Question:
I’ll be fishing the Arolik in June. I have a 9wt. Can I get away with that size reel on kings. Rainbow are our primary target and I have a 7 wt for that.
Answer:
Glad you have an Arolik trip this June! That is pretty prime.
I ran your question by one of my buddies who guides on the Arolik. His answer was a 9 weight is possible but not advisable. He likes having a 10 weight so you can fight the fish hard before it turns downstream and rounds the bend! Plus you are chucking some seriously big flies and sink tips at times.
Hope that helps!