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<12595>
Seeking advice and/or opinions on the choice of a flyrod. Because of my wifes' developing interest in flyfishing I want to get her own rod. At this time she prefers stillwater fishing out of the cartopper. I am looking at a 9 foot 6 weight in either the St. Croix Imperial or the Scott Voyager. Both are identical in price. Any opinions in one over the other? Thanks Ken
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<12605>
I have cast the St. Croix imperial and its a nice casting line of rods. Another rod you might want to look at is the St. Croix Pro Graphite, which lacks a rod tube, but still has an unconditional lifetime warranty (and is about 100 bucks cheaper, and has the same casting action as the Imperial I have found). I cast the St. Croix Prographite 6/7 with my buddies Cortland Lazerline and it casts a gorgeous line. Both of these lines of rods are rated as Moderate/Medium action as is the Scott Voyager series. My personal suggestion is you find a line that will suit your wife and the applications you need it for, and buy that and a reel to match the 6 weight, and then make an appointment with a tackle store and go in and cast all three. I know Michael and Young flyshop in Surrey retail both Scott Rods and St. Croix (as well as Sage, Some Loomis, Winston, and a few others) and should be able to set up a time for you to cast all 3 rods (the 9 foot 6 weight rods in St. Croix Pro Graphite and Imperials, as well as the Scott Voyager series). Also maybe cast some other lines of rods. There are a few other lines of rods in a not so far up price range such as the Loomis Adventure series (I have cast a 9 foot 4 weight, nice casting moderate action rod, consider warranty though, an issue), the Sage Discovery series which is about 70 bucks more, but is more of a faster action rod, maybe something more catering to grow into as a faster action rod may be more versatile (IMHO) in the long run for heavier line/sink tip work later on if your wife wants to fish for Pinks or something bigger in a stream. Also consider the St. Croix Avid series which is about 30 dollars more than the Scott VS and is a bit more of a faster action rod. Each of these rods, with the exception of the Loomis Rods (I believe you have to pay a fee to get a part of your rod replaced if you break it) all have an unconditional lifetime warranty which is obviously attractive. Anyways, sorry about my added Ramble. Concentrate on the rods in that price range and maybe dabble with a few other rods in the realm to see what is out there. What is important is that your wife is happy with what she has and that it is something she can grow into. I don't know the stage in development she is at, but I'm assuming she must be pushign the flies past you by now? LOL. Good luck, Scott
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<12633>
Scott, Thanks for the reply. Very informative. My wife is doing alright in the casting dept., has the occasional pile up at her feet but can generally get it out there a decent distance without filling the tippet with wind knots and not sounding like she is cracking a bullwhip. She is currently casting with my old 8.5ft HMG with DT6F. I would like to get her casting a WF6F to start with. Currently 90% of her fishing time is in the boat with me, which works great as she is right handed and I am left handed. The other 10% of her casting time is either from a dock or off the beach while waiting for me to get the cartopper off of the truck and into the water or while waiting for me to wake up. Hope to introduce her to fishing moving water this year but as long as she comes along and joins in if its stillwater she wants I am not going to argue. I'll be going into Calgary next weekend to look for a rod for her (we live outside Drumheller). Thanks again for the information. Ken
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<12645>
Ken, I fish a Fenwick HMX, it was around 150, and its a beauty. Casts as nice as any rod in that price range.
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<12650>
I have a 9 foot Graphite Dragonfly #6-7 Line fly rod. Seems to do the trick for me. Sorry, I don't know the cost as it was a gift.
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