2wt Outfit

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

Help me put together a (relatively) budget 2wt outfit. A lot of the streams that I’m planning on targeting this year are small, tight streams so I don’t want to go any longer than a 6’6". I’d like to hear suggestions on everything, but especially line types/brands. I’m also not trying to spend a fortune. That being said, I’m a firm believer in ‘you get what you pay for’, so I’m willing to pay for quality.

Thanks.
Mark

2

Mark,

If you’re up for making your own, I highly recommend this:

http://store.hookhack.com/Forecast-Blank-6-6-2-Wt-4-piece/productinfo/BB6624B/

Regards,
Scott

3

Budget-wise vs quality, I don’t think you can go wrong with the Batsn or Sevier blanks. My Seviers have landed warm water species up to 7 #'s, and many rainbows up to 17" and still had a lot left in them. They are a real ball to fish with, and very manageable.

4

The Cabela’s catalogue has 31 pages of fly rods! Very few 2 wt’s., none matching your 6’6" and all expensive! The Hook & Hackle kit recommended by Scott is a perfect match. (I think it was my second build and very easy) I had Ron swap out the snake guides for single foots. There are some very good articles on rod building in the archives.

5

Definitely the time to start building your own rod!

6

I bought one of these when I was at the Mid West show in MI a few years back. Love it. Put a smal Martin reel on it and use it on the small streams around here.

http://www.green-stix.com/Flyrods.html

7

A good choice for a rod would be the TFO Signature Series rod in their 6’ 0", 2 weight, 2 piece version. Then get yourself a decent click & pawl reel and a double taper line or a weight forward line and you will have it made.
http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/products/rods/signature.html

Larry —sagefisher—

8

If you have never fished short rods, I suggest trying it before spending a chunk of change. They are different.

Cabelas does have a short 2, the TQR, in 5’ and 7’ lengths. 5’ is a little over $100. Never fished one of these, they replaced the Clear Creek rods, that I do own and have fished a lot.

TFO’s Finesse 2wt is 7’3", so outside your parameters. Their Lefty Kreh Signature II line has a 6’ 2wt, tho., for about $120.

Or you can build one from any number of blanks. Or build yourself a boo. S

My 1wt sports a SA System 2L 2/3 reel, and for lighter rods (5 and under) I prefer an SA XPS DT line in gray.

9

I have some old fiberglass rods that are short, just not a 2wt.

Thanks for the replies. I’m going to look into the prospect of building a rod myself, it honestly hadn’t ever crossed my mind until Scott mentioned it. Any suggestions on a good, all inclusive kit or should I buy the components separately? I’ll check out the rod building pages to pick the brains of those who frequent them as well.

Thanks again. Any other suggestions on putting an outfit together?

10

Mark,

The Hook and Hackle kits are pretty good. I did what Jack Hise suggested and subbed single foot guides for snakes. I also went with a single-piece cork handle/reel seat just because they looked cool.

Regards,
Scott

ps - http://rodbuilding.org/list.php?2 is a great site if you want to roll your own

11

Little is needed in the way of tools to build a rod. When you purchase a kit with glues there will be enough for several rods so the next one(s) will cost less. Mixing the epoxies correctly is the most important step. (Tip: White Vinigar will clean up uncured epoxy) A clean well lit low traffic area is a big help. I would also suggest building the 4 pc kit as the smaller sections will be easier to handle and the rod will be easier to carry when brush beating to those small streams.

12

Just one thing about single foot guides, they are a little harder to handle. For the first one, I would rather see you go to the extra work of the double foots. Not much more work on a short rod.

13

NCVirginian, if you don’t want to build a rod check out the TFO 6’ 2wt. I was given one by a friend of mine who frequents here and Warm Fly site, it’s a blast for 'gills and will handle some bass if needed. TFO is a good Bang for your Buck. Y’all take care, John.

14

The only thing that I might add to this, is there is no greater satisfaction, than catching a fish on a rod you have built, on a fly that you have tied.

15

A guy on this site name of bigdadyrods built me a beautiful 6’6" 2 wt. I’m sure he would build you one also. I have a Ross Colorado 0 reel on it, and I overline it with a Rio Gold 3WF line. Perfect small stream outfit.

16

Speaking of tools. . .what tools WILL I need?

17

Wildwater Rods also sell a 5’6" 3wt for around a $100.

18

I also would vote for the Forecast 6’6’’ rod kit. I cast mine with a 2wt double taper line and a simple single action reel. With a little time and patience building your own will be no problem. Just my 2 cents

19

I second this suggestion! I built this rod from this kit and it is well worth the money. Nice rod that you can put an inexpensive reel on and not feel outclassed or under-gunned in most small/medium stream situations.

Allan

20

NCVirginian, if you are interseted in building and the equipment needed check out the fod building sections both on here and other fly fishing forums. Rod building is much like fly tying, you can go from mild to wild on equipment if you want but it still comes down to the individual persons skills and desire to do a good job and turn out a great end product. Take care, John.