DWFII said:
So what rods are most people using? Switch rods? The longer Spey rods? Is it Scandi lines or Skagit? Or something else?
And most importantly, with regard to chromes, what rivers is everyone fishing?
DWFII... glad to see another 2-hander on the forum. i love 2-handed rods because it takes much less effort to get your flies out without needing much (if any) back cast room. like you, i started with single handers, but before long, discovered the ease of casting with 2-handers and i've never looked back. I've even modified one of my trout rods into a 2-hander, until my recent acquisition of a 3/4 wt trout switch.
the selection of rods is very much a personal preference but having said that, the switch rod is more suited for tighter waters and the longer spey is better when you have more room. i have both, and i use both, and i love them both. you have a very sweet setup, with the beulah switch and lamson. the platinum is very progressive, so it's very much a skagit rod. your 400 gr would work well with all kinds of tips - float, sink, intermediate. i've never casted the platinum, but i've read that it's a very forgiving and versatile stick.
i learned the skagit style of casting (water borne anchor) and find that to be the easiest to learn (timing is not too critical) and most suitable for our waters in oregon. a skagit setup can handle all sizes of flies and only needs very little room to set up and execute the cast. one can learn the basics in 1/2 hour and with a little bit of practice, be able to launch dead chickens across the river in no time at all (not that one needs to...)
the scandi is a little trickier to master (for me) because it's a touch-and-go style of casting, not unlike the traditional spey casts. timing is crucial and, unless you're geared with a heavy setup (aka "tiring setup") one is limited to smaller/lighter flies only. so, i never pursued that venture.
as far as rivers for chromes, well, your switch rod will work on any river where these fish swim. I use my switch on the upper wilson, nestucca, upper clack, and generally when the rivers run high and i can't wade far from the bank. i pull out the spey when i have more room - deschutes, lower clack, sandy, etc. you get the idea. the longer spey is a little more powerful and a little easier to mend line as i swing, but it is a little heavier than the switch. but i can fish either rod on any river, all day long without feeling any fatigue whether i was throwing intruders or green butt skunks.
do not be intimidated by the 2-hander. there is no "steep learning curve" if you learn the basics well. for lack of a better analogy, i'd venture to liken the process to learning how to use chopsticks. you don't have to "unlearn" how to use the fork and knife, you're just learning a new way to get the food from your plate to your mouth... all we're doing with either style of fly rod, is getting the fly out.
feel free to ask any questions. i'm sure the collective knowledge of members on this forum could help alleviate any apprehensions that come with starting a new adventure. and if we get to share a stretch of water, i'd be more than happy to share what little i know about the 2-handed rod.