Half-size Fly Lines and Streamer Fly Lines

[BERRRG]

No worries with a six weight I have used mine for "steelies" and had no problem with it, not to mention it is a "glass" rod, also have never used anything bigger then a 5 or 4x leader. You just have to play the fish better, and be gentle on the leader/tippet.

that IS the issue, you have to play the fish longer, the idea with C&R, get the fish in quick, and as healthy as possible, not play it out til exhaustion, personally i use an 8wt for steelhead. even then, i've had fish on that i've had a hard time moving out of the current.

Hi new to the forum here. Have been a fly fisher for around 30 years or so. Have had a debate with friends over the years about what rod is best for what species. Have concluded that it doesn't much matter. You can break a 5X tippet with a 6wt. or an 8wt. You are playing any fish to the tippet strength not the rod. You can run a really light tippet on an 8wt. as you could put 8lb. mono on a 3 wt. (rod might snap not recommended) No trout is going to break the fly line. I think it's more important to match the gear to the tippet and fly you are casting and the desired presentation. I have caught trout up to 7 lbs. with my 4wt., if I chose an 8wt. I would have used the same tippet but might have not gotten the delicate presentation. My 2c

Pretty much decided to try the 7-weight line on my 6-weight fast action rod.

rjm4u, I think the point they're getting at is that a heavier rod will give you the ability to use a heavier leader and tippet for heavier fish, whereas with a 6wt and steel, you're limited by the rod power in your leader strength and drag strength, or risk breaking the rod first.

One thing I don't get is why fly rod power is brought up for larger game and exhausting the fish, but seldom brought up for float-fishing rods. Lots of float steelhead anglers will use rods rated at 4-8lb line strength, will they not? Lots of times the rod is bent right over as they tail the fish. How does a 6-weight fly rod compare?

 

[rjm4u]

Hey Berg, guess I was trying to say if you are using a fine tippet the 8wt wouldn't make much difference, I use an 8wt for Steelhead as well with a 3.5 tippet if the water isn't super clear good for #10 or #12 size flies. Interested to know how the 7wt line works with the 6wt. I am thinking you should get easier casting.

 

[BERRRG]

Hey Berg, guess I was trying to say if you are using a fine tippet the 8wt wouldn't make much difference, I use an 8wt for Steelhead as well with a 3.5 tippet if the water isn't super clear good for #10 or #12 size flies. Interested to know how the 7wt line works with the 6wt. I am thinking you should get easier casting.

Yeah, good point. I don't even know what the # test recommendation would be for my fly rod. Hoping to try out a 7wt line by next weekend, I'll make sure to update.