Quest Outdoors

Snowmonkey · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:43 pm Post subject: More spey questions!!!

Alright, some folks have me rethinking my choice of light spey rod, mainly due to lack of versatility. I was going to go with the Scott LS2 12' six weight. Now I'm thinking the 13' seven weight (also Scott LS2) would be better for my intended purposes. I am going to use it partly for standard spey fishing, but also for CND style fishing similar to float fishing. Any comments/advice on that?

Also, regarding reel selection, I'm considering the Harris Solitude large arbor reel. Should I go up a model size for use with a light spey vs a standard length rod of the same line rating (to balance it out better)?

Any advice on either question would be greatly appreciated!

Mike

SageDrifter · Lunker Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 726

there's a question i had/still have much debate within mysellf over
#6Wt or #7Wt for Ont.??

i seriously took a look at these constants;

the waters i fish , the maximum distances i needed to cast, mending qualities between Traditional and Euro Tapers, the size of flies i was going to be firing out there and do i really need tips in this province?

after asking several notable people within the province, cruising "Dana Strum's Spey Pages" and reading Simon Gawesworth's "Spey Casting" Book. i drew up my own conclusions.

while i'm used to the #6Wt in a single hander for Steel and feel it's adequate enuff for large fish, the #7Wt lends to heavier tips and bulkier flies. it also has the ability to cast in wind better then the #6Wt. to be truthful i still haven't really decided which one will be my main Steelhead Spey outfit

as for the Traditional Vs' European Vs' Skagit/Scandinavian Taper issue, i'm sold on the Euro Tapers, as i find they suit my style rather well. it seems i'm always in a hurry to get line out and into "the zone" Rolling Eyes

i do think (again personal opinion here) #8-#9Wt's are overkill for the majority of scenarios i can come up with in this province. i'd like to think of our Steelhead here like the "Summer Rocket Runs" of BC where #6-#7Wt's are more frequently used.

Reel Choice

i was lucky to have already a few reels i could utilise by buying a spare spool. for bigger systems i'll use my Islander FR2 and my local "ditches" my Abel Super 5 will be sufficient. a good drag is your main concern obviously.

not much help i'm afraid, but at least you can look at how i'm attempting to figure it out and go from there.

S..

BrianD · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 7:36 pm Post subject:

Mike,
I think the 7wt will serve you better, especially if you're planning on doing some "traditional" spey presentations with it on the Catt and such.

For the reel, don't bother with the LA Solitude, get the standard arbor. Harris doesn't make a true large arbor design. They just bulked up the center of the spool and left it on the same frame (while jacking up the price). You can do the same thing by adding an extra bit of backing, and the reel will be more versatile in the long run. You'll probably want at least a IV, and probably a V, as Solitudes run very light for their size. I've got lead "zonker" tape wrapped around the spool under the backing just to help balance things out a bit better.

Best,

Brian