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Choosing the right rod for the specific way you fish
steelhead pays off when you hook one of these silver acrobats. © Rich Culver
As revered as any fish in fishdom, the
steelhead trout inspires a near rabid following, for reasons Fish Alaska
contributing editor Rich Culver amply illustrates. “Their unbelievable
acrobatic displays and their relentless speed and stamina have inspired and
forever changed the lives of flyfishers for decades,” he opined, speaking
from the vantage of a certified steelhead aficionado. “I’ve chased these
remarkable, turbo-charged, sea-run rainbows from the coastal rivers of
Northern California north to British Columbia and for the past decade,
throughout the misty islands of southeast Alaska.”
To encounter success on a steelhead expedition is no
guarantee, though, as Culver and every other steelheader knows, but the
properly prepared angler can begin tilting the odds in his favor long before
he ever dips waders into a stream. Step one is choosing the right rod for
the application.
Fish Alaska’s technical editor, Tony Weaver, has often
said that rod selection is one of the more complex of the questions that
need to be answered before any angling odyssey is embarked upon. And with
steelhead, the right answer may even be a little harder to find, for there
is as much variety among steelhead rods as there are differences in the
waters they inhabit. In fact, there is no such thing as a perfect steelhead
rod, but there are several similarities between the rods that expert
steelheaders employ, all of which can be used as guidance when making your
own decision.
In terms of steelhead fly rods, length is as close as you
can get to receiving a common recommendation. Rich Culver, hooked into a
fresh steelie in the photo above, patrols the streams of Southeast with a
9H-foot stick, while Tony Weaver likewise recommends a rod length of 9H to
10 feet. In his 2001 book The Teeny Technique for Steelhead & Salmon, Jim
Teeny agrees with both, writing of his preference for a 10-foot, 8-weight
steelhead rod.
The extra length of these fly rods provides an angler with
additional lifting power and a lot of line control, which often equals
versatility. “I can use a ‘high-stick’ Leisering Lift technique and probe
good holding water on the Situk with a floating line or load up with a
variety of sink-tip lines and fish streamers on the Karluk in a 20-knot
wind,” Weaver explained, speaking of the 10-foot, 7-weight rod he prefers
for Alaska’s steelies. More nearly universal rod features favored by veteran
steelheaders are a fast action and a stiff butt section. From Trey Combs to
Jim Teeny, stiffer steelhead rods are desired not only for their casting
prowess, but for the excellent lifting power they provide, which is often
necessary to remove slack from a deep-running sinking line and set the hook
on a fast-charging steelhead. Luckily for the steelheaders of today, the
advent of a new generation in fly rods has allowed length to increase, while
the overall weight of the rods has actually gone down.
The vast majority of fly rods available in today’s
marketplace are built of hollow tube graphite, which had begun replacing
fiberglass as the predominant material in rod construction by 1980. The rod
blanks are fashioned on a tapered metal form called a mandrel and then
heat-cured with a variety of scrims or resins. Like the older rod blanks,
the scrim was traditionally made of fiberglass until a number of companies
developed an aerospace graphite scrim in the late 1980s, which again
drastically reduced the overall weight of the blanks.
The designed actions of the completed blanks are gained
through the management of three principal variables within the process: the
type of graphite utilized, the design of the mandrel, and the pattern of the
sheet of material that is rolled around the mandrel. Of the first, each new
generation of graphite has been stronger and lighter than its predecessors,
which has enabled longer rods that actually weigh less. The result is
greater line speed and better control of mends. Casts are longer and more
accurate, as these newer rods track better, and they boast of both faster
and smoother recoveries from the oscillation that occurs on the casting
stroke.
The only alternative construction technique employed in
building fly rods today involves the cutting of tapered strips of a solid
rod material and then fashioning those strips into a rod blank. This is
nothing new, of course, as bamboo or “cane” rods have been assembled in this
manner for over 150 years. However, there is currently only one other
commercially available solid fly rod—the Hexagraph.
