All this talk about rods and fish fighting is interesting but not necessarily the deciding factor is choosing a rod size.

Other factors:

- size fly you are throwing
- how far you want to throw said fly
- wind - yes mentioned somewhat above

An 8 weight, in the hands of the same angler, will probably throw a bigger fly, and throw it bit farther than a 7 weight.

To the original poster . . . Consider fly size and casting distance also, rather than simply fish fighting power.

-wayne