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[halcyonguitars]

I've been thinking about giving flyfishing a go. Shopping around has been educational, but I've ended up with paralysis by analysis.

I'm thinking probably a 9ft 8wt rod with either fast or moderate action is the way to go?

Ideally, I'd like to find an all in one kit, but all the ones I've seen have been 5wt, so too light for coho I think...

Any thoughts?

Thanks...

[dobrolub]

I am using a 9ft #8 with ambush #8 (290 g) as per Byte Me suggestion (see spey casting with regular fly rod thread below).

I've only used it once on the vedder and it worked great for pinks. Also check redfly's videos on youtube, they have amazing reviews for rods, reels and lines.

My setup is cheap Dragon Fly Rod and Reel. I am considering getting a switch but first want to get more experience with fly fishing.

I expect this setup to work just fine for coho. Might be a little light for springs or steelhead, but I'll just take my time playing the fish.

[Flytech]

I've used a 8wt single hand the last couple years and it works great, nothing fancy,

[Sandman]

An 8wt is plenty for all but the largest springs.  I used a 6wt Dragon fly for years before inheriting my late father's 8wt Sage and still use it for pinks and coho.  The 6wt could handle even chum, as long as they didn't get into heavy current (I usually fly fish slack "frog water" for coho and chum any way).  The 8wt has been been able to handle larger 12+ steelhead and chum and is over kill for smaller 4-7 pound coho and pinks and can muscle them in quickly for release.

[RalphH]

I think a #6 is the minimum provided it's got good backbone. Over an 8 is getting too heavy. Mostly I use a #8 9ft Sage SP which on the light size for an 8. I've done well #6 rods - a 9.5 Loop Blue currently which is a stiff rod for a 6. Usually I'm using that late in the season when I am expecting trout and not many coho. I wouldn't use that rod to target coho on the Vedder or Squamish. A 6 or an 8? Why not a 7?

[clarkii]

7wt..that akward too big for trout, too small for some salmon size classification.

On the bright side lines are usually always on sale

[halcyonguitars]

Since catching some salmon, my interest in trout has dropped steeply;)

I'm thinking an 8wt will be versatile enough...but I don't know. Never tried a fly rod ever...

[DanL]

Obviously there's no single setup perfectly suited to everything from a 3 lb pinks to 30 lb springs, but if you were limited to one do-everything rig, I would agree with other posters that an 8-wt would probably be the best compromise. If you were specifically targeting only pinks and coho only, then going a bit lighter like a 6-wt would provide lots of enjoyment.

[Knnn]

IMHO go with the 8 wt single, if you want to chase salmon. Stick with a 6 wt if you are only after trout and pinks.

A little big for pinks and small hoes, but then you have the control not to over play them.

Big enough for big bulls.

Big enough for the occasional large 7-8 lbs pink diner plate or large hoes.

Big enough for Squamish and Vedder steel. 

Big enough for chum, if combined with a reel with a good smooth drag.

Also will be able to manage smaller Chinook up to about 20 lbs or 25lbs max.

Better than a 6 wt to cast longer and against a wind (i.e. good for the salt) or to throw bigger sink tips, and therefore provides increased versatility for deeper faster flows.

HTH

[HOOK]

I've landed Chinook to 43 lbs on an old Dragonfly Expedition 8wt fly rod. The rod handled it quite well actually and it caught tons of smaller ones, coho, chum, sockeye and pink as well. Was a great rod for the money and lasted around 10yrs before I sold the setup to get something else.

I don't buy super expensive gear for salmon because it's going to get thrashed on anyhow and I don't want to cry if I break the rod. Cheaper stuff that's still very decent is what you should look for.

The current setup I'm using now is

Rod - Orvis Clearwater 8wt 10' (8100) - $259.99
Reel - Okuma SLV largest size - $99.99
Line - Rio Outbound Short 8wt - $99.99

Only thing I might replace is the reel but I'll probably use this one until it dies 

Good rod to look into is the Echo Base which retails at Wholesale for $100 and was the rod I almost bought however I prefer the 10' rods


Have fun shopping ! 

[Sandman]

Good rod to look into is the Echo Base which retails at Wholesale for $100 and was the rod I almost bought however I prefer the 10' rods

I don't buy expensive either.  How long is that Echo Base? 9'?

[HOOK]

I don't buy expensive either.  How long is that Echo Base? 9'?

yes it is a 9' rod.

I used 9' rods with great success for years and only starting going to 10' models 2 years ago. Sometimes with a 10' model you may have to go 1 line size up to get a good load for short distance casts which is what I should have done with the 7wt setup I had last year and probably the main reason why I didn't like it and sold it quickly. The Orvis I have now is a very nice rod for the price tag and the fact I got a great deal on it helped my decision otherwise I would have just bought the Echo

[halcyonguitars]

I'm going to Sea Run tomorrow, I'll ask about Echo Base, thanks. Help much appreciated.

[halcyonguitars]

Ended up with a Redington 8wt kit. No idea if I like or not with no other xperience. Came spooled with line and backing. Going to give it a try tomorrow...

[Flytech]

Ended up with a Redington 8wt kit. No idea if I like or not with no other xperience. Came spooled with line and backing. Going to give it a try tomorrow...

Which redington Rod?