Steelhead fly/spinning fishing rigs...

[Cool Texan]

I have a preliminary green light to go ahead and get at least the steelhead fly rod/reel set up, assuming I give her the ok to buy a douvet...a dooovey...a dooo-v-a...a comforter cover.

Ironic timing too, as I just got an Orvis catalog. Here is my question...for fly fishing set ups, what is an idea set up for use in steelhead (and salmon)? I am thinking a 9.5', 8wt rod with a matching reel. What do I need to look for in a reel? Anyone have any thoughts on the quality of the Orvis stuff??

What would you consider to be ideal set ups for both fly fishing for them as well as for regular casting (spinners, corkies, etc)???? Help me out here...I dont know how long my approval is good for!! :grin:

[rob allen]

Texan, Orvis makes mixed bad when it comes to quality. Some of their stuff is good some is not. I'd not recommend buying a steelhead rod from Orvis. They are an east coast company designing rods with an east coast mentality. They are well built but not desingled by steelheaders.
Reels though are another matter Orvis has some of the best inexpensive reels on the market.
the orvis "battenkill" disc drag reel is a hard one to beat at I believe around 120 dollars.

Also flyfishing manufacturers like to change things every so often so every year there are things being discontinued and marked 40% off retail. I personally would not but a new rod for full retail. There are too many good deals on used and discontinued equipment out there.
You are correct in looking for a 9.5 foot 8 weight although not ideal for every situation it is the best all around steelhead rod.
Also I'd recomment one of the new interchangeable tip fly lines they are expemsive but they take the place of extra spools and extra lines and in the end are less money.

I will go scrounge around the net for a bit looking for good deal on rods and reels and will post them here when I find them..

[ 01-10-2002: Message edited by: rob allen ]</p>

[Cool Texan]

NorRiver...alarm hasnt been replaced, but has been switched to "Loud" mode and hasnt failed. :grin:

I am ready to hit the water most any time...just trying to get geared up so i can get out a little and work on steelhead.

[Bubzilla]

Cool Texan,

I would avoid Orvis like the plague. Granted, they do stand behind what they make, but they have to--because they make a lot of crap! Frankly, most of their products don't even compare to those of other major manufacturers in terms of quality or performance. And yes, I'm unfortunately speaking from experience. Their Battenkill reels are, as Rob suggests, an exception. But for just a little more money, you can do better. Redington, for example, produces a machined reel, the Battenkill is cast, with a quality drag in the 7/8 size for only $159.00--$195.00 for a large arbor version. Personally, I think they're a much better value.

Focusing on the rod is probably best. For the most part, your reel is simply somewhere to store line while you fish. I've fished for steelhead for years with a Loop reel that doesn't even have a drag, so drag quality and composition is not the big of a deal for steelhead fishing.

In terms of rods, eight weights are generally the most popular for steelhead. Longer rods are generally the choice because they make it easier to mend and roll cast--major aspects of steelhead fishing with a fly. An eight weight, nine-and-a-half foot rod would be a good choice. Personally, I prefer ten foot rods, though. They tend to be slightly more exhausting to fish for long days, but the extra length does help with mending and roll casting--and I seldom fish where I'm have any room whatsoever for a backcast.

Something else to consider in choosing a rod is action. Several makers, for example Loomis, primarily produce very fast actioned rods. Other makers, like Scott, make some rods with much slower actions. Scott even makes a line of rods, the ARC series, that are specifically designed for salmon and steelhead fishing--they have a medium action, soft tip, and strong butt (big price tag).

Now for the bad news: like with traditional gear, one set-up won't cover every situation. If you get an eight weight, nine-and-a-half foot rod, you'll be set for both summer and winter steelhead. You'll also be in good shape for coho. You'll be arguably a little light for chum--depending on where you're fishing and the action of your rod. But you'll for sure be too light for chinook.

Good luck. Go to a couple shops, and try some rods, and ask questions. You're going to get lots of opinions--not all well-informed or experienced--so don't be in a hurry to buy. Try Rich Youngers at Creekside in Salem. Very knowledgeable guy--honest guy. Also, Keith at the Velley Fly Fisher (Salem) is a really good guy.

[NETONE]

One rod period..G-Loomis...fly/spin/cast...Fished with new IMX 1025C....its heaven.....ya can feel a fish **** ...

[moman]

I recently went through the same process, although it didn't cost me a dooooovet, I'm sure it cost me something, I just can't remember what. I shopped pretty hard and ended up with a St. Croix Avid series 9'0", 8-wgt. Medium action, I agree that some of the super fast rods were likely not appropriate for me as a part-time fly fisherman. I have more control and its easier to mend. For the price, the St. Croix unconditional lifetime warranty, even on the $99 ProGraphite series, seems too good to be true, but it ain't, it's real. I had planned on buying the Imperial model until the Avid came along. I matched it with an Aurora ST7/8, not my choice but the price was right. Its fine but I had my eye on the Battenkill or the Redington Large Arbor (not enough "O's" in smooooth). Spooled it with Wulff TT.

