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Depends on the 4wt you're talking about and the angler. I would tackle a lot bigger fish on a 10' 4-wt Sage XP than a winston 7' 4-wt wt. Plus, if someone knows how to fight a fish harder and w/ the butt of the rod, they can land some pretty serious fish on a 4-wt. I used to land Pinks to about 6 lbs on my Scott 8' 4-wt fiberglass, and even landed about a 9-lb silver on it. But I was pushing the limits of the rod. Most of the time, I use my 4-wt rods for trout to about 3 or 4 lbs.
Fun question thanks for asking.
-John
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Mikeytwoshoes: "the biggest one in the water."
Right on http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/biggrin.gif
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I've caught 20 inchers on a 9 foot 2 weight, so I 'd say you'll be fine, just let him run when he wants to and keep a little pressure on him, and work him downstream. The only problem is it tires them out a lot, so release him as son as you get him in to increase his odds of survival.
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Armed with a 4wt, I fear no trout.
Remember, the world record brown was caught on an ultralight spinning rod and 4# line.
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Do they make 40 lb. trout these day?? I wouldn't mind one of those.
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I was guiding on the Missouri River and saw a guy land a 26? brown trout on a 4wt. Bamboo rod. The fish died from exhaustion. No judgment here, make your own choice.
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If you're planning to keep the fish, I think with skill you can land just about any trout on a 4 wt. The only problem is that generally speaking the lighter the rod, the longer it takes to land a big fish, and the longer it takes the more stress is put on the fish, and the less chance it has of surviving the battle.
Bob
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There is a fine line between fly fishing, and standing in the water waving a stick.
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Thanks guys...this one sparked some pretty interesting comments.
Benjo...I wouldn't say that I'm second guessing the rod purchase at this point, I was really just asking out of curiosity. In my spin fishing days I landed a 12 lb. Steelhead on a 4.5' ultralight rod while fishing for brookies in a small stream. I realize that the angler's skill and patience can more that make up for lighter gear.
I can't wait to get out on the water! Why do I buy new rods in the winter? (And why did it always rain the day my parents bought me a new bicycle?).
Cheers,
Andrew
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I have to agree with Jonas on this one. A person could land any size trout on even a 2 weight, but unfortunately, most people I've seen fish that light for fish over 18", do it just to say they did without thinking through a strategy to land trout quickly. It takes more skill to land big trout on a light rod because you really have to make that rod and your reel work to their potential to get the fish in. IMHO, not many people can do this successfully .
For instance, when I've fished with a 3 weight for large trout, I have the rod bent into a candy can shape literally. I put the absolute most pressure the rod will take ( and it will take more than most people think ) to land the fish. I'm also only using 6x tippet. On the other hand, if done correctly, one can land a large trout just as quick with a 3 weight as with a 5 weight.
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Jude
Small flies work best. Elephants eat peanuts.
www.customflys.com
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its all in the tippet and the person behind the rod,,what weight rod will protect the tippet...isnt a 6 x tippet the same on any rod,,,can you play a fish harder with a 6 wt rod than a 4 wt. on the same 6 x tippet
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make a rod, catch a fish