Hexagraph’s The Atlantic Salmon-Miramichi
Guide’s Choice www.hexagraph.com
As we were searching for a steelhead fly rod with
something different to offer, while remaining a top-of-the-line rod, we were
delighted to come across Hexagraph and their newest model, The Atlantic
Salmon-Miramichi Guide’s Choice. “Atlantic salmon?” you might ask. “I
thought this was a steelhead rod review?” It is.
“Six years ago I began asking steelhead guides in British
Columbia and Oregon for their ideas about the ideal rod,” said Fish Alaska
senior contributing editor Jim Repine, who gathered the data that led to the
rod’s design. “Patagonia sea-run brown trout guides were next, and then I
put the question to a staff of five Atlantic salmon guides on the Miramichi,
who between them had over two hundred years on the river.” What he came up
with eventually evolved into a fly rod model named after just one of the
species, but actually tailored to all three. “It’s my strong opinion there
are far more similarities between these three species—lifestyle, anadromous
habits, fighting qualities, size, multiple spawnings, etc.—than there are
differences,” Repine continued. “And I can testify that all three can be
taken by identical methods.”
Harry Briscoe, the owner of Hexagraph, took Repine’s specs
to his Texas plant and soon produced the Miramichi Guide’s Choice, a rod
built to capture the accuracy advantages of the old cane rods while not
sacrificing the power and sensitivity of new-generation graphites.
In building their rods, Hexagraph utilizes a composite
board made of carbon fiber laminated to aeronautical foam. Long strips are
cut from the board and then tapered at precise and consistent rates
throughout the length of the rod, which produces a blank that bends
uniformly, depending only on the amount of force that is applied. This makes
the Hexagraph a versatile casting tool, as it will load at various points
along its length, depending upon the effort of the caster and the amount of
line trailing from the tip of the rod. With a short amount of line and a
gentle stroke, the rod will load out near the tip, and as longer lines are
cast and greater power is applied, the load point moves down the rod, always
producing balanced deliveries.
Typical of Hexagraph rods, the Miramichi Guide’s Choice
features an exquisite presentation. The reel seat is anodized aluminum with
a fine wood spacer. The Full Wells grip is oversized length and accented
with a nickel silver winding check. The hookkeeper and guides are oversized
as well, to both accommodate specialty lines and to avoid icing in colder
temperatures. Wrappings are light green tipped with antique gold. The
Miramichi is available in two or three pieces from 8-foot, 6-inch to 9-foot
models. Line weights are offered from seven to eight/nine, and the two-piece
rod retails for $695, the three-piece for $825.
“It’s finished in simulated bamboo and flat gorgeous,”
Repine raves of his version of the Miramichi Guide’s Choice. “Especially
useful in the wind, this rod is slightly heavier than hollow tube graphite,
lighter than cane, and stronger than either.”
Harry Briscoe agreed, adding, “Their full-flexing actions
make line handling on the water a real treat. They are great for
‘down-and-across’ presentations; they roll-cast exceptionally well, and they
mend line very nicely. They’ve got plenty of backbone but are much more of a
finesse rod,” he continued. “Some guys like the broomstick for horsing a
fish in, but we prefer the whole experience.”
While many rod makers today might use the word
“traditional” as a substitute for “slow and unresponsive,” the Hexagraph
marries modern technology to flyfishing’s past without sacrificing its link
to either. In discussing the company’s line of rods, Briscoe mentioned that
steelheaders had been using the Hexagraph for quite some time. “We’ve always
had a good cadre of devotees in the Pacific Northwest,” he said. Considering
the design of the Miramichi Guide’s Choice, one can assume that group’s only
going to get bigger.
Scott S3 SuperPly www.scottflyrods.com
Portability is a major feature in today’s fly rods,
especially for the fanatical steelheader willing to hop any plane or wade
any river to feed his passion. One of our favorite fly rods for the Alaska
adventure angler belongs to Scott, whose internal ferrule system sets their
multi-piece rods apart from what is some stiff competition.
