Slate Run Rod Selection

[bigjohn58]

I've never fished Slate Run but am possibly thinking about going there this weekend. What size rod do you recommend? I know its a mountain stream but is it large enough for the normal 9' or am I going to have to go to my smaller rods?

 

[Dave_W]

You can fish it fine with your 9' if this is your preferred rod.

Take a shorter rod as a backup and when you get your eyes on the creek you can decide on the spot which to use based on your personal preference. Like Fishing Creek, it's a tough and moody stream, but it is slightly smaller scale; not especially tight quarters.

 

[bigjohn58]

Thanks! Thats sort of what I was thinking and you just confirmed it. Still unsure what my weekend plans are but certain places are definitely ruled out due to all the recent rains.

 

[Swattie87]

Yeah, you could get away with a wide breadth of rods on Slate. It's all personal preference, and there's different spots where you'd probably ideally want different rods at times. I use a 7'6 rod there as a compromise FWIW, but that's because I don't have anything between that and 9'0 in my current lineup. I feel like an 8'0 4 or 5 wt would be my perfect choice, but I don't own one of those. ;-)

Agree with FI. Take a 9'0 and something a little shorter and decide when you get there.

 

[Wild_Trouter]

I just fished there for the first time yesterday. I rolled with an 8' 4wt and found it ideal. Slate is mostly open so you don't have to contend with lots of overhanging limbs, brush, etc.

 

[ryansheehan]

I used my 10 foot 4 weight when I was there, no issue.

 

[rrt]

The last time I fished there, I used my 6' 6" 4-wt., which was lots of fun.

 

[RLeep2]

It's been so long since I fished Slate (probably 25 years..) that I'm not sure I have anything worthwhile to add. But I used to fish it a lot and usually used my Far & Fine. At 7'9" it seemed a good compromise. I could get 50 or so feet of line out if I really needed it and held my breath and popped my eyes open real big and I could also flip 15 footers around the corner of rock ledges, etc. or punch a fly under an overhanging limb at 25'.

My 2 cents anyway...

 

[JackM]

With my little experience to guide me, I agree that any rod 5 weight and under will do. When you get up into the branches, as you might do if cold water seems scarce or high water dominates down low, a rod under 8 feet may be preferable.

 

[dryflyguy]

I love using my far and fine - 7'9" 5 wght - on streams that size. Makes fishing them more pleasurable IMO.