Fly Fishing Specialties Forum

Fly Fishing Specialties is carrying the Rio Skagit Short spey lines.  I highly recommend them for the switch rod crowd.  I found it sets up an anchor point perfectly with these shorter rods. 

I tested the 325 grain line on my Sage Z-Axis 6110-4 switch.  As I said, setting up the anchor point was rather easy.  Due to the short length, I was able to create a small d-loop that was easy to control.  On a note, I learned how to cast using a Windcutter Spey.  Controlling such a large d-loop was difficult with the shorter rod.  The big heavy head plowed through the wind.  Also it helped me cast big stonefly nymphs with ease.

The Skagit Short lines are designed to work with Rio 15 foot interchangeable tips.  For Rio 15 foot Versitips, simply match up the line weight rating of the rod with the line weight rating of the Versitip.  For the fishing situations here in Northern California, I use the type 3 and type 6.  A floating tip is available, too.  The best match is based off of grain weight.  The 7 weight floating tip works well with lines Skagit lines between 300 and 400 grains.

I have read in other forums that some people are playing around with different lengths of tungsten line (T-8, T-11, T-14).  If you choose to do that, just start long, and keep cutting until you find a suitable length.