Fly fishing tackle

[egret]

I’d like to bring into operation a Bruce & Walker 15ft fly rod (the Walker #10-12) I acquired in the mid-90’s ! Never had the opportunity to use it (don't ask), but now that I’m a member of CADAC, think it’s time has finally come.
Would like to buy a fly line and reel for the rod. I’d like to ask our experienced salmon fisherman:
Q1: Fly-line: What fly-line should I buy to use on CADAC waters?
floating, intermediate or sinker
double-taper, WF, spey (?) etc.
Q2: Reel: I understand a reel is just reel, but pls offer any guidelines (balance the rod?) on what to get.
Any tips based on experience gratefully received. Framed this question to one of our top fisherman who has offered to help, but on reflection probably a bit unfair to ask one person such a detailed question!
Thanks.
PS maybe rod is so old and technology moved on that it's not worth bothering with !

[chainman]

My guess is egret that the B&W rod is throwing people........no one, including me, will have a stab at a compatible reel. What I would say is that a reel rod balance, whilst desirable, won't help you catch more fish.

As for fly lines most people opt for a floating line and have various lengths of sinking leaders. I have 2 floaters........one an Airflo Multi Tip which has intermediate, slow sink, fast sink and very fast sink 10ft tips. I occasionally attach other polyleaders which at their extremities can give me 20ft of very fast sinking line.........a pig to cast but can be very effective in high water

The other is a Snowbee 2D Spey line........takes a bit of technique but the results are great once you've got it. I always use a 5ft poly fast sink with this line.

There are those who use various multi-coloured lines and I'm sure that they'll eventually let you know what they are and why they like using them.

As for your rod, I can only say that it will not deter you from catching fish - although you may be more tired than most!!!

Hope this helps and I would be more than willing to take you (or anyone other member for that matter) out on the river to show you what works for me.


Chainman

[madmick1]

Well Egret I have fought shy of offering advice as I am a relative novice at Salmon fishing but you might find that a Hardy Marquis Salmon No3 (the old brass footed one not the new made abroad version) will balance the rod and would of course be in keeping with a rod of that era . I also feel that a Salmon reel is not 'just a reel' as Salmon are strong fish and you do need a dependable reel if you have a strong fish to play .
I do have a 11/12 wt Snowbee 2D , a Rio Windcutter 11/12 wt and a couple of Michael Evans Arroehead lines that you could try to see what your rod likes , I also have some of the strange (and pretty) multicoloured lines mentioned by Chainman but not in weights that would load your rod. They are though an option if they suit your rod ? Please contact me if you want to try the lines but also take Chainman up on his kind offer of what to do once you have a suitable tackle combination as there appears to be much more to pursuing Salmon on the fly that just casting . Best Wishes.....Mick

[egret]

Thanks for the helpful knowledge share yet again - a theme on this forum. Must say as a new member of the club, I find the forum to be an unexpected, useful feature. Hope I can share some useful knowledge in future !
Will digest the info. and get back in due course. Thanks.