Trolling with a fly rod

[kelson]

Rrogers... I use Reddington Crosswater 4 weights. They are 7 1/2 feet long which is perfect in my opinion. You will find them in cabelas occasionally on sale for $65. They are quite flexible and will arc almost to the water when loaded tight against the down rigger release. I have flat lined with them and have used them with lead core as well. I have landed cutthroat in lake Washington on them to 5 or 6 pounds....it's a bit hairy, but it can be done. Dodgers of trout and Kok size are not a problem, with that said i would not recommend them for pop gear rigs.
I think the biggest thing is the reel....I would recommend a 7 wt or even bigger. My favorite reels are my two Lamson 3.5 (unfortunately no longer in production). I recently purchased one of cabelas lowest price die cast reels and is quite serviceable and would recommend it. There are many inexpensive reels out there. Again the larger the better. Why? Retrieve speed! I typically load them up with inexpensive fly line backing, add 50 yards of 12# braid then 100 ft of 6 to 8# mono or fluorocarbon. Just get the spool full. The larger thE diameter the more line you will retrieve with each revolution. Have fun and tight lines.
K

 

[calamari]

One thing about rod selection in general that I think people miss. Often it seems people buy very expensive rods and reels that are sized for the biggest fish they have the potential to catch. Unless you need to use a larger outfit for the lures you're using or to horse fish out of snags, I'd suggest that you size your tackle for the average fish you're likely to catch in these smaller fish species and enjoy the fight and the extra skill required to land an above average fish. Reels have drags to allow the fish to run but it seems that for a lot of people letting it run is letting it get away. It isn't. Let them run and tire out and if you lose the fish, so what? All it means is that you can keep on fishing. Through experience you'll reach a point where you lose few fish.
Serviceable tackle at an affordable price that is sized for the average fish is the way to have the most fun.

 

[Rrogers]

Thank you Calamari
You defiantly understand the whole reason why I put my #3 fly rod on my boat to catch 9 to 10 inch koks thumbsup