Recommendations on a big fly rod

[Flysmallie]

1 minute ago, JestersHK said:

Man that thing is yuge 

Yes it is. It's bigger than the reel that I have on my 8. But it fishes well and balances well on the rod.  

[jdmidwest]

Reels do come in to play on larger weight rods and bigger water.  You need one with a good drag and extra capacity for backing.  With big fish, you will see the backing more than you ever will on a 5 wt.  A drag is important, you will be depending on it just as much as you would on a spin or bait cast reel.  You will be playing larger fish and they will have stronger currents to work around in.  You will be spending more time getting them in.

Most of the rods I use for Missouri on trout streams or small warm water streams never see the backing, or even half of the fly line.  The reel is just to hold the line.  Seldom do I use the drag to play a fish, just fingers on the line and the rod will get the fish in.  But bigger game, whole different story.

[duckydoty]

In Alaska we typically issued Orvis H2 9 ft 8 weights for all salmon fishing except kings. 8's were perfect for chum, and silvers, but a little heavy on the sockeye and pinks. Jump up to 10 wt for kings. A good reel with good drag is vital. Palming a reel has lost many a fish in Alaska. Not near as precise as a modern disk drag system. Take several fly lines from floating, streamer tip, 150 grain and 250 grain sinking lines to cover many water conditions. I probably have 3000 salmon flies from Alaska tucked away. I would be more than happy to depart with a few hundred of them as my donation to the cause. Spey rods are a great way to catch salmon if you have been thinking about jumping into that aspect of fishing. Little bit of a learning curve on casting, but if I figured it out, anyone can.  I've found 9 ft fly rods typically work best when fly fishing from the bank or boat. Most salmon stick pretty close to the bank while migrating up the rivers in Alaska.  I have caught 40+ pound kings on 5 weights, but would not recommend perusing them with that. A day of pinks on a 5 weight is a lot of fun mixed with a little bit of a challenge. Big silvers will push the limits of an 8 wt and a seven wt is just about perfect for sockeye. Chum are a good way to put a bend in a rod while looking for silvers.

[Gavin]

Would take a look at the Hatch reels if looking. Last two guides in Florida had Hatch. Sage still owns it if you want a salt rod. Practice before you go. If you can cast 70' accurately with an 8-9wt and more  less accurately if needed, you will be ready.

[ruthead]

JestersHK I have a reel I bought for a Canada Musky trip 2 years ago. I actually bought 2 identical reels and would sell one. Let me know if your interested.

[kjackson]

Pflueger used to make some pretty good fly rods. They were heavier than a top-of-the-line rods, but the actions were fine, and they stood up to abuse. I had a 10-weight that I used a bit for chums but went to an 8 spey style rod as the 10 seemed overkill and I like the added distance I got with the longer roll.  If you can find one for sale, a Pflueger 10 should be well under $50 as I think they originally sold for $100 or so.  It would be a good starter stick until you decide if these trips were going to be an annual thing.

[JestersHK]

Again thanks for all the replies.  I have an angle on a 9wt setup from a buddy I'm going to check out, and I appreciate the offers.  

Since I have family about 45min from the river I am hoping to turn this into an annual trip

Duane I may hit you up for some of that big tackle, and maybe some big rod casting lessons LOL.  

I'm sure I'll be down in your neck of the woods before we head north again.

[Lancer09]

I'm a big fan of my Behemoth. For the money they are darn hard to beat.