I am looking for recommendations on a shorter (7.5’) 3wt to use on smaller mountain streams chasing brookies and cutts that can also double as a sunfish rod for here at home in Texas. I would like it to be a 4 piece as I would like to use it on day hikes. I currently have med-fast to fast action rods in other weights (BIIX, Helios and Scott A3). While I like high end rods, I am not looking to break the bank with this 3wt. It will most likely get the least use out of my arsenal as I only get to the mountains a time or two a year and the wind here is normally too much for using a 3wt on a daily basis. I would like to hear what you guys recommend.
St Croix imperial…or TFO Finesse
I would look for a Sage SLT 373-3 . A very sweet rod indeed, fits your criteria to a “T”. Can be had new or used, fairly reasonable,( $275-$350). It is a 3 piece but very packable in a short tube.
redington ct 7’6", 4 piece 3 wt. nice medium action. retails for around $120-$130.
ECHO used to make just such a rod. I’ve got one and really like it, and have used it for small brookies in Nova Scotia. You might be able to find one on E-Bay, etc.
- Jeff
I’d highly recommend an 8’ 4" Scott G2 in 3wt.
I had a Sage SLT 7’6" 3wt and it was a very good rod but I found the little bit extra length made the Scott a better casting rod on the ponds for bluegill and the extra length let me get a bit more reach while high sticking in the mountain streams. I fish for trout mainly in the Smoky Mountains and most of the streams I fish can just about be jumped across and are choked in by overhead canopy. The longer rod lets me cast with less than a foot of fly line out of the tip and reach over the rocks to drop the fly in the pocket waters and plunge pools.
The Sage SLT that’s been recommended before is also a good choice the one I had was a sweet rod. They were discontinued a while back but you can still find them lightly used and probably some new ones hanging around too.
Just a thought.
Jeff
I like the St Croix avid in the 7’9" 3wt. Not all that fond of the avids in the longer lenght’s/wts but the 793 is dialed-in on the med side of med-fast. Very sweet casting, American made, and stealthy for those mountain brookies. The extra 3", and the slightly slower action lends itself to a good roll caster in those tighter creeks. Would also make for a good brim buster! Not made in USA, but also consider the Cortland Brook series and the Diamondback Flawless rods for similar action. Actually, I think the Avid may even be a touch cheaper.
aa
If you really don’t want to break the bank, how about a Cabelas stow away?
TFO Professional is my choice in that configuration. I LOVE that rod. It’s kinda ugly but it just seems to be perfect for small streams.
Rich
I recommend the 7 1/2 foot, 3wt, 3 piece Cabela’s Three Forks Fly Rod ($50.00 - does not include a case)
You can a combo (rod, reel, line, leader, but no case) for $80.00
I have been really pleased with mine.
Vinny
Check out: Building Fly Rods from Forecast E-Glass Ultralight Spinning Blank By Jim Flamming, Grand Rapids, MI - August 6th, 2007 : http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/readerscast/rc457.php
I built several of these little 3 wt.s, and they were nice, very inexpensive little rods. Not the best ever, but more than servicable; and cheap enough to give a way, if ya’ ran into a kid with a hankerin’ to learn.
Yes. Everything he said about the 793 Avid. Exactly.
+1
+1 on the Redington CT. I have the 5wt and it is sweet and smooth as butter…I can only imagine that the 3wt is the same.
also,
+1 on the Echo classic from a few years ago. This, I do have and won’t be purchasing another 3wt for a long long time (unless I can find a Diamondglass). It’s a great rod, nice moderate action, and surprising amount of butt strength.
I bought one of the combo’s that was mentioned above.
Came with a nice (free), assortment of flies (32 of’em), I’m new to fly fishing so I don’t know all the tech. stuff. What I do kno is it works for me. The action is a lot slower than the three forks 6wt. that I have had for about 10 years (didn’t start trying to figure all of this stuff out till this past April).
I have found that I HAVE to pay more attention to my casting with the 3wt. But … that’s ok.
Remember, the shorter the rod gets, the stiffer it gets. So. For a small 3 wt. like that I would prefer a more medium rod, not medium-fast. I like the Winston WT or BIIt and the original Scott G. The TFO finesse is a good suggestion and the Redington CT is also probably also a good choice. Also, the Orvis Superfine Trout Bum (old version) would be good. The Winston BIIt would be my first choice in graphite (spendy). BUT, having said all this, I would suggest you look at glass. Softer, more feel, more durable. I have the Diamondbglass 7’ 3 wt. and it’s wonderful. There are lot’s of good glass rod makers now. TFO made some glass rods, Murphy’s new company in Florida makes some, some old Lamiglas around, Johnson, Stephen Bros, McFarland, etc.