Big Rod For Warm Water

[strangercreek]

I am looking at an 8 or 9 wt for warm water, spillways mostly (lots of water running up here lately). I need to be able to do lots of roll casting with heavy flies.

I've been using my 5wt fishing for Wipers in the Perry spillway but need a little more backbone for the heavy sinking flies/leaders.

looking at possibly a 9'6" 8 or 9wt TFO Pro or St Croix Avid.

I would like to know what others use for this type of fishing (roll casting) and if a faster or more moderate rod works better. I was looking at the Redington Predator series (7'11" and 8'3") but don't want to give up the length(I also don't think this is the right rod for what I am going to use it for). I also thought about a switch rod but won't be using strictly on moving water.

Any ideas?

[Zack Hoyt]

Jumping from a 5wt to an 8wt is a big move. Have you thought about a different line for your 5wt.....one that has a little heavier front section for turning over the flies? Or even jumping up to a 6wt line and slowing your casting stroke?

As far as the Predator line goes, I am a huge fan. Very well designed and very good feel. I havent found the shorter rod to cause much trouble roll casting at all. The issue comes from trying to cast an 8'6" rod 60'+. Then the length comes in handy......for shorter casts, an 7'6"-8'6" with a line designed to turn over larger flys would probably get the job done.

Just my thoughts though. Look forward to reading the opinions of others.

[RSBreth]

For my style of flycasting, longer is always better. Especially for roll casting.

One of things about flyfishing is you have realize you are purposely limiting yourself, and sometimes you'll just not be able to get a fly where you want to. If it's so tight you're roll casting, there may be no good anwser, short of Spey style casting, but that's another huge subject in itself.

That being said, I think a standard 9' 8-wieght wouldn't be bad.

I can't imagine not having a few rods in the 7-8-9 line weights for bigger flies and biger fish. 9-weight may be too much of a jump from 5 to start out.

[trout fanatic]

I have a 10' TFO pro 7 weight (use it for chucking large bass bugs and winter steelhead) and a 9.5 ft Reddington RS4 8 wt I use for the same purposes. I really like both rods although they fish quite differently (the rs4 is a faster rod). The TFO pro in my opinion is one of the best bang for the bucks rods you can get. I am considering a 10 wgt next year (for Muskie and Northern Pike and maybe a little salt action as well).

I too like the longer rods especially for winter steelheading and the advantage it gives me in mending. They are also easier to cast (both roll and traditional) from a kayak/bellyboat (but landing a fish can be an adventure unto itself.

I think you would serve yourself well with either the Avid or TFO. Not real sure you need to go as heavy as an 8 weight but it will surely get the job done. Good luck and let us know what you decide.