New Road

[Francis]

Looking for a new fly-rod and reel for the up coming season. Anyone have any tips what to get I just plan on going to Gander Mountain. I should only be using it for the steelhead

[Francis]

Must be a typo by me didn't catch the Road :irked:

[Lance]

I tried to fix it for you. ;)

I'll give you the intro pricing level recommendations.

Rod
For Erie tribs you should plan on either a 7 or 8 wt and ideally at least 9 1/2 ft. With that rod you can fish anywhere and effectively swing streamers or high stick it and dead drift nymphs and eggs. You get into the longer rods you'll get a fighting butt which is nice to have after you've hooked a few. I'm not sure what all Gander carry's in rods in those sizes in their brands but worse case they should probably have a St Croix or something in size that should start around $80.


As far as reels go, make sure you get something with a disc drag. Okuma Integrity's and Pluegers Trions are both well made affordable reels. If you want to spend more that are PLENTY of options but you should be able to get a nice reel for around $80-90 bucks. If you absolutely need to contain costs more than this you can go with a non disc drag reel but then you HAVE to get a reel with an exposed rim so you can palm the rim as your drag.

Have fun shopping!

[Francis]

Yea I had a cheap one I bought at last min and had to palm the drag didn't like it but I caught some but time for a new one

[Lance]

Thinking about thigs a little more one reel I would stay away from are the Redingtons. While they look ok and have the name recognition, I've not heard much good about them on the larger reels that your actually going to put some stress on. Mainly in regards to the drags being marginal in quality.

[Francis]

Yea I'm gonna be hunting last couple days then look into it after that