Recommendations on a big fly rod

[JestersHK]

So after my recent trip to New York I was curtailed from chasing Steelheads and Salmon up on the Salmon River by the fact the biggest fly rod I had is a 5wt.  The guy at the outfitter shop said 8wt is the absolute minimum he'd recommend given the size of the fish and the flows they are in and said a 10wt is your best bet. 

Anyone here chase big salmon and such?  Any good recommendations?  Paging @duckydoty LOL. I know they grow them big up in AK. 

I'm trying to put a trip together later this year.  I'll be doing a guide trip on the first day which they provide all the equipment, but would like to bring my own as well so we can venture out on our own.

I prefer to not spend a fortune on a setup that will only see use a few times a year, but I fully get buy once cry once as well.  Would hate to have a cheaper rod blow out on me on a big steelie or salmon.  I don't need a super awesome caster either as my fly fishing technique is newby and ugly as sin  

 Thanks in advance guys!

[fishinwrench]

I have a 9' 9wt. St.Croix Avid I'd sell for 160.00  or trade for a decent fast 9'  8wt.

If interested I'll post pics later tonight.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I skipped up to a 9 weight on the recommendation from Ed Story years ago and I've never regretted it.  It's an old Loomis with a parabolic action but if I was buying a newer tip flex rod I would probably go 8 weight.  Wrenches rod looks like it would fit the bill. 

GET A GOOD REEL.

 

[Al Agnew]

8 weight is minimum, but certainly doable...all the salmon fishing I've ever done, including silvers and sockeye in Alaska and kings on the Pere Marquette in Michigan (and steelhead on the Salmon River, Idaho) was done with an 8 weight...mine is an older model Loomis.  Bonus with the 8 weight is that it's good for bass bugging with big bugs or streamers.

[jdmidwest]

I used a 10' 7 wt Orvis Helios in Alaska tossin hair bugs and streamers on small streams for Silvers.  Worked even better on Dollies and egg rigs.

On the bigger streams I used the 9' 8 wt Trident by Orvis.  It is my rod for lake bass also.

[Gavin]

9wt is a good all around salt water stick. Would borrow a buddies for your trip. 8-12wt fly rods sit mostly. Same could be said for 0-4wts. Pay his warranty fee if you break it or for the rod if you lose it.

 

[JestersHK]

Thanks for the replies guys.  Wrench I may hit ya up on that St. Croix as I do love their rods.  Good point @Gavin regarding salt water.  A Bull on the fly rod is on my bucket list.  

2nd part question, someone school me on reels.  I've only really ever seen them as line holder fishing for trout.  I know they play a bigger role for these setups.  Any decent budget friendly ones out there?

Thanks!

[snagged in outlet 3]

10 hours ago, Gavin said:

9wt is a good all around salt water stick. Would borrow a buddies for your trip. 8-12wt fly rods sit mostly. Same could be said for 0-4wts

This!!

 

[Flysmallie]

My 8 wt goes everywhere I go. It does not sit. I love it too much.  Big streamers, bass, anything in the salt, it likes them all.

A budget friendly reel? I just purchased a Redington Behemoth. Put one on my 5wt and it's a bit overkill on that, but it's a good big fish reel. $109 up to 7/8 or $129 for anything bigger.

 

 

 

[JestersHK]

Man that thing is yuge !  I will have to check those out.  Seems very reasonable.  I've been "shopping" today. Fishing addiction never ends LOL...