Streamer Rod

[jarrad barber]

Hey Fellas,

I wanted to get your input on a decision I am trying to make.  I am sort of following Kelly Galloup’s streamer system of fishing.  I’m currently throwing an 8 weight Flight with a 15′ sink tip rios.  I wade and it is too big a rod, wears me out.  And the sink tip is awkward to cast since the weight is unbalanced.  So, I’m going to Kelly’s full sink 60′ head line.  I’m going to get another rod and I am trying to decide between a 6 or a 7 weight.  I’ve been looking at the Sage VT2, and now I am considering the St. Crois Legend Ultra or Elite.  Does anyone have any experience with casting this line relative to different weight rods?  I want the lightest weight rod since I will be wading and want to conserve as much energy as possible.

Jarrad

[dustin bunch]

Hey Jarred,

I love to pull big streamers and I love Kelly Galloups system. I use a Scott 956-4 E2 and can cast it all day long repeatedly and not fatigue. I definately would go with a 6 weight with a 200 grain line. Also, Scott is discontinuing the E2 line so you can maybe find a good price on one.

Dustin

[Tim Schulz]

Jarrad,

I use Kelly’s Teeny line and a 6wt Sage Z-Axis.

[Mike Cline]

I regularly fish streamers with either a 7wgt Sage XP or a 7 wgt St Croix SCIV.

[Eric DeWitt]

I think anything more than a 6 wt and your kinda taking the fun out of it, if i am fishing tighter conditions where i don’t need huge distance i go down to a 3 or 4 wt!

[mark sikora]

The new Sage Bluegill rod might be a winner. When i cast there new rig trout streamers was the first thing that came to mind.
A easy casting gun.. don’t let the bluegill name fool you.
This rod can chuck a swimming Jimmy just fine.

[Mike Anderson]

There is no perfect streamer rods there are only perfect combinations. For example my 6wt Xi2 with a 250 grain SA Streamer Express is as good at casting trout medium Streamers as anything out there. That same line on some other 6wt might suck. Also if you are wading the Streamer express or any sinking line will suck since the running line will always sink at your feet.
I don’t know your river but IMO if I was wading and trying to streamer fish Gallop style I’d fish something like a fast 6wt rod with a 200-250 grain Rio outbound floater or a

[Corey Kruitbosch]

I have tried a few combos, but I always end-up going back to my St Croix Avid 6wt with 250 SA Streamer Express.

[Chris Beech]

Jarrad, check out the Scott X2s906/4 – easy to cast, light and sweet action.

Best Regards,

Beechy

[Tim Angeli]

Jarrad,

There is already a lot of really good input here.  I think a 6 versus 7 weight is personal preference.  An ideal rod for you would be the Orvis Helios since you seem to want something that is as light as possible.  I recently cast the 907-4 and came to the conclusion that that thing is just plain ridiculous.  It’s an absolute cannon and feels more like a 4 wt. in hand than a 7 wt.  The obvious problem is that it’s about double the price of the other rods you expressed interest in.

I’ve personally done a lot of streamer fishing with a St. Croix Legend Ultra 9′ 7wt. overlined with a 350gr sink tip.  It’s a great rod and can throw BIG streamers on big water all day.  The one downside based on what you are interested in is that it’s not particularly light.  I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for what you’re looking at using it for though, depending on how set you are on the lightness of the rod.  I personally feel that the Legend Ultra and Legend Elite are some of the best deals available.

Some people have already brought this up, but it’s worth re-iterating.  Full sinking lines are great for streamer fishing from a boat, but aren’t ideal for wade fishing since the line will sink at your feet.  You can get around this by coiling the line in your hand as you strip it in or by using a stripping basket, but for many people it’s a lot more convenient to use a sink tip line with a floating running line.  Eric also made a great suggestion of getting some T-8, T-11, T-14, or T-17 and cut it to various lengths to create your own “custom” sink tip.  

-Tim

[krkaloz]

Ironic…. This same subject has been on my mind. My first real experience with “Chucking” bugs was with Corey in UT, what a BLAST!

While I was out there I was able to demo a 9′ 6wt Z-axis. What a rod; light in the hand, a gem to cast with a great action and plenty of power. Only down side $ 630.00

I have been looking at a 9′ 6wt St Croix, Avid or TFO, Pro. Any advice??

Corey what was the rod you let me use?

[font=Papyrus:22oc8bqc]K2[/font:22oc8bqc]

[anonymous]

KRKaloz.

whats up, haven’t heard from you in a while?

Streamer rod…. nothing fancy. something you are prepared to break.

How many of you guys have broken a tip while throwing lead eyed flies?

[krkaloz]

Hey Dave,

Thanks for the advice, check your PM.

[font=Papyrus:lmnxq0w9]K2[/font:lmnxq0w9]

[Tim Angeli]

How many of you guys have broken a tip while throwing lead eyed flies?

A lifetime warranty is definitely worth its weight in gold with a streamer rod.

-Tim

[Colin M.]

Loomis — I have a GL3 6 wt that i love chucking streamers with, and for the price you cant beat it.

[Corey Kruitbosch]

Corey what was the rod you let me use? [font=Papyrus:wv0zs9o2]K2[/font:wv0zs9o2]

That was my Avid setup.

[krkaloz]

Colin,

[krkaloz]

Not sure how that one sent???

Colin,

I am aware of your success throwing the big bugs from various posts on FFP.

What line are you throwing on the GL3?

Thanks!

[font=Papyrus:o9o35fd9]K2[/font:o9o35fd9]

[Colin M.]

I was just throwing a SA trout line, but it works for the waters i fish the most.

[jarrad barber]

Thanks for all the input.

[Author]

Posts