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Post 31 Jan 2023, 13:54 • #1 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/07/12
Posts: 865
Location: US-CA
What rod would you recommend for chasing big rainbows (24” and up) in Alaska with streamers?


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Post 31 Jan 2023, 14:14 • #2 
Guide
Joined: 02/06/16
Posts: 328
Location: US
Western Glass 897


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Post 01 Feb 2023, 21:06 • #3 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/09/05
Posts: 2524
Location: US-CO
Shakespeare FY-A510, 8'6", 8/9 wt.


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Post 01 Feb 2023, 21:23 • #4 
Guide
Joined: 05/13/20
Posts: 250
Location: Lake Junaluska, NC
I'd take an 8 1/2 or 9 foot, 8 or 9 weight. A 7 weight would work, but the others will be less work to handle long line mends or windy days. I kind of like the 8 1/2 foot Winston 8 weight for that kind of heavy work


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Post 05 Feb 2023, 14:35 • #5 
Guide
Joined: 02/15/15
Posts: 141
Location: US-LA
I've caught bonefish, large trout and larger redfish on an Orvis SFG 8'8" 8 wt. I used a 9 wt. line to load the rod in close wading for bonefish and I think it would work very well for the fish you mention.


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Post 01 Mar 2023, 15:37 • #6 
New Member
Joined: 02/13/23
Posts: 7
Location: Western CT
In SouthEast AK I usually fish salmon/trout with 6 up to 8 wt glass. The FF857 is a great rod and the FF85 as well. I have also enjoyed using an 8wt Butterstick with salmon there. Anything in that weight range should do you well. I


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Post 03 Mar 2023, 09:10 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/19/08
Posts: 1218
Location: Branson, Missouri
The Ovis Golden Eagle rods are pretty durable... built to withstand some serious pull.
Have used a 81/2 9wt for heavy fish. Note the rod weight, 4 1/8 oz.
The old rods in that strange mustard color - made by Phillipson.
Costly to pursue in demand - usually affordable when stumbled upon.


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Post 03 Mar 2023, 13:20 • #8 
Guide
Joined: 10/06/16
Posts: 172
Location: Casco Bay, ME
A McFarland GTX in a 7wt or a Perpetual Glass in an 8wt would be my choice if I were only looking at glass rods.


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Post 04 Mar 2023, 07:48 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/19/12
Posts: 1007
Location: Beantown
I have a 8'6" 7/8 weight Steffen I built that I've used for bonefish, striped bass, etc. that would definitely work for throwing big streamers for big fish in current.

But honestly, if it's going to be big (I mean 3"+) streamers and/or "heavy" streamers (cone heads, eyes, lots of rabbit strip, etc.) and windy, and if you're not trying to protect really light tippet, I'll move to a graphite 7 or 8 weight in those situations. I built a bunch of those on the old Batson RX7 blanks when you could pick those up on EBay for like $30 a blank shipped, or something silly. Faster than glass obviously, but not broomsticks at all when up-lined one line size.


Last edited by jalthoff on 05 Mar 2023, 16:44, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 04 Mar 2023, 11:46 • #10 
Guide
Joined: 06/28/18
Posts: 338
Location: Bozeman, MT
Since 1985, my choices for Alaska have primarily been (both graphite) a 2 piece 8’9” rod marked for a 5-6-7 and a 4 piece 9 1/2’ rod marked for a 6-7-8…the latter being my rod carried as a guide for 2 seasons in the Illiamna area.

Space permitting, my next trip as a sport will probably include a 2 piece 9’ 7 wt glass rod.


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Post 04 Mar 2023, 13:14 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 07/05/10
Posts: 5229
Location: Mid Hudson Valley of New York
I'd bring both my 8'6" Fisher glass 6/7/8wt and 9'3" graphite Vermont Diamondback 6/7wt.


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Post 04 Mar 2023, 13:31 • #12 
Piscator
Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19078
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
I worked in Alaska every summer from 2000 to 2010 - it was actually the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill that ended it - liability insurance requirements became too great for a small firm to afford.

My Fisher Sterling 5/6 Combo made every trip, landed September rainbows (and dollies) and the bycatch of reds.
Image

Targeted reds and August silvers on my Fisher Sterling 7-wt.
Image

On a July trip, Thomas Dirigo shined for lean and hungry rainbows and grayling.
Image


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Post 04 Mar 2023, 14:30 • #13 
Sport
Joined: 12/24/22
Posts: 69
Location: Columbia River Gorge
If you want glass here’s my recommendation.


One or both of these boys will head up there with me next month to swing for big bows. Been many many times. I only use two handers with those big flys unless it’s just really small water.
11ft 6wt glass switch and 12ft6in 6wt glass spey paired with vintage Hardy clickers


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Post 05 Mar 2023, 16:46 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/19/12
Posts: 1007
Location: Beantown
Classy looking set ups Gorgefly!


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Post 05 Mar 2023, 18:08 • #15 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/22/07
Posts: 871
Location: Out West
For travel worthy rods, if I ever have the chance with rods I currently have, I would be taking my Fenwick FF858-5 (8'6" 8wt 5pc) and my Scott ARC graphite 957-4 and 958-4 (9'6" 7wt and 8wt 4pc) rods.

Lots of other rods would definitely do the trick.


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Post 05 Mar 2023, 20:05 • #16 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3081
Location: Orygun
If I fished up there.....well, ever, my Steffen 7/8 would be with me every day of the week.


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