The Z-Axis is our most popular "high end" switch rod at Red's Fly Shop. The 7110-4 Z-Axis is the most popular (by a large margin) for Steelhead in most situations and a few anglers get the 8110-4 for bigger winter fish on the Olympic Peninsula or if they are going to have some King overlap.  The 5110-4 is great for big trout and big water nymph fishing and the 6110-4 is somewhere in between and appropriate for summer steelhead on small to mid-sized rivers where your likelihood to hook up Salmon is minimal.

For fly lines, depending on what you will be fishing for and how there are lots of choices.  For an angler that is going to "do a little of everything" the Wulff Ambush line combined with sinking poly leaders works well.  It shoots well and is ok for indicator nymphing spey style.  The Rio Switch Line is the best indicator specific line out there if you plan to cast overhand and indicator fish most of the time.  The Rio Scandi Short is also a good choice and if you plan to swing big heavy flies for winter fish... the Skagit Short is the best choice.

Sage Z Axis Switch rods are quickly becoming the "go to" rod for a lot of Northwest Steelheaders.  You can single hand cast these rods or use spey techniques to launch casts when your backcast is limited.  It is VERY popular with anglers that like to swing for steelhead and use indicator and nymph tactics as well.  The Sage Z-Axis Switch Rod makes you a double threat!


Red's Guide and Happy Customer Using a Z-Axis Switch Rod for Steelhead!

Fly Line Buyer's Guide for Switch Rods

Anglers that plan to fish exclusively with strike indicators or strictly floating lines should get the Rio Switch fly line.  This line has a long belly and is capable of spey casting with a strike indicator setup and mends very well.  The Rio Scandi Short is great for anglers that want to throw both sink tips and floating lines.  The Rio Switch line will spey cast an indicator setup but does not cast and shoot sink tips effectively.  If you plan to fish almost exclusively big heavy weighted flies you can opt for a Skagit Short fly line, but that is the least popular line for switch rods.  Most anglers prefer the Rio Scandi Short Versitip.  The other line that we sell a lot of is the Royal Wulff Ambush Fly Line  this is a one piece line (no loop to loop where the running line and head meet).  We recommend buying 2 line weights heavier than your switch rod, i.e. a 7 weight switch rod takes an Ambush 9 weight fly line.  It is a short head and quite similar to the Rio Scandi Short Versitip but does not come with any sink tips.  The Wulff Ambush Fly Line will indicator fish or swing sinking lines called Rio Power Versileaders.  All these lines are good choices, the most popular choice is the Rio Scandi Short Versitip,



Rio Scandi Short Versitip - Our Recommended Fly Line for Switch Rods

• Scandi Short 23' Head
• Rio Powerflex Running Line .030
  
• Comes with 4 different 10 ft long tips:
• A floating tip, intermediate tip, type 3 and type 6 Density Compensated sinking tips
• Wallet for storing sink tips
• This is everything you need to put on your reel/switch rod

Spey Line Recommendations for Sage Z-Axis Switch Fly Rods

FREE - Rio Modern Spey Casting DVD with purchase of this Spey Rod! 
Just add this to your order notes upon purchase and we will throw it in the box!  $49.95 value!

FREE Shipping, WA State Sales Tax Discount, and Red's Customer Service

At Reds we ship all orders FREE via UPS and USPS and pay your sales tax.  In addition to a great price, you are also buying from a premium brick and mortar retailer whose passionate and knowledgeable shop staff will stop at nothing to provide you with the best possible advice and service.  Combine all this and you have the best deal on the internet!  Shop with confidence at Red's Fly Shop.