My b-day is coming up and I’m looking for something of outstanding quality that is as close to free as it can get. Seriously, any opinions on small rods out there?
I’ve got a 6’6" 2 wt that I built on a PT+ blank. I got the blank on sale at Cabela’s for $11.99 and the grip was built out of wine corks. The total cost was somewhere around $30. It is the lightest rod I have ever fished. Very responsive and casts like a dream, when the wind is not gusting over 15mph.
The only thing I have caught on it so far are a few small bluegill. They were a lot of fun though. Hopefully next week I’ll get a trout on it…
Black Co
I own two different 3wt rods, a Winston LT ($650) and a Cabala’s 5pc Stowaway ($99) I like them both, but if I close my eyes and don’t look at the label I might even like the Stowaway a little better…
The fit an finish on the Winston is flawless, it has the best cork handle I have ever seen on a production rod. Beautiful nickle silver fittings.
The Stowaway rod needed some fine tuning to get the ferrules just right, the cork is of a decent grade. I can find some small blemishes in the finish if the sun is just right. But it really feels good in the hand!
Martin has a whippy little seven footer Rolling Fork that is kinda fun,I think I paid 60 bucks for it,slow as it goes though.Don’t know what kind of speed your lookin for
The Cabela’s Three Forks 3wt has an absolute cult following.
Yup, Cabelas Three Forks 7’6" 3wt. A great bargain and great fun for around $50.
Dean
I have a Gatti 8ft 6in PT that I lke. It was a bit hard to find the right line for me ,
the Rio Grand works great. I also like The cortland Camo intermedite in 4wt for the rod.
You get what you Pay For!
Fishin’ Jimmy
Is that you make sure you buy what you want whatever the brand for in this day and economy if you don’t like it you will be damned hard to sell it and not take a huge lose on it,nothing is resaling well now,including fishing related items…
Great Bay Rods was just featured in the new gear section of Fly Rod and Reel and have seemed to have built quite a following as well as some great reviews in international fly magazines.
Their Winding Brook series seems to be their small stream series of choice with plenty of 3 weight models to choose from and considering they’re made here in the States a good value for the money.
http://www.greatbayrods.com/Winding%20Brook%20Series.html
Another vote for the Cabela Three Forks 3wt!
I am more than pleased with my 9ft 3 wt that I bought from Hook & Hackle 5 years ago. It has been used many many times and has held up well. Plus H&H is a FAOL sponsor.
Tim
…and another vote for the Cabela’s Three Forks 3wt. If your looking for “close to free” without finishing your own. Great little rod, fantastic little price.
Mike
I have a St. Croix Avid 6’6" three piece 4 wt. that I use with a 3 wt. line for small streams. Sweet rod that can cast the leader with little effort, but not built for anything over 40’. The 3 wt line, for me, is a better match for this rod in my opinion.
Glenn
My local Bass Pro used to carry this rod. I would drool over it on a regular basis but never pulled the trigger.
Occasionally on ebay you will see an auction for an
EAGLE CLAW 7foot 3 Wt GRANGER XG GRAPHITE FLY ROD
Originally priced at $24.95 they now fetch about $10 more.
Good rod with fast tip.
Bought a 3wt 7’6" TFO Pro rod two years ago…use it on small streams and even on my local tailwater. Put a TFO midge reel on it and have the cartridges loaded with a 3WF, a 2WF, and 4W DT. Covers the WHOLE spectrum of moods I’m in to cast.
2 WF is quick
3 WF Traditional feel mid to tip feel
4 DT Rolls like a dream
Like it sooo much am thinking about a matched set 3,4,5,7, already have the 8
I have a St. Croix 6’6" 3 wt Avid 3 piece that casts like a dream. For around $119 I was very pleased with its performance.
Bob
Check out the For Sale Board
Terry13111 has a post on the For Sale area selling several 3wt rods at very cheep prices…you should check it out.
Bob
Go to Midwest Custom Fly Rods, this guy does great work and they are pretty cheap $130 range. IF you go to talkflyfishing.com his name is steeldrifter, you will see a post with certain rods he had built just now, but he can build you one in 7-10 days.
Mike