Thinking about a 6wt.

[pontiac787]

Hi All,

What are your recommendations on a blue collar 6wt.? I thinking something along the lines of either an 8’ or 8-1/2’ 2F Heddon but I’m not ruling out a SB 290. Which of these rods would be considered the most versatile? I’ve read a lot of good things about the 290 and the 8-1/2 2F but reviews seem mixed on the 8’.

Thanks.

[jimwright]

I fish a Phillipson 3/2 9' 5 5/8 oz. rod that is an excellent 6 wt. for me. And I still own and have fished a Goodwin Granger 9050 a bit, it is of course another 3/2 and a fine 6 wt. rod as well.

[NewUtahCaneAngler]

Also consider the SB 359, 346, 323 in 8 1/2'. It comes down to what you may already have and the size of water you fish most.

[Dave Westburg]

No shortage of Granger 9050's on the market. A nice medium action 6 weight. I've got a Granger 9050 Champion and an Wright and McGill Granger 9050 Victory. I use them a lot lake fishing and for coastal cutts in rivers. I've got a 9', 5 and 5/8 oz Phillipson and it seems to like a 7 weight better than a 6 weight.

[jrpaquatics]

8.5’ South bend models are great and so is the heddon 8.5’ 2f. Both are very versatile rods.

[pontiac787]

Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking the 359 would be a 7 wt. This opens up a couple of other options. I'm trying to keep the rod to 8-1/2' or less.

Any opinions on the fishability/versatility of the 8' vs. 8-1/2 Heddons?

[carl otto]

T

[carl otto]

The Heddon 8' & 8 1/2" 2F rods are both excellent rods. There are a number on the market right now. I would suggest you stay in the Model #17, #20, #35 class to get the best rod possible. The only problem is that the 8 1/2 2F can sometimes be a 5WT., so you have to shop with your eyes open.

Carl

[Ron Barch]

The PHY Para 15 is one of my favorites! The blended taper is a really nice 6wt. Have one in stock. Contact aldercreekangling.com. Ron

[BigTJ]

Out of those two rods Id get the Heddon. But the Granger 9050 would be the rod I’d buy for the most versatile do it all 6 wt blue collar rod.

John

[red 1]

The Granger's 9050 is a great rod for the $$ . I would also suggest a Gene Edward's, or more generic Bristol rod. Good tapers. Great cane too.

[DaveNJ]

Not sure if this is just me or not, but the difference between 8' and 8'6" tends to be a lot for me. Those extra 6 inches with increased weight can make the rod a whole new beast.

If you dont have a 6, and you dont have an 8'6", I'd strongly consider an 8' 6wt as a starting point.

[carl otto]

Since you seemed specifically interested in the Heddon, Wanigas has an 8'6", 2F, 3/2, Model 17, 20 and 35 in stock, all original in original labeled tubes and socks.

Carl @ Wanigas Rod company

[jimwright]

I have owned/own and fished a few 6 wt. rods, an 8' 4 3/8 oz. Orvis Battenkill, a previously mentioned Phillipson 9' 5 5/8 oz. taper and Goodwin Granger 9050 and a 9' custom taper from A.J. Thramer. They have had a balance point from the front of the grip to maybe 3 inches into the cane per my preference. I'm 74 years old, 6' tall and 165 lbs. and personally I've never found these longer rods much of a chore even when fished all day.

[para_adams]

I like the Heddon 8-1/2' 2f a lot.

If you want to go 1/2 step up the price curve, try a Wright McGill (not Goodwin) era Granger 8642. A very capable and pleasant 6 wt IMO.

The South Bend Cross Double Built rods are also nice. My 9' Double Built #164 (dry fly model) is an absolute cannon if you want a rod that can send streamers to the far bank, fish large bushy dries or nymph/indicator rigs. The rod never takes a set no matter how large the fish and the ferrules are good quality. Other than the South Bend style seat, the rod is really nice.

[wb4tjh]

Instead of some old, cheap rod, why not invest in a quality new blank from one of the current rodmakers and build it up yourself, or have it built up? You will be a lot happier and have a new rod. I have bought three blanks from Dennis Stone, "Tapermaker" on this forum, and they made outstandingly fine fishing rods. I build my own, but you can get it done by someone else if you need to, and you will be ahead in the long run. Sure beats some old, beat up cheap rod you might pick up. That way, you can choose the taper you want.

[carl otto]

No one mentioned wanting a beat up, old, cheap rod. This poster was looking for a Heddon or noted other rods. It seemed they were already set on liking the taper a Heddon 2F presented.

Now wb4Tjh is proposing to invest in a new blank, plus all the materials to finish it out and the time to do so as a betterment? Let me see...3 piece ferruled blank $340, Plus, reel seat, guides, thread, varnish, bag, tube (say another $150), time to set up, do the work at whatever you hourly wage is (say another $100). Time lost on stream and / or with family while going through learning curve, priceless. Risk of failure and level of quality on first time try at building out a rod?

There are so many nice Heddon rods in excellent condition on the market in the $400-700 range (depending on the model) that one could plunk down the money and with-in a week be on the stream fishing a fine classic without breaking a sweat.

Maybe their happiness equates with fishing a fine older classic rod and doing it sooner without taking on any additional workload/tasks?

Carl

[wb4tjh]

……..Like it or not, mine is a very viable idea and would still yield a better rod. I have seen a lot of old Heddons where the vanish has gone bad or turned to goo. Heddon varnish is noted for that with lot of rod builders....ask Dennis Stone what he thinks of it. If you can find a Heddon in good condition, I say go for it, but my idea is NOT bad one, whether you like it or not.

[DaveNJ]

I like Wb4tjh's idea. If you contact WJude builders in NY, Bill Hickey will build it very well for a reasonable fee.

What's best about this idea is that you will get exactly what you want. Sometimes getting something close couldnt be farther away and may discourage you from your idea.

[DaveNJ]

Or get a Sweetgrass Mantra rod, which is one tip.