7/8wt rod for Alaska?

On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:32:26 GMT, "Tom Littleton" wrote:


"daytripper" wrote in message
.. .
Otherwise - and someone will torch me for this, for sure - but I suggest
you consider a better reel than the venerable 1495 where you're planning on
going.

/daytripper (your reel-hand knuckles will thank you later....)

.......no urge to torch you, but I have landed a few decent
fish over the years on a 1495. A little tinkering with the cork pads(someone
else did the job for me, or I would post better details), and the thing will
stop a train. Or, at
least it effectively stopped a running, 45 pound hound mix chasing a tennis
ball, when I tested the beefed-up drag
before a salmon/steelhead trip.g
Tom
p.s. what knuckle pain? Pfft!

In four minutes you changed your tune ;-)

For a good couple of decades, Pflueger made no doubt the single most popular
fly reel of all time. And there are a couple of folks that could testify to
the curiously large collection of original, Made In USA Pflueger fly reels I
have amassed, mostly through inheritances and family friends' estates. All of
them 149x series, from li'l bitties to metallic monsters, half-sizes, too.

Haven't used any one of them in decades.

If I was spending the bucks to go to Alaska like the OP and....
ummmmm...
errrrmmm....
grrrrrrrrrrrrr.....
uunnnnnh......
TAKING ONLY ONE REEL (There! I said it!! ;-)

it sure wouldn't be a Pflueger Medalist 149x...

Cheers

/daytripper (one of these days I'll eBay the lot of 'em...)

"Tom Littleton" wrote in message
news:KFvni.19264$7R4.12673@trndny09...

"daytripper" wrote in message
...
Otherwise - and someone will torch me for this, for sure - but I suggest
you
consider a better reel than the venerable 1495 where you're planning on
going.

/daytripper (your reel-hand knuckles will thank you later....)

.......no urge to torch you, but I have landed a few decent
fish over the years on a 1495. A little tinkering with the cork
pads(someone else did the job for me, or I would post better details), and
the thing will stop a train. Or, at
least it effectively stopped a running, 45 pound hound mix chasing a
tennis ball, when I tested the beefed-up drag
before a salmon/steelhead trip.g
Tom
p.s. what knuckle pain? Pfft!


Tom,

W--ow, there's a sory there isn't there? Was the drag-hound test
intentional? Did it work? If so I might try it before the salmon start
running this fall.

Jeremy Moe

"Tom Littleton" wrote in message
news:SJvni.5939$Wh4.659@trndny06...
I don't know where these guys are getting Medalist
1495's with "no drag". The thing, stock, has a more than
adequate drag for fish up to 8 or 10 pounds in running
water. Still, for the larger quarry and heavy use you
will see in Alaska, I would suggest beefing up the drag,
or as others have suggested, looking into a better reel.
And yes, that handle can nail you pretty painfully, in the
heat of the moment.

Tom


I had'nt planned on chiming in with the whole 1495 discussion, as others who
posted have far more experience than me, but ... your my 1st fly reel was is
a used 1495 that is probably older than I am, I still use it every time I am
on the river. For the smaller/average size trout and occsasional bass it is
more than sufficient, in short, I love it. However, it is universally agreed
upon here that it wouldn't be a smart choice for the bigger steelhead and
salmon more commonly found in AK. Check with your local shops and see what
used reels they might have that are in good condition. I picked up a lightly
used and (very) well cared for Orvis Battenkill 8/9 a last year for $40.
They have since discontinued the 8/9 so it has been difficult finding spare
spools, but it might be worth checking to see what you could find used.

HTH
Jeremy Moe

I went to Orvis last night and picked up the Battenkill Mid Arbor reel
in 9/10 wt and titanium finish, nice reel. Came out to $202 with
200yds of 20lb backing and a 8wt Orvis Power Taper fly line.

I figured I'd eventually get around to some sal****er fishing so went
with this reel.

Thanks to all who chimed in,

Matt Mika

"MattMika" wrote in message
...
I went to Orvis last night and picked up the Battenkill Mid Arbor reel
in 9/10 wt and titanium finish, nice reel. Came out to $202 with
200yds of 20lb backing and a 8wt Orvis Power Taper fly line.

I figured I'd eventually get around to some sal****er fishing so went
with this reel.

Thanks to all who chimed in,

Matt Mika



No worries, the ROFF price of admission is an AK. trip report w/ pictures...


Have a great time in Alaska,
JT

"MattMika" wrote in message
...
I went to Orvis last night and picked up the Battenkill Mid Arbor reel
in 9/10 wt and titanium finish, nice reel. Came out to $202 with
200yds of 20lb backing and a 8wt Orvis Power Taper fly line.

I figured I'd eventually get around to some sal****er fishing so went
with this reel.

Thanks to all who chimed in,

Matt Mika

enjoy the trip, post the pics!!g
Tom

I do not see a problem with your equipment selection for steelhead, I have
used a 9 ft Fenwick fitted with a Hardy No 1 Salmon reel witha #8 WF line
for Atlantic Salmon and also a 7 ft Sage with a 5 WF line to catch large
Brook trout and good sized Northern Pike in Labrador, I had tied some long
flies with steel leaders fo this purpose.. I also hooked a decent Salmon,
which shocked the guide as he had not seen Salmon that far up the river. I
was using a 2 lb tippet but managed to get it close enough for the guide to
verify it was a Salmon before the tippet parted during a jump on his last
run.
Steelheadtrout were re classified as Salmon a few years ago because their
life cycle so closely resembled that of the Atlantic Salmon
You should ensure you have at least a sink tip line and small split shot to
get your fly closer to the bottom in the fast waters you will encounter in
Alaska.

Good Luck

"MattMika" wrote in message
...
I'm making my first trip to Alaska at the end of Aug. We will be there
almost two weeks. We plan on fishing for Halibut for a couple of days
then jumping around on creeks, rivers and backwaters in the Anchorage
area.

From what I've been reading it seems fly fishing for Steelhead is
quite ambitious if not as difficult and time consuming as musky
fishing can be. If we are there at an appropriate time is a 7/8 weight
rod sufficient for steelhead? I'm not sure if our timing will be
right for steelhead as I havent checked flow data and such for waters
we will be on, plus I dont really know anything about the area or
steelhead for that matter. My father, who was there less than a year
ago, emailed me some creek names to check out online but I havent
gotten that far yet.

My gut tells me a 7/8wt. is ok but I'm just not sure. I bought the rod
to use for pike and carp fishing but havent gotten around to using it
yet. I usually use a 3-6wt. here in Colorado and back home in Wyoming.

Anyone got any suggestions for creek/river fishing around Anchorage?
How about Pike fishing?

Thanks,
Matt Mika