OPST Pure Skagit Commando Head
OPST Pure Skagit Commando Head
OPST's Commando Heads are the result of decades of focus on sustained anchor systemology (SAS) by Ed Ward. They are designed to expand the capabilities of shorter spey rods, switch rods and single hand rods beyond that of normal. You may be surprised at their short length, but this was no accident. The ultra-short design provides an effortless casting feel and enhances performance in circumstances of restricted casting room, troublesome winds and in casting bulky flies. It also makes them more fishable than longer lines that are hard to control on the water. Wanna roll cast? Underhand? Nymph? Single hand Skagit with a haul? Overhead? Go right ahead.
Commando Heads are Skagit lines, so they are used with a water-loaded cast. Rod load is generated through water tension and maintained throughout the stroke. The Commando Head's short length and thickness makes it ideal for this style of casting. Coming in grain weights of 150-475, in increments of 25 grains, Commando Skagit Heads match with everything from 7'6" 3-weights to 14' 9-weights. OPST has taken Skagit-style fishing, optimized it for steelhead and salmon, and brought it to the world of trout and bass. Skagit tactics have traditionally been associated with two-handed fishing for salmon and steelhead, but OPST's Commando Skagit Heads, in their lighter grain weights, are short enough to excel on single hand fly rods. We regularly fish them on rods as short as 7'6". And if you have a 9 foot 5-weight, you owe it to yourself to test it out with a 200 grain Commando Head. Or try a 275 grain on your 8-weight. The Commando Head turns your single hand rod into a slingshot, a technical streamer presentation tool that you can cast almost anywhere since a Skagit cast, especially a single hand one, requires almost no back cast space.