[GHalliday]

Platinum 7132 or a Burkheimer 7133-3.

 

[flytie09]

I love my 11’ 8 WT Meiser and 11’ 8 WT Sharpes Scottie rods. Both perform differently…. but each give me joy when I get the chance to string them up and slosh some water.

 

[Sheboygan Spey]

In Wisconsin, small rivers Winston BIIX 11' 7 wt w/ Evotech reel and airflo delta spey, very versatile for dead drifting or swinging...

For Larger rivers, Meiser S2H12678MKS with Nautilus NV 10/11 and Skagit or Fist line...

I have some longer sticks also and break them out, but the above are light and compact and versatile in the rivers here which are relatively small...

By the way, got out for the first time this spring today...still slot of ice here, but starting to go quickly now...

 

[jimlucey]

i'm lovin' my 13' 9wt. spliced scottie bamboo , meiser 14' 6/7/8 # mkx , 14' loop gass 8#

 

[Yooper-Fly]

I think all is Great Lakes dude are on the same page!!! Loving this thread!

Small-medium(ish) : Switch rod in the 7-8wt category......I’m currently tossing the OPST switch rod, nice stick

Medium: I really really like my Echo 12’6” 6wt TR. This rod really casts great, and has the power to really lean into fish. I’d call it a 6.5 in reality

Large: 13’6” 8wts and 14’ 9/10’s rock
I always wanted a Meiser MKX 13’6” 7/8 and will get one one day. Currently planning on ordering the Gaelforce G+ 14’ 9/10 which I’ve read is more of a light 9wt

 

[jiggs]

My only one Beulah 7132 platinum!

 

[MHC]

The bamboo Hardy 'Wye' rods were in production from 1914- 1978 and widely regarded (then & now) as quality all round, powerful casting rods.
My favourite so far for general use, is a hollowed 11' model, which has proved itself to be very light and responsive, these last several years - it can even be used single handed, apparently.. just.. I now have a 12' version on my list.

Malcolm

 

[CRSteelheader]

That bamboo hardy is sweet man!

 

[Casey]

For small water I turn to either my Sage X 8101-4 (8 wt 10ft with fighting butt) or my Redington Chromer 8116
Mid sized water: Redington Claymore 8126 and if there's space my Sage Sonic 7136-4
Big water: Hardy Demon 9/10 13'9. Even though it's listed as a 9/10 I personally feel like it's more of a 8/9. Or I'd go with a Sage 7140X or 8140X depending on flows and wind.

 

[flytie09]

I swang some thangs this last week with these little ditties…..

L

 

[CaptHanSolo]

For smaller GL systems w/ access to Lake MI:

• Method 11'9" 7 wt.
• Scott T3H 11' 8 wt.

 

[GusTheRiverDog]

Smaller Rivers Confluence Bamboo Fall Favorite 11'9" 7 wt splice
Medium Rivers Echo TR 12'6" 6 wt
Large Rivers Loomis NRX 13' 8/9 wt

I’m doing some research on the Echo TR2 12-6 6wt. Out of curiosity, what Skagit grain wt do you use? Many thanks!

 

[GusTheRiverDog]

I think all is Great Lakes dude are on the same page!!! Loving this thread!

Small-medium(ish) : Switch rod in the 7-8wt category......I’m currently tossing the OPST switch rod, nice stick

Medium: I really really like my Echo 12’6” 6wt TR. This rod really casts great, and has the power to really lean into fish. I’d call it a 6.5 in reality

Large: 13’6” 8wts and 14’ 9/10’s rock
I always wanted a Meiser MKX 13’6” 7/8 and will get one one day. Currently planning on ordering the Gaelforce G+ 14’ 9/10 which I’ve read is more of a light 9wt

I’m doing some research on the Echo TR2 12-6 6wt. Out of curiosity, what is your preferred Skagit grain wt? Thanks!

 

[TheSwingingFly]

My current go to lineup
Smaller rivers - T&T XF 1177
Large rivers - Meiser MKX 13’6” 7/8
Mid size - Gaelforce 13’0” 7/8

Subject to change, of course…

The greatest two hand taper that T&T ever created was the T&T XD 1167, man I wish they still made that rod, not many spey rods I have not owned and it was honestly the best short two hander I have ever fished. I found myself using it even when longer rods made more sense...

Without a doubt the best short two hand rod for steelhead ever made that I have fished anyway, better than the Meiser 1177S and the Burkie 1177... I have owned most of them that were created in the last 20 years... I even had a Meiser 1177 made with a stiffer tip than normal trying to achieve that taper on my own, wasn't the same...

Wasn't a huge fan of that XF model, my personal opinion is, the fact that XF model has the word "fast" in it, consumers gravitated to it, but it's nowhere near as nice of a taper for fishing...

Me being me, sold it to try other rods, biggest mistake of my angling career lol

Neville, if you are reading this, start making that model again, please!

MKX 136 7/8 is the gold standard of mid length rods, couldn't agree more there...

 

[Yooper-Fly]

Nice seeing this post come back to life! My current favorite all around Great Lakes stick is the Gaelforce 12'9" 7/8. Just returning from a trip, and the stick handles salmon and steelhead with authority

 

[Yooper-Fly]

I’m doing some research on the Echo TR2 12-6 6wt. Out of curiosity, what is your preferred Skagit grain wt? Thanks!

I've since moved on from the echo rods, but the 475-510 seemed right on that stick.

 

[GusTheRiverDog]

I've since moved on from the echo rods, but the 475-510 seemed right on that stick.

Thanks!

 

[fatman]

Beulah Classic 1167

 

[Misk9]

Loomis IMX-PRO 11'11" 7wt

 

[Huronfly]

I’m doing some research on the Echo TR2 12-6 6wt. Out of curiosity, what Skagit grain wt do you use? Many thanks!

This is my go to rod for most of the season as well, I like a 450 grain skagit.