Rods under a 4 weight should not be used for trout over 12 or 14 inches, if in fact the rods are that light you will worry and tire a decent fish to death. (not necessariily when you release him, but later.)
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Rods under a 4 weight should not be used for trout over 12 or 14 inches, if in fact the rods are that light you will worry and tire a decent fish to death. (not necessariily when you release him, but later.)
I'm a Jersey guy, so the Lehigh Valley Limestoners in Eastern PA are closer to me, and I'm going to be spending time on them.
However, the question comes about partly because I'm going to be spending four days on Spring Creek near Bellefonte in a few months. That is a no-kill stream with predominantly wild browns. Is that in Centre County? I think so.
Adding some more information. The lightest rod I have is a 5-weight. I've also acquired an interest in trying out furled leaders.
Basically, the recommended match for furled leaders on the Blue Sky web site is something like
leader 1 -- 0-3 weight line -- 6x and above tippet.
Leader 2 -- 3-5 weight line -- 4x to 6x tippet.
Or something like that. This is what got me started thinking possibly a 3-weight. I realize those are guidelines and I should try them out. But there's no harm in seeking input. BTW, I do appreciate the discussion.
RonMT and others--
a 3 wt rod is no worse on fish than a 5 ewt, IMO. when i land a fish, that fish never leaves the water for more than a few seconds to remove the hook.
i still dont see how using a 5 wt and 6X tippet is "better" for the fish than a 3 wt and 6X tippet. the weakest point in my gear is still my tippet, which will break at the same point. the only difference would be the flex(as you adequately called it) that will protect the tippet from shock.
dont get me wrong. if im fishing a lake or a large river that averages 19" fish, i use my 5 wt, and typically 4 or 5X. those are not the areas i tend to fish. i fish small streams and rivers where the average fish size is 12-14", with the occasional lunker coming into play.
BigFlatBrook,,, your 5 wt. will work fine, ,its not a magic line wt or leader its the fisherman that controls the fish. be happy with what you have as you can see most of us don't agree on what is best.time will give you a idea whats best for you....good luck
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make a rod, catch a fish
tyflier- I never said a 3 wgt was bad infact I own a couple of them. I just do not think the smaller 0Wgt, 1Wgt and 2Wgt's are nessary. I think people over play fish and hurt them when using those light rods. Seems people take offence when they are told that. But most people don't get to fish enough to know the difference or to know how to use a rod that small but they will tell you they do because they don't like being told what is good or bad.
I can take a 3Wgt rod and land any fish that any one else can land on any smaller rod. Not only is it the line weight but also the action of the rod and the tippet strength that comes into play.
I guided spring creeks for almost 40 years so I fish those types of rods most of my life and if you look at Fox, Marinaro and other's none of them used those light weight rods. They didn't feel it was nessary or that it was good for the fish. I had the privlage to meet Mr Fox and he told me he used a 4 or 5 wgt for all most all of his spring creek fishing as did Marinaro. In fact Marinaro didn't like short rods either.
Like I said before. People will be people and it is hard to make them understand things that they do not think are right. But like I also said it is no sweat off my brow. I will just use my 3 Wgt and Higher line wgt rods and do quite well without harming the fish. Ron
[This message has been edited by RonMT (edited 02 March 2005).]
I Can't believe some of you guys! You can play a fish too long no matter what weight rod you are using.
I use my one weight when fish average small and If I should get ahold of a lunker on it and I can't land it before he gets too tired, I break him off. It may cost a fly but whats 10 cents when you can release a fish in perfect shape. And about 50% of the time(or more)you'll get your fly back anyway. I enjoy seeing the fish flash off for his own stomping grounds.
Little Juniata33 What kinda tippets are you using that a little twich on your part won't break off a fish before you've worried the poor devil to death?
Maybe I should name my particular kind of release. I don't read the trout literature any more but can't believe that I'm the only one who uses it! How about if I call it a *snap* release.
Dang, its easier for you young guys to tie on another fly than us old duffers.
Ol' Bill
BigFlatBrook:
In the Lehigh Valley, my backyard, a 4 or 5wt 8 foot rod is perfect for most streams. I use everything from a 9'0 rod to a 7'0 rod depending on my mood and the flies I plan on throwing. Around here the hatches are sparse and few with the exception of Sulphurs and Tricos. The same rod choice is also fine for Spring Creek. Have fun and enjoy!
buildsrods:
Charlie Fox and Vince Marinaro were my heros too. Fortunately for me I was old enough and fortunate enough to get to hang out with them a few times. They taught me more things than they realized and shaped forever my opinions on fishing.
I also owe Charlie credit for pointing out two huge fish lies to me, one on the Letort and one on Big Springs that resulted in two fish in the 24-26" range. Both caught by the way on 6 weight rods!
Buildsrods,
Yes, I love that little 7'9" bamboo rod. I bought it in Germany in 1952 to fish a tiny stream near the airbase that I was assigned to. Most of the fish there were up to 12 inches. But I did catch one of 21 1/2 inches on it with no problems. I still have it and will make measurements so you can duplicate it if you want me to. I retired it when the tube filled with water from a leaky boot on my convertable. The damn thing was pushed up under the boot when the trunk was filled for a weekend at the lake. I thought that it had been stolen. The sock was rotted and the sections were separated. The bamboo swelled enough to crack the ferrule. My best guess is that that rod was soaked from 1956 to about 1963. I dried her out and reglued and refinished it about 25 years ago and tried it out again. But it wasn't the same rod after all that neglect. Looks good though.
When showing it off on Hunting Creek in Maryland, It caused quite a stir. At that time, nothing I had ever seen in this country was anything but 9' for gentlemen and 8 1/2 feet for the ladies.
Ol Bill
snipe,, thank you for the offer of the rod plans, i no longer have the planes and forms to make a rod..all i make now is glass and graphite. well rather Assemble them .lol [ keeps me out of trouble ]
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make a rod, catch a fish