In the market for a 6wt

**72Twenty** · 03-26-2008, 09:19 AM

Ok, I think I am going to start looking for a 6wt. I really liked the TFO I used this past weekend. I am probably going to be in the $150 to $250 range, depending on what other gear I can unload in Gear Swap in the coming weeks.

That's the only way the wife is going to let me spend the money.

Anybody need some skis?

I think I am going to go for a medium-to-fast action rod. I want to be able to get a fair amount of line out - going to be using this in my local lakes as well as my trips to bigger rivers. I am also usually casting in wind. I will also be using this rod for both dries and heavier wet flies.

Any suggestions?

Also, what do you guys think of fighting butts? Do you really find them to be an advantage? It seems TFO puts them on most of their rods (but not all).

**khakis** · 03-26-2008, 12:25 PM

Can't argue with a TFO, I'm in the market for a 4-pc 7wt right now so let me know if you find a place that has them on sale. I did, however, fondle an Orvis Clearwater II yesterday and really liked the way it felt.
No input re: fighting butts

**pechelman** · 03-26-2008, 01:11 PM

i like my st croix legend ultra pretty well
havent gotten to fished it a lot, but it sure casts nicely

Ive never used a fighting butt even when hooked into big salt water stuff with a 9wt, at least not like youd use a regular butt on a spin\cast rod.

the only benefit I find to them is setting them down and not scratching anything, having a little better balance on bigger rods, and have a slightly longer butt section of the rod to tuck around and be supported by your forearm when fighting for a long time....pointless tho for freshies (if that made any sense)

**72Twenty** · 03-26-2008, 01:42 PM

Made sense to me - infact, the times I have had a good fight on and had my left hand down on the butt of the rod, I liked being able to partially hold my had over the spool to regulate drag a little bit, as well as reeling.

I used my dad's TFO TiCr series 6wt 4 piece with the fighting butt (model no. TFO 06 90 4 T), but he bought it to be a salt water rod. Really the only things I liked about the fighting butt was not worrying about setting the butt end on the ground/rocks (keeping sand out of the reel seat) and when I had the rod tucked under my arm while checking flies and wading, the butt helped the rod stay in place.

I think if I find the right price on a TFO that has a fighting butt, I'll get it, but I am not going to go out of my way to get one if I have the option, because I don't think I really need it. Although they make you look more EXTREME.

**72Twenty** · 03-26-2008, 01:54 PM

Ok, seriously though, any of you guys looking for some gear?

I will be selling mostly ski related stuff, but also some great condition (near new) clothing like a TNF Denali fleece jacket (only worn a couple days around town - slightly too big for me) and possibly some shells. I am also going to sell my pair of Rossignol Scratch BC's that are in EXCELLENT shape (maybe skied 5 days total). They are slightly older, the last year they did the 90mm waist on the BC's. I will also probably be selling my Scientific Anglers 9ft 6wt with the Scientific Anglers reel. Great starter rig for someone new to the game. I've only used it one day (but I will be keeping the line I put on it).

Anyway, if any of you guys are interested in this stuff before it hits the main Gear Swap, let me know.

**MakersTeleMark** · 03-26-2008, 03:38 PM

See if you can pick up an old Sage XP. I found a used one on craigslist, a 2 piece 5wt that rocks for the application you seek.

**72Twenty** · 03-26-2008, 09:06 PM

Just reading up on the Orvis Cleawater II's. Seem like really good rods for the money...

[72Twenty scratches his chin and ponders...]

**ak_powder_monkey** · 03-27-2008, 03:09 AM

Orvis rods are the worst rods for the money, tfo rods are half the price and twice the quality.

**khakis** · 03-27-2008, 08:27 AM

go handle a Clearwater II. I think they're on par with TFOs sub-$200 offerings

oh I also handled one of last year's $150 or so rods (don't know what they called it--now on sale for $70) and it felt like garbage.

**Andy_B** · 03-27-2008, 08:32 AM

seventytwo20-

Check out the Redington CPS in a 6wt. If you shop around you should be able to come up with one on the cheap, they are $300.00 msrp.

I have the 5wt and toss big bass bugs all day long with it... and can easy shoot 90' of line straight out. On the slow end of fast but lots of back bone.

That said, I do love my TFO 3wt.

And will probably get a TFO 10wt for a salty rig.

**pechelman** · 03-27-2008, 08:46 AM

dont know jack about any of these, but figured id just post them

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/1...;-4-Piece.html
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/1...-4-Piece-.html
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...;-4-Piece.html

**72Twenty** · 03-27-2008, 09:01 AM

Couple questions...

TFO - in my reasonable price range I am probably going to go with either the Lefty Kreh Signature Series or the Lefty Kreh Professional Series. How much would I really be gaining going up to the Professional Series over the Signature Series? Reviews on both are vastly positive.

