5/6 switch and Island fish

[btree]

Just doing one last gut check before I get another rod.

I was chatting with some people who fish the Cowichan for steelhead, and they seemed to say that most of the fish are in the 5 to 10 lb range with very few fish returning for a second or third spawning session, so that makes me think that a lighter rod would be appropriate - thinking about a 5/6 switch rather than a full on 8wt spey which seems to be the standard BC spey rod for steelhead.

I also suspect that the Stamp fish are similar sized so a lighter rod might also be good there too.

Has anyone tried using the Beulah 5/6 switch? Their website says that it would be good for trophy trout up to ~24 inches, but I figure that could be pushed since I've caught fish in that range on a 5wt single handed rod and didnt feel undergunned. Mind you that was in a lake...

Would the 5/6 have the balls to handle steelhead in most of the island rivers? I know that there are occasionally fish well into double digits that will have their way with me on such a light rod, but that's how it goes. So far I have yet to have any real problems with pinks on my 5wt singlehanded rods in either the sea or rivers, and my 8wt singlehander makes child's play out of those fish - good for meat, but not so fun.

If this rod is way too light - how light would you go without being unfair to the fish or yourself, especially considering that I'm not going to be fishing the Skeena any time soon, so I assume a fish much over 15lb will be a rarity / fish of a lifetime over on the Island.

[whitewater_cowboy]

I think the 5/6 would make a better trout rod on the Cowichan...in the winter the river is running high and heavy and if you are on foot, unless you like to swim, you will be unable to chase. I fish 14' 8/9 wt., not for casting distance but for control and their ability to handle extremely heavy heads and large weighted flies. It improves the angle of approach to slow down the swing and keep the fly deep or you'll only be washing hooks. It's a tough river to flyfish in the winter. Under lower later spring water, I'll get into lighter 6 wt. gear, but the focus is trout and I tend to break off any steelies that are fooled, they're generally spawned out at this time and I don't wish to weaken them further. You would be amazed at the power of 16" of rainbow or brown under low winter/spring water, never mind a steelie and despite what you have been told there are plenty of fish in the double digits. There use to be a run of big fish at Christmas but they are few these days... come mid February and into March, I'm lookin' for large native steelhead which seem to get fewer and fewer every year. But, they keep me coming back, fresh chromers are HOT FISH!

[whitewater_cowboy]

Just to add to what I said further, I do fish a 6 wt. 10' for small stream under low water conditions. The fish don't like to risk leaving the pool for the shallows between and the steelhead burn themselves out. You just hold on and keep the pressure on and if they don't find some large rock or timber to wrap around the fish is mine. It's a powerful 6 wt. and if you know how to apply lateral pressure to make the fish work constantly, definitely more than enough rod... and I find a few double digit fish in these streams as well, though most are 4 to 7 lbs. I guess, no single rod will do in all circumstances, so the best choice will reflect what you figure you will be doing most. If you will fish mainly smaller island waters, the 5/6 will likely be sufficient with lateral pressure. Never fight a fish with the rod in an upright position... this only attempts to 'lift' the fish somthing they easily counteract. Applying side pressure from an opposite angle to the direction of the fish's travel makes the fish struggle to maintain balance against the pull of the rod which tires them more quickly.

[tbar24]

havent fished for steelies yet but my 6/7 held up well againt a 7 pound coho so i think it should be fine for some light steelheading. have yet to try it with any monster intruders yet but have had a few heavy salmon flies on and it casted fine. i think the 5/6 would be great tho

[btree]

Hmmm, doesnt make the decision any easier, but it has helped me decide whether to keep my 8wt 13' spey - which I think I will just so I can heave big tips and flies. I just dont get the "feel" I'd like with that rod. It's kinda dead in my hands during drifts and slow swings - hard to feel takes or even the bottom compared to my 8wt single hander.

I think I might look at something more in the 6/7 range then just so it's a bit more fishable in a greater range of conditions. In that low summer season I'll be on a 5wt single hander.

Too many options. It's just that the 5/6 switch matches up with most of my 8wt lines and vice versa. Trying to cut down on the number of reels and lines i need.

Also, thanks for the fish fighting info there Cowboy. I've been doing that sort of side pressure for some time now, but I rarely see it on the river so it's good to hear that it's the best way to go. The other bonus is that if you break off or the hook pops out, the line doesnt catapult back at you or over your head and into the bushes like it does if you have the rod tip high. I've also found that fighting a fish while standing upstream is much more difficult than from across stream or just a little down stream. Changes the angle of the fish in the current just enough to move it, so I tend to chase my fish a bit on foot when I can. It will be interesting to see how the Cowichan and Stamp get in the winter when the rains are more steady. If there isnt any room to chase, I tend to be a capable wader but I dont want to swim, then I can see the extra leverage coming in handy with a bigger rod.

[whitewater_cowboy]

I generally float the Cowichan in the winter as it is too deep and fast in many places to follow fish far on the bank...that said trying to row and stay tight to a fish is tough and some places are just too dangerous to do it on my own. Thus my reference to swimming and preference for heavier gear. I like to fish light rods for the challenge and have learned to use my equipment effectively... many think my 6 wt. is too light for steelhead but, I challenge most to land a fish quicker with their 8 wt.. I have yet to break a rod on a fish but most of my aquaintances wince at the pressure I put on my sticks. If I can't land a fish in about a minutes time per pound (20 lbs. = 20 minutes)then I need heavier equipment for the job. I was advised to use my 8 wt. for bonefish... I prefered my 6 wt. again and never had a battle drag on but I didn't get a bone much over 3 lbs. and a couple permit might have been 6 lbs. The 8 wt. did get a work-out on a couple of jack crevalle in the high teens, maybe 20... again, a lighter choice than advised, but, increased my fun and didn't increase the battle. My co-conspirator in the flats adventure took more time to land his two jack crevalle on a 9 wt. but, his fish fighting techniques needed a little polishing.

[waskocreek]

The 5/6 will be perfect. I catch Steelhead and Bull trout regularly with a 5/6. It will land a pretty big fish if you know what you are doing. A 6/7 will handle a bigger fly though.

[flymartin]

I would like to get into Spey fishing also what would be the approximate cost of a simple spey package?

[btree]

Rods tend to be ~300 second hand, or ~400 - 1000+ new.
Reels can be as low as 150 and go up to as much as you're willing to spend.
Lines are about the same costs as for single handed - 80 to 150 bucks depending on the line.

So for a second hand setup, you could get lucky and get something that works for between 400 to 800 bucks. New you are looking at around 800 bucks for something you'll be happy with. It all depends on what expectations you have as far as performance.

[Island Fly Fisher]

i bought a beulah 11'6 6/7 spey last season and have caught a few steelhead on the stamp and cowichan and it held up great, theres enough back bone in these rods to pull in island steel. Throwin a 450 grain skagit and T 14 tips with big flys isnt a problem either. its a great set up for the island i find. i dont think you would want to go any lower than 6/7 for winter steelhead .