7wt vs 8wt......

freediver111 · 05-17-2010, 07:14 AM

Well I have a little dilemma on my hands.
I'm headed to Alaska at the end of August for a friends wedding. While there, I'm planning on fly fishing as much as possible. We're going to hit the Kenai, among other rivers.
The only fly fishing set up I currently own is a 5wt and I need another fly rod that can handle Silvers or Sockeye. I do have a Fenwick Aspen series hand me down from a friend that's a 7wt, but no reel for it.
I know the Fenwick Aspen series is not the top of the line rod by any means, but I'm not a great fly fisherman, and most of my time is spent chasing trout with a 5wt, or steelhead with spinning gear.
What would be the advantages of buying an 8wt rod/reel combo (say maybe a TFO), vs just getting a 7wt reel for the Fenwick I have?
I do plan on fishing for steelhead here in Oregon with a fly once I have a set up for it, so can I get by with the 7wt, or are there more advantages to the 8wt?

Slow and Low · 05-17-2010, 07:46 AM

7 is light for a one hander even for small steelhead and certainly for Silvers. 8 weights are very versatile and can defeat fish into the teens but do not over power 5-8 pound steelhead.

My vote is get a cheap 8 weight and a solid reel to go with it.

Oregonism · 05-18-2010, 07:42 AM

I picked up an Echo Ion 9' 8# (locally made in Vancouver, WA), and it is a great all around larger fish rod. It feels really stout and could probably take a 15lb fish without all that much trouble. It'll probably make a perfect AK rod if I ever make it up there, as it works well in the wind too. It's a $170 rod that feels like a much, much more expensive rod.

As far as a reel goes, if you don't get a large arbor reel, there are numerous reels in the sub-$50 range. If you do, there are a couple good cast aluminum large arbor reels under $75 that will work well too. Go talk to the guys at River City Fly shop... they will give you a great deal if you get a rod/reel combo.

I also think that you'd feel pretty undergunned with a 7 weight on some of the fish you'd hook into. It's certainly do-able, but you'll have a broader spectrum of fish you can target with a good 8-weight.

surfnfish · 05-19-2010, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freediver111

Well I have a little dilemma on my hands.
I'm headed to Alaska at the end of August for a friends wedding. While there, I'm planning on fly fishing as much as possible. We're going to hit the Kenai, among other rivers.
The only fly fishing set up I currently own is a 5wt and I need another fly rod that can handle Silvers or Sockeye. I do have a Fenwick Aspen series hand me down from a friend that's a 7wt, but no reel for it.
I know the Fenwick Aspen series is not the top of the line rod by any means, but I'm not a great fly fisherman, and most of my time is spent chasing trout with a 5wt, or steelhead with spinning gear.
What would be the advantages of buying an 8wt rod/reel combo (say maybe a TFO), vs just getting a 7wt reel for the Fenwick I have?
I do plan on fishing for steelhead here in Oregon with a fly once I have a set up for it, so can I get by with the 7wt, or are there more advantages to the 8wt?

Consider picking up a TFO or Echo 7 wt. switch rod, both around 11'. This is a great rod for any fish from 5# to 20#. Go to your local fly shop and talk to them about your needs, see what they have to say.. if you're near Salem, see Rich at Creekside Flyfishers..

K-sigfish · 05-19-2010, 12:50 PM

Buy an 8 wt set up and take the 7 weight rod along with! The beauty of of that option is you can easily over line the 7wt rod with the same reel you use on the 8 if targeting big bows or small steelies and you will have pleanty of lumber for bigger steelies and coho in the 8 wt. Also for summer steelies back here in oregon, you will be glad you have the 7 wt as they are still perfectly capable of subduing these fish and a heck of a lot nicer to cast all day.

D3smartie · 05-19-2010, 12:58 PM

I've caught fish up to almost 40 pounds with an 8wt and it is not a problem. If you are looking at buying one rod to add to your collection and provide the most value, i would get a medium (this is subjective these days as there is really nothing below medium fast from Sage in many people eyes) action 8wt. One of my favorite rods of all time is the old Sage SLT 8wt. It is discontinued now so you might be able to find a deal on one. It is a sweet sweet rod.

D3smartie · 05-23-2010, 09:37 AM

now thats funny...

free- you should also take a look for a redington CPS or RS4 8wt. They were discontinued year before last? but sometimes you can find one at sportsmans or a local fly shop. They were around $99 when i last saw one for a $300 rod. RS is softer than the CPS so if you are looking to throw tips and big flies i wouldnt pick it, but if you want a nice summer run rod that could be used on silvers and big bows you might try casting it.

Slow and Low · 05-23-2010, 10:17 PM

If you are talking brands and one handers not sure you can find a more complete manufacturer than Sage. Pretty much the gold standard.

clarkman23 · 05-24-2010, 07:30 AM

go cast a bunch of different manufacturers rods, you might be surprised. Whatever you do, don't listen to people who say "DON'T get --insert brand here--"

Everyone has their own personal bias when it comes to fly rods. Who knows, a Sage might just knock your socks off. Just because it's not right for me (too fast for my taste--for the most part), doesn't mean it won't be right for you. Or a Winston, TFO, Echo, Redington, etc. Or, it might be more worthwhile to check out some custom rodmakers as well. One way to find out.

Nicechromer · 05-26-2010, 09:56 AM

8 wt. hands down for Alaska. I also have the CPS that I got for just over 100 bucks and like it alot. Look into TFO professional series too. great rods for the money. If you want to pay big money, Sage is a great choice..

Steelie Mike · 05-26-2010, 11:41 AM

I have been up there many times and have to say if you end up getting into a lot of fish, you will wish you had at least an eight weight. Though most sockeye, pinks and even silvers can be caught on a 7wt, you will get tired of trying to horse them around and you your muscles will find an eight weight a little more helpful. I hope that is the case for you. The eight weight will be perfect for you as a beginning steelheader here in the PNW for both winter and summer fishing as well.

I am not a high end rod fan, nor much of a Sage fan, but do like many of the older Sage rods. I have fished the TFO Pro's a bunch and in comparison to some of the other rods out there at that price point, I would rather own the Redington CPS or Echo Ion or Solo. The Sage Flights are broomsticks and don't let them talk you into one just because of the name. The Z-Axis is a great rod though, just 640 bones is too much and at that price I would rather use that money for a return trip to Alaska.