You'll find that a 6wt will easily handle fish upwards of 10 pounds. This may also be the time to do a bit of research on 'switch rods' as summer run fishing is where these really come into their own.
5 or 6 wt ought to do the job just fine. If you are not throwing heavy sink tips and are just swinging streamers with a mono leader or a poly leader that is very short and light I would go with the 5 wt.
Personally I think your reel quality ie drag is the bigger concern. You can handle big fish on a 5wt with a great drag system and proper leader strength...cheers
A 6 wt Spey is just fine for summer steelhead fishing. I routinely use a CND 5/6 wt for summer fishing on the Cowlitz in places where really long casts aren't necessary. I'm not sure I understand Keith's comment about the reel quality and drag are a bigger concern. Most of my Spey rods are paired with Hardy reels equiped with spring and pawl drags, which is more than sufficient for my needs.
Meiser 4/5/6 12'6" with a 390 compact scandi or an SGS head, mmmm mmmm.
you know what's an underrated rod? TFO Pro 12'6" for six, it'll cast a 6/7 or 7/8 AFS, 450 skagit, or a shortbelly very nicely, and has pretty nice grips. Very versatile/fishable.
I use a TFO Pro 12'6" 6wt for smallmouth, summer run Steelhead and fall Coho, never had a problem with anything as of yet, great little rod, easy to throw and I'll be using it this coming weekend on the Cowlitz and maybe the Klickitat on the way home. 450gr at 27' with 8' Z-11, cast with ease, a fun rod to use.
The 12-foot, 4-section, medium action 5/6 rod by Angler's Roost Enterprises is a good rod with a growing reputation, and an incredible bargain at $89.95. Google ARE, or find them daily on eBay.
Don't know about the next summers new and improved, but I've had my eye on a meiser for quite awhile, it's just that the bank roll is not fancy just yet, but hopefully by next summer, lol
I own 3 six weights ... My current passion is a Loop Goran Anderson 12ft 6 wt with an airflo compact scandi 360grain head, 10 foot poly leader, and SA mono shooting running line. WOW .... can't think of anything better than this I've cast and fished.
Although next time I can free up some river time I have a Nextcast FF 45 5/6 I want to switch out the Airflo line for ... I bet it rocks ...
I own 3 six weights ... My current passion is a Loop Goran Anderson 12ft 6 wt with an airflo compact scandi 360grain head, 10 foot poly leader, and SA mono shooting running line. WOW .... can't think of anything better than this I've cast and fished.
Although next time I can free up some river time I have a Nextcast FF 45 5/6 I want to switch out the Airflo line for ... I bet it rocks ...
that Loop G.A.S.S. 6wt is an incredible stick Steve, not many of them around...
one of my favorite summer sticks of all time for small-medium water is a t&t 12' 6wt paired with a 420 compact scandi or ballistic express and a 14' leader. more than up for the task.
both of these are going to be on the "crispier" side of the 6wt arena...
My favorite spey rod so far Scott T2H 6wt. Its a fuckin cannon w/450 Skagit. A little slower action but once you get the feel you have so much fun you forget you are fishing. Lost Creek Fly Shop will let you demo out of Onalaska. A 6wt will handle anything its just a matter of keepin the fish from gettin so tired they die. So no winter OP fishin for natives of you will get your ass spanked and so will the fish's survival percentage.:thumb:
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