9 wt or 10 wt, Is there a perfect flyrod?

[tinkerbell]

I would like to start discussion about the perfect Southern New England saltwater fly rod.

When I began saltwater flyfishing way back in the mid 1990's the 9' 9 weight was the standard. Fly rods became a little lighter and fly designs a little bigger so the 10 wt became a popular choice.

Now, graphites are superlight and extra fast. A 9 wt feels like a 7 wt and casts like a 10 wt; you need to overline this one and stick to the rating on that one; etc.

So, with the latest offerings from the fly rod manufacturers, is the 9 wt still the standard or is a now very light in physical weight 10 wt the better choice. Or, has the 8 wt become the standard.

My thought is the 10 wt is the best one salty rod to have. My reasoning is that you will eventually pursue albies during the windy days of fall.

Please share your thoughts fellow RTers.

[detra]

Despite what my wife might say, I'm not a gearhead. I tend to buy something and stick with it. I use a 10 wt redington wayfarer, which is medium action I guess, and suits my casting style, i.e. sloppy. I learned to fly cast when I was about 8 with fiberglass rods and prefer a rod with some action as opposed to something that feels like a 2X4 and doesn't load until 60' of line is out or needs to be overlined. Granted, I fish mainly from boat or kayak and distance isn't often a factor. With this set-up I feel like I can handle just about anything short of sbft.

[RogerStg]

I like to have 8s and 10s for most NE flyfishing. To cloud things up a bit, I mean rods that throw 8's and 10s well. This means that some of what I consider 10s are rods labeled 9wt (Scott Heliply, Loomis GL3, etc)

[LeonR]

I like using 9wt's, mostly cause I have 4 of them so what I do is use the GLoomis Nautcos mostly and then I will put a third on the Yak with a different type of line for a specific purpose. The Nauticos will throw a wt line up from what it is rated for so you can mix and match lynes for certain flies.
The latest 10wt's are light enough to go with the old 9wt's but my consideration is that I have 20+ 9wt lines so I am not ready for an upgrade to 10's.
I do sometimes put the 12wt on the Yak just in case I need large flies or the wind is realy bad.
I have not cast my 17wt from the Yak yet.... :brow

[rhodyflyguy]

People all have different opinions on rods, as can be seen here. I have a 10 wt. G. Loomis GL3 3 pc. that i think best casts a 9 wt. intermediate or a 300 grain sinking line. That's my preference.

[RogerStg]

I have a 10 wt. G. Loomis GL3 3 pc. that i think best casts a 9 wt. intermediate or a 300 grain sinking line.

You might find that the 9 wt int line you have actually weighs in at a 10. We could start a whole new thread about inconsistent line manufacturing. Since I started weighing all my lines, some of the mysteries of rod/line combinations have been solved.

[rhodyflyguy]

Thanks! Hadn't thought of that. BTW, It's an orvis wonderline advantage, as is the depth charge.