[Cowboy Tom]

Well,

In response to my quest to find a perfect winter rod I ended up buying an old graphite III 9140-3 Brownie. I am aware that this is not the perfect steelhead rod, BUT, I could afford it, it was close enough that I could go pick it up (which is rare considering where I live!), and it's a classic stick. Also, this particular rod is 2/3 brand new as the lower two sections were replaced by Sage and have never been fished, or had a reel screwed on for that matter!

So, I've searched at length and found mostly old posts with recommendations for obsolete lines, thus my request for current line suggestions. I don't have too much use for scandi lines so skagit and short/mid-belly lines are what I'm looking for. Hope Delta 9/10 is on the list because I happen to have one of those. Would like to find the line sweet spot for this stick without having to try a pile of them, and if it turns out I don't care for the rod I will probably sell it shortly and continue my search for a winter rod. Just for reference I tend to like moderate loads on a rod, not too heavy, not too light.

CT

 

[inland]

You might give the nextcast 8/9 45' and 55' and try. Both throw 15' 8wt RIO sinktips with ease. Rod is a solid 9/10 on normal line weight scales so your Delta should be spot on as well. You may also see if you can demo the 9/10 nextcast 45' and 55' (I find them a bit too heavy but very manageable and you may find them perfect). Fast action with medium fast recovery (old graphite). Stiff bottom third that can be engaged through proper casting technique. Still a VERY relevant rod today, hard pressed to find any that are 'better' by any serious margin. The newer (Sage) sticks are finished better with higher quality components and cork (your rebuilt rod may have better cork), are lighter with snappier recovery (Sage ONE 9140 is a better rod, but it is one line weight lighter and quite a bit different flex/recovery profile. More of a cross between the old brown 9140-4 and 9140-3). Enjoy the journey...

 

[fish0n4evr]

Your Delta 9/10 with a set polyleaders ( Int and a fast sinking 14) will do you well. The WA55 8/9 is about the nicest bridge between the compact shooting head and an extended belly.

 

[montanafos]

I'm following this post closely as I have the same rod and generally do not use it much as others are grabbed first. How about the Delta Long? I had been thinking along the lines of the 9/10 delta long either full line or tips version. Have considered lining it with a FF70 9/10 also just to see how it would handle it.

 

[Cowboy Tom]

I would have tried the Delta 9/10 by now but we have been well below zero at night so the river is full of iceburgs and ice shelves off each bank. We'll see if we get one last break in the temperature before total iceup. Other than that it will be late Feb / early March.

What about skagits? This thing ought to be able to throw a choker cable!

 

[shotgunner]

Cost effective Multi-Tip

What about skagits? This thing ought to be able to throw a choker cable!

Your talking winter fishing and asked about skagits.. This is my take for the 9140-3

You say you "don't have much use for Scandi lines" but with a rod of that caliber the tact is capable of MUCH more. The amount of grains in play make things possible. In my opinion a shooting head is a shooting head regardless of what nomenclature is scripted on the box. It's more about taper (or lack of) and most important, casting technique.

The SA Skagit Extreme Intermediate has fair amount of taper http://buy.scientificanglers.com/spey/skagit-extreme-intermediate-head-with-loops.html yet turnover capacity to spare. Combine with a factory tip or length of T-14 for comfortable total grain weight, then apply a quicker more Scandi like stroke. It's a pretty amazing fishing combination. 15' factory tips would put you out to 38' not a bad length head on 14' rod.

I picked up an older Sage 8124-3 this fall and combined with a SA Intermediate and 12' T-14 it worked out pretty impressive.

Goran Andersson designed 3 blanks for Sage, the 8124-3 - 9126-3 - and 9140-3.. they all rock, classics for sure.

 

[borano20]

Your talking winter fishing and asked about skagits.. This is my take for the 9140-3

You say you "don't have much use for Scandi lines" but with a rod of that caliber the tact is capable of MUCH more. The amount of grains in play make things possible. In my opinion a shooting head is a shooting head regardless of what nomenclature is scripted on the box. It's more about taper (or lack of) and most important, casting technique.

The SA Skagit Extreme Intermediate has fair amount of taper http://buy.scientificanglers.com/spey/skagit-extreme-intermediate-head-with-loops.html yet turnover capacity to spare. Combine with a factory tip or length of T-14 for comfortable total grain weight, then apply a quicker more Scandi like stroke. It's a pretty amazing fishing combination. 15' factory tips would put you out to 38' not a bad length head on 14' rod.

I picked up an older Sage 8124-3 this fall and combined with a SA Intermediate and 12' T-14 it worked out pretty impressive.

Goran Andersson designed 3 blanks for Sage, the 8124-3 - 9126-3 - and 9140-3.. they all rock, classics for sure.

Hello.. This line combo, used with Scandi techniques are becoming popular by the fishermen I´ve talked to lately. Short, manoeuverable head and a fishfinding tip, what more could you ask for?? Yours borano20

 

[Cowboy Tom]

With respect to raw power and ability to throw heavier lines, how does this 9140-3 compare to a St Croix Imperial 14' 9/10 (which I have cast a little bit and like very well with a Delta 8/9)? Sounds like it is about a half to a whole weight heavier.

I'm starting to think that this rod is just more than I really need in terms of line weight and power. I may just send it into Sage to have the tip replaced and have a whole, new rod to sell. (The lower two sections have not been used since being replaced by Sage a few years ago)