Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: A Frayed Knot on September 11, 2014, 11:15:25 AM
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Picking up a spey rod next year.
What I am using now is a 11" 8wt Dragonfly Switch Rod (pretty amazing rod) and a 9" 9wt Sage single hand rod.
I tend to dedicate my single hand to fishing surf, I fish most of the big water rivers as well as smalls like Mike or Buntzen (well I consider small) I also tend to fish a lot of northern rivers as far as Barrows Alaska, but mostly Anchorage or Yukon.
So I am wondering what size/wt Spey Rod I should consider to maybe round out to cover all species, I thought about a just getting a smaller spey for trout fishing since I think the 8/9wts are probably too heavy for most the local Vancouver lakes, I have used then when I am fishing from my float tube mostly just trollin' around the drop offs.
Anyway suggestions would be great, I got a couple ideas of what I'd like but I thought I would see what everyone suggestions because I think I have a sickness, and its 2hand casting :(
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13 foot 7 weight spey rod. Great all rounder fr almost everywhere I'm BC
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Any particular brands that are good? People on this forum seem more tight lipped then the fish out there. Haha.
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Brands will depend more on what your budget is ;)
reasonably priced rod brands
Echo
Redington
TFO
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I have an Echo Dec Hogan 2 7130 and really like it. I would also look at the TFO deer creek rods, which are really nice.
Check out spey pages for all things spey. Lots of great second hand stuff too. I would ask the forum there and you will be well informed.
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To Hook and Ajransom.
I have heard good things about Echo surprisingly, not long after asking about brands, I found this article; http://www.deneki.com/2012/08/king-salmon-spey-rod-roundup/
Obviously I think the rods I have now are probably good enough for Chinook, but glad to hear that Echo is what has come up yet again. heh. Wish I knew about this site sooner, so I am glad to share it, they yield a lot of valuable information if you are willing to dig back a bit.
But thanks guys, I'll check out the other two rods. Unfortunately they are only looking at wts sturdy enough for Kings which are FING huge up in my fishing hole, well everythings bigger up there. Even the socks make our cohos feel like tiny rainbows. I digress though.
Thanks all for the help, I just need to figure out the right wt for my arsenal now, haha so far 7 maybe a good fit. Mean while I can try to sell off my old 2pc Fly Rod.
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Keep in mind a spey "weight" is not the same as a single hand rod "weight". Spey is a "grains" game, and it's mainly an issue of having a rod with a grain window that can throw big, heavy sink tips and skagit heads, that can turn over a lead eye intruder that can dredge deep in fast water (where springs and winter steelhead like to sit).
A 7 weight spey rod is a great all rounder for BC but if you going to fish for winter steelhead in nth BC (skeena etc) and Alaska for salmon, a 9 weight is probably better. Lots of guys will opt for a shorter rod for springs so you have more of a mechanical advantage when fighting those big fish.
A 7 weight spey will still turn over big flies and handle winter steelhead well, but for fish over 30lbs it will be under gunned.
If you want to get a really nice stick, look at a Meiser or Burkheimer. Those rods are really sweet.
Can't go wrong with an echo or TFO deer creek though.
Again, spey pages has a huge amount of great info and so many of the members there have lifetimes of experience with two handed rods. Certainly worth checking out. I would also but a rod second hand. For $200 to $300 for a second hand rod you are buying a lightly used $500 - $600 rod.
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I'm still just starting my two handed rod collection. so far in the arsenal
Spey rods
Sage 7136
Echo DH2 8133
Loop Yellow 9140
Switch rods
Meiser classic 4/5
TFO deer creek 7110
Honestly I don't see myself buying much more because these weights cover most if not all of my fishing encounters or future ones :)
when your looking at rods buy within the budget you allow yourself. You really don't need to buy expensive or super expensive rods, they wont catch you more fish. Buy a decent rod, if you need a drag then get a reel with a drag that has a wide range of drag adjustment unless you like classic click/pawl style then you can find cheap old/new ones to very expensive new/old ones depending on what catches your eye. Buying second hand is a great option however its also tricky when you have aren't sure what your after 100% which is why I mentioned "actions" of different rods. You can see that all 3 of my spey rods are ones that have more of a traditional/full flex action. I like to fish Skagits and mid belly lines so these work nicely
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Yeah, I completely agree with both of you, I am not really interested in spending 500+ dollars on a rod.
