A brief treatise on good scotch whiskey

Line Systems for the R.B. Meiser Switch Rod Series

The marriage of the recommended line systems to the Switch Rods will allow the angler to achieve an incredibly wide variety of casting techniques, and fly presentations. These various line systems although very simple, are critical to maximize the diverse potentials of these rods.

We have categorized the Switch Rods into grain carrying capability system numbers. This is to define correct grain widows for each system, and use as an aide in choosing the correct lines for various applications of these very diverse rods.

Grain Windows



SHDH = SINGLE HAND DOUBLE HAUL
THOH = TWO HAND OVER HEAD
SYSTEM NUMBER HEAD GRAIN WT. ~ SHDH HEAD & TIP TOTAL GRAIN WT. ~ THOH OR SPEY
System-2 175 To 350
System-4 225 To 400
System-6 275 To 450
System-8 - To 550
System-10 - To 650
System-12 - To 800



The Following Line Recommendations Will Assure You of Maximum Delivery Potential With These Rods

R.B. Meiser IT Shooting Heads

The R.B. Meiser Interchangeable Tip Shooting Head System is the Most Versatile Overall Line for the Switch Rod Concept.


There are many line systems that will work very well for specific applications within the Switch Rod Concept, but the IT shooting head has proven to be the most universal in application. This is a very well thought out line system that has been designed by anglers to enhance the diverse capabilities of the shorter two handed rod.

The head length is 23.5 feet, with a fine front taper to allow a sweeter lay out when finesse delivers are desired; but still has enough concentrated mass in the head to launch a variety of both floating and sink tips. Head and tip length combined is 38.5'. This has proven to be an ideal length for the shorter two handed rod: Long enough to lay out a sweet anchor point spey delivery, yet not to long to dump on the back cast with overhead deliveries.

This shooting head system will allow all delivery capabilities for any of the shorter two handed rods: Single hand double haul, two hand overhead, and all two handed anchor point Spey deliveries.

These line systems will easily achieve distances in excess of 90' with overhead deliveries, and 50' to 80' and beyond with all classic anchor point Spey deliveries.

The interchangeable tip system will allow a total diversity of fly presentations to meet any river condition, and still water/shallow salt water environments as well.

They are equally superb fishing lines as they are casting lines.

The interchangeable tip kit does include: 15' Floating, Intermediate sink, and Type 3, 6, and 8 sink rates. We have also designed the heads to have loops both for and aft. This to not only allow interchangeable tips, but also to allow change-up of running lines. The shooting head kit will include two running lines

For extreme distance deliveries and/or down stream swing presentations:

We offer a Scandi style running line. The smaller diameter, and non-tangle characteristics of these shooting head running lines are perfect for easy long distance shots. These running lines can add an easy additional 15' to 20' to the Switch Rods' distance.

For high sticking, or indicator fishing the weighted nymph:

High stick and indicator weighted nymph quartered-up presentation is not necessarily a distance game; It is more of a mending game.

For high stick and indicator nymphing, the angler will require a larger diameter running line to allow the aerialized stack or running drift mend while the bug is working its way through the water column and currents.

A Scandi style running line is fine in it's proper application of quarter-down swing.

But its diameter and mass are too small in to allow the angler to aerialize stack and drift mends to the quartered-up weighted nymph, or heavy sink tip with the un-weighted fly.

The looped back section of the adapted shooting head will allow this change-up when needed.

R.B. Meiser IT Shooting Heads


SYSTEM NUMBER SHOOTING HEAD & TIP GRAIN WT. HEAD LENGTH TIP KIT: 5 SINK RATES
System-2 350 23.5 15' floating to type 6 Sink
System-4 400 23.5 15' floating to type 6 Sink
System-6 450 23.5 15' floating to type 8 Sink
System-8 550 23.5 15' floating to type 8 Sink
System-10 650 23.5 15' floating to type 8 Sink
System-12 750 23.5 15' floating to type 8 Sink


Skagit and Scandinavian Two Handed Shooting Heads

The Skagit/Scandi shooting heads are perfect lines for the angler that will wish to deliver short belly spey shooting heads and interchangeable tips.

