New to fly fishing - longer rod?

[byproxy]

I inherited a fly rod from my dad. It's a 8' 6/7 wt. I'm fishing for steelhead with it. Based on everything I've read and heard from the guys in the shops... the 6/7 wt is great for steelhead.

What I'm wondering though is if a bit of a longer rod might be better for a newbie trying to master the cast. I was considering something like 9' or so.

Any thoughts on the matter from the experts out there?

[Midwest]

I started learning on a rod that was 8'...it did the job, but after moving up to a 9' rod, I wish I had this one earlier. The longer rod improves cast distance and fly control. I'm by no means the greatest fly fisherman, but the longer rod has made a big difference in my mending/cast accuracy/etc. I would have a difficult time going back to the shorter rod...:twocents:

[gustav]

I would say go with what you have. If you get into it I would say a 9'6" ft 8 wt rod is what I like for single hand flyfishing. But no need to spend money to have fun. Go to a good flyshop and find out where to go and what to use; that will be the best advice.

Once you hook into a few; then you will start justifying the new rods, lines, reels, and everything else that goes along with this disease they call Steelhead flyfishing.

[JD77]

good advice from gustav... see if you really like it and THEN spend money on new stuff. A 9 foot rod will help quite a bit with line control, but in terms of just casting, I don't think you'll see tons of difference.

[Soham]

All good advice...I would just add that after you spent some time with a rod you will learn to appreciate different aspects of how it casts as well as formulate an opinion of what you like and dislike about the rod. Armed with that information folks in a fly shop or on this forum will be able to help you decide what you need to take your casting/fishing to the next level. Tight lines!

[surfnfish]

I inherited a fly rod from my dad. It's a 8' 6/7 wt. I'm fishing for steelhead with it. Based on everything I've read and heard from the guys in the shops... the 6/7 wt is great for steelhead.

What I'm wondering though is if a bit of a longer rod might be better for a newbie trying to master the cast. I was considering something like 9' or so.

Any thoughts on the matter from the experts out there?

A 6/7, which is rated for a 6 sinking and 7 floating line, is a tad light for huskier steelhead, but doable. However, an 8' rod will really limit your ability to cast distance, and more importantly, mend your line on the water.

When I went from a 9' to a 9.5' rod, I found I could both cast further and mend easier - when I went from the 9.5 to a 10', it was the same upgrade in distance and mending..

If you decided to buy a new steelhead rod, I would get nothing shorter then a 9.5', and would recommend a 10'. If you will be targeting primarily summer fish and shallower water winter runs, a 7 wt, is a great rod. If you think you will be fishing for big winter fish in deeper and stronger flows, which means t-14 sinktips and the like, would recommend an 8 wt. as a do it all rod.

Good luck!