Looking for a new stillwater stick

Brian in OR.

Brian in OR.

Life of the Party
Looking to ad another rod for my stillwater fishing. Currently using a scott S4 5 wt for throwing my sinking lines but would like another rod so i dont have to switch spools... I have my dry fly, bobber rods covered so mainly looking for a rod that i can get some distance out of. Any suggestions or insight would be appreciated.
 
I like a 10ft 4wt to fish a sinking line from my float tube. I found that the ten foot rod made a huge difference in my (questionable) casting abilities. And the 4 wt? It seems to handle a 22 " trout, towing my float tube around the lake, just fine.
 
Sounds like you could use a rod for a heavy sink line. Sinkers are a must for stillwater fishing. With a sink line you’ll probably be using streamer type flies, leech, dragons, minnows. So, I’d get a 6#. You’ll find you can cast a sinking line a frick’in mile, so a 9’ is good unless you have strong arm and shoulder joints to use a 10 footer. I sold my 10” rods and replaced them with 9 foot. I’m just too wimpy anymore..
 
Brian, the 10' rods cast bobber gear better and lift quicker but, beware, they are hard on the hands/wrists. I'm older (80 something) and I had to go back to 9' because of arthritis pain.
 
really like my 9' 6 wt Douglas DXF for throwing long distance, my go rod to for terrestrials and bigger fish...I like to slow crawl my skiff along under MK power about 40' to 50' from the shoreline, pitching hoppers and beetles to within a foot of the shore. Light and accurate rod.
 
Wetswinger said:
Sounds like you could use a rod for a heavy sink line. Sinkers are a must for stillwater fishing. With a sink line you’ll probably be using streamer type flies, leech, dragons, minnows. So, I’d get a 6#. You’ll find you can cast a sinking line a frick’in mile, so a 9’ is good unless you have strong arm and shoulder joints to use a 10 footer.
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I hear you about the arm and shoulder torque with a 10' 6wt. I have a very nice graphite 10' 6wt with saltwater ready components that I bought from you, @Wetswinger the maker, but I'm not the strongest guy and it's a bit much for me. I'm thinking of bringing it to the swap meet to trade or sell. It was a real steal at about $100.
 
Thanks for the replies but looking more towards what specific rod or series you like compared to other as i haven't picked up and cast a rod for the sinking lines in years. My dry fly rods are another story......
 
2 cents. My 10' 6wt Stillwater is a great indicator and river stick, but I don't like it for sinking lines. Just doesn't lift a sinking line w/ a couple flies, hold it in the air, nor throw as far as my old 9' 6wt Redington RS4. I like 9' better for netting too. Don't have a modern rod recomendation for ya though. Happy Hunting.
 
Tom Butler said:
2 cents. My 10' 6wt Stillwater is a great indicator and river stick, but I don't like it for sinking lines. Just doesn't lift a sinking line w/ a couple flies, hold it in the air, nor throw as far as my old 9' 6wt Redington RS4. I like 9' better for netting too. Don't have a modern rod recomendation for ya though. Happy Hunting.
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Thats funny cause I absolutly love mine for doing that exact thing. I rarely throw two flies with a sinking line but throw pretty big jigs with a type 5.

I have put my echo stillwater through absolute hell. It's handled everything well in my opinion.
 
Billy said:
Thats funny cause I absolutly love mine for doing that exact thing. I rarely throw two flies with a sinking line but throw pretty big jigs with a type 5.

I have put my echo stillwater through absolute hell. It's handled everything well in my opinion.
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That is odd how we find different qualities in the same rod. It is a great rod. Maybe I'm just so use to the other setup.
 
Sounds like you want distance with a sinking line for trout. It might be worth looking at some of the recommendations for cutthroat beach rods with the search. If distance is the most important I'd probably look for a quicker 6wt. For sinking lines where there might be bigger trout I use a 9'6" 5wt seatrout. I'm not usually that concerned with distance while lake fishing though. I'll just move the boat closer.
 
Scudley Do Right said:
Sounds like you want distance with a sinking line for trout. It might be worth looking at some of the recommendations for cutthroat beach rods with the search. If distance is the most important I'd probably look for a quicker 6wt. For sinking lines where there might be bigger trout I use a 9'6" 5wt seatrout. I'm not usually that concerned with distance while lake fishing though. I'll just move the boat closer.
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I find in my experience that the farther i can cast the fly out, let it sink and begin the relieve the longer the fly is in the "zone" and my odds of hooking a fish increase... Until i hook the one right at the boat:ROFLMAO:
Billy said:
Thats funny cause I absolutly love mine for doing that exact thing. I rarely throw two flies with a sinking line but throw pretty big jigs with a type 5.

I have put my echo stillwater through absolute hell. It's handled everything well in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Been looking at those but unfortunately i use 9' rod cases for 2 piece rods and have them rigged and ready to go when i pull them out. Now if i could find a longer case......:unsure:
 
Brian in OR. said:
I find in my experience that the farther i can cast the fly out, let it sink and begin the relieve the longer the fly is in the "zone" and my odds of hooking a fish increase... Until i hook the one right at the boat:ROFLMAO:


Been looking at those but unfortunately i use 9' rod cases for 2 piece rods and have them rigged and ready to go when i pull them out. Now if i could find a longer case......:unsure:
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I do the same with sage cases for 2pc 10' rods
 
There's a 9'6" 6wt IMX Pro currently in the classifieds that would be great for the serious stillwater work (I have no affiliation with the seller).

Personally, I really have liked every IMX Pro model that I've cast (granted it's always been on the heavier end of the spectrum).
 
You might look at a Loomis IMX-Pro V2, which goes down to a 5wt. The V2s is the saltwater version and goes down to a 6wt.
The Echo Boost Blue would be another option but also only goes down to a 6wt.
6’s can be super versatile for a number of fishing situations if you decide to go that route.
SF
 
Echo Stillwater fan here as well. Great experience with sinking and floating lines. Also running a Sage Sonic 697 and it’s been solid for throwing sinking lines on lakes. Not sure how the new Arrow series compares.
 
Meiser 10'-5wght switch rod.
I fish it mostly single hand, and two hand when needed. My wife fishes it single hand.
 
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