I am currious as to what most guys like, who are skagit casters. Specifically the guys who fish winter fish in the PNW. I have fished the Skagit and the other S rivers, and found that the gear that I typically fish is a lot longer than what most guys use. I also found it interesting that some also had rods designed for long belly fishing with shooting heads. What rod if you were limited to only one would you choose.
I'm mostly out on the GL's but have been playing with the skagit systems for about 2 years now. I feel like I have the fundamentals down and fish them in very cold water.
I love the Loomis series that Ed helped design. The 8/9 is the rod you will find in my hands 80% of the time. If I need to throw big tips, throw far, or the weather is bad the 9/10 will come out. I find the 9/10 to be a better at casting distance and into wind, but it lacks the soul of the 8/9. Both of mine are GLX models.
My goal over the next year is to add the 6/7 and 7/8 for lighter line work when the rivers are low. I've cast a friends 7/8 and it is more like the 8/9, but definitely lighter.
I match mine with the Airflo lines, although if conditions are tough the Rio skagit off the 9/10 will throw a big tip in howling winds better than the Airflo.
A couple of my all time favorites...
Scott LS2 1307 (really a 6/7 or even a 6 IMO) for systems with smaller fish and the Winston BIIx 13' 8/9 for everywhere else.
I have the Loomis 8/9 GLX Dredger, which is a great rod. Think Loomis went out on a limb designing such specialty rods, but for the purpose, they are right on the money. No need for longer rods (though they will work) because the heads are pretty short. I suppose a longer rod could provide some advantage in pulling a sink tip to the surface without a roll cast, but one of the beauties of Skagit casting is using smaller rods to throw very fast sinking tips and big, heavy flies.
Speykid, you might want to do a search on "skagit" and check for threads on the subject. Ed Ward did a great post a while back (I think someone referenced it already) and gave specific rods that he favors without regard to brand/'endorsement deals'.
With that said, if this thread lasts long enough I can almost guess who will say what, but the rods that will appear will include but not be limited to:
CND Solstice 13'4"
CND Solstice 14'3"
CND North Fork Specialist
CND Skagit Specialist
Meiser MKS rods
Meiser 126456 Highlander
Meiser 12678 Highlander
Anderson 1336/Meiser 1356
Burkie 7125
Burkie 8139
Sage 5120
Sage 6126
Sage 9140
Sage Z-Axis
Sage VT2s
Scott ARC 1287 and 1308
Scott LS2 1307
Winston BIIxs
Loomis Dredgers
Loomis Greased Line 15' 7/8
Fly Logic Dec Hogans
Echo Classic
TFO Skagit Series
T&T
And those are just the ones that have received positive feedback from members and I am sure I missed a couple!
Hey, what about the Burkie 8133? That's my Skagit rod.
JGS said:
Sparky,
Cut the guy some slack.
Speykid, you might want to do a search on "skagit" and check for threads on the subject. Ed Ward did a great post a while back (I think someone referenced it already) and gave specific rods that he favors without regard to brand/'endorsement deals'.
With that said, if this thread lasts long enough I can almost guess who will say what, but the rods that will appear will include but not be limited to:
CND Solstice 13'4"
CND Solstice 14'3"
CND North Fork Specialist
CND Skagit Specialist
Meiser MKS rods
Meiser 126456 Highlander
Meiser 12678 Highlander
Anderson 1336/Meiser 1356
Burkie 7125
Burkie 8139
Sage 5120
Sage 6126
Sage 9140
Sage Z-Axis
Sage VT2s
Scott ARC 1287 and 1308
Scott LS2 1307
Winston BIIxs
Loomis Dredgers
Loomis Greased Line 15' 7/8
Fly Logic Dec Hogans
Echo Classic
TFO Skagit Series
T&T
And those are just the ones that have received positive feedback from members and I am sure I missed a couple!
What line are you using for skagit on the 8133? I like my 8133 but have yet to find a skagit line that allows me to use the comfortable stroke I get with my 8139 or 1367 MKS. I've heard of an Airflo 9/10 cut down 3'-4'. Just cut one but have yet to cast it.
What line are you using for skagit on the 8133? I like my 8133 but have yet to find a skagit line that allows me to use the comfortable stroke I get with my 8139 or 1367 MKS. I've heard of an Airflo 9/10 cut down 3'-4'. Just cut one but have yet to cast it.
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