Matching rod and reel

[Timothy]

Hey guys,
So I want to get into fly fishing this year. Been getting together all the gear I’ll
Need the past couple weeks. I ordered a 7wt rod and 6/7/8 reel for throwing streamers for bulls ( I work around the little Smokey). The first time they sent the wrong size reel 4/5/6. So I returned it for the correct size. And the sent the same size again.. lots of people say a reel is just to hold line? Should I return the reel for a second time or just use it?

What do you guys think? I will be putting 100yards 30ib Dacron backing and 100 feet of rio grand 7wt on it. It’s a hardy ultra light cadd on a sage method if that matters.

Thanks!

[pikergolf]

A 4/5/6 reel will not hold what you are proposing, it is to small, send it back and get the correct size.

[BPman]

Always size your reel for one or 2 line sizes bigger than the rod so you can put some backing behind the fly line: minimum 50 yds of 20 lb in my opinion.

[Timothy]

Sounds good thanks guys.

[Dragless]

To big of a rod for the little smokey imo 4wt and under is best.

[lannie]

Originally Posted by BPman

Always size your reel for one or 2 line sizes bigger than the rod so you can put some backing behind the fly line: minimum 50 yds of 20 lb in my opinion.

If you do that your rod will feel quite heavy on the reel end...The reel designated for 5 wt has the room built in for 5 wt line and the backing already.

[ShortsideK]

A lot of $ spent for someone "just getting into" flyfishing. $1000 rod, $350 reel, $100 line.
And yes, a 7 wt. seems like overkill for the Little Smokey, but any size fish can be caught on any size rod.
7 wt. is like the forgotten cousin. No one seems to think of buying a 7 wt. Most prefer a 6 wt. or 8 wt. for some reason.

[Timothy]

I bought a 3 wt and 5wt as well. The 7wt is specifically for throwing steamers.

[ShortsideK]

Originally Posted by Timothy

I bought a 3 wt and 5wt as well. The 7wt is specifically for throwing steamers.

should fill all of your needs. You'll have the most fun with the 3 wt. unless you normally target bigger fish.

[Timothy]

No just fished the little Smokey a few times last year on ultra light spinning gear. Caught a few small whitefish and Grayling. Now want to get serious about it so I got the fly rods.

[32-40win]

7 wt works quite nicely in a lot of apps where you want to use or need bigger flies or lines to get down a bit faster or a little extra backbone in the rod when down a bit deeper, or for places where the fish need a bit extra horsepower to get them in quick, or out of something you don't want them to do into. Besides, I like the odd numbers too, 3,5,7 & 9. You never know if maybe down the road you'll perhaps be fishing a river with something bigger in it as well, or you may use it on salt water even. The bigger reel capacity and more backing can come in handy when you may not be expecting to need it.