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Rod Selection - 8 Weight Rods

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I am looking for suggestions for an 8wt for steelhead waters in the Pacific NW. Any suggestions would be appreciated!  (Don Green)

Garrison 221 is a great rood for that.  (Bret Reiter)

Here is one that Chris Obuchowski posted to the list.  I made it and I like it.  Even I can fish it quite a while before my shoulder knots up. Its also in the David Ray taper library. (Frank Stetzer, Hexrod, Taper Archive, Rodmakers Archive)

PHY Para 17.  (Steve Weiss)

I was lucky enough to fish a loaner Leonard a few weeks back on the Skeena river in BC.  I do not know what the weight was.  It was a 9' Leonard Dry Fly with a short fighting but.  I do not remember the fine details.

I loved the rod.  Not light, but a wonderful action and it fished wonderfully for about 4 hours or so.  I covet the rod  :)   I know, I know, coveting is Wicked Indeed, but I am but a weak-willed mortal.  (Greg Dawson)

I want to begin work on a steelhead rod.  I have 8 weight gear, but recall reading someplace that bamboo rods for anything above 7 weight lines get pretty heavy.  I would appreciate any comments that anyone may have on that point.  I'd also like suggestions for a taper (preferably a two-piece rod in the 8 foot or more length) and where I might find the specs.... As always, thanks in advance.... (Doug Hojem)

Without hesitation, I would suggest the 9 foot 8 weight of John Bokstrom, which was designed as a steelhead rod. It is easily the most comfortable solid rod I have cast in this format. There are two versions of the taper in RodDNA, one very slightly heavier than the other. I doubt that you would go wrong with either one, nor am I sure why there are two. Maybe someone can enlighten us. I don’t have a use for such a rod, but one day I will get around to building one, just to honor the memory of a great man. (Tom Smithwick)

Here is the slightly heavier version on 5” centers, 0-105

.082, .101, .123, 142, .159, .174, .185, .197, .209, .221, .233, .244, .256, .269, .281, .293, .307, .320, .333, .346, .359, .374

The other one

.080, .098, .120, .140, .155, .168, .182, .194, .206, .218, .231, .243, .255, .265, .278, .289, .301, .314, .326, .339, .352, .366

Unless someone knows better, I would probably build the heavier one. There’s another version in Bob Milward’s book, closer to the first taper as well. The Garrison 221 is also a comfortable 8 weight, as mentioned by Jerry, and would be a good choice. (Tom Smithwick)

I fished the 9' lighter rod on the Dean River, BC 10 or so years ago. The rod was lent to me by Ron Grantham or Port Moody, BC. The rod was built for John's best friend Bill Young who passed away some 20 years ago. Ron acquired the rod from Bill's widow. He lent it to me. It was truly an honor to fish the rod where both John and Bill fished. Ron, John, Bill and I were all friends. This may have been the last time the rod has been used as Ron is now a spey guy with skidding floaters. (Don Anderson)

I have a nice hollow 7 weight taper in Powerfibers 21. I have used that rod for many years. I have also used a Garrison 212E, which is not enough rod, a Garrison 215 and a Garrison 221. The 215 and the 221 are both light salmon rods.

My rod of choice today is a 10' 6" two handed rod that is hollow built. (Jerry Drake)

I built the Garrison 221 as a 3 piece & have taken well over a hundred salmon & steelhead on it. This is an 8'9" rod. I also use a Heddon 9,0" Rod for salmon & steelhead. Yes, both are heavier than graphite rods but it is ounces. I fish these all day long. (Bret Reiter)

I'm using a Para 17. It's 8'6" I put a 2" removable fighting butt on it.  I use it to fish for Lake Erie steelhead the streams are not large and roll cast are the norm. This is the third rod I have built in quest to find a rod that cast a weighted setup and play the fish well. I've been using it for three seasons and it has worked great. I've probably landed 50+ fish the biggest a tad over 32". It is not light!! and I only can fish it 4or5 hours but that works well for me I usually fish after work and don't go on the weekends because of the crowds. You can find the taper on rod DNA. (Rick Barbato)