two handed rods

**nutman** · 11-04-2008, 01:46 AM

Ok so im looking at two handed rods ,Ive asked this question before about their strength . Im looking at an eight weight or a nine weight TFO. Im woundering if the 8 could handle a chinook in the twenty to thirty pound range . I am going to be mostly fishing for steelhead so the eight weight makes sense I get out for chinook on streams here once in awhile though .Would it make sense to just go with the nine weight ?and say use my eight weight reel? Im sick of spending so much money on eqiutment !Does anybody have a good alternative ? does the nine weight work you as much as ,like difference between an eight weight and nine weight single handed rod ? Getting worn out casting is a factor here .
Im on the move here hiking .So casting time is important and getting worn out isnt fun its a two hour ride home after a day of this .
So does it make sense to get the eight weight that is thirteen feet long or the nine weight that is 14 foot long .

**AaronJasper** · 11-04-2008, 07:54 AM

Nutman,

Are you voting today? That goes for everyone on here! Get out there and vote!

As for the spey rod question. What species do you plan on fishing for most often? If its steelhead, go for the smaller 8 weight.

I know FK can go into detail about other specifics, as spey rods are not something that I am greatly experienced in.

FK · 11-04-2008, 10:28 AM

nutman,

Difficult question to answer,,,,, 8wt vs. 9wt / 10wt.

Depends upon if you can play the fish, or do you have crowded conditions were you must horse the fish in quickly?

Current strength is also a large factor in rod selection, will the fish run and can you chase them?

One new TFO rod to consider is the Deer Creek 11ft series, they are made up to 9wt and are better for fighting a strong fish than the longer rods. You can cast single handed or DH with these rods and they retail for $325-$350 range. Witht the 9wt DH you will most likely need a 10wt or 11wt line to cast comfortably.

If you fish larger rivers and need long casts with line control for the drift, then I would recommend the 13ft or 14ft rods.

Regards,
FK

**nutman** · 11-04-2008, 10:44 PM

Ok we are talking big water here the dechutes is big ,let me say that again, is biggggg. Yes I am after steelhead . I was just woundering if the eight could handle a chinook ,the water isnt that crowed that you couldn't play the fish ,the kliches river is smaller but you can still cast an long rod there .
Im confused about the line weights can you explain that .Why an eight weight pole with a ten weight line ?
I hate going to the fly shop and asking questions the one pompass ass there always makes me feel like I should just know all this stuff .It is super hard to find info about these rods .I like the switch rods I think they would be good on the kilches ,but maybe a bit small for the dechutes .
I guess I want to know if you have to work much harder with the nine weight .I'll go to the shop this weekend and see what they have .
I have to mend like crazy with my eight weight nine foot rod on the descutes ,it wears you out fast .The wilson river isnt as big ,though so fishing my eight weight single there isnt as bad .
Im going to catch a steelhead this year if it kills me and it might ,but im going to !!!!!!!!!