Best Streamer Rod/Weight/Line

[eknapp]

What's the best streamer rod weight?  Also, would it be better to set up the streamer rod with a sinking line?  This would be used on the White River...

[Ryan Miloshewski]

7 or 8 weight. I have a Ross Animas with two spools, one with SA Sonar that is 300-grain for heavy generation and another spool with 150-grain for varying flows. For the White, you'll almost always want sinking line. You'll be throwing a big streamer when the water is running. You'll be able to throw anything with that setup. 

I have a 7-wt NRX+ that handles like an 8-wt so I have versatility. Not sure what rod you're looking at, but I sure do love that Loomis. 

[fishinwrench]

Personally I prefer a fairly fast 6wt. with a Rio Grand floating line & 7' 5ips Rio sinking leader.  

But I don't throw big nasty stuff, or target only trophy sized trout.  If you do.....then I'd step it up a notch. 

[tjm]

Depends entirely on the streamer, and conditions, streamers can run from a #10 marabou  to heavy articulated Galloups to 4/0 Clousers. the streamers that I would use at RRSP or Crane Creek can be fished with a 5wt and probably with a 4wt. Streamers that I used to surf cast with need a 9wt. 

And also how big the water is can govern how far one needs to cast, the White River  above Beaver Lake  I might use a 5wt and below Bull Shoals I'd want 7-9wt. Might make difference if in a boat or wading, in a boat you can sometimes get closer.  And if the wind is blowing I might fish an 8 or 8 wt line on a 7wt rated rod. 

On sinking versus floating, I typically fish full floating lines in water less than 8-10' and when using a sinking line I use one of the Jim Teeny T series. The shooting head mass dependent on the rod casting strength, and current speed,  but the T-130 is a handy line to have. 

 

 

[Flysmallie]

I think it’s personal preference and what you plan on casting with it. . I have an 8 that I fish a lot. And I mean A LOT. I love that freaking rod. But I’m also currently in the market for a 6 wt streamer rod. But I’m not fishing big water or big flies.  

[tjm]

Appoligize to @eknapp for a slight thread drift, but,

What do you guys think defines a "streamer rod"? 

I've seen this term many times on the web and I'm always curious,  because being self taught I've always used used the same  rods for dries, wets, nymphs and streamers. Same  lines too, although I do cut and splice to change the leader for different applications.  

[eknapp]

no apology needed @tjm...this is good conversation.  Like yourself, I am a self taught fly fisherman as well.  I've only been fly fishing for 6 months, and for the record, you can teach an old dog new tricks.   I had bought some fly fishing rods/reels and fly gear at an auction in the spring of this year and have been learning as I go.  One of the rod/reel combos was a Cabela's prestige rod/reel in 8 weight....that's what I am thinking about making my "streamer rod".  

[tjm]

It's taken me ~50 years to learn what little I know, and I own a couple dozen vintage fiber glass rods, 4-5 each of graphite and bamboo, and besides that I must have slammed car doors or trunk lids on another dozen, all have been used for whatever my whim was at a time. Maybe some of them are meant to be streamer rods? I don't how to tell. 

Your 8wt should work with about any streamer up 6" or so, I fished only an 8wt for several years, from size 24 to 4.5" streamers. They are heavy in the hand when you fish all day, but they handle wind better than  light lines. 

[Ryan Miloshewski]

@eknapp you asked specifically about the White. These other guys are right for other water. A 6-wt is my favorite, like Wrench said, overall for non-White river streamer fishing. I went through a lot of failure, including using inadequate gear, and learned from some great streamer fishermen down there over the years. Feel me to send me a message if you want some more info, guides, etc. that can cut your learning curve down. 

I now fish the White a LOT with streamers up to 7-inches (big double deceivers, Slug-Os, DnDs, etc.). You'll want your 8-wt and heavy sinking line to be able to bang the banks easier, get to the strike zone, hookset, and to handle a potentially large brown in heavy generation. It will get tiring, but it's better to have the right gear. It makes a big difference. If you do it right, you will be fairly close to the bank or on shoals/drop offs. With the heavy sinking line, you will be able to shoot the streamer to the right area quicker and more efficiently.

But when that 24-inch brown comes from the depths, crushes your streamer and you strip set two B10S stingers into his face, Strangehold starts playing in your mind and the adrenaline is better than throwing any nymph, scud, or dry fly. 

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

21 minutes ago, Ryan Miloshewski said:

 If you do it right, you will be fairly close to the bank or on shoals/drop offs.

@gotmuddy you got anything to say about that?   LOL

@eknapp, there is alot of good advice on here, and @Ryan Miloshewski is familiar with that river.  We will be down there for Jigfest next month.   Come hangout with us for the day, or weekend.   Every member is invited, and we'll even feed you.  You can get alot of info and meet alot of us.   Search the forums for Jigest for dates.  We stay at Rileys Outfitters in Mountain Home, at the confluence of the White and Buffalo Rivers.