If you could only buy one...

[gtsingle]

boo rod for out west, what would it be?

This is kinda similar to the big fish thread just below...

OK, My dad and I are looking into buying a couple custom boo rods for each other from a fellow in WV. My dad is going to be fishing mostly in smaller, brushier WV streams, so he knows he is staying small. I know there are ton of different taper/weight/length combos out there, but I am looking for opinions, qualifed or not as to what would be a good all-around.

After my smokies trip that I leave on tomorrow...(report and pics to follow hopefully) I am moving to TX in a week, so most of my fishing will be out west, CO, MT, AZ, NM, etc. So, Im guessing Ill be getting in to bigger water alot more often than here in N.GA. Basically, I don't want my one boo rod (for now!) to be too light for some of that bigger water, etc., but I don't really know how action and weights translate from graphite to boo, other than every rod is different.

Sorry this is so vague, but Ill be grateful for anything....right now, Im thinking ballpark a 8 ft 6wt....

oh, shameless plug for the guy...

http://www.vandaliarodworks.com/

[Robert Hicks]

There is no need to jump to the 6wt. Think about it...most of the fish that you will be catching are avg 10"-18"....and from time to time...you will get into a big one. I would suggest something along the lines of the Dickerson 8013(8' 2pc 5wt), Granger 8040(8' 3pc 5wt), or even the Dickerson 7613(7'6" 2pc 4/5wt).
Bonedog has an 8013 that I made for him....he used it at Callowy, I think. I also nailed some large fish in Dukes with it. It will handle any trout that you are going to catch. Preacher has the 7613 that I donated to NGTO last year....I think it would handle almost any trout that you will catch. Plenty of power in those two rods. The Granger 8040 is a 3pc 8' 5wt...and it would handle most fish aswell.
All three of those rods would be great mid to large water rods. And the good thing about the 7613...you can use it on tighter water aswell. If you are going to use it mostly on large water...then the 8013 would be the best bet. It's a great dry fly rod...and will cast streamers too.

[kayakerguy]

I agree with Robert, an 8' 5wt. would be ideal I think. And you could probably go up or down 6" in length and still be happy, depending on your style of casting. There is no shortage of options that would work for you. In fact my problem would be narrowing down all the options. I don't envy having to make that decision.
Mark

[Buck Henry]

I have to concur with Robert and Mark that a 7.5 or 8 foot rod designed to cast a 5 weight is the way to go if you are going to buy just one cane rod (one cane rod? Now who does that? :) ).

But seriously, if I really had to pick just one for Georgia fishing, I would go with the 7.5 foot 5 weight, but if'n I was moving out west, I would be more inclined to go with an 8 footer.

[fishnpreacher]

I'll take the 7613 that Robert built over any other rod I've cast. Plenty of power, accurate, and just so sweet! If I ever get to go back West and Yellowstone, I'll definitely be carrying it.
If I need a heavier rod, I have a 9ft South Bend Mod 59 that is a brute. I used it with a brown wooly booger a while back on large catfish in a friends pond. It handled 7lb catfish with ease.