I think length wise I am happy looking for a longer rod I am thinking around 12-14 but preferably right in the middle at 13' is plenty for around here as well as some of my other fishing holes.
I am thinking of Echo DHII8133 its kind of in the middle being a 13'3'' 8w I think that should let me be able to fish here without being to heavy and still take it up north with me for the hogs. I may keep asking questions and check out that other website before I settle on something. I just know I am in the market for at least one more rod after this one and I went out this morning to test a Tenkara rod a buddy picked up at Lafarge, haha. that thing was a RIOT. If I get a trout fly rod now, it has to be that.
@HOOK
Sorry what weights are those rods? I tried to google em but for some reason I couldn't get a straight answer.
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You certainly won't regret a DH2. An 8 weight cover all your bases too, from what fish and locations you will be fishing.
The DH rods are great skagit rods and flex nice and deep, which is great when your learning as they are more forgiving. I fish a scandi on mine too, but I really like a skagit.
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Yeah, I think I am pretty happy with my choice for rod, I saw a ECHO 8w I couldn't say what model it was but it was a 13'6'' today at the store when I went in to replace my leaders ( I use a lot of nylon leads just because they actually break down unlike other leader lines) and it was a nice price sitting around 375-400.
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that sounds like you were looking at the Echo TR 8136. buddy of mine fishes that rod and enjoys it, I've also cast it some and while it doesn't flex as deep as the DH2 series it is a nice rod.
usually but not always the first number is the weight of the rod and then the last three are the length. 8136 (8wt 13'6" length)
7136 (7wt 13'6")
8133 (8wt 13'3")
9140 (9wt 14')
I also have owned:
Loop blue 9140
Beulah 7/8wt 12'7"
TFO 8/9wt 13'6"
Echo classic 9140
Beulah 5/6wt 10'6"
Beulah Surf 7/8wt 11'
I know I'm missing at a couple other spey rods but as you can see the two handed game is a sickness and I would consider myself slowly breaking away from being a beginner and its been almost 10yrs now since I bought my first one. In the last season or two I'm finally finding what rod actions I prefer, rod lengths and when/what type of lines to use in different situations.
honestly the biggest pain in the arse is finding a running line you really like. I have used so many different ones and think I'm settling on the Rio ConnectCore, I like its no stretch core and the fact its more like a fly line than slick mono and the fact its way easier to mend at long distances is another great thing.
If you can hit the Vedder tomorrow I will infact have either my 8133 or my 9140 (or both) with me chasing Chinook/coho and would be willing to let you have a few casts. most likely have the 8133 only
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I plan to go visit the Vedder actually tomorrow, I was told by a buddy the fishing should be picking up, the netters are starting to thin out. Today I had to pick up some new leader and decided to get some flies. I got a itch for some chum but I don't think they'll be ready just yet.
Mostly I wanted to get some more river casting experience. I practice on the grass at a local park. Girls seem to enjoy that...but other then that. I struggle with the weak hand casting. Which is kinda nice with the 2 hand casting, you can switch hands easily.
I try to focus on well rounded fishing gear, I think its more of a budget thing then anything, I hate knowing I have 6 rods can't use em all, and have to site there and pick one for the species at the same time, I am the kinda person if I get bored, I will change my gear up on the spot and start targeting another species..
But yes, I am looking at the Echo line spey rods I got my hands on one today at the tackle shop it was kind of a nice fit.
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If you post a "WTB" notice for that rod on the spey pages classifieds i think you would have a number of leads within the day.
