[fullahead]

I have been a bate caster all my life. I brought a Sage 6 wt, with an Islander lx 3.4 reels, last year, thinking I would use it for lake fishing. I went on a trip to the Skeena River last year, first week in August, right after the springs closed. It was my first trip up there, so I took my 6 wt as a spar rod. In one 6-hour day I caught 6 northern Coho on that 6-wt fly rod. That day was a turning point; I want to get into fly-fishing. I released every fish caught on that trip, and it was the best fishing trips ever.

I want to fish up there in August or September, for Coho, and steel head. I think I want to buy a 9 wt? Here my question fellows, if you could only buy one fly rod, would one get a one hand 9 wt or a spey rod.

I am going to use that 6 wt on the pinks this year on the Fraser. I would like to try sockeye on a fly rod too, that would be a blast. I would sooner catch one sockeye on a fly rod than ten bottoms bouncing.

All this equipment cost a lot of money. The pros and cons on the two styles of fly-fishing, information would be appreciated.

 

[Fish Finder]

I think it all depends who you'd ask, what their personal preference would be. I'm having a blast casting my double hander this spring. However if I had to go with one rod and one only for rivers, then I'd go with a 10 foot 8 or 9 weight. Perfect for salmon and steelhead.

Finder

 

[stone]

As Finder has noted, there is still a place for having a good 8 or 9wt single hander for fishing rivers. While the double handed rod is unbeatable for swing presentations, their size and style makes them awkward to use for strip presentations where you have to strip your fly almost to your feet when the fish strike. This type of presentation is popular in Lower Mainland river systems for coho and pinks. Stripping in your spey line and then having to wiggle the head out again in order to make your next cast would defeat the purpose of a double hander.

If you are primarily a big fish fisherman (not much on lakes and small streams for trout and such), then a 9.5 or 10 foot 8 or 9wt would be a great addition to your arsenal. The longer length will allow you to roll cast easier, and provide added amount of line control. If you are fishing primarily drift presentations, as in for springs, chums, and steelhead, or if you mostly fish up North, then a 14' 9wt spey rod might not be a bad idea.

But for an all-around big fish rod, I agree with Finder... :beerchug:

 

[fullahead]

Can you use the same reel on a 9-wt fly rod, and a 9-wt spey rod?

 

[PumpingIron]

Can you use the same reel on a 9-wt fly rod, and a 9-wt spey rod?

Most likely not. Unless its a large arbour it most likely will not hold a spey line.

 

[abbyfireguy]

I tried a spey rod last spring ,but as I was just rehabbing from shoulder reconstruction all I accomplished was loads of laughter from the fellows trying to teach me . It was not a pretty sight..
This spring however, I am working with two shoulders once again and had a blast getting to use a two hander twice so far...
I just don't think I can hide any more rods in my garage,the boss is watching too close these days..

 

[JetBoat Jim]

just tell her their your friends rods and your borrowing them. Then buy her some wine. :drunk:

 

[eimaj]

Full ahead, as far as the reels go' I'm not real sure you would have to look through how much line they can hold. But I would suggest not going crazy on how much you spend on the reel. The Loop graphite reel is around $130 and will work just fine. As for the rod, I would strongly recommend bugging Bergler Here for help choosing one. He's the man around here for spey gear :thumbup:

 

[fullahead]

I would like to thank you guys for all your input. :thumbup:

 

[stone]

Basically if you are going to compromise on a reel and try using it for both a 9wt single hander and a 9wt spey, then you are constantly going to find it a little too big and heavy to cast the single hander and a touch too small to hold enough backing and your spey line comfortably. You could try and use really skinny gel-spun for backing...but even then, I think you'll find most 9wt reels a bit small.

Oh yeah...if you use gel-spun for backing in any of your reels, remember to move your finger to avoid touching the backing as it goes flying out of your reel when a big fish takes off. You'd be surprised how fast gel-spun can cut wet fingers under pressure.