Favorite Trout Rod

[spike-2]

I would be interested to hear from the board members about their go to trout rod -- primary use in in small and medium size streams/rivers like the Ausable in Michigan or Bowens Creek in PA. Look forward to the responses. Dave

[lastchance]

Hi Dave! My Favorite dry fly rod is a custom built Sevier, 9-foot, 3/4 wt. It is a slow rod and a lot of fun casting dries to rising trout. My favorite nymphing rod is a Dan Craft Five Rivers FT Fast Action rod blank. It is a custom built 10-foot, 3 wt. 4-piece. It will also cast small streamers with no problem.
Bruce

[NJTroutbum]

Orvis 7'9" 5wt unsanded Far-and-Fine

[appalachian angler]

Orvis 7'9" 5wt unsanded Far-and-Fine

DITTO! About as good as it gets for an all around trout rod that is relaxing to cast and an absolute joy to play fish on!

aa

[Miltiades]

I have a 9 foot, 4 wt, fly logic FLP+. I really like the feel of it. A little slow action for some, but I like it. Wish it was a little shorter sometimes and longer others. A good all around rod for me.

[chewydog]

Sage 490 XP gets it done regardless of which fly is tied on.

[Fly Goddess]

Small stream, Hardy, The Test.

[sharps]

For wets and nymphs this relic from nearly 100 years ago. Painfully slow but what a rush with a fish on



For drys...and actually anything else, my 323 South Bend. It does excel as a dry fly rod but I'll throw anything with it.

[Fly Goddess]

What weight are those boos?

[Mato Kuwapi]

My absolute favorite for fishing the Ausable and Manistee...and most trout streams of that nature is my 7ft6in 3 wt. custom built, G.Loomis IMX ...now out of production). For slighty bigger rivers (or larger flies) like the Grand in Ontario, I like my 9ft 4wt Shakari HMX custom built by me. Unfortunately they aren't around anymore or I would have more of them. These are now what would be considered old technology, as they are about 10 yrs old or so... but I never felt the need to look at anything new. On bigger water like below Mio (MI), western rivers and most still water fishing I use a 9ft 5wt St. Croix Legend Elite (pre NSi resin technology). If your familiar with these blanks you will now know that I like rods that are light and fast, but I enjoy casting any rod to tell you the truth. Now I will say that I still test cast rods any time I get the chance. I also liked the Gatti blanks back when I built the ones mentioned above. I don't know if they are still in the market here or not. I used to get those blanks here in Ontario, but I haven't seen any in quite a while. I also really liked the Orvis Z-Axis. I'm not as crazy about the Helios.

If you were to ask me today what I would like to build on to own...
I'm really liking the newest St. Croix line of blanks. In particular the rods made with the NSi Resin: SCIV, SCV and SCVI blanks. I love the SC built Legend Elite but those rods and those fast blanks are certainly not for everybody. They are high end, in my book, and I don't like paying that kind of money for a rod...but I did break down and buy a Bank Robber...the first manufacured rod I've bought in over ten years.

I don't think I've ever found a fly rod that I just didn't like to cast. Some just took longer to love than others. It's like a freindship. It starts out with a greeting, a little awkward but comfortable...and after a time they grow on you and sometimes you just fall in love.