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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/15/2009 01:25PM by Tom Kirkman.

It depends upon what size fish you will be catching. I fish British Columbia and Alaska with a 9' 8wt. 3pc and a 9.5' 9wt 3 pc and in California I use a 9' 7wt 3pc and the 8wt. All of course are fly rods with full wells grips, single handed no fore grips or fancy (glitzy) wraps as I prefer the understated stealth look.

My "do it all" salmon/steelhead rod isn't made by everyone, it's a unique design so you'd have to go through the catalogs to find it. 8 ft 9 in, Mag Med Hvy, 10-20 lb line, baitcasting reel, rear grip to fit your needs, the foregrip I think is essential, as these type rods are carried/balanced by grabbing the 3-3.5 inch foregrip from hole to hole. It will barely drift steelhead/great for salmon, will work ok float fishing, great for hardware like spoons and larger spinners, not bad for largers hotshot type lures and works well for Kwikfish. Not a bad salmon/steelhead boat rod also. Not a bad jetty of light surf rod.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2009 01:46AM by Spencer Phipps.

There is no such thing as an ideal salmon/steelhead rod. Techniques and fisheries can be extremely specific, and call for a certain type of rod. Far too many people take their do-all rod out for techniques that can be just outside the realm of practicality for that rod. This does both the fish and the fisherman an injustice. Many hours can pass between fish even for a good fisherman that is properly equipped. Take out a rod that is insufficient for a particular technique, and you might as well be skipping rocks.

That being said... A 9' medium, 15 lb, baitcasting, spiral wrap, bare bones as you can get - for drift fishing. A 9' slow action, 20 lb, baitcasting, spiral wrap - for trolling. A 10' or longer, 12 lb, spinning - for bobber.

10' -8", 7 or 8 wt., switch rod

Salmon drift boat plug 7'10 MH bait back bouncer steelhead plug 8' side drifting 9'6' 8-12 Fishing from shore 8'6" or 9'6" ML -MH . The salmon in our rivers run 25-50 b and steelhead 8- high teens.

I have to, say that it kills me to see pics of Steelhead laying in the mud and ice all for "the great picture"...

A non native fish is intended to be harvested, doesn't hurt to enjoy a few for the table.

Spencer,

I don't want to steel this thread or sound the least bit disrespectfull, but you couldn't be more wrong with your statement. I know in the great Northwest that is the intention, but most every Steelhead in the Great lakes is non-native. Also, here in Alaska, the Steelhead that were once planted, were NOT there to harvest. That philosophy depends on geographic location I believe.

But my point is, IF this fish was released, it should NOT have been placed on the sand and the ice for a picture, then returned to the water. IF the fish was harvested, no problem.

Everything in this pic leads me to believe that its' native, but we can't see the other side. Maybe I'm wrong though. Rookie fishermen seeing this, promotes them to to follow suit without fully knowing the complications and consequenses for their actions.

Here in Alaska, it is illegal to partake and would result in a minimum fine of $200.00.

Anyway, I'll leave it at that. Just a matter of philosophy, respect for the fish, and agreeing to disagree.

Have a great day all,
Paul