Fly Fishing

ncwatermanpg · Location: Raleigh

I have been blessed/lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to the Kenai peninsula this summer to fish the Sockeye run(going to try and get some bows too). I am a little over a year into my fly fishing addiction, and just purchased my second rod. My first was a Walmart special, the one I just bought a 5wt ClearwaterII with Battenkill reel.
My question is, what type of rod would any of you all recommend for landing the sockeyes (and maybe kings)?? I reckon landing these fish consistenly with my 5wt would be hard, impossible?
Have been looking at something in the lower price range since I can't really justify spending $1000 on fishing gear in just the last three months...the Redington Crosswater 8wt combo looks like it might do the job, but I am just unsure about the nature of what I would be getting for $130, not familiar with redington...
Any comments or tips would be awesome!

Tight lines

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

An 8 weight is definitely a good choice for most of what you would be doing up there with the exception of the Kings. For Kings, typically a 10 weight is needed considering the substantially larger size. You could land them on an 8 but you will have a long, hard battle and if you hook a bigger one you won't have a chance. But, for the Sockeye, Rainbows and about anything else up there you will be fine. I would still bring your 5 too in case you get into some grayling or other smaller fish. As far as Redington goes, that is a good choice. They make a good rod for the money and have a lifetime warranty. Redington is owned by Sage which is a long time well established manufacturer of top notch fly rods. You will be happy with Redington, a great rod for the money.

ncwatermanpg · Location: Raleigh

Thanks Kory, good stuff... I was planning on bringing the 5wt. for sure, just to have something for the smaller tribs if/when we venture up them...didn't know sage owned Redington...are all their rods lifetime warranty? I reckon I will check on the specific combo Ive been looking at before making the purchase

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

I just looked at Redingtons website and it looks like the only model without a lifetime warranty is the crosswater. it says that it comes with a one year warranty. In order to get the lifetime warranty you would need to go up one model to the red fly which is another $100 or so. sorry about the incorrect info...

Kennebecster · Posted: Fri 05/01/09 9:30 am Post subject:

I spent a summer in Alsaka and used a nine foot nine weight outfit and found that it was suitable for almost anything. However if you are going to be fishing for King Salmon A 10 weight would help if you hook a larger fish. I did hook and land one king where I was simply unable to move the fish on a 9 weight. I was able to slowly wear the fish down then wrestle him in some shallow water.
I also brought a 6 weight with me that I used for trout fishing and catching sockeyes.

KodiakCommando · Location: Kodiak, Alaska

An 8 weight would be an excellent choice for sockeye especially on the mainstem kenai and it would be a good choice for trout on the mainstem kenai.

That being said if you can only afford one rod i'd go with a 7 weight because it's heavy enough for bigger rivers like the kenai for big trout and sockeye but not to overkill for smaller rivers like the russian or quartz creek and so on. These rivers the trout are smaller and the current tame so landing trout and even sockeye can be done with as little as a 5 or 6 weight.

If your gonna go for kings I would reccomend a solid 9 weight on rivers such as the deshka or kasilof but for the kenai a 10 weight unless you want a snapped 9 wieght.

72Twenty · Location: Wyoming

I would say, if you want kind of a 'do it all' heavier rod combo, get an 8wt. You will find that it will come in handy in a number of situations well into the future. You will be able to use it in variable conditions and it will be nice for throwing big streamers in the wind back home.

I decided to go with two rods for this area of my rod quiver; I have a 7wt and a 9wt, but if I were to only have one, it would be an 8wt.

ncwatermanpg · Location: Raleigh

Thanks for all of your feedback.
Kodiak's comment almost makes me want to just haul my 5wt up there and stick to the smaller tribs; I would be avoiding the crowds(maybe?), saving money and space, and it would be more challenging (and fun prob.) to land the fish.
I reckon, though, that I will get the 8wt for the Kenai, because I will be kicking myself if I don't fish that river or lose some big boys because of my inadequate equip.
Tight lines

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

i would definitely get an 8 or a 9 weight either way. if you go up and don't have it you will regret it. also, that size rod is a perfect saltwater size for most basic saltwater species such as bonefish, stripers, redfish and other species so you will get some use out of it. I also use my 8 weights and 7 weights for streamer fishing when i am in drift boats. i would definitely get one either way. also, if you only have one rod anyway and it is a 5 what happens if you break it? i would never go on a trip with only one rod...anyway get the bigger rod you will be happy that you did. Smile

then go up there and have a blast and come back and tell us how you did!

ncwatermanpg · Location: Raleigh

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

sweet!

ncwatermanpg · Location: Raleigh

Went to a local fly shop that had the redington crosswater outfit and actually looked at, felt, and tested it before getting it.
I am glad I did.

It just felt too flimsy and the lack of warranty was something that kept nipping the back of my mind. After that day trying it out and reading some reviews about the rod snapping in first use, I nixed it from my list and kept my eyes open.

I ended up finding a great deal on a Sage Reign 8wt rod and a Pfleuger President 8-10wt reel. Only came out $50 more than the Crosswater and from everything I have read and everyone I have talked to should be worth that and much more.

Thanks again for all of your comments!
tight lines-