fly rod for steelhead questions

[uplandhunter870]

couple of questions about fly fishing for steelhead, first off whats everyone's preference one line wieght for steelhead?
 
i have an old garcia colonel (i think will double check) that my dad gave me its a 6 wieght rod, is that enough rod for steelheads?

thanks in advance everyone
Steve

[jackelope]

A 6 weight will suffice on most rivers if you're fishing summer runs,  a 6 weight will get you your azz handed to you by most winterrun fish. The winter fish are typically bigger and have a lot more piss and vinegar when they are hooked. The warmer water temps of summer typically slow them down a touch and summer fish tend to be smaller....
I think lines are verrrryyyyyyyy important too...if you're just getting into steelhead flyfishing, bring your wallet. You're gonna have a much harder time catching winter fish with a floating line. They tend to stay deep. Summer fish are more apt to come up for a fly.

[boneaddict]

7 is probably the perfect steelhead rod.   That being said, I've caught them on a 3 weight. (not recommended)  I've also caught many with a 9.  Thats a little big, but as Jack said, there are variables in what water you fish and at what time of year.

[jackelope]

I use a fast 10' 6 weight Loomis GL4 in the summer with a floating line. It's got a fighting butt on it and I can almost cast it like a spey rod. It works sweet in the summer time. That or a 13' 9wt Powell spey rod which I am real good at hog-tying myself with flyline. 
My winter rod is a 9' 9wt Lamiglas club with sink tips of varying weights for varying water conditions. The rivers on this side are big water and you would get your butt wooped on a 6 or 7 weight and a 10 pound plus metalhead. I also think you owe it to these fish to land them in a reasonable amount of time so as to not kill them on the hook. You're not gonna do that with a winter fish hooked on the Sky with a 6 weight.

[ribka]

I use an 8 wt for most of my fishing for steelhead in WA. Could get by with a 6 wt in smaller rivers like the Met, Wenatchee, Klick, Grand Ronde. Like a bigger rod for Clearwater, Columbia, OP  swinging flies. Also use a 12 ft 7 wt switch rod.  As stated need a bigger rod to land the fish quickly to release so can survive. I go up to Alaska and BC for steelhead and use an 8 wt up there. I have felt under-gunned with an 8 wt on some of the steelhead up there!!! Have been unable to stop some of the big steelhead with an 8 wt. I would suggest an an 8 wt for an all-around rod 

[Phantom Gobbler]

I agree with Ribka!  When I went to Alaska the Sockeye were tearing me up on my 8 WT Sage.  Had to move up to stronger leader and 9 WT. Lamiglass backup rod.  The size and speed of the river also make a big difference.  Big, fast water requires a larger rod with more backbone.

[uplandhunter870]

thanks for the replies everyone. i double checked the rod and its an old garcia conolon 6/7 wieght.  i am going to be one the Wenatchee river for about 98% of my steelheading, hit up the columbia on circus days.  i understand that the fish need to be fought as little as possible, just figured id ask if the gear i have would suffice, as being on a college student's budget, aka being pretty broke, i cant really afford to get new stuff

thanks again everyone
Steve

[ribka]

a 6/7 should be fine on Wenatchee, Met. Fish run around 5-7 lbs there on average based on fish I have caught.

Suggest using Maxima tippet at least 10 lbs. Good strong  stuff and cheap too. Can find at Bi Mart

Enjoy

[Guy]

Agree that you should be fine with the rod you have. For steelhead & coho I use an 8 weight rod, but grabbed the wrong rod once and ended up on the Methow with my 6 wt trout rod. I still caught steelhead.

Leader is important like Ribka stated - a good strong leader prevents the fish from breaking off, and yeah, they can Fight!

[huntergreg]

I fish the methow river every year and do just fine with my9 foot Okuma 7 wt. rod. with 8lb tippet. Biggest fish I caught up there was about 8lbs. The one in the pic is a small one.