I want to get a steelhead fly outfit to be ready for summer runs. I'll use it for both summer and winter and maybe some salmon and I've been told an 8 weight is the best way to go for salmon/steelhead. I'm not looking to have the best rod on the block or anything like that. I want a 2 piece, 9 or 10 foot rod and I don't really want to spend more than $150 on it. I could go to $200 but I'd be a lot more comfortable with the $150 price range. What kind of reel should I look at? Are there any major differences between them? Is it good to go with a palm drag? Please let me know.

Jacob sounds like your looking for value. You should look into the adventure series by G Loomis they are about 100 dollars and have a smooth drag the only problem is the reel foot can be to narrow for some reel seats
My .02

Jacob,
This sounds an awful lot like the post I made about mid-December. Look it up, the fine folks here gave me alot of great advice. One tidbit Ill throw in here is about the reel. I went with the new Okuma large arbor for about $57. Been real satisfied with it, but then again Im not a fly only guy, and it sees very limited action. It did hold up very well though for big chum on the Nasty this year.
Good Luck
Dew

Lamiglas and Femwick make good rods for under $100.00. I recently bought a Okuma 8/9 reel which has a drag $42.00. I haven't yet used it as it seems that when I want to go it has to rain. Like today it's nice out and I have to babysit. I think that I have all of the bad luck in the world. Jim

Gloomis has aan 8wt combo for about $180, this includes a 9' 8wt rod, a large arbor loomis fly reel, an aa WF line. For the money you can't go wrong, especially since you're loking at not spending alot of money. You can see them atthe Morning Hatch in Tacomaa and I think the Madflyfisher in Federal Way has them too. I think Cabela's carries them.

Ii'd highly suggest if unless you have to haave brand new, you can build a VERY good outfiit coomplete for about $200, and have an advanced outfit. I've boought 2 sages and SA reels with spare spools for under $200 a combo, one is a DS series, but one is an RPLXi series. Just takes time, but you can find the deals out there.

I almost forgot. Rim control is nice, but highly not needed. You do need a good drag. I normaaly will preset my drag and let he rrip. I llearnd along time ago (and have seen many timmes with others since) that the majorrity oof the time when you try to palm a fiish when it's running, you wil snap your leader. I thiink the only times I've actually palmed the reel was with a fish thtawas taking out WAY to much baacing and figured it was eithe lose my fly line or lose the fish (it's easier to try and catch another fish then try to respool more flyline, thtas if you carry and extra spool with you). Pluus, fr the money used, you can by scientific anglers system 2's fairly inexpersively. You can also get by with the Okuma's, which are inexpeensive.

St. Croix Pro Graphite-#8 9' $75
G Loomis Adventure Size 7-$100
Rio Mainstream #8-$30

It is very tough to put together a good steelhead outfit at $150 but it can easily be done for $200. With the St. Croix you are getting a softer more moderate action rod but it casts very well for the money, comes with a great warranty and has good componets as well.

With the Adventure you are getting a machined aluminum 360 degree disc drag. Can not ask for anything more for a $100.

The Rio Mainstream Floating is the best line for $30...all my steelhead dry line fishing is done with a long bellied RIO or SA but they are alot more pricey.

If you would like to make your own versitip system, cut the Mainstream back about 15' and loop the line and section you cut out and buy a couple Rio Tips for $20 a piece and you are ready to cover almost any situation that you will face.

If you have any more questions...just let me know!

Nothing wrong with starting out with a softer flex rod. Lots of guys will say that the reel is just something to hold line. True in a sense, but you want that line holder to hold up for awhile. Loomis is a good name and I'd have few reservations about buying the metntioned reel. While some guys have had great luck with the Okuma, I know others who have had troubles with them. Keep an eye out on the aution and classified sites for the Ross Cimmarron 4, Teton Tioga, Scientific Anglers System 2 8/9 (I'm sure they'll be other reccommendations) for solid performing reels in the size and price range you are looking for. You can also post a wanted ad on Flyfish.com.

The outfit Ryan proposed sounds like s solid startup...if you don't want to hassel with piecing a combo together for different sources I'd call him at Teds and you'd be fishing.

Another option for making the heads on a budget is buy some 550 grain Deep Water Express and use the provided chart to cut it down to the grain/sink rate you want, put some loops on it or have a shop so it...works and is cheap.

In my opinion, the Pflueger Medalist 1595 with rim control is one of the best reels for the money. I think they cost around $30 or so. Plus spare spools run around $19. I cant quite remember the exact prices but they are more then reasonable. Its nice to get a reel where the spools are not expensive. I have around 5 spools for that reel (sinking tips of different weights and floating lines of different weights).

If you are learning to fly fish, dont go to cheap on the rod. Its nice to learn on a good casting rod. Fenwicks arent to bad. As far as the length of the rod, a longer pole means more line control and easier roll casting. I like the 9'6" 8wt. Its a good all around rod. Rod length also depends on the size of the rivers you fish too.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

I'm new when it comes to heavier gear. I have a 5 wt fly outfit I use for trout.

Don't forget to check out Cabela's. They have a fly fishing catalog.
Also consider the warranty on your rod. I bit the bullet and went with Sage for their lifetime gurantee. Glad I did. Broke mine twice in the past five years (not going into how, too embarassing). Both times replaced with no questions asked.

The St. Croix Imperial series is a great rod. Check out this link. http://www.flyfishusa.com/rods/st-croix-2001/stcroix-imperial-combos.html

Jacob,

I'll second the recommendation that you start with an 8 wt. outfit. Don't be disturbed with starting out with inexpensive tackle. As you acquire more experience, your preference is almost certain to change, whether you begin with a rod that cost $100 or $600. Ryan's suggestion sounds pretty solid. I think Lamiglass and Cabellas offer a good value range in fly rods. The Okuma fly reel appears to be a steal, and I've not heard any bad reports about it. Heck, it's so cheap, it would be worth using one just to see how well it does hold up. Another excellent value is the Ross Colorado. It has rim control but no disc drag. Many anglers extoll the virtues and necessity of disc drags. Until a few years ago, most quality fly reels did not offer disc drags. And thousands of salmon and steelhead were played and landed on them just fine. I still use Hardys that have only a spring and pawl to prevent spool over run. My fingers are more sensitive than any disc drag and instantly and infinitely adjustable. I would consider a drag for a reel I intended to use exclusively for king salmon, however.

You can pay a lot more for flylines, but the standby Scientific Anglers Air Cell Supreme and Cortland 444 peach are very good lines and outstanding values. I've been using them for over 30 years, and have found none of the newer lines' performance improvements to match their higher prices, and several have been worse.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Ryan's suggestion regarding the St. Croix is a good one. They make a good rod, and I like a slower action stick, especially for big fish. They are smooth casting and can take some punishment. Cast one before you buy it, but a 9 footer #8 should be just fine unless the "salmon" you are talking about will be chinook - in that case, I would prefer a #9. Good casting.

RockLizard-
Were you talking about the Okuma Integrity reel? If so, where did you see it for $57? I found it for $77, but that's as good as I've found.
Matt

Ocus,
The Okuma I was referring to is called the Magnitude (ML 7/8). The standard model was about $40 but I got the magnesium one, very light. Cant use it in the salt, but I rarely go that route. Picked it up at Sportco.
Tight Lines

for your line if it is for the saltwater get clear mono intermediate striper line, best line for the cold saltwater. tight lines, Ben

ocus go to Jerry's in Everett thats where I got my reel at and I also picked up a 8wt rod cheap. Oh I bought a Okuma 8/9. I looked at a 7/8 but it looked to small. Jim S.