11-22-2010, 05:49 PM
[quote flygoddess]I never thought of a 6 wt as being light...LOL You can land big fish with a 1 weight. Its all in the butt. DO NOT put your left hand up on the rod to bring in the fish though. You are interrupting the flex by doing that.
I have watched more people break their rod by trying to muscle.
FG[/quote]
Yeah, what FG said!
I've caught 15 pound steelhead with a 6 wt, but those were in smaller waters than the Clearwater. It should be ok though. Just don't "high stick" them. I've caught other fish that are stronger and larger than most B-run steelhead with a 6-wt too. Salmon galore of all species, including kings, in Alaska, in big rivers. Don't lift high. Keep the rod pointed near the fish with only a partial bend.
In my most extreme (silly) case, I "accidentally" caught 100-pound-ish tarpon on a 6-wt, in some current. (Not recommended!!) I saw it roll, and just couldn't resist a cast. However, the rod didn't break because I didn't bend it enough to do so. I landed the fish with a 20 lb. leader. Keep the rod low, and apply pressure from the reel/line.
If the 6-wt will deliver the fly you choose in the manner you want, then by all means use it. Should be loads of fun, and likely easier to cast all day than an 8-wt. You can still reef on 'em from the right angle.
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I have watched more people break their rod by trying to muscle.
FG[/quote]
Yeah, what FG said!
I've caught 15 pound steelhead with a 6 wt, but those were in smaller waters than the Clearwater. It should be ok though. Just don't "high stick" them. I've caught other fish that are stronger and larger than most B-run steelhead with a 6-wt too. Salmon galore of all species, including kings, in Alaska, in big rivers. Don't lift high. Keep the rod pointed near the fish with only a partial bend.
In my most extreme (silly) case, I "accidentally" caught 100-pound-ish tarpon on a 6-wt, in some current. (Not recommended!!) I saw it roll, and just couldn't resist a cast. However, the rod didn't break because I didn't bend it enough to do so. I landed the fish with a 20 lb. leader. Keep the rod low, and apply pressure from the reel/line.
If the 6-wt will deliver the fly you choose in the manner you want, then by all means use it. Should be loads of fun, and likely easier to cast all day than an 8-wt. You can still reef on 'em from the right angle.
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