03-24-2009, 01:57 AM
I'm with FlyGoddess on this one for sure.
A #8 weight outfit is incredibly more versitile than a lot of people think. It is, IMO, the best all-around size for bigger fish.
Steelhead and salmon, certainly. But it's also a great size for bass; you can use it for musky if you downsize the flies a bit; and it's a wonderful light-salt water outfit.
Personally, I would not skimp on the rod. Even if you leave steelhead country, you'll find all sorts of uses for it.
And I second her motion about lines. If I was rigging new for steelies I wouldn't consider anything other than a shooting-head system. There are just too many variable conditions of water depth, current speed, etc. to lock yourself into just one line type.
And, there again, you'll find that a shooting head is very useful anytime you're fishing big or fast water.
Brook
http://www.the-outdoor-sports-advisor.com
[signature]
A #8 weight outfit is incredibly more versitile than a lot of people think. It is, IMO, the best all-around size for bigger fish.
Steelhead and salmon, certainly. But it's also a great size for bass; you can use it for musky if you downsize the flies a bit; and it's a wonderful light-salt water outfit.
Personally, I would not skimp on the rod. Even if you leave steelhead country, you'll find all sorts of uses for it.
And I second her motion about lines. If I was rigging new for steelies I wouldn't consider anything other than a shooting-head system. There are just too many variable conditions of water depth, current speed, etc. to lock yourself into just one line type.
And, there again, you'll find that a shooting head is very useful anytime you're fishing big or fast water.
Brook
http://www.the-outdoor-sports-advisor.com
[signature]