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5wt or 6wt?
This dove tails a little with the 7wt or 8wt thread in Warmwater...
Years ago in my neck of the woods it was felt that a 6wt was the all around rod...mostly targeting big rivers and trout of various sizes..... also in lakes....steppin up to steelhead would bring in the 8wt...
Here's my question...do you think the 5wt would be now considered more the all around rod in those circumstances?
In other words if limited to one rod now would I pick a 5?
Seems to me I see that tendency now.
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I think you may be right. I am told that if you are to have one rod for trout fishing it would be a 5 wt. If you can afford two rods, then get a 4 wt and a 6wt. Of course where one is located that may be different. I for one still think a 6wt is about right.
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If I could only have one rod and I was strictly trout fishing I would pick a 4wt. A 4wt has enough backbone for nymphing but can still be delicate enough for fishing small drys. If I could have 2 rods it would be a 3wt and a 5wt.
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Born to fish forced to work.
Alan
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I think, generally speaking, the 5 wt. is now regarded as the all-around trout rod. When I started, folks were advised to get a 7 wt., which is why I think you see so many old 7 wt. fiberglass rods floating around eBay. Then it became the 6 wt., although this is still often recommended as such, depending on where it will be used. Nowadays, I think fly shop owners will tell you they sell more 9' 5 wts. for all-around trout fishing than any other rod configuration.
-- Mike
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My 6W gets time on big rivers when I expect wind and early in the season when I am fishing bigger and heavier flies.
But whenever I can I switch to 5W... good on rivers and big streams, and when fishing from a floattube on ponds. That would be 80-90% of the time.
I will switch to a 4W on small streams. I have a 3W but don't bother with it.... It is too limiting for my money.
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Peter F [url=http://www.fishingwithflies.com:9c413]www.fishingwithflies.com[/url:9c413]
pfrailey@hotmail.com
[This message has been edited by Peter F (edited 30 March 2006).]
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For me the 5wt is THE rod; so much so, that I have two ... an 8' and a 9' - no other wt rod do I have a duplicate.
Just like you, when I first started, the 6wt was touted as the all around rod wt. I still like my 6wt for going down a lazy river in my canoe and fishing for bass, using a popper and casting up and under the over hanging trees. The 6 does a little better job with some of the bigger bass poppers.
Dale
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Back in 1986 When I asked several of the Fly Fishing guru's hanging around the Beaver Kill and Willowemoc in the Catskills about what to get ( I was using a Berkley 6wt at the time) They suggested a Sage 5wt. I made the plunge and investment and have not looked back. I am now out west and fish rivers and lakes with an 8'6" 5wt RPL. I'm out probably 60 plus days a year. Like most other "entusiasts" I have a bunch of rods..can't help myself...but best all around rod 5wt 8' or 8'6" IMHO
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The best time to go fishing is when it's raining and when it's not
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When I am faced with this delimna...I just buy um both.
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For no specific long drawn out reason, MY all around go-to rod is a 5wt. I would further speculate that the heavier rods fit more situations than the lighter rods. One could fish more varied circumstances with an 8wt than with a 2 wt.
Mark
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I'd rather be in Wyoming!
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My next rod is going to be a 6 weight. Probably the TFO Professional. I really like my 5 weights and I don't intend yet to liquidate any of them. But, the 6 weight will perform in more situations. I will most likely use it for anything from Steelhead, to bass, to trout and even panfish. My 5's are great, but a 6 will handle bigger flies and more wind.
My nickel's worth.
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Life, is the time He gave you to determine where you want to spend eternity.
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Lotech Joe