MichiganFishing1997 Posted April 28, 2012 Posted April 28, 2012 Im looking into getting a new fly rod, 8 weight. Im thinking maybe anywhere from 250 to 350? 400 max. Under 250 works too. What brand or model would you suggest? im gonna use it for pike, steelhead, and other fish in that area. Gloomis, Orvis, TFO, Sage? I know orvis has a 25 year waranty which is good. Thanks for the feedback! Quote
Michael DiNardo Posted April 29, 2012 Posted April 29, 2012 All are great rods. I have a 9 1/2 7 wt, that handled some big silvers and chums in AK. Mine is a St. Croix Elite series which is within your budget. It is a very nice rod. A 9' 8 wt will handle everything you want to do as well. May I suggest a 4 piece, it is very handy to pack. Whatever you get, also buy quality line, don't scrimp on line. I would suggest a WF, weight forward, floating line. Mike Quote
Jacob34 Posted April 29, 2012 Posted April 29, 2012 I would also recommend going to your local fly shop (If you have one.) or fishing store and try casting a few different rods. Fly fishing isn't like regular fishing per say, each individual has a different casting stroke. Go cast a few and pick which one feels the best to you. If you're going to spend upwards of $400.00 you really can't go wrong with the rod manufacturers you listed. Each have lifetime warranties. Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted April 29, 2012 Author Posted April 29, 2012 Thanks, i will definitely get a 4 piece, and hopefully they will throw in some good line haha.Any problems with the St.Croix? And Jacob i love the suggestion of going to a local fly shop but i cant find one close, i have gotten all my stuff for tying and fishing from BPS. Quote
Michael DiNardo Posted April 29, 2012 Posted April 29, 2012 No problems with the St. Croix. I will say it might be a bit heavier, half an ounce, heavier than a Loomis, but I'm 270 pounds, so that does not matter to me. It is built very well. I recommend the St. Croix. If you go to a flyshop, don't be surprised if they do throw in the flyline, I would ask, if you buy a higher end rod and reel. Mike Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted April 29, 2012 Author Posted April 29, 2012 Good to know. Yeah weight 135, so wight can make a difference here. Now what speed do you prefer? Mid? Fast? Quote
Jacob34 Posted April 29, 2012 Posted April 29, 2012 If this is your first fly rod outfit I would recommend a mod./Fast action rod. A little slower of a rod really helps with the learning side of things. If I where a betting man I would say that the Orvis Access is the lightest rod out of the bunch you listed followed by Sage. I personally throw the 9' 8WT Sage Vantage and love that rod. It has landed many a steelhead and a few salmon, not to mention tiger musky,pike and wipers. It's a fairly light stick at 3 3/4 oz. Sage's customer service is great as is ST. Croix's. G-loomis on the other.... let's just say I'll never buy another product from them again. Also I own an older ST. Croix Legend Ultra 5WT. and love that rod as well. I've had it for almost Ten years now and still use it alot. Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted April 29, 2012 Author Posted April 29, 2012 Good to know, im not new to fly fishing, i got my first rod in february, but i learn quick. I can cast well, still working on presentation, i know my knots, and iv landed many bass and blue gill on my 5wt. Its just one of those BPS intruders but it works well for the money. And i know its expensive but what about a Orvis Access outfit, the colors on the rod are beautiful to me. Quote
Michael DiNardo Posted April 29, 2012 Posted April 29, 2012 I prefer a fast action rod. If you are already good at it, I would recommend a fast action. Mike Quote
Jacob34 Posted April 29, 2012 Posted April 29, 2012 I had the opportunity to throw the 9' 5WT. tip flex Orvis Access earlier today on the river and it's one sweet stick! Liked it better than my St. Croix Legend Ultra. It handled big old stone fly dries and nymphs and well as smaller dries superbly. I'm thinking it will make a great X-mas present Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Posted April 30, 2012 I just love the look of that access! how fast is that action? Quote
Jacob34 Posted April 30, 2012 Posted April 30, 2012 Honestly Orvis rod's action are somewhat different than other manufactures. The 9.5 Tip Flex Orvis Access that I used today compared to a Sage fast action fly rod (Like the Flight or VXP.) Or even my ST. Croix Legend Ultra is noticeably slower to me. Not to say it's not a fast action fly rod. It's just a bit slower than rods mentioned above. Another thing you might want to look at is if you can find an Orvis Hydros on sale it would be a steal. They retailed around $500.00, but probably can be had for much less. My Brother has the Hydros and it's freaky lightweight. I didn't realize that Orvis stopped selling them (I assume they did, they're not on the website anymore.) Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Posted April 30, 2012 Ah alright, now how did the action affect your casting? Quote
Jacob34 Posted April 30, 2012 Posted April 30, 2012 Not at all. Me personally I like the moderate fast action fly rods. I also throw a bamboo rod too, which is ridiculously slow action. You just have to adjust your casting stroke to the rod. If you have never thrown a faster action rod it will take some time to get the timing down right, but since you have a good idea of what you are doing it really shouldn't be a problem. Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Posted April 30, 2012 Okay good to know. Now do you have an Orvis shop near you? I do and i was wondering if they let you cast the rods. Quote
Jacob34 Posted April 30, 2012 Posted April 30, 2012 The fishing store I go to a lot is a Authorized Orvis dealer. They also carry others as well like Sage, Loomis, Redington and Ross. Any shop worth a darn would let you cast the rod before buying it honestly. All the shops I frequent do including Cabelas. Quote
trevor Posted April 30, 2012 Posted April 30, 2012 Orvis. Unbelievable customer service. And absolutely great rods, the Access and up are made in the USA. Down in the Keys I had a problem with one of their reels. Took it to the nearest store and got it replaced, no questions asked. I was also given some free flies and a significant discount (around 50%) on some other items. And the people were so pleasant and professional, just awesome. Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted May 1, 2012 Author Posted May 1, 2012 That is great to hear, now i have this money saved up, is it worth putting it all into the one rod? Quote
trevor Posted May 1, 2012 Posted May 1, 2012 What do you plan of fly fishing for? If you feel like you'll only really use one rod, then sure: buy a nice rod. But maybe you want some more options? Quote
outdoorsman110 Posted May 1, 2012 Posted May 1, 2012 I have a TFO Lefty Kreh TiCr X 8'0 7W Rod matched with an Orvis Mach 3, it's sweet, oh so sweet. 1 Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted May 1, 2012 Author Posted May 1, 2012 I plan on fishing for pike, steelhead, maybe muskie. Just bigger sized fish in general. All i own right now is a 5wt. Quote
outdoorsman110 Posted May 1, 2012 Posted May 1, 2012 I plan on fishing for pike, steelhead, maybe muskie. Just bigger sized fish in general. All i own right now is a 5wt. For those fish I'd get a 7 or 8wt 1 Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted May 1, 2012 Author Posted May 1, 2012 I plan on an 8wt. Now im just looking for a brand and model. Quote
outdoorsman110 Posted May 1, 2012 Posted May 1, 2012 I plan on an 8wt. Now im just looking for a brand and model. I have this one too http://www.basspro.com/Heat-Complete-Fly-Outfits/product/10210102/107305 Also, any Redington rod will perform outstandingingly. 1 Quote
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