SCOF - Winter 2017 - Issue no.22

The history of the modern switch rod can likely be traced to 11-foot Fenwick offerings from the ‘60s. Although a few of these rods did, in fact, come with a removable lower grip, most folks were using them with a double overhand technique similar to some current surf fishing methods. While switch rods have become a mainstay of the Great Lakes steelhead crowd, they aren’t just for chrome fish and intruders. You’re increasingly likely to see a two-handed rod swinging up stripers on the ‘Hooch, mopping up smallies on some muddy creek, or probing the depths of high water on the Nantahala. Manufacturers are building two-handers that aren’t overkill on your average trout stream, and the line options are almost overwhelming. If there is a specific task you want to accomplish, I’d bet there’s a two-handed tool for the job.