Now you guys have the good fortune to get my opinion!!(ha-ha to show I'm not
serious) I have used a 6wt often for summer-run steelhead when the water is
low in late summer/fall and I can cast a smaller fly, often using a #6-8
size fly. I use the #6wt because I have arthritis in my shoulders and the
lighter rod is more pleasant to cast and less painful. There is no doubt in
my mind, however, that strong fish often deserve the larger rod, (ie) a 7 or
8wt. The fish will fatigue himself for the most part. Several runs that
are his undoing and now the beaching process. The need to now "win a fishes'
head" comes into play and the stronger spined rod can lead a fish into the
shallows easier than a lighter rod. I have had strong bucks that should
have been landed be able to turn on me and make another belated run when I
should have been able to land them. Another interested point is the fact
that leverage goes to the fish when using a long rod as apposed to a shorter
rod. A long rod can direct the line easier around things etc. but on a
pull, the teater-totter is farther away on the other end from your arm and
the advantage goes that way. One question I would have is "what kinda reel
with enough line capacity for a big river like the Descutes(sp) would make a
balanced outfit with a 4wt? Jere
----- Original Message -----
From: Preston Singletary <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Washington Fly fishers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2000 7:37 AM
Subject: 4wts and steelhead
> Hey,
> I'm not trying to justify it, I'm simply commenting on his preference for
> 4-weights for Deschutes steelhead. I'm sure that Frank has enough common
> sense (as well as experience) to be be aware of what he's doing. If he
> wants to use a 4-weight for steelhead, so be it. I have, while fishing
for
> sea-run cutthroat, inadvertently hooked (and landed) a few steelhead on
> 5-weight rods and one on a 4-weight. Fortunately, they were all small
fish
> of five pounds or so, but the light tackle handled them easily and those
> that were released swam off vigorously with little resuscitation. That
> said, I would not consider deliberately fishing for steelhead with gear
that
> light, but have routinely used a 7-weight for summer runs for many years
and
> am leaning more and more toward a 6-weight Orvis PM10. I do hope I have
> not committed an offense against orthodoxy.
>
>
