16 footer for sunk line work?

[petersc]

Here in the Great Lakes region, winter fishing means dealing with ice on the guides and lines. One way around this is to use a medium to long bellied line to avoid the need to strip line. The realities of fishing for steelhead on my local river requires fishing two to three feet down. As the river is usually murky and the fish don't move far in 1C water, a sinktip or sunk line is required.

The river is quite wide but at normal flows, one can wade right across. To give an idea of width, it would take two 120' casts end-to-end just to reach the island in the middle of the river. The river runs over a limestone bedrock that's cut with channels and depressions, because of this sort wide but shallow channel, the fish can be found scattered across its width. For this reason, it is handy to be able to cast a decent length.

So to put together "sinking line", "no stripping" with "wide river",I need a rod that will do the job. Currently using my Snowbee 15 footer while wading shallow, I can lift and cast about 60' to 65', outside of the guides of my 75' I.G. 10/11 Intermediate, without a rollcast pickup (which I would like to avoid having to do). No problem to shoot about 20' or so of line, but that's something I want to avoid.

Originally I thought about another 15 footer but I've decided that the I.G. 10/11 Intermediate on a 16 footer would be a better choice. On this side of the pond, I'm looking at either a CND Solstice or a Loomis Greaseliner but I'm open to buying one from the UK. I'd prefer a four piece design -- 10/11 at the heaviest.

Since you guys are the acknowledged sunk line experts, I thought I'd ask here for an opinion.

Thanks

Peter

[petersc]

Thanks for the responses.

Where I'm fishing, the tip of the I.G. 75' intermediate isn't getting down much more than a foot or so, plus the thin FC 15' leader and fast sinking fly adds about another foot. Having the fly down two feet or so, puts me in the zone for this water.

Haven't found it too much of a problem to screw out of the water using the 15 footer, provided I pull in a few feet of belly. So far I haven't been able to get it out consistently with the colour change beyond the top hand, but a decent Snake Roll almost gets me there. With a bit more time fishing it, I should be able to convince the 15 footer to do the job, unless I wade beyond knee deep, then it most definitely won't -- and most of the time, I'm well beyond knee deep. A 16 footer *should* be enough -- I'd hate to have to go longer.

Peter

[williegunn]

springer said:

peter,

I use an Alltmor 16' 10/12 with either IG or Carron sinkers.

I think the problem you will have trouble avoiding is the initial rolling a sunk line up to the surface. If you want to use lines with say 70' outside the rod tip and be fishing at 3' below the surface a 16'er might struggle. I think it will take an 18'er to get them up without a roll. Also I would employ a figure of eight style lift into the single spey, this will help break the water tension.

If you really slow down the lift the 16 footer works fine, I've been there and got the Tshirt it is a funny feeling not being able to strip line at all.

As usual Graham has it nailed ..........a B&W will solve the problem

[say]

I'm looking to purchase either the Norway 16ft 9-10 or the Powerlite 16ft 9-10 for sunk line work and was hoping someone can suggest which is the better of the two rods.

I have a Norway 15ft 10/11 which is a real powerhorse and the Powerlite 15ft #10. The main problem is that my sinking lines are rated 10/11 and feel they are too light for these rods, especially the Norway.

I was thinking that a 9-10 in a 16ft model would be best.


Any suggetsions..

[petersc]

OK, B&W added to the short list.

Thanks.

Peter

[weed]

Is the preferred weight 9/10 for sunk line work , feel a bit foolish, as after receiving xmas money ordered a 11-12 wt Norway

[petersc]

100% agreement about the Carron. I had a chance to cast that rod at the Brantford, Ontario clave and with the Carron line, it was amazing. Felt like a 14'= footer and threw a helluva lot of line, even in my hands. Out of all the 16 footers I've tried so far, it's far and away the best.

It's out of my price range though (or to be more precise, out of my wife's -- I'd have to compensate with a really hefty piece of bling -- and that's out of my price range).

of course, there's always Clan . . .

Peter

[weed]

Thanks Springer I WILL GIVE THEM A PHONE

[say]

Anyone got any reviews on the B&W 16ft #11 rated rod, it has a good rating on the website or does the 16ft 9-10 get the thumbs up over it's big brother..??

When offering reviews, please note that I would intend to use this rod on the Dee / Spey and Tay in early / late season

[madkeen]

I too have the b+w 16fter powerlite 9/10 and for me it is at its best with a 11/ 12 sinking or floating line .When i first used the rod i was using lines too light and finding the rod too much work now it throws fast sinkers and copper tubes out no problem(Fishing mostly the Tay and Tummel).The rod you have ordered is probably going to need a 13/14 line which you will struggle to find.Best to try before you buy.
Alan

[z]

speyvalley said:

Cheers Michael

I will try and get my hands on one for you to compare,it will be SanFran before we meet up again

Keep it up with the practicing.

James

James,

Thanks, that would be great but please do so only if you have the room and it is of no inconvenience to you.

Z