Smallmouth on the Schuylkill River

[timinator]

Hi, I'm a NJ transplant here in S.E PA. Been flyfishing for trout for 2 years and this summer the trout streams got warm and low pretty fast so I've been trying my hand at smallies in the Schuylkill River. Using the larger flies, clousers, weighted crayfish, BH wooly buggers are rough to cast with my 5wt. Can someone recommend a better suited rod/reel for these flies and bigger water?

Thanks
Tim

 

[Pete]

I like an 8-1/2 foot, 7 weight for streamers, a 9 foot, 9 weight for large bass bugs & other big stuff. Smallmouths aren't going to test the limits of your reel. A 6+ pounder might get into the backing. Get something that fits your budget.

Note: The guys on this site often think my recommendations on rod weight are a bit "over gunned". You might do just fine with a 6 wt for streamers, but will have to adjust your casting style.