I am building an 8 wt LMX 9 foot fly rod. I will use it for large river fishing for trout/steelies, and perhaps some salt. I like the looks of the Alps Triangle Reel seat, but am wondering what reel seats folks favor on such an 8-weight? Do you think a fighting but is essential on such a rod? Thoughts and opinions, please. Thanks.

Fighting butt if you think the fish require you using it, you can have one removable. I like the Batson HERA seats.

I like any of the nylon composite seats for the simple reason that they hold a reel securely and are not prone to come loose from vibration, temperature changes, etc. And... it's easy to fabricate a combination rear hood/fighting butt for the type seats if you wish. In fact, you can swap back and forth if you like.

.........

You can certainly put a #12 on there.

My 8's all have the Alps CAH. Very solid, handsome, secure. Pricey, but I'm only going around once.

I don't use removeable fighting butts. They are really pretty unobtrusive, but now and then nice. With a permanent one I see no down side, and I never lose any pieces. 1 1/2 inch or 2.

What size CAH are you using on your 8 wts?

It's R-CAH LX2 saltwater . The salt version has double nuts, which I like. These look like new after quite a few years of one week salt trips. We always rinse well after a day on the water.

I would check out Snake Brand Guides - Mike McCoy has a great array of reel seats with wood inserts, enough varieties to match almost any build color-wise! I won't use anything else on my fly rods! He has seats in hood sizes of 0.640, 0.705 and 0.740 - The 0.705 matches well with the NFC carbon fiber half-wells, but I would go with the carbon fiber full-wells which needs the 0.740 reel seat (designed for spey rods)

Mike's inserts are all stabilized wood with great figure, fit, and finish. I have personally built with Maple Burl, Spalted Alder, Spalted Maple, California Buckeye Burl, Redwood Burl, and various dyed or flamed versions of these woods. I have been in his shop in Battleground, WA and am constantly amazed at the variety he has on hand.

The metal parts can be bright aluminum, Black Nickel, of Nickel Silver, and they can be either up-locking or down-locking, and can be arranged to accomodate a fighting butt. He also has the industry's best snake guides, with a patented process that makes them much easier to wrap than other brands.

I do not work for Snake Brand, or have any association with them other than as a customer and friend, but I am a firm believer in the brand and their products!

Nothing but the Fuji seats for me on any fly rod. Lots of good suggestions here. Stick with a board sponsor and you cannot go wrong.

Mike, what is your favorite Fuji fly seat?

Standard DPS or similar. 16 for the medium sized fly rods and either a 17 or an 18 if you need it for an unusually large foot reel.

Thanks, Mike.

I live the Alps seats. Very high quality. I buy mine straight from the Rainshadow warehouse in Sequim, WA. Fighting butt? Definitely if you’re fighting steelhead and salmon. Even large trout.