About the Author

Joe Rotter

Joe is the "blogger in chief" here at Red's in addition to being our guide service manager and partner here at Red's. He is a father of 3 spunky children his wife Kelly can only be found fishing when the temperature gets above 85 degrees and the fish are gobbling up dry flies.

In addition to being a fly fishing junkie, Joe is a hard core bowhunter, is a volunteer Hunter's Eductation Instructor, and loves riding horses with his kiddos. Joe still guides a small part of the time but spends most of his time working on web marketing, travel, and helping customers find the right tools and information for the job.

2016 Switch Line Buyer's Guide

April 28, 2016

There are lots of options for fly lines that will help optimize your investment in a switch rod. Below you'll find a video narrative of the top selling lines at Red's, and hyperlinks to each line available for purchase. Please know that if you have any questions, our team is happy to help! You can email pros at staff@redsflyshop.com or call us at (509) 933-2300

2016 Switch Line Buyer's Guide

OPST Commando Heads

These short heads perform miracles on the lightest trout spey rods. They'll cast large streamers with 2-4 weight switch rods. They make these heads in heavier weights as well, and are best for casting big flies on small to mid-sized rivers.

TYPE OF LINE: Shooting Head - Requires a sink tip and a running line.

PROS - They cast big flies very well especially on light rods. Any 2-3 weight rods should have this head or the RIO Trout MAX.

CONS - At 12' of head length, there is a lot of stripping in line and shooting line. The extreme short head also tends to not provide long stable casts like longer heads.

SINK TIPS - RIO InTouch MOW or InTouch iMOW

RIO Trout Max Heads

These are very similar to the OPST heads, but are exclusively designed for 2-4 weight rods.

TYPE OF LINE: Shooting Head - Requires a sink tip and a running line.

PROS - They cast big flies very well especially on light rods. Any 2-3 weight rods should have this head or the OPST Commando.

CONS - At 12' of head length, there is a lot of stripping in line and shooting line. The extreme short head also tends to not provide long stable casts like longer heads.

SINK TIPS - RIO InTouch MOW RIO InTouch iMOW

RIO Skagit MAX Short Shooting Head

This is the most popular head for folks that emphasize a "swing priority". You won't cast and strip this line, you won't indicator fish, but you will swing flies like a champ. This is the most popular line for Steelhead anglers.

TYPE OF LINE: Shooting Head - Requires a sink tip and a running line.

PROS - Great all around line. 20' head is fairly stable in flight and easy to cast.

CONS - Not really any, just a bit long for the 2-4 weight switch rods.

SINK TIPS - RIO InTouch Mow Tips or RIO InTouch iMOW are what this is designed for, but with lightweight flies it will shoot a polyleader at extremely high line speeds. Don't be afraid to try this as it makes the cast effortlessly.

RIO InTouch Switch Chucker

This is the ultimate "UTILITY LINE" for the angler that wants to use their switch rod for a bit of everything. It will spey cast, do some indicator fishing at 30' or less, and overhead cast as well. You can use it with sink tips, polyleaders, or without any sink tip and just put a tapered leader right on the end. It is a very versatile line thanks to a long back taper.

TYPE OF LINE: Integrated line (head and running line are one piece). Can be used with or without sink tips.

PROS - Best all around "get it done without crying" line.

CONS - Doesn't shoot like a shooting head/mono running line combo. Won't indicator fish at long distance like the RIO Switch Line.

SINK TIPS - RIO InTouch Mow Tips, or RIO InTouch iMOW polyleaders, or with nothing at all. Fish it naked.

RIO Switch Line

RIO In-Touch Switch Line - Best Nymphing Line for Switch Rods

The RIO Switch Line is the best all around indicator line in the family. It is very nymphing specific, but will do a spey cast with a polyleader if you have to. Don't expect to look like Simon Gawesworth however.

TYPE OF LINE: Integrated line (head and running line are one piece). Best without any polyleader, just put you tapered leader right on the end.

PROS - Best all around indicator line, but it can certainly be used without it as well. It can fish dry flies as well.

CONS - Doesn't shoot like many folks are expecting it to, it has a very long head designed for managing drifts at longer range. This is the best line for steelhead nymphing or trout nymphing on large western rivers.

SINK TIPS - Polyleaders if you use them, good to have a couple just in case you need to throw a change up.

Airflo Switch Float

This line is specifically for fishing small to mid-sized flies and anglers that crave that beautiful long loop. Its fun to cast, but don't expect it to cast large flies. Its perfect for summer run steelhead fishing or swinging small flies on light lines for trout.

TYPE OF LINE: Integrated line (head and running line are one piece). Best without any polyleader, and it comes with a clear floating polyleader.

PROS - Great casting line, perfect for summer steelhead fishing.

CONS - Because the head length is 26-28' it is tougher to throw large flies. This isn't necessarily a con, just a fact. Because its an integrated line, you'll lose some efficiency vs. a mono running line.

SINK TIPS - Polyleaders

RIO Skagit iShort - Intermediate Head

This is the best line for winter steelhead fishing or when you are spey fishing for trout in cold water when a slow presentation is advantageous. You will also want this line when Chinook are in the game.

TYPE OF LINE: Shooting Head - Requires a sink tip and a running line.

PROS - Fishes lower and slower than floating heads. It will also cast big flies very well.

CONS - Tougher for beginners to learn. Swings a bit slow for summer steelhead.

SINK TIPS - RIO iMOW - DO NOT USE Floating/Sinking standard MOW tips.

Running Lines for Switch Rods

You can see it in the video associated with this, but focus on lighter lines for lighter rods. Light heads simply cannot tow heavy running lines. Here is a rough guide on how to choose your line. Most switch rod casters use mono running line anymore, unless the running line is integrated into the head already.

*know that lighter lines are harder to handle but shoot with much less effort.

2-4 weight switch rods - 25 pound running line

4-5 weight switch rods - 35 pound running line

6-7 weight switch rods - 40 pound running line

7-9 weight running lines - 50 pound running lne

OPST Lazar Line Running Line

OPST Lazar Line has a fairly round profile and doesn't "pull through" on a non full framed reel as easily. Pull through is when the line squeezes between the spool and reel frame. Its annoying but part of life. A full framed reel like the Sage DOMAIN prevents this from happening.

RIO Slick Shooter Running Line

The Slick Shooter is slightly flatter than the Lazar Line and tends to pull through a bit more, but some contend it shoots better. I have no opinion here so save yer comments hehe. Its about half the price of the Lazar Line.

I live in Grants Pass,OR and I fish the Rogue River. I just built a 10'8" switch rod with mod. fast action. The max grain wt. spec. is 460 grains. I want to winter steelhead fish swinging flies. what line should I go with?
I've been spending a lot of time on your website/videos regarding switch rods. I'm a Colorado resident, down in Florida during winter months. Trying to learn fly fishing down in the salt. Are there any switch rods built for saltwater. No one seems to know what I'm talking about.