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That's good to know, I am in between work at the moment (anyone hiring?) But I think thats my project for this winter is to have a new spey, and then by next summer to get myself a Tenkara for the small stream trout fishing, if we have any... anything I find looks like something I'd sooner white water kayak then fish. Ha-ha
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That's good to know, I am in between work at the moment (anyone hiring?) But I think thats my project for this winter is to have a new spey, and then by next summer to get myself a Tenkara for the small stream trout fishing, if we have any... anything I find looks like something I'd sooner white water kayak then fish. Ha-ha
my work has been hiring quite a bit the last while. send me an email and I will give you some info if your interested
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I will do that for sure.
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Best choice I made fishing was picking up a spey rod. Absolutely love it. When fishing is slow it's a good time to practice casting and tuning your swing. For me I started with the 8136 dually (249.99) and a Rio switch chucker (9wt). Not The recommended line but surely helped me tune my casting and understand rod loading. Cut the head off and had sea run make a loop and threw on a 575 grain Skagit head to really get my fly out there. You'll learn a lot about line recommendations vs your preference. If budget is tight look on spey pages. I pieced my switch rod setup for a decent price. Bought a Beulah 10'6 8/9 switch for 175 (shipping and conversion included) and a TFO prism for 77(shipping and conversion included).
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I agree.
Thanks to all the help I think I have settled on a couple rods, I think are going to best round out my collection.
First is Echo DHII 8133
Second is Echo TR 9140
Third would be Echo K-9130
The third one I am concerned it might be able to bulky for BC fishing. I obviously want to be able to use it down here as well :P
Sometime I will get my hands on the Dean river for some fishing or the Yukon.
The only thing now is I want a rod still for trout, that I am probably either going to think about Tenkara (these things are a riot to fish with )
or maybe a light single hand, can't imagine any any rivers with good foot/walk 'n wade that would fit a spey. lol
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Don't think there is much difference between a 13 or 14 foot 9wt rod besides the 1 foot in length. perhaps because its a KING series spey rod its a very heavy 9wt. The 9140 would handle almost any Chinook your going to do battle with, if you were ever outgunned its easy enough to point and snap the fly off ( I have had to do it before )
I own the 8133 and I would feel pretty secure with most Chinook and chum. I only got my 9140 for up north, the Thompson or if I happen to snap the 8133 and need something larger than my 7136 at the time
Happy Shopping :)
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Other then the price, I didn't see much difference, there was a reason I looked at King I thought it was length but its escaped me.
Thanks Hook!
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Oh if you want a an echo setup check out caddis fly shop out of Oregon. They an ion 8/10 and 8wt 13 footer with shooting head and line for 450USD http://www.caddisflyshop.com/echo-classic-two-hander-compete-spey-outfit.html
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Oh if you want a an echo setup check out caddis fly shop out of Oregon. They an ion 8/10 and 8wt 13 footer with shooting head and line for 450USD http://www.caddisflyshop.com/echo-classic-two-hander-compete-spey-outfit.html
the Echo Classic's are nice rods however they are now one of their low end series rods. I think the rod alone comes in well under $300 and I'm not sure if they have the same mojo they once did.
another shop based out of the US is Reds fly shop who also do some package deals. I think they have Echo and Redington combos right now as well as TFO & Sage
EDIT - one of the rods your looking at is for sale on Speypages at the moment http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/showthread.php?t=134801
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http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2012/11/29/echo-classic-spey-rod-review-november-2012/
This provides insisght on the Echo spey's that have been dubbed the "Echo Classic" by anglers and the rod series that is called the Echo Classic.
Basically the new Echo Classics are an upgraded Echo Solo. Still if you read it, it gives some insight.
I own an Echo 13'6" 8/9 spey that I should use more, and will be once October comes around.
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http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2012/11/29/echo-classic-spey-rod-review-november-2012/
This provides insisght on the Echo spey's that have been dubbed the "Echo Classic" by anglers and the rod series that is called the Echo Classic.
Basically the new Echo Classics are an upgraded Echo Solo. Still if you read it, it gives some insight.
I own an Echo 13'6" 8/9 spey that I should use more, and will be once October comes around.
