Another question about rods...

Sorry, sorry, sorry...

ADDING THIS:  Another wrench in the gears: Anyone use a Redington Vapen in 8/9wt?  I've tested a four weight and thought it might be too stiff for a 4wt, but there's a never-reeled 8wt and 9wt I can have at a really nice price.  But I don't want to make the drive if people don't care for them.


I'm trying to gear-up for ocean fly-fishing targeting rockfish.  I had settled on a choice between a TFO BVK 8wt and a Mystic Reaper 8wt, then someone who knows how to do this confused me by recommending an Echo ION 9wt.

I've handled the TFO and I kind of like it except I'm not a fan of the new non-ceramic stripping guides.  No one has the Mystic on display.  I don't know diddly about Echo rods except their reputation, and that it's the least expensive of the three ($149 on sale at Cabelas).

Does anyone have experience with the Mystic Reaper?

I hate it when a wishsy-washy plan gets derailed...

 

I have a 9'0" 8wt cork-handled Vapen, now.

It has a bit more flex in the mid-section than other fast action rods I've used - not a lot, but it's noticeable - and the tip is to the soft side.  It fits my casting stroke very well, and I'm pretty happy with it.  Not sure how well that mid-section will work for picking-up line from 50-feet down in the ocean, but if there's a fish on it, I think it'll do just fine.

I expected it to be more of an 8/9wt rod, but it seems to be a true 8wt with sinking line and weighted flies, and maybe favor a 9wt floating line.

DISCLAIMER HERE: I have never cast a Sage or a Loomis so to me the Vapen seems to be an excellent rod design that only lacks the finer finishes of the Sage and Loomis rods I've handled.  And it was cheap.

we need to see a fishy on this fine Vapen rod of which you speak.  Have you got some flies tied up (or purchased) for the occasion?

You kidding?  Surely I have tied flies.  Someone else on NWKA pretty much challenged me to push my abilities, and I have a box full of fancy shrimps, bees, minnows, streamers, and muddlers.  I would say that none of mine are as nice as those my coach ties - but he's a show-off.

I've tied a pile for my light rod, too, but they're all dry flies.  I buy nymphs smaller than 14's because I poke the bejeebers out of my thumb when I try to tie smaller nymphs.  No explanation for that, but I do.

Please have patience.  I have to learn how to fling heavy flies on sinking line without perforating my ear before I'll have pictures.  I've been practicing with a Clouser that I snipped at the bend and have already bounced it off my noggin more than once, and, "Ow!"

Chucking an 8wt is definitely not like casting with a 3wt or a 6wt.   

chuck and duck is a time honored method here in Alaska.  I think Rio has a line named that even. gotta remember the "duck" part. Lol.

chuck and duck is a time honored method here in Alaska.  I think Rio has a line named that even. gotta remember the "duck" part. Lol.