smrudeone
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egg
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Reged: 09/08/09
Posts: 2
Loc: PA
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I'm looking for some advice on a new fly rod for Steelheading. I have been looking at the Scott A3 10' 7wt, and St Croix Avid 10' 7wt. Anyone out there have some advice on these two rods or others that come well recommended? I'll be using it in Erie Pa where the steelies get to be 10 - 15 lbs. Also Looking for a good 7wt reel to accompany the new rod any advice? Looking to keep the reel price under $400. Thanks in advance. 
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workin4fishin
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Chromer - I wonder what one looks like up close
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Reged: 09/13/02
Posts: 3213
Loc: Monroe WA
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From some old guy I met a few months ago at a fly-fishing expo (he was multi-repeat world champion caster)
"...A reel is just an expensive gadget to hold a bunch of line. All the work is done by you and the rod... Save your money, but don't buy garbage..."
jerry knows who I'm talking about.
7 wt for steel? I don't know enough to comment, but my 6wt is wayyy too light (although I have used it successfully) and my old 9wt was perfect (right until I slipped on a trail and broke it) Both were built using Rainshadow blanks.
<Now if only my casting didn't resemble a Golden Retriever jumping off a dock>
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BobK
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Thick Tail
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Reged: 07/17/03
Posts: 2161
Loc: Upstate NY, Lake Ontario Tribs
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The rods are BOTH good ones for the fishing. I use 6-weights, but the difference isn't that great, and I really "put the wood" to them to keep the fight fairly short.
As far as reels goes, look at Cabellas offerings - lower cost, but they are good reels and rated veryy highly when compared to some of the other brands.
BobK
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Washougal
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sockeye
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Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 96
Loc: Milwaukie, OR
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The Pfleuger Trion and President reels are a great value in a reel that has shown it's performance and reliability on hard fighting fish of many species including salmon and steelhead. I'd go with a 7 wt, whichever rod feels best during test casting to you is the one I'd buy.
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fredaevans
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Thick Tail
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Reged: 06/12/03
Posts: 4010
Loc: Upper Rogue River- Oregon
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Quote:
smrudeone said:
I'm looking for some advice on a new fly rod for Steelheading. I have been looking at the Scott A3 10' 7wt, and St Croix Avid 10' 7wt. Anyone out there have some advice on these two rods or others that come well recommended? I'll be using it in Erie Pa where the steelies get to be 10 - 15 lbs.
Both are good rods, but there is one other factor (well, two) that you have to take into account. One you mentioned above and that was the size of the fish and the second is the type of water (flow) you'll be facing with one of those hummers on the end of your line.
(A possible third/fourth factor is will you be chucking a lot of sink tips and how big a fly will be on the end of your leader.)
Given the size of the fish (and an assumption about water flows) a 7wt sounds a tad on the light size. Having chased good sized fish for the better part of 60 years (yes, I'm older than that  ) I think your should consider at least an 8wt rod.
A seven weight will easily handle a 10 pound fish with reasonable (low) water flows, but if you're working over 'big water' with tips/large flies ...... you're at the bottom edge, unless you're quite skilled at casting/landing fish.
Just my .02 cents here.
Fred
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Fred A. Evans
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fredaevans
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Thick Tail
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Reged: 06/12/03
Posts: 4010
Loc: Upper Rogue River- Oregon
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Just have to do this, because of that:
Reged: 06/12/03
Posts: 3999
Loc: Upper Rogue River- Oregon
This should be number 4,000!
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Fred A. Evans
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Alex_L
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2 salt
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Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 25
Loc: Olympic Peninsula
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If I am not mistake, their rivers are smaller in comparison to the West Coast rivers. Casting room is limited, and the need for a stout backbone to turn large fish in heavy flows is not as crucial. Consequently you would be using smaller sink tips as well. I could be mistaken. 
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Custom Hand-Tied Steelhead & Salmon Jigs
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Steelheader69
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Nooch Diver and Camp Cook
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Reged: 12/30/00
Posts: 8141
Loc: Graham, WA
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Yeah, those east coast rivers fish a tad differently. When I was married to my ex and we'd fly over to the midwest alot (spent alot of time in Ohio, Penn, Mich, and Minnesota) most of my steelheading was done with a Sage 7100 (10' 7wt). Handled pretty much all my steelheading needs, especially winter fish. It's a TOTALLY different beast then our fishing here. Lighter limber rods handling lighter tippets and smaller flies whereas I'll be using heavier sinktips and monster flies for winterruns here. So I'll be using my 9wts alot more during the winter months (and sometimes beef up to even a 10wt depending on the river I'm fishing).
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TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Project Healing Waters
CampChef Prostaffer
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