10' 6 wt TFO lefty professional and fly logic flo 456 with lefty kreh line.

it is not too heavy at all..if it's getting heavy at erie you are gonna have some problems casting a clouser all day on the river.

"10' 6 wt TFO lefty professional and fly logic flo 456 with lefty kreh line. "
 
And a white woolly bugger. lol

ORIGINAL: BehrendFisher

does a 6wt give you plenty of backbone for landing fish on the more crowded streams like the chutes on walnut?

Keep in mind one manufacturer's 6wt may really fish like a 5wt or a 7wt of another manufacturer. The wt rating really is subjective to a point. The action will also play a role in how much "backbone" the rod will have.

If you are fair hooking fish, with a little bit of know how in applying side pressure a good 5wt will do fine unless you are on big water. It's more the people who frequently snag fish that think a 10wt is necessary to land them. To answer your question; in general I think a 9'6" or 10' 6wt is a good choice for PA Erie tribs.

I found a TFO pro/Lamson Konic combo available online that I may get. It was brought up in a topic in the fly fishing section that discussing purchases from fishusa's competitors is a little wrong and I have to agree. I was unable to find a Lamson reel on the fishusa site though. I read somewhere that fishusa might help create combos to fit a budget though so perhaps a TFO pro rod with their prism reel could be offered with some backing and line? It would be ideal to work with them since I live close by, rather than some mail order company.

ORIGINAL: dietz

lefty professional

"fail"

ORIGINAL: bingsbaits

ORIGINAL: BehrendFisher

does a 6wt give you plenty of backbone for landing fish on the more crowded streams like the chutes on walnut?

I like my 6w, but fresh fish sure can beat you up..
Would be a little light for fishing in the crowds...Which I try to avoid at all costs....

ALWAYS get enough rod for the job you're trying to do. You can always fish for smaller fish on a heavy rod (I used to use a 6-7 for small streams because it let me fish under laurel bettter). But it's hard, and sometimes very annoying, to try to land a big fish on light tackle. Attempting to land a steelhead on 4 wt or 5wt gear can be done but only if you have enough room to fight the fish. But a prolonged fight can really pizz off the people fishing around you. Plus it don't impress folks much.

Are you guys fishing in PA? I can understand where a 7wt might be a better choice in NY or OH. But, I really don't see any issues in fishing a 5wt or 6wt in PA and I do so regularly. I can't understand the logic that says you need at LEAST a 7wt to fish 30' wide ditches for 5/6# fish. I think you guys are giving these fish a little too much credit, I mean the bathtub is only so big here.

Behernd fisher,
IMO, any 7wt or a long 6.

You should select a shop that carry's a variety of rod makers products and compare.I would suggest a mid flex rod in 9 and a half feet to 11 feet in length in a 6 to 7 weight. You want the rod to be able to protect lighter tippets when necessary,but have enough back bone to turn and land a fish. As for reels,simple. The reel must have a smooth dependable drag,period! One of the best drag systems on a fly reel is a Orvis Battenkill Disc Drag reel. I have used this reel on King's in N.Y. when 30lb plus fish where common. Never a flaw with the drag system. A Orvis 7/8 battenkill disc drag is $98.00. Someone here may also have or will suggest a large arbor reel for faster line pick up. This is a nice feature and sometimes handy. They are also a little more expensive. But it is not a necessity on Erie tributaries. But if think you need it or want it,go for it. As for your casting ability's.Not to worry, on Erie's tributaries it's chuck and dunk. Flip out your presentation and at the end of the drift,in one smooth motion,lift and flip it back upstream. You can't catch fish with your presentation snapping back and forth above your head.

I just got the same rod a few days ago, now lookin for a reel to match up with it.