New fly rod

[AaronKrick]

I'm looking into a new rod so I'm not stuck using my 7ft 3wt for streamers again. I'm probably gonna get a 5wt between 8 and 9 ft. I'm open to recommendations on the actual rod and also the length. It will be for primarily streamers but I may use it for dries or maybe even nymphs if I'm really desperate. I usually fish the headwaters of a west trib but will also bring it on trips.

Here are my ideas so far:
-St croix legend elite
-Loomis Pro 4x LP (coming out july 2015)
-Douglas DXF
-Redington butter stick
-G. Loomis streamdance GLX (discontinued, could get a good sale)
-Loop optistream

My max price is about $500 for just the rod.

 

[Kit]

Get a 9ft 6 good for most species. 5 is kinda pushing it depending on what you want to chase with it. 5 is still considered small stream rod just with a bit more back bone.

 

[[email protected]]

go with a 6wt, you'll want that extra oomph for casting streamers, it won't be a very good dry fly rod, since the line itself won't make for a very delicate presentation, use your 3wt for dries, i would go with 9-10ft as well

to that list, i would also strongly recommend the ross rx, its an amazing rod, at a great price, and imo can't be beat, the loomis rods are nice, but aren't the same since shimano took over and gary loomis left the company a couple years ago. don't get me wrong, the pro 4x is a very nice rod, i would still lean towards the ross rx, if you're out in the east, i can let you try mine out.

 

[GuitarBuildingAngler]

I would suggest going with LL Bean rods. That is all I fish now. Lifetime, no hassle warranty. Amazing customer service.
The rods are honestly great.

 

[swiftcurrent]

If you're looking at a Butterstick, then you might want to check out the Echo fibreglass options. A 5 or 6 for sure. But since your looking for a streamer rod with length the Echo fibreglass 4wt switch rod (equivalent to a 5-6 single hand) might be a lot of fun.

 

[Bow Man]

Go for a glass rod they are a blast, I currently own 4 glass rods and last year that is all I fished. Like Swift said check out Echo, very nice glass rods.

 

[AaronKrick]

Looking into a switch rod now too, echo glass or redington dually. Been doing some research and if I went with a 5 wt switch, would that be light enough for swinging buggers for generally 16"+ fish, and also steelhead if I were to start doing that? I probably wouldn't use it for steelhead for quite a while, since I can barely get them floating.

 

[[email protected]]

while doable, a 5wt is a little light for steelhead, a 6 or 7wt is ideal for them

 

[AKnook]

I second FrequentFlyer. I just picked up a 7wt switch for my trip to SE AK steel in May. I would go with the 7wt for steel

 

[Shmogley]

love steelheadin on my 6wt switch, but on streams with lots of obstacles it doesnt have enough backbone to turn bigger fish away from said obstacles all the time. in those instances i use a shorter 8wt

been thinking of grabbing a 7 for a happy medium but i have more important things i need to buy first

lots of good advice in this thread though. good to see everyone helping out

 

[AaronKrick]

Thinking either scandi line or switch chucker-I'm thinking a skagit would be too overpowered for trout streams since I probably won't even need a sink tip.

 

[GuitarBuildingAngler]

Thinking either scandi line or switch chucker-I'm thinking a skagit would be too overpowered for trout streams since I probably won't even need a sink tip.

I would suggest SA frequency SWITCH line. I just bought it and I have used it many times. I have landed numerous steelhead on it and it turns over very easily. I love it.

 

[[email protected]]

I would suggest SA frequency SWITCH line. I just bought it and I have used it many times. I have landed numerous steelhead on it and it turns over very easily. I love it.

was looking at that for my single hand, have you used it on single hand? or just with a 2hand rod?