Steelhead season is creeping up fast on us.  In the PNW fish numbers are looking quite good after a slow start.  The Columbia River system has one of the biggest steelhead runs in the world (probably the biggest), if there are stats guys that want to verify this please comment and confirm.  I am too focused on how to help you catch 'em right now.

To prepare, the modern angler is often picking up a switch rod.  These little hybrid spey/single hand rods are great tools and offer some distinct advantages to the angler.  So why don't you have one yet?  For the segment of the population that hasn't gone two-handed yet, its largely because getting a complete outfit that will meet your personal needs is complicated!  There are so many options that I even find myself confusing the customer sometimes.  

Today after guiding I decided to sit down at the computer and simplify this for the consumer.  I broke this outfit into 3 options.  SWING PRIORITY, UTILITY SETUP, and INDICATOR PRIORITY.  As you go on, of course you can buy spare spools and lines to complete your arsenal but initially you need to just take the plunge and for many of us that damn thing called "budget" gets in the way.  I hate the "b" word.  

Anyway, here is a GREAT new Switch Rod from Redington called the CHROMER.  Everyone that has tried it LOVES it at $399 (rod only).  We like the rubber top and bottom handles which is a nice reminder for hand placement when two-handed casting.  It is a top performer that doesn't beat up on beginners.  Great rod, enough on that.  Take a look at this format below and see if this simplifies shopping for your first switch rod.

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Redington CHROMER Switch Rod - Complete Setups

3 LINE OPTIONS

We want to make choosing the right tool for the job easy for you. Each of these systems offers distinct advantages. Read the description of each and decide which setup will give you the ultimate edge on your quarry!

1. UTILITY SETUP - This outift is for the angler that wants the most diverse line system that will allow them to do a little bit of everything. It features the new RIO In-touch Switch CHUCKER fly line. It is a one piece line with a shooting head style, but the long back taper to the head makes it great for all around fishing. You can overhead cast, mend, and even indicator fish at reasonable distance. While nymphing, once you get out there beyond 30' or so it doesn't mend great, however this is the best "all around line". This is our most popular setup. It doesn't quite offer the nymphing range of the INDICATOR PRIORITY setup, or raw distance of the SWING PRIORITY setup but is a great choice. 

UTILITY SETUP Includes: 

• Redington CHROMER Switch Rod
• Redington BEHEMOTH Fly Reel
• RIO In-Touch Switch CHUCKER Fly Line
• RIO 10' T-11 MOW Sink Tip
• RIO Backing Installed

2. SWING PRIORITY SETUP - This outfit is for the angler that simply wants a compact spey rod and likes to shoot line. This is a fun setup! We set this rod up with a RIO Skagit MAX Short Shooting Head and an OPST Lazar Line Running line. Mono running line adds 20% to your distance potential and makes long casts easier. It shoots big weighted flies with ease and is easy to cast for beginners and advanced anglers alike. This is a steelheader's dream! This line system shoots great and will make even the toughest spots seem easy. With the compact nature of an 11'6" two handed rod you'll be swinging flies when most other guys are trying to get their fly out of the tree behind them. It shoots line much better than the UTILITY SETUP. 

SWING PRIORTY SETUP Includes:

• Redington CHROMER Switch Rod
• Redington BEHEMOTH Fly Reel
• RIO Skagit MAX Short Shooting Head (sized to fit rod weight)
• OPST Lazar Line Running Line
• RIO 10' T-11 MOW Sink Tip
• RIO Backing Installed

3. INDICATOR PRIORTY SETUP - This outfit is for the angler that wants to indicator fish almost all the time, but may want to spey fish with some very small lightweight flies. It is spooled up with a RIO In-Touch Switch Line which is believed to be the best indicator line for nymph fishing on switch rods. We include a RIO Spey Versileader to give you the option of tossing lightweight flies, but the priority here is drifting indicators.

INDICATOR PRIORITY SETUP Includes:

• Redington CHROMER Switch Rod
• Redington BEHEMOTH Fly Reel
• RIO In-Touch Switch Fly Line
• RIO 10' Spey Versileader 5.6 ips
• RIO Backing Installed

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Redington CHROMER Switch Rods

We threw this rod about 2 months before it was available to the public and we all knew right off the bat it would be a winner. When 5 fishing guides get their hands on a rod it is RARE that we all agree haha! The CHROMER was a hit with our entire staff on "demo day" when the new gear got here. We really like the grip and the hybrid design was a real reminder that you need to use TWO hands to make these casts. That may seem small but we work with a lot of beginning spey casters and everyone on the Red's staff liked the grip for that reason. It is without a doubt one of the best products at $400 we have ever seen. Buy with confidence. DON'T buy if you are looking for a deep bending moderate action rod. This rod is a quick stick and anyone that yawns during their spey cast should stick with the Redington DUALLY orTemple Fork Deer Creek. 

The new CHROMER rods are the ultimate tool for the two-handed angler. With refined rod actions to suit a variety of casting and line styles, the rods also feature custom polymer gripping sections on the top and bottom handles. These unique pinch grip sections allow for easy running line management during spey casts and added comfort over a long day of fishing. With three switch, and five spey models, we offer a size for any steelhead or salmon fishing scenario. 

• Super-smooth fast action
• Downlocking reel seat for improved in-hand balance
• Polymer Pinch Grip sections on top and bottom handles
• Polymer grips maintain body temperature for comfortable winter fishing
• Matte finish blank for flash reduction
• Section tips epoxy coated to prevent sticking
• Full Anodized aluminum reel seat
• Premium gradecork handles
• Fully protective cordura rod tube with dividers
• Lifetime warranty

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Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

• Most powerful drag in its class
• Adjustable, CarbonFiber drag
• Unmachinable, unique Die-cast construction
• Large arbor design speeds retrieve and reduces line memory
• Oversized drag knob foreasy adjustment
• Easily converts to left or right hand retrieve
• Deep V-Spool for increased backing capacity
• Twin molded, soft-touch ergonomic handles
• Nylon reel case included
• Lifetime warranty

The Redington fly rod warranty covers breakage and their are some exceptions including fire, theft, and loss. The angler can send in the broken rod directly to Sage and for a handling fee Redington will repair or replace the rod. They have a great crew and turnaround times are some of the best in the industry.