Joined
·
200 Posts
Hi guys:
My elbow has convinced me that it is not going to heal in time for this fall and that I need to save my elbow for saltwater trips, so it looks like I need a new spey rod. I own and have fished one of the first Sage 9140's that came out, for what 10-15 years? I have never been a fan of spey rods because I don't like the fight. After thinking about it a lot for the last year, I think the problem is that the 9140 is not a true 9 wt, but is more like my 12 wt tarpon rods. A 24"-25" one salt hatchery fish on the Deschutes will not even turn the reel handle. A 1 salt wild fish will take a little line but only 10-15'. The rod feels right for wild steelhead over 15lbs and is certainly adequate for Chinook up to 35 lbs., my largest. The other problems I have with spey rods is that they cast too far and make too much noise on flat water. I like to fish dry flies and I can't see a disco mouse in choppy water at 100'.
So here is what I would like. A true 6wt (or heavy 5wt.), 13'-14', more on the soft side (not an overhead rod) that will cast a dry line 70-80' and still has the backbone to cast a light sink tip (#II-#V) on a windcutter for late October and early November. I normally fish a 9'6wt graphite rod or an 8wt cane rod if the wind comes up, both with old Hardy & CFO click drag reels. I want to have that same feeling of not being in control when a 2 salt wild fish decides to head to the ocean. I want something that is too light to use in Canada.
Thanks for your help. I am not trying to put down spey rods. I just wanted you to understand why I prefer single-handed rods so that you could help me pick out a rod that fit my whims. Add to that, that I am 400 miles from a steelhead river and a fly shop that carries spey rods.
I have read all the old posts on this board and others, and still do not know where to start. Maybe a 5120?????? Or a Meiser 12’6” 4/5/6, or a Gary Anderson 13’ 5 or a Burkie 14’ 7???? Help!! Thanks in advance.
Mark
My elbow has convinced me that it is not going to heal in time for this fall and that I need to save my elbow for saltwater trips, so it looks like I need a new spey rod. I own and have fished one of the first Sage 9140's that came out, for what 10-15 years? I have never been a fan of spey rods because I don't like the fight. After thinking about it a lot for the last year, I think the problem is that the 9140 is not a true 9 wt, but is more like my 12 wt tarpon rods. A 24"-25" one salt hatchery fish on the Deschutes will not even turn the reel handle. A 1 salt wild fish will take a little line but only 10-15'. The rod feels right for wild steelhead over 15lbs and is certainly adequate for Chinook up to 35 lbs., my largest. The other problems I have with spey rods is that they cast too far and make too much noise on flat water. I like to fish dry flies and I can't see a disco mouse in choppy water at 100'.
So here is what I would like. A true 6wt (or heavy 5wt.), 13'-14', more on the soft side (not an overhead rod) that will cast a dry line 70-80' and still has the backbone to cast a light sink tip (#II-#V) on a windcutter for late October and early November. I normally fish a 9'6wt graphite rod or an 8wt cane rod if the wind comes up, both with old Hardy & CFO click drag reels. I want to have that same feeling of not being in control when a 2 salt wild fish decides to head to the ocean. I want something that is too light to use in Canada.
Thanks for your help. I am not trying to put down spey rods. I just wanted you to understand why I prefer single-handed rods so that you could help me pick out a rod that fit my whims. Add to that, that I am 400 miles from a steelhead river and a fly shop that carries spey rods.
I have read all the old posts on this board and others, and still do not know where to start. Maybe a 5120?????? Or a Meiser 12’6” 4/5/6, or a Gary Anderson 13’ 5 or a Burkie 14’ 7???? Help!! Thanks in advance.
Mark