Thread: In the market for a 6wt

Basically last night my wife was browsing Cabela's online store for clothes and such, and I jumped on there to see what they had for rods in the Bargain Cave. There were the Traditionals on sale. I figured, why not? Like I said too, I can use this rod to improve my skills and look at getting a higher end rod in the future.

I'm a New Englander and fish a lot more than I should - but I don't have to explain that to you guys on a board like this. This thread has led me to several questions that I really have to ask:

Are you guys serious that there is a good consensus of people fishing 7wt rods in the Rockies? I have never fished there and have no idea ... but I have always heard that 7 is a weird weight for very weird conditions. I understand it's windy, but going heavier won't necessarily tighten your loop for you. You guys know better than I, just asking.

As for the bigger trout, sure. But they're still trout, aren't they? You can catch bonefish on a six.

You guys throw clousers in fresh water? For fish other than bass? Hey, if it works; go for it. Stripers love 'em ...

Did someone say 8-wt? Jaysus. I'm sorry, but Texas largemouth and Pike/Muskie endeavors are kinda the boundary for bringing that gear into fresh water.

Well, I went with the 7wt so that I can use either my 8wt or my 6wt line/reels on it. I also wanted the versatility for fishing lakes, big rivers, wind, casting distance, etc. Also, my dad said in the old days, the 7wt was THE rod to use for everything.

Also, at least here in Wyoming, we have big rivers with FAST current and big fish. Fish that feel even bigger in fast current.

And this time of year we are chucking big flies and weight.

It's kinda like having four wheel drive. You don't really need it that often, but you wouldn't want to be caught out in this country without it.

a lot of the time on some rivers around here a big fly rod is nice for battling the wind. if you are fishing all day on a windy river (like the yellowstone when you have to row downstream to ever get off the water) a big rod is nice for punching through. casting big streamers long distance in big wind for big trout with sinking line an 8wt has its place. main place i'll use mine is going after browns in the fall. fishing from drift boats we bring usually have 4+ rods for three guys so it's easy to switch it up. say keep a sinking line on a 8wt for pulling streamers, but if you decide to nymph a riffle or if dries start popping off you can switch to a rod with a floating line. i've used a friend of mine's 8 wt a bunch of times and like it a lot. I doubt i would ever use a 8wt wading, just boat fishing.

every day rod (smaller streamers on sink tip, big dries or nymphs on floating line) i use a 6 wt.
for small dries, or hiking 5 wt (it's my only 4 pc)
for small mountain creeks i have a 2 wt

tried using a smaller spey rod?

Originally Posted by 72Twenty

Spend some time in Wyoming while the wind is blowing, then you will understand.

Also, going after carp is not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

you want a spinning rod...

I actually use my 7 wt for trout a lot but I'm fishing for 25 inch trout in heavy cover.

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

tried using a smaller spey rod?

I go casting in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Casting Club once a year or so, and get to talk with some interesting and very cool people. A guy named Glen (competition caster) let me throw his 16' spey rod and gave me some pointers.

Then I had to ask him, "If you catch a fish, how do you let him go? He's gonna be, like, sixteen feet away from you." He said, "Don't fish alone!"

Interesting info about you guys' home water. I gotta get out there one of these days ... and I'll remember to bring the artillery.

Originally Posted by ak_powder_monkey

you want a spinning rod...

I actually use my 7 wt for trout a lot but I'm fishing for 25 inch trout in heavy cover.

and we're fishing for them in fast currents.

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

tried using a smaller spey rod?

I'll pull out a switch rod now and then...11'6'' 6 wt if I know there's no backcasting and I'm rolling streamers into pools. I've never bought into using anything heavier than a 6wt unless its for heavy lines and flies. IMO using an 8wt for trout is like taking a pair of 138 Lotus' out on a 4 inch day...just overkill. Guess it just depends on what you are comfortable with.

Someone asked about clousers in fresh water...trout don't seem to be all that picky when thier aggresive side comes out.

i think the thing that goes overlooked when selecting fly rods is that you pick the rod that you need to catch the fish based on what you're throwing out there and in what conditions.

the part and parcel side of this is that bigger stronger fish, will usually only take bigger heavier flies, that require bigger heavier rods, and therefore i think it gets confused that rod sized is only determined by fish size.

its a lot more obvious if you look at spinning or casting rods, they all have listed what weight lure theyre designed to throw

Originally Posted by Lumpy

Someone asked about clousers in fresh water...trout don't seem to be all that picky when thier aggresive side comes out.

I always prefer fishing for angry ones rather than hungry ones.

i once made a bass so angry by dangling a black rubber worm infront of it for 20 minutes that it swam full speed at my lure and beached itself on the grass where I was standing.

quite a site for a 6yo

Sorta similar angry bass story - fighting a nasty largemouth in hip waders and vodka-clear water at a cool spring-fed lake nearby. When he gets close by, he makes a final sprint right at me and bag-tags me.

I released that fucker, but I thought twice about it.

Begs for an "angry fish stories" thread ...

My rod showed up today. Nice case and everything. Seriously, not bad for the price. I am going to the Rockies game in Denver on Saturday, but might go out and give it a try on Sunday.

Originally Posted by Lonnie

Or, you could just learn how to cast....

Last time i checked, fly fishing was a way to get away from trash talking folks.

For western fishing a six weight is plenty. Orvis' low end rods are not worth the work they require to cast. The zero gravity mid-flex is pricey but a sweet rod. Check out the low end Winston rods, you can sometimes find them around ebay.

Agreed, Winstons are amazing. Not saying you "can't go wrong", but there are really very few "bad" fly rods out on the market right now at any price point. The only way you can get into trouble is using really specialized gear in the wrong place at the wrong time.

About the Zero Gravity: I've heard others agree with me that they are really cool, but seem to be rated incorrectly. A casting instructor who I very much respect once told me that the 4 wt Zero Gravity is a great rod with a 5 or 6 wt line on it. Could also be that there is such a thing as "too fast" a rod action.

You guys might be interested in this site; as there has been some discussion on wind and current. I would maintain that it's a lot better to manage windy conditions with casting technique than rod/line weight.

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