Ash
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That IT Guy that Fishes...
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Loc: Lacey, Washington
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Is fishing summer run (steelhead) with a 6wt feasible? I've always used an old glass 8wt but fly fishing is not my primary avenue of approach for steelhead, so I could use some advice.
I'm looking at streams and rivers the size of the Kalama and the Nooch during summer. I was recently given a TFO TiCr X 9' - 6 wt. rod and I'd like to use it for something. A 6wt is a bit heavy(IMHO)for stocked trout in the local lakes.
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CHINOOK73
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steelie
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A 6wt. will work for the smaller hatchery steelies on those mentioned rivers. I have banked a few with my Sage 4wt. and have banked plenty of 8lb.+ Lahotan Cutts as well. I do not recommend using that light of rod, as it just does not have enough backbone to get the job done, but it is possible.
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All of the latest high tech. gadgets don't put more fish on the banks, you have to know what you're doing!
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Musicman
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Thick Tail
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Ditto...depends on the river/currents..etc...i've landed nice sized summers on a 6/7.....but the current was minimal....an 8wt would probably be better if'n you cant chase the fish...tight lines!
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JD
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Ash
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That IT Guy that Fishes...
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Thanks for the advice. I may give it a whirl just because I'm that kind of person. 
I don't know what else I'd use the rod for, and it really is a nice rod.
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Musicman
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Thick Tail
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thats what backings for...right..... 
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JD
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cupo
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cookin' reels and killin' wading boots
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A 6wt is perfectly fine for summers on small-medium water. I use a 5wt during summer lows when they don't have much room to run. The fish I'm after then are hatchery clones, usually 5-7lbs.
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This can't be healthy. All this fishing is really messing with my head.
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Musicman
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Thick Tail
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Good point Cupo, if I flyfish for summers it's a ??? on the size of the fish....a nice sized 12lber on my 6/7 is iffy, being in a boat vs shore sure allows you the luxury of playing a fish and enjoying the experience vs chasing it down stream, same goes for a fish that doesn't have room to run.
Bottom line Ash, enjoy the rod!
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JD
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fredaevans
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Quote:
cupo said:
A 6wt is perfectly fine for summers on small-medium water. I use a 5wt during summer lows when they don't have much room to run. The fish I'm after then are hatchery clones, usually 5-7lbs.
On the upper Rogue, a 6wt or 7wt is the rod of choice for most fly-flickers. 7 when the waters aboue 1500 cfs,6 when lower.
fae
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Fred A. Evans
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BobK
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Thick Tail
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A good 6-wt with plenty of backbone works fine for fish in the 5-8 lb. fish in smaller waters. BUT ... if you hook on to a large, heavy one, and are taking forever to land it, better to break it off than totally exhaust the fish if you are a C&R fisherman!
BobK
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Mojo
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Instigator
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 BobK hit it right on the head. If you are getting worked bu a fish, break him off. No sense killing a fish you aren't going to eat. Our rivers all have wild fish, so we are obligated to fish heavier rods, #8 or better...
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
TEAM SMOKIN' MERC
TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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Ash
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That IT Guy that Fishes...
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Duly noted.
I should mention that while talking to TFO on the phone it was said my rod was actually designed to be "over-lined" and has a lot of "reserve" backbone. I don't always understand Flyfishing talk... i guess the first fish will tell me what it is and is not capable of.
Thanks for all the advice!
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2 Forks is Confusing, 3 Forks makes for Excitment
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Steelheader69
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Nooch Diver and Camp Cook
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One thing to think of as well, be careful fishing a 6wt if you know you could hit into a springer. You get a good sized springer, and you'll have a fight on your hand. I still occasionally pull out my old 6wt glass rod to fish for misc fish/summerruns. But have tagged a springer or two by accident and was all I could do to keep the fish under control. But I concur, not a problem fishing summerruns with it. Most are small enough to make it a fun fight.
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TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Project Healing Waters
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jakerau
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1:1 in 08 Foaming at the Gills!
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Ash, I was going to say the same thing. Every TFO rod I have handled seemed to be a little more of a rod that it is rated for. Same with the Redingtons I use. I would have no reservations fishing summers on my redington 6 wt. All depends on the rod itself.
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Jake
www.flytymes.blogspot.com
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Washougal
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chum
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The TFO upper end 6 wts I've CCd were mid power, fast tipped 7 wts. I've caught a few springers in Willapa Bay with lighter powered rods fishing for searun cutts and large native rainbows in Alaska on 6 wts without harming the fish so it can be done if you lean on your equipment.
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BobK
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Thick Tail
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That's the secret - you've got to have a rod with enough backbone to "put the wood" to 'em! If not, break them off!
BobK
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Black_Ghost
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Thick Tail
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Loc: Western GLs
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I use my 6/7 wgt 12 foot Torridge spey rod for summers out here in GLs, they say it will handle fish up to 20 lbs since it has a fast action. 9 ft 6 wgt single hander should be good for fish under 10 lbs. I once landed a 20 lb chinook on a 6 wgt 7 footer, my arm ached though.
Good luck
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"The ability to delude yourself may be an important survival tool."
Jane Wagner
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