm glad I asked though.....because I would have ordered the light tips based on the 475 gr or lighter classification.

Poppy - I'm gonna check your site......as I'm not "sold" on a Beulah. I'd like to buy some stuff from you. I've been reading your posts for a few years now and I've learned a lot.

[MJC]

The light MOW tips will be fine if you hang a 425 Tonic on there. I recommended medium as I was thinking of a head a bit heavier. What really matters is what weight head feels best to you and the best way to figure that out is to try 3 sizes and pick the one that is the best match for your casting style/ability and the tips and flies you intend to use the most.

[RustE]

Beulah 7/8 is a popular swith rod for the region; along with a varitey of rods that can toss 425gr to 475gr skagit heads.

Can't comment on the best line for the Beulah 7/8 so go with Poppy's recommendation as a starting point.

[DrBob]

I'd check into rio scandi short versitip and running line system... comes with different tips... Check out the Ross Reach series of rods. The ones I casted I really liked and they weren't a million dollars...