Streamer outfit

[Troutbum from Griswold]

Dude, just purchased another BIIX 6wt and I am waiting for it to be delivered. The last 2 weeks I was using my BIIX 7 wt for streamers and it worked great. I didn't feel I was horsing the fish at all. Plus, when you get into the big boys, it comes in handy. Plus, the BIIX 7 wt feels like a 5 maybe a 6 anyway. Would be really good for when the HOUSY or FARMY on at high flows. I know I will. The 6wt is my go to streamer rod but the 7 wt will be a high flow river rod (it is my favorite saltwater rod especially on the flats) and I will throw a 275 grain line on it. Great high flow set up.

[Fascist Killer]

Thanks Opie! The 7 does seem a bit more versatile interms of species. The six might be more versatile in terms of trout, but I'd just as soon use my 4 unless tossing big streamers.

What do you guys think of the Winston LT?

How about the Scott G2?

[FK]

My recommendation is the Sage Z-Axis,,,,the lightest swing weight of any 6wt or 7wt rod on the market.

I like the 7wt for floating lines and heavy weighted flys, the 5wt for trout and smaller streamers.

Regards,
FK

[Troutbum from Griswold]

I believe the BIIX is lighter than the Z-Axis. Almost 100% positive but I will double check. Comparing the 6 wts or any other rod for that matter. The Z is light but not as light.

[Troutbum from Griswold]

Like I said I wanted to double check. I was right, the BIIX 6wt is 2 7/8 oz and the Sage Z-Axis is 3 7/16.

[Fascist Killer]

the scott g2 9 foot 6 weight is 3.0. the 8'8" is 2.9. the 9 foot 7 wt is 3.2. medium action

[FK]

My definition of Swing Weight is not the rod weight in ounces,,,,how heavy in the hand does if feel when holding horizontal.

You can make a rod very light "weight" published oz. with plastic reel seats and less cork in the grips,,,,how heavy does it feel when cast?

[Troutbum from Griswold]

The BIIX feels like nothing at all. Extremely lightweight. There's nothing to them. Feels like you can cast it for days.

[AaronJasper]

Sage 9'6" 6 weight Z Axis with a Ross Rhythm 3.5 .... Sweet!

[DaveC]

I love actively fishing streamers and had been looking for sometime for a new outfit to replace a couple of old 7wt sticks. I settled on a Scott S3 9' 6" 6wt. It is a stiff 6 wieght, really a 6 3/4 wt if you ask me. She's a stiff rod that will cast a 6 or 7 wt line with ease but is lighter than most 7 wts and will play a fish a bit more pleasurably than most 7wts.

When I was casting rods while shopping for this Scott I did cast a 9 ft Sage ZXL. It is a very nice rod, but it is a 6wt dry fly rod not an all-round streamer rod IMHO. Not saying you can't streamer fish with it, of course you can, but you are going to be limited to the size fly you can comfortably cast. Again, just my opinion, others may think quite differently.

I fished the Scott last Sunday in very heavy winds with a 6wt line and a variety of #4 streamers. It worked great in tough conditions. I think I'm really going to like this rod It should throw fairly large streamers and dries, including mice (though I haven't tried that yet), well.

My opinion on streamer outifts is you should select your gear based on the size fly you intend to use and how you want to fish it. If you are to going to fish 4"-7" streamers on 250-350 gr lines for trout of 10# or greater then you better be looking for a stout 7 or 8 wt. If you are mainly going to fish size 10 to 6 wooly buggers to 14-inch trout then a 5 wt should be great. While my go to trout rod is a 5 wt, I like the 6wt in the middle for my everyday streamer stuff.

Also, I fished the Green River this Fall in some of the worst wind (>20mph with higher gusts, no kidding) I've ever fished in that didn't involve saltwater I was fishing dries with a 5wt - very difficult, but I sure had great fishing ;D This S3 956 sure would have made that job easier 8)

My two cents, hope it helps someone!

Best Fishes,
Dave