If someone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. I am building a rainshadow 11'6" 6/7wt spey rod. I am new to this spey fishing, but I am having trouble with what size of a real to buy. I should mention I am looking at the okuma integrity large arbor, and the wind cutter 6,7,8 spey line. would I need the 8/9 or 10/11wt reel to go with this line. I will be using this set up for steelhead. I am just not sure if the line will fit the 8/9 reel or will the 10/11 wt reel be much to large. well thanks for the help.

Doug

I had a 10/11 Integrity on a St. Croix 14' 9/10...with a Windcutter 9/10. The Integrity is an ANCHOR of a reel... I think that one weighed 10oz +.

I would guess the 8/9 would balance much better, and if you haven't done it before, consider buying a spool of superbraid from your local WallyWorld to use for backing. I have found that you can get a good 2-3x as much 80lb superline on a reel as you can 30lb Dacron. I know one of my trout reels has about 200yds of 80lb. There's no way I'll lose my good $60 fly line, no matter what I catch!

I don't own any of the Okumas , but I have picked them up . Go with Scotts advice and try an 8/9. I'm in the process of building a 12'6" 7/8 and I ballanced it out with a #7 Teton LA . I filled the spool with backing and tied on a SA short head spey line . Have fun . JHD

Got Fish ?

i've got an integrity 5/6 for freshwater trout. thought it was the cat's meow at the price. then i realized its 7-7.5 oz weight is HEAVY for trout reels. the drag is good, but touchy as heck. move it a bit and the adjustment tightens up exponentially, or loosens. then i tried other reels and learned how drags are SUPPOSED to work. some people really like the Integrities.

i'll stick to my lamson radius, redington CTs and galvan OB-3 for now.

eric
fresno, ca.

Hey thanks for all the help!