Now, I'm all for supporting local shops and typically do but I broke my rule here: I saved about 50% buying the rod off E-Bay from a guy in NY for $130. The reel, Overstock.com of all places, $50, again, price was important to me and heck, the drag is bomber. I see it listed around for $145. There seem to be so many deals on the internet, including deals from fly shops with sites, including our friends in Welches (http://www.flyfishusa.com/) that its hard to pass up. There are tons of used and demo rods out there, its just hard to test cast 'em if they're in Idaho. S

[GBSkunk]

You might try www.flyfishusa.com (http://www.flyfishusa.com) for The Fly Fishing Shop in Welches. Mark sells quality tackle.

[V. Green]

I would have to agree with many of the above posts. It will be hard to find a rod that would be heavy enough for Chinook and Steelhead.

I generally use an 8wt or 9wt for Steelhead and a 12wt for Chinook. I can land Pretty much anything on the 8wt. However, I have had chinook wear me out after 45 minutes without the fish showing any signs of stopping while using the 8wt, I finally cut my leader when it got close enough. That is why I have a 12wt.

As for rods you might want to wait until the sportsmans show in Portland. You can normally get some good deals on older models and demos. Some booths will even have specials. I like the St. Croix rods, they have a good warranty and a good price. Redington is another choice I have heard good things about, my brother has one redington that he really likes.

You might consider buying a Argus reel the AF890 would be a good deal at around $120 or less. It is machined and has a good disc drag. You can find them at Riverside Fly Shop in SW Portland (Beaverton?). WW Grigg in Aurora is the maker of these.

Good luck on your search.

[Pete]

Another vote for Kaufmann's here. I would call ahead and actually make an appointment to work with Rod Robinson. Explain to him what you want and have him help you try some set ups out. Rod is patient, knowlegdeable and skilled ... a true gentleman. I say "try" some setups, because with fly gear, feel is everything! If you can't cast it before you buy it, you won't know whether you will like it ... so try a bunch of rods. It costs nothing and it will help you find something you can be proud to own and pleased to use. There are other folks at K-Mann's that are also great, but Rod is who I want to be in my next life. (Just for the heck of it, ask him how the green drakes were this year.)

[rob allen]

Hmm I have looked around, most of the sales I have been watching over the last few weeks seem to have ended.

I suggest watching the classifid adds at flyshop.com and if you are in the Portland Oregon area to visit River City Fly Shop. He has used and older high quality fly rods at reduced prices.

If you are in the Portland area I'd be happy to go over there with you and help you find some good gear.

[Charlie]

All the comments and suggestions regarding Fly rod
and reel make sense, and Kaufmann's is a first class store as well as the others mentioned but his way is spendy,so I suggest you check out E-Bay or Riverside/Welches shop as
they would have used outfits.

If you really want to fly fish for Steelhead and
Salmon, go the way I finaly did, buy a Spey Rod
with the line with four sections, floating-intermediate-two sink-full sink, name I have is
Rio. However I can not walk and chew gum at the same time so I really have not Spey casted, just
two hand over hand, but did get the fly out there
to catch several Steelhead one weighing 17#. There are many Spey fishermen who are continuing up grading and there would be several deals on used equipment. Several fishermen are using this
set up in the bay in the fall for Chinook, and I
dod not know the guide that does this but I am sure someone on the IFISH does.
Good luck!
Charlie

[Cool Texan]

Thanks for the input Rob...any help is appreciated since i am still a learner/beginnner.

[Beer Waggin]

Cool Tex! How's that alarm clock treating you? :grin:
I agree with what Rob said about the Orvis stuff. You can never go wrong with a Ross reel. Look at any one of their bigger reels. Good luck finding a deal one on though. Fisherman's carries just about all of the Ross reels, or go to Tigard and look at............ I'm drawing a blank on the name of the store, but someone will pop up with it in a minute. I think they only sell Sage rods which are big bucks, but well worth the money. I have a Browning 4 weight that I think I only paid like $50 for that is sweet, so more money isn't always the answer. Make sure you cast it before you buy it.
Springer season is right around the corner, so let me know when you get a new alarm clock and we'll go.

[Evan0505]

Kaughmans... great store... the guys in there should be able to set you up with something.

[Cool Texan]

Just sent off an email to flyfishusa folks for some help....thanks for recommeding them. I'll keep you posted.