I owned an original Echo Classic 9140, I really enjoyed that rod and sometimes wish I still had it. I didn't read the article however it sounds like the newer "classics" aren't the same as the originals just as I had suspected :(
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Yeah, I can't pick up any rods right now. But they are on the wishlist so to speak.
I hit PEg leg and the Vedder today it was really quiet fish why, saw a lot of rising towards the end of peg, closest to Harrison mouth I think?
I tried to spey but that was a total disaster I don't know why I couldn't make a cast, I love the loop to loop connections because I don't have the finger dex for a lot of tying any more. But if my loops weren't catching on eyes, my line was just flopping over, seemed so easy on the grass...
This is the problem with do it yourself learning. Hard to figure out what's going on. Thank god it was my 11' switch rod, I could at least single hand. But I think its a technical issue. I did something to my line, I got the backing, the running line, then the shooting line then my sink tip and leader, but some where between the running line and sink tip, something just doesn't feel right, I feel like I might have added extra line without realising it.
I can tell because of the way I turn the fly, it doesn't feel the same as it used too. It's almost like when you chuck a fly thats to heavy for your single hand, where the line shoots out but the fly just kinda hangs out by your feet telling you "nope, I ain't movin!"
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Have you not used this setup very much ?
kinda sounds like your trying to use a sink tip either to long or too heavy for your switch rod. Could also be your technique and yes water will make it more difficult than grass.
If your near Langley or willing to travel I may be able to get some free time to help you out with some pointers
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Unfortunately I live in Coquitlam. I don't think it's the lines to heavy, I don't recall ever having this problem before.It could also very well be my technique, that seems very likely to me.
I think it could also be the length though, its kinda why I am on the side of maybe I got two different leaders on the line without some how realising it. which sounds really odd, but I hadn't used the rod in well over a year and a half. I feel like I may have absent mindlessly through on another leader or something. Well that's how I feel anyway, I am going find out tomorrow, I am going head to the pro shop in the morning and talk with with them and also have em take a look at another reel I am having mechanical issues with and its under a life time warranty so no reason to fuss with it myself.
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Keep in mind a spey "weight" is not the same as a single hand rod "weight". Spey is a "grains" game, and it's mainly an issue of having a rod with a grain window that can throw big, heavy sink tips and skagit heads, that can turn over a lead eye intruder that can dredge deep in fast water (where springs and winter steelhead like to sit).
This is a bit misleading. For both SH and spey rods line weights are related to a range of grain weights or grams etc. What you may be thinking is that the spey rating is much heavier than the standard or SH range ie a #8 for SH is centred at 210grains with a range of plus or minus 8 while a #8 Spey is rated at 550 grains with a range of plus or minus 50. The Spey range relates to other heads other than Skagits as well. With all types of Spey casting much of the line is not in the air but on the water and the rod is loaded by the line in the air and tension on the line on the water.
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HOOK, I solved the spey casting issue a few days ago. Turns out I had two sink tips unwittingly on the line, a clear full sink, then my T-1 talk about awkward. ::)
The last few days I have been scratching my head trying to figure out what the heck would possess me to put two lines on. Haha.
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Well it isn't stealth....
Specially as the clear was behind the t material :D
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Lol I know right!
The only conclusion I could come up with that satisfied me for an answer was I was trolling some flies up at jones lake and skaha lake this past summer.
Just me, my pipe, my game of thrones and Glenmorangie 25 Year Old Quarter Century. Probably why I'll be single for the rest of my life, LOL.
Not because of the single malt or the pipe but because I could easily spend 10hrs of my day fishing without breaking a sweat and I do. Most guys aren't man enough to keep up! If its not fishing, its camping or hiking, I don't go often, I just go for extended periods of time. I digress however.
I went to sea run to get some advice to see if it happened to be my casting or how I rigged my switch rod rod, turned out to be the line. :P
Now I am waiting for my new spey rod!
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Sweet! I am eagerly awaiting spey season!
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Everyday is spey season I think!
I took a drive to the coquitlam river, its pretty baron this year. I hope the eggs survived and we'll see pinks next year. It had a pretty awesome run, but that river feels to small to spey :( would have been nice though!