Hi-
Would a 7'6" 4-wt. rod be a decent mid sized trout stream rod? Pros? Cons?
-S
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Hi-
Would a 7'6" 4-wt. rod be a decent mid sized trout stream rod? Pros? Cons?
-S
I use a 7'11" 3wt. The cons for me are casting heavy flies like weighted buggers and just because the stream is small doesn't mean the fish is. I hung a stream born bow on it a couple of months ago in a very small creek that was 24" if it was 1" :eek: I couldn't turn him at all. I have caught 20"ers but not stream born ones. The pro is that it makes dry fly fishing easier and makes you more nimble. My dad uses a 7'6" 4wt (Cabela's Stowaway) almost exclusively and loves it.
I'd consider that to be a pretty good rod for the task, depending on what you consider "small-mid", in an action that suits your casting style, of course. Some may prefer longer or shorter lengths, depending on their style and the tactics necessary on their given streams, but 7'-6" is a good all-purpose short rod length, and 4 wt should best reflect the weight required to throw the target variety of fly sizes you'd want to use in a small stream setting.
You should be fine for most all your trout waters with a 7 1/2' 4wt.
My favorite Small stream rod is a 7' 3wt built on a Firecane glass blank. It handles most anything I hook and will even cast a #10 Stimulator pretty nicely if need be. Weighted nymphs and streamers are a different story however.
Try a 7'9" 5 weight. Great size for small to mid sized streams. Mine is a Orvis clearwater, great rod. I think TFO makes one too, not sure though.
Moving right up there to the top of my favorite list ... a 605-2 Diamond Glass rod that I built last fall. Used it EXCLUSIVELY in the Snowy Range, everyday, for the past two weeks. Had bamboos with me, but fished the glass. Handled big fish and little fish; small flies and moderate flies; all very, very well. Streams were small to medium, light waters to deep roaring holes, awesome!!
My own preference for any conditions where the size of the flies, the amount of wind, and the required length of casts permit, is a 7'6" for 3 wt. The one I am using currently is a Winston Ibis. Thinking about going with a different maker / type of rod in the near future, but in the same length and line weight.
The pros are that this length and weight rod ( your 7'6" for 4 wt ) will handle just about any fly you want to use, including some fair sized weighted nymphs, probably up to size 6 4X long, and good sized dry flies, up to size 8 2X long stoneflies and hoppers, for example, on mid size rivers, and should cast reasonably well in a breeze, if not a gale.
The 7'6" for 4 wt should easily handle any fish you catch in a mid size river. And if you can't handle the "big one" you'll still be happy that you hooked him and you'll still have a great memory from the experience. I've landed 18" plus trouts in fast water on my 3 wt without feeling that I was stressing the rod.
The shorter / lighter rods are easier to fish over the course of a long day on the water. When I step up to my 5 wt, the difference is very noticeable. Doesn't stop me from fishing it, just is a bit more tiring after hours on the water.
The shorter rods are easier to transport, and easier to handle around close quarters.
The cons are that bigger flies and tandems of weighted nymphs, stronger winds, and longer casting distances don't mix well with the shorter / lighter rods. Some of the really good casters can do with a 3 or 4 wt what a lot of us might prefer a 5 or 6 wt for, but those guys are the exceptions.
John
My small-stream rig is a 7'6" 4wt also. Short enough to get around in the rhododendron and still cast well.
I also like a soft action rod for small streams. Bow-n-arrow casts, etc are the norm on several small streams I fish. A medium action rod (or softer) is also a must for me too on these streams.
My small stream rod is a 476-2 Sage DS2. Perfect rod for the application!
My go to rod for small to medium rivers is an 8 1/2' 5 wt. It easily handles most of the flies I want to throw and is long enough to reach, mend and roll cast in tight quarters.
I have a short 6'9" 4 wt. and it is much more difficult for me to handle in tight situations.
Rick
Funny you should mention that...I'm thinking about getting a 7' 4 wt diamondglass. :)Quote:
Moving right up there to the top of my favorite list ... a 605-2 Diamond Glass rod that I built last fall.