“I’m looking for a steelhead rod that can not only cast a
fly through wind with pinpoint precision and proven accuracy through a wide
range of distances, but a rod that also excels in all phases of line
control, from simple flip mends to complex aerial mends and everything in
between,” says Juneau’s Rich Culver. “In other words, the fly rods I need to
intercept these topwater acrobats must do more than just cast; they must be
highly refined angling tools.” Enter the Scott S3 series of fly rods, newly
released in 2002. “That’s why I choose the Scott SuperPly,” he continued, “a
handcrafted precision rod with enough backbone to curb any angry chromer.”
Scott manufactures over 100 models of graphite and
fiberglass fly rods, each with tapers designed for a specific angling
application. The S3 series is comprised of fast action freshwater rods
capable of producing that elusive combination of high line speed and a still
delicate presentation. Culver elaborated, saying that the S3 “employs a
refined and proven taper design that facilitates both smooth and delicate or
highly aggressive line control attributes.” Perhaps the series’ most
distinctive trait, however, is Scott’s previously mentioned internal ferrule
system, which has less mass than the more common tip-over-butt ferrules and
flexes with the rest of the rod to avoid “flat spots” or “hinging” when the
rod is in use. Using an internal ferrule to join rod sections provides a
continuous taper from the butt of the rod to the tip, which results in
efficient energy transfer through the rod. Scott also uses a process of
calibrating and matching each section of a new rod based on its relative
weight and stiffness. Each Scott blank section is tested for its “Flex
Rating,” and then tips and butts of corresponding deflection strength are
chosen for precise balance.
Scott manufactures several S3 models that can be used in
chasing success on Alaska’s steelhead streams. The models range from 9 to 10
feet in length and are available as both 7 and 8 weights. Rich Culver
recommends the 8-weight S3958 for the serious steelheader, a 9-foot, 6-inch
fly rod that retails for $585.
Lamiglas Jim Teeny Signature
www.lamiglas.com
Known as one of the world’s foremost anglers (he holds 10
IGFA fly rod world records) and the originator of an array of high-end
flyfishing products, especially the famous “Teeny Nymph,” Jim Teeny is
constantly traveling the globe in search of the planet’s greatest gamefish.
With his roots in the Pacific Northwest, it was his love of trophy steelhead
that led to the development of these small-diameter, fast-action fly rods.
“I am very pleased with my design of our Jim Teeny
Signature rod, built for me by Lamiglas,” Teeny explained. “They are the
perfect rod for me when steelhead fishing because they are fast action with
a stronger butt section. This allows me to cast heavier lines and also
control the fish better during the battle.” The rods are built from Lamiglas’
proprietary rod blank material, IM700 graphite, a third-generation, high
intermediate-modulus graphite. Beginning in 2003, every Jim Teeny Signature
model features a permanently affixed fighting butt, as well as Fuji stripper
guides and high-quality Portuguese cork.
All models within the Jim Teeny Signature series are
9-foot, four-piece travel rods and retail for $370 to $380, which means
they’re not only great fly rods for ardent steelheaders, but affordable as
well. The rods are also available in varying line weights, from four to
12/13, but Teeny, like most others, recommends a medium weight rod for
steelhead. “I have fished our 6-weight up to the 10-weight with excellent
results,” he concluded.
