steve154
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how many fly rods should one own? The question is how many can you get?
My opinion on a dedicated great lakes Steelhead rod, especially for our area, is a fast 9 1/2′ 7 wt. I have an XP in that configuration and IMO it is the ultimate rod for this purpose. You will hear all kinds of guys go on about 10′ rods for Steelhead because of added mending abilities. I have fished several 10 footers for extended periods and they are just a pain in the butt to me. Way too tiring and you have to compensate with a heavier reel to not feel tip heavy. The entire thing just wears me out. Also, you are giving the fish a leverage advantage during the fight. I have never detected a difference between a 9 1/2 and 10 in mending abilities, but there is a ton of difference when fighting fish and how tiring each is. The extra 6″ is the perfect compromise over a 9′ rod for mending, holding lots of line off the water, fighting fish and not feeling like you just got done tossing bails of hay all day.
My name is Steve and I am addicted to reels…I need help becasue I am going to buy it. For $150.00 I can’t pass it up.
Carter, Thanks!
That sucks big time that they are ditching these babies. Get em while yoou can…$200.00 is about as good as it gets. If I can grab a No 4 for that I am all over it.
If you were going to have a problem it would certainly show up with a 9lb fish. I personally have double and triple surgeon loops and clinch knots bust at an alarming rate with any fluoro that I have tried. I went to the Davy knot and rings last year and everything smoothed out. Different experiences under different conditions.
One of the problems I have always had with fluoro is cold weather knot strength. No scientific data to back me up but, it just seems that there is a difference in extreme conditions. Most of my problems were seen when making surgeon loops, or attaching fluoro to mono with surgeon knots. Double, Triple didn’t seem to make a difference. Someone on this board suggested the tiny metal rings that Feather Craft sells and uses on their furled leaders. The ring goes on the end of the leader and you attach your tippet to the ring with whatever knot you desire. I tried them…problem solved. I use the Davy knot for the attachment at both ends of the tippet and have found it to be the strongest knot for fluoro. No more loops for me. Also, I have taken to using Orvis Mirage exclusively. You can get it on the bigger 100m spools and it is a bit cheaper than buying the small spools. I go through a ton of 3, 4 and 5X every year. Considering the cost of all the other gear we use it is worth it to me to spend a little more on something as important to me as tippet. I don’t know if it makes that much of a difference but, it gives me confidence and the feeling that I might have a tiny edge and that is reason enough for me spend some cash 🙂
Zach, I agree. I think the best option for what we want to do right now is a canoe. I forgot about the outriggers after seeing them in catalogs many times in the past and that is certainly something I am going to do no matter what canoe we get.
spenser, where are you at in the Adirondacks. We have been to the Old Forge area twice and are planning another trip for next summer. I was thinking about hitting a new area. Any suggestions? I will have a canoe for the trip… 🙂
I did not know about the extra screw. Are you sure mine doesn’t have one? Now I have to go look. If it isn’t there I am going to run down to my neighborhood hardware and get one. I just found out that the owner of the store also owns a pond that I have been wanting to get on for years. How could he refuse a loyal customer, especially when I just bought a 10 cent screw?
Very smart on the lines. I think I will do the same thing with a 4wt TT. Then in a few months I can drop the big hammer for a rehabilitative 4wt to get me back casting…she will never suspect that I had a plan all along. “Hey, I already have the line.” Thanks!
bd, awesome information. I have saved your post to a text file for reference. I feel like I have a place to start from now. Thanks
dunfly, mine went out on Saturday via Priority mail. I did not put the instructions in the box. I need an email address so I can get those to you.
I am 40 miles SW of Buffalo. I just map quested it and it would be a 1000+mile round trip…Just a little too far.
sounds like it might be a good idea to go on a few educational voyages in nice warm water so eveyone can learn what you can and can’t do.
Carter, I agree with you and we will most likely go used.
Mike, I looked at the riverhawk site. How easy is it to paddle one of those? They look like they would be very stable. Do you have one?
Zach, I kinda like your idea about two smaller ones. It really would be more convenient and whatever we get I would want to be able to use by myself. Heck, if we get one and really use it like I think we will, I can always just grab another one later on. How stable is your canoe? Can you stand in it? I am mainly thinking about my little guy moving around and tipping the boat.
I can’t do anything right now anyways and will do some research and figure it out. Transportation will be a consideration. We got rid of our explorer and now have an Escape (I was talked into it by reason of gas mileage and in reality there isn’t much difference. I should have gotten another Explorer) I will be asking more questions of all.
Thanks!
