^This. In a single hander I wouldn't go lighter than an 8wt if you are going after Winter Steelhead. Trying to land a pissed off native in a full river with anything less is likely to result in damage to the fish, the rod, or to you.
This is why you buy Simms. No one is better about cheap repairs. I bought a pair of G3's off of ebay. After I owned them a year they leaked at a seam. I sent them back and for about $40 they fixed the leak, plus other pinhole leaks, plus the slightly torn strap and boot issue that I didn't even...
FWIW (I fish further South than you), I would get an 8 wt. because that will also work for winter fish in full rivers. Also, I'd go with 10 ft as it gives you a great ability to mend and control the line.
Dry or Die!
Here's a better video with an even later hookset: http://vimeo.com/33337585
The song is my inspiration for a new signature: "This mighty river's both my savior and my sin"
Randy,
Fortunately, I'm married to a Saint who knew I wasn't going to be much good for making dinner and had been cooking and had dinner ready about two minutes after I landed the fish above.
BTW, caught this fishing out of a deep hole using a sinking tip line spooled on that Okuma reel with...
Caught this beautiful 17 inch Wild Rainbow right off of our campsite while I was supposed to be making dinner.
Was a lot of fun because all of the kids heard me whooping when the line was singing so they came running and all got to see a wild fish set back out to pass on its genes.
I'd rather catch 1 fish on a dry than 3 on a nymph. I love the challenge and activity that goes with either drifting or skating a dry. I feel so much more connected to what I'm doing. Besides, if you're just after productivity, why not just use powerbait?
[Not to say I don't use nymphs. The...
I had a similar experience on the McKenzie with a fly rod. Must have hit a pocket of stockers. Every other cast some 6-8" stocker would swallow my fly. After shaking about 8 dumb-as-nails-stockers off my line in a dozen casts I moved up river to see if I could find some natives. One even took...
You mean this one? On sale for $1,400. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/the-creek-company-odc-xr12-pontoon-boat-2-man~p~2458m/?filterString=s~boat%2F&colorFamily=99
Plus if you sign up for STP's deal email you will quickly see that extra 20-40% off is not uncommon.
I LOVE sierratrading