Clearly the term “switch” was coined before Zpey was even a thought, let along a thriving, young company. However, we sincerely believe that our hallmark patented bent handles and the accompanying philosophy have elevated the Switch concept to a place of prominence, where it belongs. The bent, attachable Switch handle combined with Zpey’s deep action / short stroke length philosophy have enabled us to provide unique switch solutions to a world of fly fishers.

To switch, in fly fishing terminology, defines the possibility to change between single hand and double hand casting while using the same rod. The original switch rods were hybrids, strange creations that resulted in something in the middle. They were rods made for heavier single hand lines, and rods that often were too heavy for single hand casting and too light for double hand casting. The development of switch rods reached a still stand prior to 2008. But then came Zpey.

The secrets (if there are any) are about weight, carbon quality, action and handles. “Zpey Zpey Switch originates from pure single hand rods of the highest quality. Rods with deep actions, rod tips more powerful than average rod tips, and short stroke lengths. The result is what we like to call a catapult action.

The single hand version first: you load the rod through the casting motion (the combined effect of the casting hand and the double haul hand) and then you stop both hands. First you sense some kind of delay, and then the catapult kick races through the carbon fibers as the inherent animal lets itself go. An action like this will fit various casting styles and levels of casters. Then we attach the bent handle and almost magically the rod changes character. It’s still a single hand rod, if you want it to be, but also a light double hand rod. The double hand abilities of Zpey Switch have astounded everybody. The handle makes it more natural to focus on the lower hand and, of course, the pathway of the same hand is longer than what it would have been with a straight rod.

The flattened lower part of the handle will make it much easier for you to cast along the straight lines a good cast requires. You are almost “forced” towards the straight lines, guided by the direct feedback that accompanies eventual “sins”. The rest of the magic materializes through the symbiosis between the handle and the deep action. When you pull with your lower hand through a forward cast (or push with the same hand through a back cast) you will activate deeper parts of the rod than if you only used the upper hand. Our rods love deep challenges and respond with the previously mentioned catapult action that is even more effective when double hand casting.

* Keep in mind that the lower hand should almost always be the main engine in fly casting. A good double haul is extremely effective when single hand casting, but is definitely more difficult to perform.




Here’s a summary of the advantages of the Zpey Switch rods:

1. The possibilities

Everything is possible. You have a rod and a concept that can solve every fishing situation (the casters must know how to, of course).

• Choose between single hand and double hand casting
• Choose between over head casting and spey casting
• The double hand option makes it much easier to cast on both sides of the body so that you can handle difficult wind conditions and cast from both sides of a river

2. Smoother casting using the lower hand

We have already mentioned that you will be able to load deeper parts of the rod by focusing on the lower hand when double hand casting. This will lead to a smoother and more directionally stable loading phase, reducing the loss of energy during casting. With a shooting head, you will eventually cast the same distance as when casting single handed with a double haul. And when using a WF, in most cases you will cast long enough to present the fly to your fish.

3. Good casters can “find the little extra” in our rods

Once again, we’re talking about the deep action, the short stroke length and the following catapult action. By allowing the rod tip to “lag” in the initial part of the casting motion, it’s even easier to load the deeper parts of our rods. If you are also capable of delaying the serious part of the force contribution as long as possible before you either extend the wrist of your casting hand at the same time you finish your double haul (single hand) or pull the handle toward your belly (double hand), the deep parts of the rod will be activated even more and the following catapult action will be even more effective.

4. Difficult to choose?

All of our Switch rods are pure single hand rods, as you already know. This is important information for all you single hand purists. The attachable handle is a part of the concept and of the package when you buy the rod and you can easily have it attached even when you’re single hand casting, but you have effective double hauls, good casting techniques and no plans to plant both hands on the rod. We’re not going to argue at all. It’s your choice. For all others, such as unbiased beginners, fly fishing meddlers with bad techniques and pure double hand fishers, it might be a good idea to start off with double hand techniques and wait until later for the more difficult single hands techniques. Challenge the tradition that postulates that fishing for trout, grayling etc. should be carried out singlehandedly. Our Switch rods will give you new alternatives and perhaps even new realities. It’s up to you, isn’t it?

5. The perfect rods for beginners

Double hand casting is easier than single hand casting, especially for beginners.. With our bent handle, beginners will catch the concept of lower hand preference so easily that being a casting instructor sometimes feels a little boring. And Zpey Switch is a beautiful concept for children. On several occasions, we have taught boys and girls as young as seven years old and after 10-15 minutes have presented astonished parents with nice loops and casts over 20 meters (using light shooting heads). Some women, who will find heavier single hand rods too heavy have embraced Zpey Switch with open arms.