Weights - I was going through my fishing gear last night, and I forgot that I also have an Orvis Battenkill reel that is a 7/8wt with an 8wt line. So now I have a 6wt line/reel and a 7/8wt line/reel and no rod for either of them (assuming I get rid of my cheap Scientific Anglers 6wt rod). I am now thinking maybe I should get a 7wt rod instead of a 6wt and be able to use either reel/line on it depending on what I am fishing for on a given day. Buying two new rods isn't in the cards right now.

So now I am looking at the TFO in a 7wt, either a Signature Series or a Professional Series (leaning towards the professional series).

I'm gettin' all sorts of confused now...

**pechelman** · 03-27-2008, 09:15 AM

Lakes and rivers that have trout is really a 6wt unless you plan on throwing some serious terminal tackle and big flies on windy days, but the way you describe what you want in post #1, that could also be a 7.

A 7wt has some good versatility from being able to handle larger rivers and larger trout, to fishing warm lakes for bass, and even up to some light inshore duty for trout\snook\redfish.

also im under the impression the only difference in those TFO rods is the action.
buy the action you want for the type of flies and rigging you will want to use or just go cast them and let that decide.

there have also been very few times when its windy that I wish I had a smaller rod and also just as few times I wish the same thing when hooked into fish. I guess for me though, its never really been about the fight so much as it has been tricking them and releasing them unharmed as quickly as possible.

**72Twenty** · 03-27-2008, 09:58 AM

Yeah, I agree. I really think the 7wt will be the way to go. Especially to have it for lakes, wind and bigger rivers. Also the possibility of ever going on some salt water. I already have a 9ft 5wt and an 8ft 5/6 wt rod. I think the 7wt will fit the quiver in the right spot.

**ak_powder_monkey** · 03-27-2008, 02:41 PM

7 wt as a trout stick? weird

**fez** · 03-27-2008, 03:02 PM

I'm getting an 8 wt for a trout rod this summer, mostly for windy days on the yellowstone chucking hoppers and big streamers in lakes and big rivers.

what's weird about it?

**72Twenty** · 03-27-2008, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by ak_powder_monkey

7 wt as a trout stick? weird

Spend some time in Wyoming while the wind is blowing, then you will understand.

Also, going after carp is not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

**schwerty** · 03-27-2008, 05:53 PM

A 9.5ft 7wt is a good tool.

That is all.

**adipose** · 03-27-2008, 07:47 PM

A 7wt. is my go to rod in Wyoming, big wind, big rivers w/ strong currents, a lot of the time big flies with weight and indicators. Did I mention big trout??

**pechelman** · 03-27-2008, 08:18 PM

dont sweat it guys

akpm is used to handling small tools

**72Twenty** · 03-27-2008, 10:11 PM

7WT ROD = ORDERED.

I actually went bargain barn on this (worked out best for me financially). But I read numerous reviews and also relied on great advice on this particular rod from my dad.

I ordered a 9ft 7wt Cabela's Traditional.

It's nothing fancy, but it is a workhorse. It had a 4.6 out of 5 stars in the customer reviews, and my dad has had a few of these in the past.

And the best part... Cabela's has them in their bargain barn for... get this... $39.95!!! I figure I can't go wrong with this price, especially for my first rod of this weight. I figure I'll use it to improve my skills and maybe down the road I can purchase a "better" one.

After all... all that really counts is that we are 'standing in a river, waving a stick', right? I'm as stoked to be getting this as I would be for a more expensive rod. As soon as it shows up I am going to string it up and go test it out.

link here.

EDIT: HOLY CRAP! I BOUGHT THE LAST ONE! After I checked out, the one I ordered went to 'sold out'. That has to be a sign....

**schwerty** · 03-28-2008, 07:22 AM

Cabella's has an excellent unconditional warranty.

**Lonnie** · 03-28-2008, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by pechelman

Lakes and rivers that have trout is really a 6wt unless you plan on throwing some serious terminal tackle and big flies on windy days, but the way you describe what you want in post #1, that could also be a 7.

Or, you could just learn how to cast....

**pechelman** · 03-28-2008, 08:52 AM

^spare me your elitist bullshit.....why is this board full of this crap?

its a fact that a heavier bigger rod can more easily deal with heavier flies and stronger winds...

Lets go see you chuck a 1/0 weighted clouser 60 feet with a 4 weight
Lets see you do it repeatedly with high accuracy
Lets see you do it with wind

**Lumpy** · 03-28-2008, 11:30 AM

I was going to suggest the 6 wt. Cabelas LST...I've got 2 of the 5 wt LST's and think they have every bit of pop as some Winston borons, Loomis GLX's, etc...for about 1/3 the price. The 9.5 6 wt casts more like a 7 in my book. I toss the same rod for dry fly steelhead in a 7 that I do for big streamer fishing in UT. I think if your 7 wt. traditional fishes lighter, you've made a good choice. Seems like the Traditionals have a slower action...good for lobb-shotting big stuff.