ONE spey rod

[SteelieD]

If you were thinking of getting into the spey thing and could afford only ONE rod for all around Western WA rivers (primarily chasing steel - summer and winter runs) what would be the appropriate weight/length?

****I know, it's a fly rod question and the answer is "cast a bunch and buy what feels right". I'll do that. The reason for my question is, I am wondering if I can make it work with an existing reel (making it much more affordable) or am I in for a whole new set up (prohibitive at this time). The possible big reels I have a Ross Evolution 3 and a Redington Brakewater 7/8.

Thanks.

[the-buddler]

13' 8/9wt of your choosing.

[Jason Hartwick]

I would go with something in the 13-14' range and an 7 or 8 weight. If i had one rod to choose from i would go with a burkheimer 8139-3. It is a great rod for casting long belly floaters or throwing tips for winter fish with bigger flies.

Jason

[Steelie Mike]

Those reels are too small for spey line capacity. For a while last year I used a Ross BG 4 and I had to take way too much line of it to 6/7/8 Rio Windcutter on it. If you mainly fish larger water I would stick to a 14' rod, otherwise 12'6" or 13' would be fine. I would not get anything bigger than an eight weight. Most summer runs can be taken on 6wt spey rods.

[Skilly]

My Meiser 15' 7/8/9. It does it all for me and is presently my only Spey rod.

Skilly

[Philster]

What with the ability of skagit lines to cast lead filled sparrows, I would add my vote to the 7/8 camp, and something shorter than 14 feet. Something like the CND Northfork specialist, or actually my preference would be the Meiser MKS 7/8. I don't know the Burkeheimer line of rods, but I'm sure there's something sweet there too. Just a little rich for my blood. Awesome rods though. Both can chuck bombs, can handle the rare really large fish, and let the smaller ones show off a little...

[Dan Page]

With so many rods on the market and so many "speying" now there are alot of good used rods out there. If I was on a budget I'd hawk the classifieds, flyshop websites, and Ebay. You can pick up decent outfits for much less than new. After using a setup for awhile you can see where you'd like to go from there.

[Sloan Craven]

I would recommend a 6/7/8 or 7/8/9. Meiser rods are great and will do you right. I also have a couple of CND and love them.

[Red Shed]

If you can only have one two hander I would get a 14'-9/10. I know you will be told it is to BIG and yes it is a compromise. When the winds a blowing I think BIG is better then small. We all have our opinions and I have stated mine.
To balance a 14' rod you will need a reel at least 4" in diameter. I would buy a standard arbor and fill it with backing.

[fredaevans]

Just one? Then I'd recommend the Meiser S2H136FES ~ 13'6" ~ 4 pc. ~ 7/8 wt. ~ Fast Progressive (Sorry for the name plug.) This is a 'do anything' rod almost regardless of the size of the fish on the other end of the line.

The original rod was an excellent design that Bob's taken to new heights.:thumb:

Pooie, forgot to add. The size of the reel is quite line dependent. A short head line like the WC doesn't require a huge reel (save for the weight to balance the rod). Long tapers (XLT as an example) will require a huge reel just because of the nature of the beast.

[KerryS]

Sage 8126 or if you can find one Sage 8124, best all around rod out there.

[FLGator]

Meiser MKS 13' 6" 7/8

Hands down the finest fishing spey I have ever used Winter or Summer, period.

[bigtj]

Sage 7141-4, if you can find one. Best rod I've ever cast. A little heavy for summer runs but perfect for winter fish and an absolute cannon.

[Red Shed]

Sage 7141-4, if you can find one.

I know where you can find one.

[Philster]

the 7141-4 is definitely one of the eight weight rods out there...

[SteelieD]

Lots of good suggestions, thanks all. It seems that the most agree that a 7/8 is about right. And I definately need a new reel.

My next question is this... many mention some pretty nice rods (CND, Burkie, Meiser). These are real spendy and probably worth every penny but I'm wondering if the rods made by companies that do not specialize in spey are any good. Specifically, I am looking at Redington (RedFly, RS3) or Winston (Vapor), and TFO. Do these offshore models compare? Am I just pissing away money by not going upper end? I have high end single handers (Sage, Scott) as well as off shore models by all of the above mentioned and I have trouble telling difference between the two most of the time.

This looks like it might be a fun new world! The kids don't need a college education anyway!!:)

[fredaevans]

Robert, given you're in West Seattle, take a trip to Carnation, WA (Aaron Reimer's shop) as he's got a wall full of 'loaners' you can take across the street and 'field test' on the river.

There are other gatherings in your area (frequent ones I'm given to understand-chime in here fellows on the who/where!!) where you can try out several rods/reels/line combos. Trust me, it's well worth the drive. Lot of truth in (to paraphrase) 'one man's joy is another man's disaster.'

[flybill]

Some of the Redington's are good, as well as the TFO's in the lower price point. I'm happy with my first spey rod, a 14' Heritage 8/9!!

I also have a couple spey rod's built on Rainshadow blanks, the 11'6" and 12'6" which are great. The 11'6" is the best in the line of blanks, imho...

CND, Burkie's and Meiser rods are awesome and worth checking out if you can afford them and there are other sweet sticks out there as well.

Definitely get out to one of the local casting sessions to try them out and figure out what works for you, plus get some free lesson's.

Cheers!
Bill

[halcyon]

The RL Winston Vapor rods are excellent casting rods and have the same fit and finish quality of all Winston rods. They carry the same Winston warranty of all Winston rods. Exceptional value at their price point.

Regards,

[Red Shed]

My next question is this... many mention some pretty nice rods (CND, Burkie, Meiser). These are real spendy and probably worth every penny but I'm wondering if the rods made by companies that do not specialize in spey are any good. Specifically, I am looking at Redington (RedFly, RS3) or Winston (Vapor), and TFO. Do these offshore models compare? Am I just pissing away money by not going upper end? I have high end single handers (Sage, Scott) as well as off shore models by all of the above mentioned and I have trouble telling difference between the two most of the time.


You have answered your own question as to which is the best "FOR YOU".


The kids don't need a college education anyway!!

You can get a great casting two hand outfit without depriving your kids of a college education. Take some test drives and find out for yourself what will work for you. You might contact Kristen at "All About the Fly" in Monroe for info on Sunday at the River with Mike Kinney. Also Aaron at River Run Anglers in Carnation has his "Day at the River" every Sat. Either of these places will help you a great deal.

http://www.allaboutthefly.com/index.php

http://www.speyshop.com/

[fredaevans]

Mike, thanks for adding the 'links.':thumb:

Fred

[SteelieD]

Thanks Red. I was trying to be funny, but as usual, unsuccessful! The kids get most of the money, if there's anything left over, I can indulge a bit. I guess my point was it seems that the spey thing can get even spendier than traditional flyrodding.

I had seen the Spey Shop's saturday morning deal, but I wasn't aware that All About the Fly did it too. I definately plan to check out both of those and learn as much as I can!

[Will Atlas]

Sage 8139-4 is a great rod and faily affordable as Sage rods go. Anything from 7-9 would cover the bases.