About the R.B Meiser Switch Rod Series

But first a few comments on good Scotch Whiskey …

… The very premise behind the development of the switch rod series was to meet the needs and request made tocross-sectionrse cross section of serious fly fishers. I am fortunate in that I am able to custom design fly rods for anglers that may open their fly fishing season in the Yukon, mid-season in the Gaspe, and end it in the Seychelles. I also feel that I am just as fortunate to meet the fly rod requirements of those anglers who may never feel the need to leave their own home waters such as I enjoy here in Southern Oregon. The one common truth that I have found within this brotherhood, whether they be far-flung adventurers, or home water week-enders is that they all share an equal and universal passion for their sport. As a fly fisher my self for over 50 years, and a rod builder/designer for over 30, I appreciate and thoroughly enjoy being asked to be so deeply involved in their chosen sport. It is this intimate involvement that has led me to the development of the switch rod series.

An interesting story comes to mind that exemplifies this involvement …

Time frame: Summer 1997

Phillip is a friend and certified fly fishing junky. His Trout fishing history is long; his stories are extensive and indeed very colorful. His Salmon and Steelheading experience is equally interesting, has spanned many years but has centered on only one river: The Dean … And he has fished the same stretch of water for over 25 years.

At that time, the only delivery system presented to his Dean River Salmon and Steelhead was a single hand, double hauled, down and dirty heavy grained full sink shooting head line system. And to the bemusement of many of his fellow anglers (several of which were by then two handed anglers) defiantly and tenaciously spent several weeks each season muscling these heavy and awkward lines over holding fish with his single hand rods. Nevertheless he was an exceptional angler … His presentations had always been effective: Thus his success ratio of fish to the beach had historically been very good.

Phillip is a surgeon with an incredibly intense work schedule, allowing only quality time on the water. Because of this scenario, he truly enjoys the advantage of the exceptional opportunities offered by the Dean’s superb anadromous fishery. His request to me as a rod builder was to design a rod that would effectively deliver his preferred shooting head line systems over these chosen waters. The primary objective being: To offer an alternative to the physical burden of fishing his full sink shooting heads utilizing single hand double haul deliveries.

At the time of his request, suitable off the shelf two handed line alternatives were limited to classic double tapers, or short belly Spey line systems with interchangeable tips. The lines of choice preferred by most North American two handed anglers at the time were lines like the (then recently introduced) Rio Windcutter’s. This was a time frame before the introduction of Skagit shooting heads, and although Scandinavian shooting heads were available, they had not yet gained their present popularity.

Phillip tried a few longer rods, and although he felt that they proved to be effective delivery tools, and presented the fly well; he again personally felt awkward with the rods length and overall weight for his preferred style of fishing. Our solution was to build him a couple of light weight, short two handed rods grain windowed for 450/500 grain shooting heads. These rods would allow various deliveries as effectively as a longer two handed rod, yet be much shorter and lighter in hand then the status quo two hander. We matched the rods to a set of formula cut Guideline shooting heads for Phillip, and with these rod/line marriages he was allowed a variety of delivery options determined by need throughout his angling day.

Phillip’s comment to me upon his return from the Dean after fishing the switchers that season was: Bob; after 8 to 10 hours of continuous daily casting, plus fighting and releasing a total of 30 heavy fish, Scotch was consumed at the end of each day for the sole purpose of celebrating the event rather then to just kill the pain in my arms and shoulders. You have truly helped me celebrate the proper consumption of good Scotch whisky!

If not in the exact words, this has been a typical comment made to me by many of my clients concerning the switch rod concept over the past 15 years … I could not be more complimented.

Phillip was one of our pioneer anglers in the use and development of our present day switch rods and line marriages for them. More then a decade later, he does still prefer them over the longer two handed rods … And I do still pity the angler that is unfortunately put in the position to follow him through a run; especially if it’s me!