fly rods for steelhead

    What make of rod would you suggest in a nine foot, 7 wt. class that would be in the $300 to $400.00 price range?  I usually fish a floating line with flies from
size 6 streams to size 18 nymphs.  I am an experienced angler. 

Thanks in advance.


nymphus

In that price range and up I always suggest looking into a custom rod. You'll get exactly what you want.

Thanks
Rick

As the above mentioned, a longer rod will certainly facilitate easier drifts and aid in mending, not to mention save your arm at the end of the day... Having made, sold, bought and fished about 50 different styles of rods over the years for steelies, it seems to me that the best "all around" rod for Erie steelhead (OH, PA and NY) is a 10' 7wt. Very versatile, you can do a wee bit of single-handed spey casating if the model you choose has the butt for it, it's a nymphing machine, yet not too long in small waters. Now, if you're really only fishing the "bigger" waters- ie nothing smaller than Elk, then you might consider an 11' 7wt, which has become my go-to all around rod for the past several years. A true "switch" rod, this rod can high-stick with the best of them, yet can do duel work as a short spey rod with short belly and skagit lines. Bearing in mind though, this is too long for a lot of waters, and can be a hindrance on smaller parts of big waters too.

As far as price is concerned, some people mentioned St. Croix, and I agree- quality rods, made in the US (if that matters to you) and good value. I believe that the Legend Ultra and the Avids would both fit your price points. Another rod to consider is the Redington CPS- in my mind, the best value rod around- at $299, these are very fast, very good sticks, with decent components. The Sage FLi would be another reasonable choice.

If you're looking for an 11' "switch" rod, then TFO recently announced some new Meiser rods- all are 11' long, and grain weighted for short-belly spey lines. For around here, the 11' 5wt (remember, spey line-rated; that's about the equivalent of a 7 or 8wt standard line) would be about right. At $350 or so, pretty nice bargains- very nice components on these- IMO, the best looking and constructed of the mid-priced rods.

So there you have it. For me, fishing bigger waters most, if not all of the time, if left to one rod, I would choose an 11' 7wt- I've owned a few of them, including the Winston BIIx, and the rod I have now, the Sage Z-Axis, is the bets of them that I've tried- getting a Loomis Native Run GLX soon, so I'll leave a review after I've fished it. But, for one rod, that would be my choice- but again, if also fishing smaller waters (ie Walnut, Crooked, etc...) then the 10' 7wt is probably the better bet.

If I could only own 2 rods for Erie tribs, then I would take a 10' 7wt, and then a 12 1/2' 6wt spey. The 10' rod would be for anytime that I decided to nymph, and then the 12 1/2' spey rod for all swinging- that rod, BTW, is the perfect sized spey rod for water like the Catt, Salmon, Grand, etc... again, the TFO Deer Creek spey rods are trmendous values, and as good looking as many premium rods too.

Hope that this helps- feel free to PM me with any other questions, or if you're looking for a particular rod...

Dan

I agree with Drake on the Flawless Series of rods.
 
They are the lightest and best quality rod that Diamondback has ever had. They should be priced around $350 -$400 instead of $299. I used them a little for steelhead, but mainly bass and carp. It performed well for all species.
 
 
Another choice, which I prefer more than the Flawless  (because I like a moderate fast action) is the Cortland Big Sky.  I carry the 9' 8wt in my car at all times, but the 9' 7wt is a sweet steelie rod. The 9' 6wt Saltwater model would be a killer steelhead rod. It is very similar to the 7wt, but the rod itself has a certain "feel" that you don't find very often. They handle well in close because of the moderate fast action, but the expert caster can carry a full flyline with these rods.
 
Here are some pics from the early development stages.
 
 

 
  
 
 
 
As you can see, the rods were shown no mercy and I have tried to break them on many occassions with no success.
 
 
Best,
Fisher

While were on the topic of custom rods, does anyone know of any reliable builders?  Who does your custom rods?  How does the whole process go about?  Does the client chose the blanks, hardware, wraps, guides?  I'd like to go custom for my next steelhead rod.

I will PM you sometime later    = 
 
 

I know it's just my opinion but three of the best rod builders working right now and also know steelhead are the following

Dominic Federico - www.infinityrodcreations.com  (better known for his centerpin/float rods)

Matt Dotts - www.rodtrader.net

Steve Clark - www.midwestcustomflyrods.com

It's important to get a builder that actually fishes for the species you want the rod for.  You don;t want a builder in florida to build you a steelhead rod just as you don't want a builder in michigan to build you a rod for bonefish.

steve cark midwest custom rods  10ft 7wt
FC

Check out the Scott E2.  Scott just discontinued this rod so you should be able to find one at a decent price on closeout.  It is considered to be a fast action but in my opinon is more of a medium-fast.  Great sensitivity and feel, nice hardware and components and an awsome price tag.  This is one my favorite rods.

just a quick reply, i have 4 rods and reals for sale, 3 of which would suit your needs. all rods and reels are new and have a quality line and backing on them. each rod and reel are $600.00-$700.00 price range new. your more than welcome to come by and cast any or all of them. i have them priced at $250 per combo. i have all boxes and probablly still have the recipts. nothing is stolen or anything like that, i just have to much stuff and would like to see someone get a great deal and some good use out of them. see the for sale area under fly fishing equipment.

fish usa have their redington cps rods on sale 299 now 199 and redingtons repacement is great mine snaped and it was 4 years old no questions they sent me a new rod sage owns them now  good luck

As far as the 3 rod builders, I know of all three and they are good buys. Two of which I talk with consistantly. Steve and I talk mostly every week.
You can't go wrong with either one. With that said, I also will throw my hat into the ring. I've built many rods over the years and still find the next as exciting as the first. I fish with a 9'6" St Criox IV myself and find it a good rod to use for steelies. I have others for back ups(Who doesn't) but use this as my "go to" rod.
Since I carry extras in my shop, I have in the past, shipped out rods for customers to try out and use to find the one that they like before they make a decision. Closer guys just stop by and pick them up at the door. I sell off my "show rods" later for a discount price.
 
Big D.

ORIGINAL: anadromous fly

Nymphing stick. I love my Scott ARC 10' 7wt. I use a steelhead taper sharkskin line by SA. Best there is. General purpose and some nymphing the Scott S4 9'6" 6wt.

 
I have the 9 1/2 ft. version of your 7wt. ARC. Great rod for playing steelhead. It amazed me how such a strong casting rod can be so gentle once a fish is on the other end.