Skagit Line Question

[Fats]

I've got an old 14' 9/10 St Croix (It's about 9 years old, and feels heavier than the one I picked up in a store yesterday). According to the RIO site... it would take a 550 gr Skagit with a 5' cheater. Is the chart spot on accurate or do you need to make adjustments?

Fats

[Rick J]

I don't know that particular rod but I would think that a 550 skagit would be much too light for a 9/10. I would likely opt for a 650 at least (Bruce and I are using 650's on two Anderson 13'3" rods - one a 7 wt, one an 8wt). Depending on what tips you plan to use will give you what cheater you will want if any - with a 15' tip you may not need any cheater - this puts you at around 3 times rod length. If you like a bit longer skagit system , then include a 5' cheater. You might want a 10' cheater if you are using short tips. Make sure your cheaters are heavy enough to match the rod/line system.

The weight of the skagit system can depend on what you will be throwing - heavy tips and heavy flies the size of chickens will do better with a heavier system whereas you can get away with a lighter system with light tips and standard flies.

[Fats]

I'm just getting back into two handed rods... I don't know enough to know that I don't know! I'm trying to get it figured out. I picked up some two handers in the 1990's before things got too refined. I haven't taken the time to play with them much in the intrim. I'm still trying to get stuff figured out so I'm asking lots of questions.

I guess I may have to throw some heads on the rod to see what works best with this specific rig.

[Rick J]

I live in Lake Co (just out of Middletown in Hidden Valley Lake) and work in Santa Rosa. I see you are in Sonoma. I have a 650 if you want to try and get together sometime - I practice on the lake quite a bit - not as good as moving water but you use what you have - feel free to give me a call sometime (cell is 707-355-1200)

Best regards,
Rick

[Fats]

I live in Lake Co (just out of Middletown in Hidden Valley Lake) and work in Santa Rosa. I see you are in Sonoma. I have a 650 if you want to try and get together sometime - I practice on the lake quite a bit - not as good as moving water but you use what you have - feel free to give me a call sometime (cell is 707-355-1200)

Best regards,
Rick

That's a heck of an offer. I also work up in Santa Rosa. I'll give you a call and see if we can set up some Rendezvous in the near future.

Thanks!