Our Prestige G-XS Graphene 11ft Switch rod came out as the most preferred option on the market in the 2023 Trout & Salmon review. We take a look at the history and benefits a Switch rod can offer anglers.

The growing ‘Switch’ style of fly fishing is becoming renowned worldwide, having gained huge popularity in North America especially.

The ‘Switch’ phrase is not new, though, having been referred to by people as early as the mid19th century, where it was used to describe a method used to change direction without arialising a lot of fly line, such as on a river with limited space and a roll cast or form of single Spey was required to do so.

Today, with modern line technology assisting too, dedicated Switch rods have been massively developed for use when sea trout, steelhead and salmon fishing in particular.

Being shorter and lighter than an unwieldy traditional double-handed Spey rod, they offer livelier characteristics and can produce great results when fishing for big fish were accuracy and finesse are involved. In a similar vein, they offer the ability to deliver large flies in a multitude of circumstances and over considerable distances which one would require a lot of effort to do with a heavy single-handed rod.

Switch rods are also designed to allow the user the option of casting with one hand or both, depending on the scenario. Their effortless casting also make them well suited for those struggling with the strength required to cast heavier rods or with the stamina required to fish one all day long.

Recently reviewed in Trout & Salmon Magazine, our revolutionary Prestige G-XS Graphene 11ft Switch rod came out as the most preferred option out of a series of a dozen Switch rods.

“This rod made us beam from ear to ear. It felt light and responsive, with a mid- to fast action. The tip was excellent, delivering pin-point accuracy with zero perceivable bounce or deviation. It just goes where you point it and makes it difficult to do a bad cast,” admitted Andrew Flitcroft.

It is best used with the recommend, purposely designed, perfectly balanced Snowbee XS-Plus 400g #8wt Switch Fly line, though it performs perfectly well with a range of other lines too.

“The only dedicated #8wt in the test, it coped with all three lines, needing just a little more overhang on the #7wts to ensure it loaded,” Andrew added. “With the #8wt Outbound, it was a delight, achieving plenty of distance and, more importantly, perfect turnover every time. Its forgiving and intuitive nature would suit the broadest range of casting styles, making it our top choice. It’s also the only five-piece in the test, so it’s a little more portable.”

The Prestige G-XS Graphene 11ft #8 Switch rod carries a SRP of £649.99.

Our more affordable but still highly capable offering is the Classic 11ft #7 Switch rod, a four-piece essential offering which balances best with our 350grain lines.

Available from our website or through one of our retailers.

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