09-30-2014, 10:21 PM
FG makes some great points.
mcj, sorry for the thread troll-battle detour there.
Let me hopefully add some context to a recommendation. 6 wt is likely hands-down the most common rod, so I'd say go with that for your "heavier" rod. You'll see a lot of people string up more than 1 rod. I usually have three 6 wts and an 8 on the boat. As I'm sure FG does, it's for a variety of line types, maybe flies or even rod action to match what you're fishing.
But like FG says, it really depends on what you're throwing. I like to huck mice or voles, minnows and some pretty big dry flies (small ones too). Most people I've taken on the lake seem to enjoy catching fish with those techniques and flies just as much, if not more, than the typical bugger and leech techniques. If you ever see yourself throwing mice (dry fly or wet versions), bigger articulated or tube fly imitations for minnows and such, you might consider a heavier rod. Doesn't matter if you're casting from shore or from a boat dock or a boat or a float tube or if you can walk on water and cast two feet from your target. And don't worry about pulling fish from structure -- this isn't bass fishing. Fish size isn't a consideration at all really, cuz yeah, if I wanted to, I could throw my 2 wt and try to kill the fish first.
If your budget is limited, shoot for the 6 wt first and then, if you'd like to explore those other types of bigger patterns, get a 7 or 8 wt. Not to be biased, but Allen Fly Fishing has some great deals on very good US-made fly rods. Check 'em out....
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mcj, sorry for the thread troll-battle detour there.
Let me hopefully add some context to a recommendation. 6 wt is likely hands-down the most common rod, so I'd say go with that for your "heavier" rod. You'll see a lot of people string up more than 1 rod. I usually have three 6 wts and an 8 on the boat. As I'm sure FG does, it's for a variety of line types, maybe flies or even rod action to match what you're fishing.
But like FG says, it really depends on what you're throwing. I like to huck mice or voles, minnows and some pretty big dry flies (small ones too). Most people I've taken on the lake seem to enjoy catching fish with those techniques and flies just as much, if not more, than the typical bugger and leech techniques. If you ever see yourself throwing mice (dry fly or wet versions), bigger articulated or tube fly imitations for minnows and such, you might consider a heavier rod. Doesn't matter if you're casting from shore or from a boat dock or a boat or a float tube or if you can walk on water and cast two feet from your target. And don't worry about pulling fish from structure -- this isn't bass fishing. Fish size isn't a consideration at all really, cuz yeah, if I wanted to, I could throw my 2 wt and try to kill the fish first.
If your budget is limited, shoot for the 6 wt first and then, if you'd like to explore those other types of bigger patterns, get a 7 or 8 wt. Not to be biased, but Allen Fly Fishing has some great deals on very good US-made fly rods. Check 'em out....
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