Hello, I'm making my first trip up to the BWCA in late May with a few guys that have been there before. I'm an avid fly fisherman and will be using my fly rod as much as possible..I'm going to bring a spinning rod but plan on throwing popping bugs, wiggle minnows, and a few choice streamers on the fly rod...Is a fast 5 wt rod too small for this area? I have no problem casting 50-60 feet but wondered if the fish will be too much for a 5 wt?
Thanks for the advice, excited to fish in this part of the country!

You can expect smallmouth 17 inches and up. Is that too much? I don't know, but I know they pull like hell.

quote dmunger: "Hello, I'm making my first trip up to the BWCA in late May with a few guys that have been there before. I'm an avid fly fisherman and will be using my fly rod as much as possible..I'm going to bring a spinning rod but plan on throwing popping bugs, wiggle minnows, and a few choice streamers on the fly rod...Is a fast 5 wt rod too small for this area? I have no problem casting 50-60 feet but wondered if the fish will be too much for a 5 wt?
Thanks for the advice, excited to fish in this part of the country!"

If you have some small surface mouse patterns also bring them, the big smallies eat lemmings all the time up there.p.s. I bring a 8weight 9 foot rod when im flyfishing up there because I like to fish for big pike as well as smallies .

Whatever you throw (hardly matters...the fish are agressive, at times, and will hit many different presentations with a fly rod) , you'll end up with northern pike on the line. Lots of fun. The five wt could be a bit undersized with a large northern. Who cares if you lose that fish? Have fun with the rod you want to throw.

Here is a list of our suggested list. I have guided fly fishing trip for 20 years and I am also a FFF certified casting instructor. Feel free to contact me if you have questions.

suggested fly fishing gear

Thanks for the info guys..Moosetracks, what email can i reach you at??

Moosetrack offers some great advice and I know he is one helluva guide!

I would recommend a minimium of a 7 wt. as well, especially if you are going to be throwing some big bass bugs. Plus, there is always the chance of a 20"+ smallie or a big northern!

Any idea what lakes you are going to?

Moosetrack offers some great advice and I know he is one helluva guide!

I would recommend a minimium of a 7 wt. as well, especially if you are going to be throwing some big bass bugs. Plus, there is always the chance of a 20"+ smallie or a big northern!

Any idea what lakes you are going to?

quote dmunger: "Thanks for the info guys..Moosetracks, what email can i reach you at??"

Click on the small envelope under view profile and he will get it.


I will be bring a 9 foot three piece 7 weight rod this year for bass and pike.

A 5 weight is too light.

Casting while sitting in a canoe is a disadvantage. Then add wind, casting across your body, trying to paddle a little while you are fishing, etc. and you will regret a 5 wt.

Also, i suspect that the casting distance with a 5 wt is with flies typically used with a 5 weight rather than big deer hair poppers of Clouser's. I love to play smallies, but you will kill too many of them trying to drag them up with a 5 weight.

I think you could get by with a 6 wt if you were truly expert at casting and wanted to go ultralight and not fish for pike. I use an 8 weight which works well for casting big flies and catching even the kargest pike.

For fishing in May, you might need to go deeper as well. I would take a spool of intermediate (or sink tip) so again a stouter rod helps with that. A 5 wt is a bit light for trolling a big pike fly as well.

you can email info@moosetrrackadventures.com or just give me an old fashion call at 218-365-4106. I will be happy to help out a fellow fly fisher.

Not sure if a guest paddler can access the topics at the bottom of the page under other interest groups. There is a fly fishing you can get great info from. If you cant get into it you can join this site, it is free and easy. This place is a great place for a new person to get info.

I agree with Jerold on this one, a 5wt is too light. Especially IF you are only taking one fly rod. A 5 and a 7 wt or 8wt would be a good combo if you can bring two fly rods. When I hit Algonquin Park in May, I bring a 5wt and 7wt. Mind you, I'm only fishing for brookies and lakers there. If I'm fishing a lake for lakers/walleyes/pike/smallies, I use a 7wt and 8 wt most often.

Also as already mentioned, dealing with wind often determines the rod choice, adding in bigger flies/wind resistance, and a heavier rod makes sense. But also depends on what flies you like to use. When they are hitting, almost anything will work, and a 5 will handle lots of patterns likes damsel and dragonfly nymphs, small deceivers etc. A 7wt or 8wt is also nice as you'll also end up trolling your fly a lot, which you will find very effective. All around, if you are only going to bring one rod, for smallies, pike, walleyes and lakers, and to toss any pattern, my vote would be an 8wt.

Moonman.

An 8 weight is best as it can handle wind and pike.
A 5 weight is too light except for a narrow set of conditions

I have found that a 9ft 7wt works best for canoe fly fishing. Because you are casting from a seated position its nice to have that extra umph to get the fly out there, plus it can be pretty windy out there sometimes.