Selected system Switch Rods will deliver these correctly grain matched shooting heads with extreme efficiency, and can be delivered utilizing both two handed overhead or two handed anchor point spey deliveries.

These lines are suitable for both fresh and cold salt water environments.

The interchangeable tip kit includes: 15' Floating tip, intermediate sink, type 3,6, and 8 sink rates.

Rio Skagit Shooting Heads


SYSTEM NUMBER RIO SKAGIT GRAINS TOTAL HEAD LENGTH TIP KIT: 5 SINK RATES
System-2 - - -
System-4 350 24.5 15' floating to type 8 sink
System-6 350/400 24.5 15' floating to type 8 sink
System-8 400/450 24.5 15' floating to type 8 sink
System-10 450 to 500 24.5 15' floating to type 8 sink
System-12 550 to 750 24.5 15' floating to type 8 sink

Airflow Skagit River Heads


`
SYSTEM NUMBER AIRFLOW SKAGIT GRAINS TOTAL HEAD LENGTH
System-2 - -
System-4 - -
System-6 - -
System-8 520 30'
System-10 560 30'
System-12 630/750 30'

Airflow Scandinavian Shooting Heads


SYSTEM NUMBER AIRFLOW SCANDINAVIAN GRAINS TOTAL HEAD LENGTH
System-2 - -
System-4 - -
System-6 - -
System-8 450 40'
System-10 500 40'
System-12 550 to 600 44'

Advanced Grain Weight Forward Single Hand Lines



In addition to the lines mentioned above, there are also advanced grain weight forward single hand lines that will work very well when correctly married to the Switch Rod System Numbers. These lines will be suitable for both single and two handed deliveries. Below are our recommended lines.

Rio Outbound Cold Water and Tropical Shooting Heads



The Rio Outbounds have proven to be superb single hand and two handed overhead shooting head lines for the Switch Rods.

The head lengths on the Outbound lines are not so long that will dump on the back cast, yet long enough that they will lay out sweet and in line on the forward cast, with either single or two handed overhead deliveries.

They have a broad range of floating and various sink rate lines that will meet most cold fresh / salt water, and Tropical salt water fishing conditions.

Rio Outbounds



SHDH = SINGLE HAND DOUBLE HAUL
THOH = TWO HAND OVERHEAD

SYSTEM NUMBER SHDH THOH SINK RATES
System-2 5 wt 7 wt All
System-4 6 wt 8 wt All
System-6 8 wt 9 wt All
System-8 - 10 wt All
System-10 - 11 wt All
System-12 - 12 wt All


Airflow 40 Plus and Tactical Fresh/Saltwater



The 40 Plus and Fresh/Saltwater Tactical lines are ideal advanced grain weight forward lines for either single or two handed applications.

For two handed spey deliveries with the 40+ and Freshwater Tacticals: We advise that you add 10' to 12' Poly Leaders to extend the front taper and create a short belly floating, interchangeable tip spey line.


The Tropical Saltwater lines are ideal for all warm shallow saltwater game fish, from Bones to Bills. When balanced to the correct rods, they make ideal lines for both single hand double haul or two handed overhead deliveries.

SYSTEM NUMBER 40+ SHDH 40+ THOH OR SPEY TROPICAL SHDH TROPICAL THOH
System-2 6 wt 8 wt Bonefish 35/41-6 wt 7 wt
System-4 7 wt 9 wt Bonefish 35/41-7 wt 8 wt
System-6 8 wt 10 wt Bonefish 35/41-8 wt 9 wt
System-8 9 wt 11/12 wt 530 Grain Bonefish 35/41-9 wt 10 wt
System-10 - Two Hand Beach Line Bonefish 35/41-9 wt -
System-12 - - - Tarpon 36-12 wt or Bill Fish-14/15 wt

Copyright © 2007 Robert B. Meiser