Greetings all! I'm making my first boundary waters trip in one month and I've decided to bring along a fly rod. I have two rods, and as I've never fished for smallmouth or walleye (southern boy born and raised), I wasn't sure which I should bring. Both are 9 foot polls, but one is a two piece, 8 weight rod, and the other is a four piece, 6 weight. Thoughts?

I would think either rod would work. If you are going to be throwing some larger flies that have some weight and a lot of wind resistance I would take the 8 wt. If you are going to be throwing some smaller flies the 6wt should work just fine. In the past I have taken my 8 wt and been happy with the results.

Just got back from the quetico and brought my 8 wt. Caught a number of good Smallies and they offered quite the fight. I brought the 8 wt because I wanted to target northern too and it's a 4 piece. If I had a 6 wt and I was only targeting smallies and walleye, then I'd bring the 6 wt. Plus if you are going to be traveling with it torn down (which I recommend), a shorter rod is way better. Anyways, that's my 2 cents.

For canoe fishing for smallmouth (and pike) I think an 8-wt is the best generally. You could get by with a 6-wt but casting larger flies in wind from a seated position etc. wears me out. So I prefer an 8-wt.

A 2-piece is like trying to take a cane pole into quetico. Just too long. So Ideally a 4-piece 8-wt rod is the best for Quetico. that is what I use each time. I would sell both your rods and buy a 4-piece 8-wt. If you can't do that, then you have a dilemma. Or just by a new rod.

8 wt.

i use a 8 wt rod, 9/10 wt line, and a about 10ft of 10lb fluorocarbon leader.
that is the setup i use for Smallmouth & Pike in the BWCA and every other place i fly fish for them.

the heavier line aides in casting distance while sitting in a canoe.

go 8 weight. shorter packed, throw farther from a seated position. Better all around for up there

Thanks everybody. I think I'll take the 8 weight. I've got tie downs to secure it to the canoe.