Some Notes on Drift Rods www.roguerods.com &
www.lamiglas.com
As with fly rods, choosing the right drift rod before
embarking on a steelhead expedition is of immediate importance. There are
two primary areas that need to be addressed before making a decision,
according to Tony Weaver. First, what size of fish are you going after? And
second, what style of fishing do you intend to employ? “Obviously, if you
plan on drift-fishing for steelhead, you’ll want a rod that transmits
vibrations well. If you’re targeting fish with floats or plugs, length and
tapers are important. The longer rods are ideal for float fishing. You can
control the float easier and steer jigs and baits into prime lies. Canadian
fishermen have mastered the nuances of this technique by combining long rods
in the 10- to 13-foot range, using center pin reels, and applying mucilin to
the monofilament for additional line control,” Weaver explained. “If you are
plug fishing, you’ll want a high-modulus light tip rod. This combination
allows the plugs to swim freely, while the tip bounce indicates to the
angler whether his plugs are working properly or not.”
Towards that end, it may not get any better than the new
line of steelhead rods produced by Rogue, all of which optionally feature
the RoGrip Graphite Handle package. On these rods, such as the 866C2
steelhead model, the cork grip and fore grip are replaced with a very light
and durable woven graphite tube, which runs the length of the blank. This
way, according to Rogue production manager Bob Loomis, “Every nuance of the
bite or ‘pick-up’ is transmitted through the blank to your hand.” Perhaps
the most noteworthy facet of Rogue’s new line of steelhead rods, however, is
that they retail for less than $200.
The greater sensitivity of a top-quality graphite rod is
easily noticeable, especially when compared to older steelhead rods. “When
explaining the importance of graphite rods, I like to use an analogy that
concerns a ‘ten-tick’ piece of water,” Weaver explained. “With a fiberglass
rod, you’d feel one to two ticks when drifting through that particular
stretch, while a first generation graphite rod might transmit three or four.
Cut to the late-eighties and the introduction of graphite scrim, and those
rods would pick up seven to eight ticks across the same piece of water. Now,
today’s rods, with their better resin systems and higher-modulus graphite,
will communicate nine or ten of the ticks in a ten-tick stretch of river.”
Still, there is more to choosing a good steelhead rod for
your application than just picking up the highest-sensitivity graphite rod
available. “Many steelheaders continue to use rods that are too short to
give them maximum performance,” said Dave Vedder, a Fish Alaska contributing
editor and longtime steelhead connoisseur. “Rods in the 10 to 12-foot range
offer superior line control, casting distance, and fish-fighting
performance.” Designed specifically for the float-fishing scenario, Lamiglas
also manufactures a Dave Vedder series of graphite steelhead rods, the X106
MC-T and MHC-T, both 10-foot, 6-inch two-piece, fast action rods. The MC-T
($270) is rated for line weights between eight and 12 pounds, while the MHC-T
($280) is rated for 10 to 20 pounds.
A second Lamiglas drift rod, the X96LC-T “Steelheader,” is
also popular with Great Land anglers. Kenai and Kasilof river guide Mark
Glassmaker prefers this model for his steelhead fishing, both when tackling
the spring returns of Southeast and the fall fish of the Kenai Peninsula.
“My favorite steelhead rod is the 9-foot, 6-inch model, which really seems
to make the drift that much sweeter,” Glassmaker said. “I used it last year
on the Situk with great success, and again last fall, when the steelhead
fishing was phenomenal—before the floods on the Anchor and afterwards on the
Ninilchik, which was one of the few Peninsula streams that remained clear.”
The X96LC-T “Steelheader,” part of Lamiglas’ Certified Pro Graphite series,
is rated for line weights between six and ten pounds and retails for $240.
There are a few other details to keep in mind, like the
difference in the rod’s feel after a reel is attached, as Dave Vedder
explained. “No matter what rod you choose, test it for proper balance with
the reel you intend to use. A rod that balances well will let you fish all
day, while a poorly balanced rod quickly becomes a chore to fish with.”
Tony Weaver had a final piece of advice for consumers as
well, one that resonates in today’s climate of manufacturer hyperbole and
industry jargon. “Make sure you take a close look at exactly what each blank
is fashioned from. There’s a huge difference between rods, even today,”
Weaver finished. “There’s nothing that says a company can’t sell a
‘graphite’ rod that’s mostly glass.”
—Troy Letherman
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