I use 8' 4 weight for nearly everything to do with trout fishing.... I have a few models (actions) so...
the Winston BIIx will cast further than say the Winston TMF, for example.
it's as much the rod size, weight, action as it is the caster.
later,
Oregonian
You would LOVE it!! Have one on my building table right now. Unfortunately, it's for Cary!!:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Cold
I second the Oregonian. I have a Cortland Brook Series 8' 4wt that is my go to rod. On small to med streams it can handle weighted buggers right up to size #20 dries, maybe smaller, but I can't see smaller!
Betty, what kind of reel do you have with it? I have an Orvis BBS II ready for it, but I'm thinking I might do musical reels and but the heavier Teton Tioga on it, and put the BBS on my 3wt St. Croix graphite rod.Quote:
Originally Posted by Betty Hiner
I have the Orvis BBSII on my 605-2. Works like a charm!! Beautifully balanced.
I'm not sure quite how to define mid to small streams. After fishing rivers like the lower Sacramento, which can be hundreds of yards wide, many rivers that seem large to some seem small to me.
Even for small mountain streams and creeks I find a 9 ft rod more effective than shorter rods unless the terrain is congested. This is because with a 9ft rod I lift and mend more line. I have more reach if dapping. Also I can old more line off the water for both nymphing and fishing dry flies. For short line dry fly fishing, I can reach out farther while holding most if not all of the leader off the water. I have an old Powell 9ft 3/4wt that is a favority small stream rod.
Now just because I find a 9ft rod most effective, doesn't mean I find it the most fun. My favorite small water rod is my Sage 379-LL. I have a St. Croix Premier 8ft 4wt and a St. Croix Imperial 7ft 2/3wt as backups that I enjoy sometimes. I do find the 7 footer too short often but useful in many of the tight overgrown streams that I fished in the easter Sierra.
If the Sage 379-LL ever comes to harm, I will probably replace it with another 7'9" rod or a 7'6" rod, which is a good compromise.
The Orvis 7'9" 5 weight can be found as a Far n Fine, Silver Label, Rocky Mountain and the Clearwater. It is a great rod. I have 2 (just in case).Quote:
Originally Posted by terry13111
My primary rod is a pre-sanding Orvis 7-'9" 5wt Far-N-Fine. My 1st choice in rods should I have to choose.
I really enjoy taking my 7'6" 3wt redington to a small stream for small brookies.
Thanks! Good to hear! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Betty Hiner
That should work fine. I use a 7'6" 3wt for most (but not all) of my fishing on my home river and on all smaller mountain streams.
I have heard a lot of peeps talk about rods like a 2WT being a blast on a small stream. I want to build a cheap rod like this, and try it out.
I have an ibis 4wt 9' that I use now on streams.
Agreed! I wish I could afford another. I would love the "Far n Fine" version.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bakerloo
For what I consider small streams, I like a 7' 4WT with fine tips and the ability to roll cast easily. I have a couple of rods that fit that bill, but my favorite is a Heddon/Folsom 2/2.
For medium size streams I prefer a 7 1/2' or a 7' 9" 5WT. Have a few rods in that configuration, but as of now I prefer my Dave Male 7 1/2' 2/1. It fishes well in close but has the backbone to reach out 50' easily.
Both of these bamboo rods are effortless fishing tools.
If I had to pick just one, it would be the 7 1/2' with the 5.
Just my opinion, and everyone has one. Good luck finding the one that suits you best!:lol:
bobbyg
I agree, the FnF is one of the finest rods ever made for the type of fishing the OP suggests.Quote:
Originally Posted by NJTroutbum
I used to prefer an 8' 4wt for stream fishing. Now I do all my trout fishing on an 8'6" 5wt Sage SLT. When you find a rod that truely suits your casting style, it is hard to deviate from that one rod. Why squander your talents? For me, the only reason I can justify fishing anything less than a 5 for trout would to fish tiny brookie streams and to enjoy the pull of a small fish.
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