Starter Two-Handed set up?

[Mud&$alt72]

I'm seriously considering trying a Two-handed rod this Winter. I mostly fish from the beach for sea-runs and salmon, but I'd like to be able to fish rivers for Steelhead as well. I've been considering the Echo Boost Beach, or the Echo Swing in a 7 or 8wt, Orvis Clearwater, LLBean, (something in the $200 to $300 range). I'm proficient at single hand, and can get good distance, but being able roll cast, and into the wind would be nice. I have a full frame Orvis Battenkill reel that I plan to use for the running line and a shooting head.

I sort of know the differences between switch and spey, and overhead rods, but I'm wondering if rod length really is a big factor in learning to cast these things. I have no opinion on rigging, (Skagit, Scandi, doesn't matter to me at this point). Any basic advise is greatly appreciated.

 

[jaredoconnor]

Remember guys, Jarad is a euro nympher. His fly reels don’t even have fly line on them. Let’s rejoice that our internet buddy is considering putting a whole 20 feet of skagit head on his spey rod!

Prepare to have your mind blown.

I use a 150gr Skagit head on my euro pole. That’s the only reel I have that doesn’t have a fly line on it. My “euro” reel has a 3wt line on it. It doesn’t get used, but it IS there!

 

[Creatch’r]

Prepare to have your mind blown.

I use a 150gr Skagit head on my euro pole. That’s the only reel I have that doesn’t have a fly line on it. My “euro” reel has a 3wt line on it. It doesn’t get used, but it IS there!

That’s a slick idea filling the reel with the fatter fly line instead of all that mono. Totally get it! Does that make the fly line the backing? Is that a way of measuring the scrap with a good fish? “It ripped off drag until the fly line got wet” LOL

 

[jaredoconnor]

That’s a slick idea filling the reel with the fatter fly line instead of all that mono. Totally get it! Does that make the fly line the backing?

I can take off my euro leader and put on a regular leader, if I want to fish normally. I don’t, of course, but I can.

Is that a way of measuring the scrap with a good fish? “It ripped off drag until the fly line got wet” LOL

Yes. If the fly line has come off the reel, I have had a good day.

 

[jaredoconnor]

What specific Skagit line and tips should I get, for a 13ft 7wt Echo Swing?

The website says 480-510gr. Is that for the head alone or does it also include the tip(s)?

What is the rule of thumb regarding head and tip length? My research has resulted in all kinds of random answers.

Currently looking at…

• 23ft 500gr Rio Skagit Max Launch
• 2.5ft float / 7.5ft T11 tip
• 7.5ft float / 2.5ft T11 tip

Is that a decent starting point?

 

[fatbillybob]

depends on how deep you go. You don't even need a sinking tip to go deep if you swim your fly correctly but a tip makes the job easier if going deep. You need to fish the flow and the run and tick bottom with either your method or a tip. Then you adjust accordingly. As example if a 10ft t11 is snagging you try a T8 or lighten up the fly. You could also do the 2.5F/7.5T11 thing. Sometimes you fish a home water run you got dialed in. That's when you get specific and fish just a 2.5F/7.5T11 in that run because you know what it will do with the flys you fish. If all of a sudden you go from an unweighted fly to a bowling ball with lead eyes you need to be mindful of that and lighten the tip to keep the bowling ball in the zone.

 

[JS]

Remember guys, Jarad is a euro nympher. His fly reels don’t even have fly line on them. Let’s rejoice that our internet buddy is considering putting a whole 20 feet of skagit head on his spey rod!

Jared, you’re making Jareds, Jerrods, and Jarads uncomfortable with all this Euro business. Pick up a two handed and get your pocket picked by @Creatch’r like a real Jarad.

 

[DerekWhipple]

What specific Skagit line and tips should I get, for a 13ft 7wt Echo Swing?

The website says 480-510gr. Is that for the head alone or does it also include the tip(s)?

What is the rule of thumb regarding head and tip length? My research has resulted in all kinds of random answers.

Currently looking at…

• 23ft 500gr Rio Skagit Max Launch
• 2.5ft float / 7.5ft T11 tip
• 7.5ft float / 2.5ft T11 tip

Is that a decent starting point?

I would get a full 10' T11 tip (can be cheaper!) and a 5/5 T11 MOW tip. Just 10' of T11 might be fine for you all winter.

 

[Salmo_g]

What specific Skagit line and tips should I get, for a 13ft 7wt Echo Swing?

The website says 480-510gr. Is that for the head alone or does it also include the tip(s)?

What is the rule of thumb regarding head and tip length? My research has resulted in all kinds of random answers.

Currently looking at…

• 23ft 500gr Rio Skagit Max Launch
• 2.5ft float / 7.5ft T11 tip
• 7.5ft float / 2.5ft T11 tip

Is that a decent starting point?

If the website says 480 - 510, it's probably best to try that. I use 450 on my 7 wt, but I tend to lean toward a lighter line than a lot of folks. I have a 475 Skagit Max (23') that you could try, and then decide if you want to go lighter or heavier. People like their MOW tips, but I don't use them. A good "starter" would be 10' of T-11; it would balance pretty well with your rod. Try it and decide if you want slower or faster sink rate. (Frankly, few things sink faster than T-11, so it's more of a matter of how much to use.) It won't take long to realize that you want more than one sink tip.

 

[jaredoconnor]

If the website says 480 - 510, it's probably best to try that. I use 450 on my 7 wt, but I tend to lean toward a lighter line than a lot of folks. I have a 475 Skagit Max (23') that you could try, and then decide if you want to go lighter or heavier. People like their MOW tips, but I don't use them. A good "starter" would be 10' of T-11; it would balance pretty well with your rod. Try it and decide if you want slower or faster sink rate. (Frankly, few things sink faster than T-11, so it's more of a matter of how much to use.) It won't take long to realize that you want more than one sink tip.

Thanks for the offer. Already placed my order this morning!