Hello!

Married to PA but Colorado is my mistress. Was recently in CO for some abysmal dry fly action (high flows and muddy water) but some heavy streamers got the job done. With that said, my 5# did not handle the casting very well. Typically I do not care, but fishing streamers all week on an unhappy rod makes an unhappy angler.

I've built two CTS rods now (love them both) and would like to consider building a CTS streamer rod. However, I have little experience with anything heavier than a 5#, and I'm not really sure what would suit my needs. Some quick googling told me that torsional strength and a soft rod tip are important factors, but I'm not sure how to translate that into a blank selection. Any info is greatly appreciated!!

As a final note, I'd be using this fly rod to target 15"+ trout, and any smallmouth bass I can find in the Susquehanna river here in PA.

JS

I would recommend a 9 ft, 7wt rod. CTS makes a fine product. You could also consider: Batson Eternity 2; North Fork Composites LMX or Gama Beta; Pac Bay Arctos.

Earlier this year I tossed streamers on the Big Hole River on a windy day with a 7wt and it was great. Lots of power to blast out a bead head bugger but still plenty of feel for 15" trout.

My son is a very competent caster, and has been highly into smallie streamers, and here are his comments:

If they were a decent caster they could do well with a 6 wt, or even a 5. Unless they are going to throw really large smallie streamers you can catch a ton of both species on those. I don't know any other action than fast as I use my saltwater rods. I did receive a 8 wt that has a slower action but I've not invested in a reel for it so I don't really have an opinion.

I guess I'd say a bit slower action than our saltwater rods as they really do require you to be a pretty good caster to get the most out of them and a slower rod is more forgiving and gives you more feedback to the hand especially on the backcast.

My comment: His salt rods are Rainshadow RX8, Pac Bay Quicklines or whatever it was called, and Eternity 2's. The slowest is the Rainshadow, the others are definitely fast for fly rods.

A salt 6wt makes a good streamer rod. 7wt if more wind. Blank action and distance play a big part in my choices. As I get older, I like the faster rods less and less.
Editing of what Michael said, the quickline is similar to NFC LMX? Fish an LMX 8 a lot. It is as fast as I care to go. Distance for me. Up closer, I like the Lamson saltwater 6wt (now cobalt). More of a mod fast to me and will load short and handle streamers. Didn’t like the 8, but really like the six.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2022 05:30PM by Tim Scott.

I don't know what the LMX is like. The Quickline is AA 69, as are the Eternity 2's he has. The RX8 is a little slower. So his comments on salt rods are comments about AA's of 68-70.

Consider one of Mike McFarland’s “Perpetual” blanks. Rolled using a combination of E-glass and S-glass. I built an 8’3” 7wt Perpetual for light salt use. Moderate action with plenty of power to throw a medium sink line and dumbbell eyed streamers.

"The greatest barrier to discovery is not ignorance, it's the illusion of knowledge" - Daniel J. Boorstin



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2022 08:40PM by Jeff Shafer.

I have a "5 wt" eternity2 which behaves better for me with a 6 wt line, that can throw smaller streamers with no issues, but it's a fast rod. I'm with Tim in that I prefer a little more moderate action than most of the super fast rods on the market today. When I went down the path of a streamer rod, I wanted something I could also use on lake erie tributaries to fish for the lake run fish when I visit home. I ended up going with a 9'6" 7 wt CTS Affinity MX (FYI I only went 9'6" for the extra reach when nymphing on the tributaries).

When I streamer fish with it I usually throw a double streamer rig (usually a 4-6" bigger pattern, and a smaller weighted bugger/zonker etc.) and I'm casting it with a 240 grain sinking line. It's got plenty of power to throw all that weight, and if I have room I can cast it a long way with a double haul. The best part is it swings quite light, and isn't tiring to cast with for a few hours on end. I'd definitely consider the CTS blanks, but admit that the deals on some of the NFC blanks are tough to beat.

As far as casting is concerned the choice of fly line is more important than the choice of flies - streamers, bugs, nymphs, or otherwise. The combined weight [and wind resistance] of the flies you are heaving plus the line weight is the bottom line if you simply wave your rod. If you have a good double-haul you don't even need a rod for the majority of casts. "It's a poor workman who blames his tools."

Phil is a big proponent of the double haul; and it;s a great technique. However, ther are times that there is too much brush, or other obstructions to be able to make a back cast. This is where the single handed spey cast shines. It can be done on everything from a 3 weight moderate, to a fast 8 weight rod. It isgreat for throwing weighted streamers on sink tip lines. For a great line, I like the Kelly Galloup Streamer Max Long, with a 200 grain head.

CTS Affinity X in 6 weight sounds ideal for what you want. It's a moderate fast action carbon fiber blank, very strong and capable. The CTS Cristal Quarts is another blank that will fill the bill, and is a moderate action with quick recovery, and is bullet proof tough, and is very light in the hand, with a light swing weight. Check with Herb for great pricing, and stellar service. He's listed as HNL on the left.

Tight Lies and frisky fish

RJF



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2022 12:14PM by Robert Flowers.

I am also a firm believer in test driving a car - or a rod - before buying it. If you are going to plunk down several hundred dollars+ for a rod or a rod blank it makes good sense to cast such a rod first. Of course this assumes your primary purpose for this rod build is fishing rather than displaying the rod. A friend, a fishing-club member, or a reputable tackle store would allow you a test cast a rod built on the blank that interests you. Don't allow self-consciousness about your casting stroke stop you from casting before buying a rod or a rod blank. [Advertisers are not a good source of information]. Or you could take up golf, where the most expensive or exclusive clubs make you the best golfer.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2022 07:40AM by Phil Ewanicki.