Rio Skagit Heavy Mow Tips 6 Options for 575-675 Grain Salmon Fly Lines
Seth Wakefield The Rio Skagit Heavy Mow Tips are designed for spey casting with heavy sink tips (575-675 grain lines) when targeting deep-holding salmon or steelhead. These tips integrate multi-density sinking sections (“MOW” = Multi-Density OverWeighted) to help your fly get down quickly while maintaining turnover power. Below are 6 options for 575-675 grain Skagit lines with MOW tips:
1. Rio Skagit Max Short (575-675 grain) + MOW Tips
– Best for: Short, powerful casts in tight quarters.
– Head Length: ~20-22ft
– Tip Options: T-8, T-11, T-14 (or MOW tips in 5ft/7.5ft/10ft)
– Use Case: Heavy flies, fast-sinking needs, winter steelhead/salmon.
2. Rio Skagit Max Long (600-675 grain) + MOW Tips
– Best for: Longer casts with sustained anchor.
– Head Length: ~25-27ft
– Tip Options: T-10, T-14, or MOW (7.5ft-12ft)
– Use Case: Big rivers, deep pools, sustained sink.
3. Rio Skagit Trout Max Heavy (550-650 grain) + MOW Tips
– Best for: Overhead spey or light two-handers needing extra punch.
– Head Length: ~23ft
– Tip Options: MOW (3-7.5ft) for controlled sink.
– Use Case: Summer-run salmon, lighter but powerful setups.
4. Rio Skagit Switch (600-650 grain) + MOW Tips
– Best for: Switch rods (11-12ft) needing extra mass.
– Head Length: ~18-20ft
– Tip Options: MOW 5ft or 7.5ft for moderate sink.
– Use Case: Smaller rivers, controlled depth.
5. Custom Cut Skagit (600-675 grain) + MOW Tips
– Best for: Fine-tuning for exact rod load.
– Head Length: Adjustable (cut from longer head)
– Tip Options: MOW (7.5ft-15ft) for variable sink rates.
– Use Case: Expert tuning for specific conditions.
6. Rio Outbound Short (Heavy) + MOW Tips (Hybrid Option)
– Best for: Single-hand spey or short-belly casting.
– Head Length: ~25-30ft (overlaps with Skagit)
– Tip Options: MOW 5-10ft for fast sink.
– Use Case: Versatile overhead/spey casting.
Recommended MOW Tip Lengths:
– 5ft: Moderate sink, good turnover.
– 7.5ft: Balanced sink & casting ease.
– 10ft-15ft: Maximum depth, best for slow water.
Best Pairings:
– Fast Sink: T-14 + MOW (for extreme depth).
– Moderate Sink: MOW 7.5ft (all-around).
– Scandi Hybrid: Light MOW (3-5ft) for shallower presentations.
Would you like recommendations for specific rods or fishing scenarios?