A 4 wt rod for steelheading is certainly not the norm. The notion that a
heavier weight rod is required to land a big fish quickly is nonsense. The
truth of the matter is that the shock absorbing characteristics of a
lighter weight rod can be a real advantage when landing big fish with
lighter tippets. Granted, fishing with tippet that is too light for the
situation is a mistake. The only real advantage of a heavier rod is it's
ability to cast heavier gear longer distances and to deal with stronger
winds.
Unless you've watched Frank Amato fish under these circumstances you don't
have enough information to be critical. To criticize someone else's choices
without knowing all of the details is arrogant.
After 30+ years of fly fishing I certainly don't need anyone to tell me what
is the correct rod to use in any situation. I doubt Frank Amato needs your
input either.
Keith Bell
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck Breed [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2000 9:55 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: 6wt two hander
Preston,
Me thinks there's nothing "normal" about using a 4 wt.on steelhead.Though
his
publications are passing good, fishing with a 4 wt for steelhead is
subnormal
unless he's fishing for smolts. My opinion of him falls greatly.
On the Umpqua I was gently chided for using a 7 wt. It is held that a 9
is
optimum and a 8 "light" for steelhead. I was under the opinion that we
wanted to
catch them not kill them.Poor example Mr. Amato.
Respectfully,
C.P.(Preston) Breed
Preston Singletary wrote:
> Interesting, is that the Cabela's 11' 3" 6 wt.? I reviewed on of those
for
> FF&TJ and was impressed. I'm looking forward to trying it for cutthroat
> this year. Frank Amato was pretty excited about using one for steelhead
on
> the Deschutes (he normally uses a 4 wt. single hander, hmmm) this fall.
> Preston
