Streamer rod

[Smallie Seeker]

Been chasing trout with a 5wt St. Croix Imperial for about 4 years now. Been a great learning experience and I'm ready to pick up my next fly rod. I want something specifically for chucking bigger streamers and articulated flies for browns and bass. I'm going to try and get my hands on and cast as many rods as I can, and the TFO BFK looks nice but I'm at a loss as to where I should start. 7wt? 8wt? 7wt rod lined up with 8wt line? Full sinking line or sinking tip?

[fishinwrench]

I think you mean BVK 

If you're trout fishing then I'd go with a 6wt and a WF-6-F Rio Grand line.   Personally I like a floating line with a variety of sinking leaders better than I do a F/S line.  

I wouldn't mind having that 5wt. Imperial for a dry fly rod.  Do you wanna sell it?

[Smallie Seeker]

25 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

I think you mean BVK 

If you're trout fishing then I'd go with a 6wt and a WF-6-F Rio Grand line.   Personally I like a floating line with a variety of sinking leaders better than I do a F/S line.  

I wouldn't mind having that 5wt. Imperial for a dry fly rod.  Do you wanna sell it?

Yes meant BVK. Until I upgrade to technique specific rods, the Imperal is too good of a do-all everyday use rod to let go of. 

Trying to lift and swing a f/s line sounds like quite a chore. 

[Flysmallie]

I did this several years ago and the BVK made it to the top of the list. Wasn't what I ended up with but it was very close. I did 8's and haven't regretted it one single bit. 

[Smallie Seeker]

Just now, Flysmallie said:

I did this several years ago and the BVK made it to the top of the list. Wasn't what I ended up with but it was very close. I did 8's and haven't regretted it one single bit. 

What did you settle on if you don't mind me asking?

[Flysmallie]

1 hour ago, Smallie Seeker said:

What did you settle on if you don't mind me asking?

Redington Predator 8710-4

It and the BVK were very close for me. I can't remember all the rods I cast but these two made the top of the list. If it wouldn't have been a smoking hot deal on the Redington from a friend of a friend I might have went BVK. 

[ness]

I built a 9 foot 8 weight on a Loomis blank and it's my primary rod for bass in still water. Have never used it for trout though. I think that's a bit big for most trout situations. 

Agree on a floating line with add-on sinking leaders.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I'll chime in with my 2 cents.  The biggest mistake made when buying fly rods is getting a rod that is too slow.  And for streamer fishing that's even more important.  The problem I've seen over the years is the cheap to moderate priced fly rods are too slow. 

Go fast, eat a$$

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I'll chime in with my 2 cents.  The biggest mistake made when buying fly rods is getting a rod that is too slow.  And for streamer fishing that's even more important.  The problem I've seen over the years is the cheap to moderate priced fly rods are too slow. 

Go fast, eat a$$

Yep, and they aren't all cheap either.  I was handed an expensive 6wt. Winston once, the guy was real proud of it.   I shook it once and said  "That's the heaviest 3wt. I've ever had my hands on." 😏

[snagged in outlet 3]

Fast action tip flex is what you want.  The problem is not every maker has the same idea of that.