9' 4wt Rod Recommendations

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

All, I’ve decided that I need to add a long light line rod to my arsenal and think a 9’ 4wt would be ideal. The primary use would be for small dries as well as light nymphing (midges) in middle TN tailwaters.

I have a 9’ 5wt Scott Radian that I truly enjoy fishing, but I sometimes feel over gunned when wade fishing which is what I do most of the time.

I’ve done some research on this forum and others and have talked to the guys at my local shop. I have it narrowed down at this time to Scott Raidan, Loomis NRX, one of the various Sage rods. I hope to be able to cast these rods later in the week.

Are they any others that I should consider?

Thanks!

2

I would not rule out the TFO BVK.

3

RALMD11,

As my ‘name’ implies, I am partial to Sage rods, but Loomis and Scott also make decent rods, as do many other manufactures. For small dry fly casting I love my Sage Circa (a true slow action rod), but if you are going to use the rod for nymphing then I would suggest a medium rod, it can handle small dries and small nymphing rigs. If you are going to be casting heavy nymphing rigs with it I would suggest a medium-fast rod. No matter which you choose, I am sure you will like it, any that you mentioned would be good, but like I said, I am partial to Sage rods. :slight_smile:

Larry —sagefisher—

4

Agreed.

Ed

5

Only you can decide of course, but I’ll second (third?) the BVK suggestion. It’s a very impressive rod at its price point. Amongst the higher end rods, I have cast and liked the Radian, Sage One and Winston BIIIX as similarly versatile rods that would likely feel good casting dries but have plenty of backbone for nymphing too.

6

For medium and smaller streams I would try a TFO Finesse. I have the 4wt and love it for this type of fishing. for bigger water you may want to also look at the Scott S3. these can be got at a discount now.

7

RALMD,
I think your three mentioned rods are ones you should choose from. My next rod will be an NRX.

8

What about the Sage LL series rods …from the past?

9

Duck,
I had a 2 piece which was a 2 weight. I loved it. So, I got a 4 weight, which was a multi-piece rod and did not like it at all. Funny how things work with rods.

10

Had a two piece 3wt LL some time ago, regretted selling it. Bought a 9’5wt RPL. Last sage I had. Never a fan of Loomis…tried hard though to like them through the 90’s though. Cost me a lot. Like the unsanded Scott the most. Never owned a TFO, but fished a 9’ 4wt BVK this winter for a day. Was impressed. But everybody has a different hand.

11

I want to provide an update to help others out that may have the same quest.

I went to my local shop, FlySouth, and trialed a number of different rods yesterday. I think I’m probably a fairly average caster. I still get the occassional tailing loop when I get too quick or overpower the cast.

My routine was to cast to targets at ~30 feet, 45-50 feet, then longer casts with a double haul (~60-65), followed by tuck casts, reach casts, and then see how tight I could make the loops.

I trialed NRX, Radian, One, Accel, Mod all in 9’ 4wt

NRX - for me almost automatic at 30’. There is feel, but probably a stiffer tip than some others (MOD, Accel). At ~45 feet, automatic. I could put the fly where I wanted it. Reach and tucks were no problem. I had no problem touching 65 feet with a double haul, unreal amount of power in this rod. It was crazy to me the range that this rod covered.

Radian - I thought this was going to be the rod going into testing. The tip is softer than NRX. I could feel the rod in close at 30’, but I was not as accurate with this rod. It didn’t seem to track quite as well. 45’ was great, very smooth. There is definitely enough power to touch 65’ no problem. Again a very versatile rod that would cover all bases. These rods are beautiful as well. Radian is very light in the hand.

One - Accurate for me at 30’, but little feel. At 45-50’ very accurate, very light, tracks true. Plenty of power to get to 65’. Overall a very light rod in the hand.

Mod - Different rod entirely from the above rods. Truly a slower action, Moderate is very accurate. Light in the hand. Tracks very true, and accurate. The action was not for me, but I like a faster rod.

Accel - Very nice rod. The action is between Mod and the others. Very approachable rod and easy to cast. Very accurate at all the distances, and really shined at 30’ and 45’. No problem reaching 65’ but not as much power as say the NRX/Radian/One.

For me, the NRX was best. When casting, I made the comment that “this one is fun to cast”. For my application, an all around light tailwater trout rod, this rod checked all the boxes. Of course, I still need to fish it to be sure and hopefully I’ll get out in the next week. I’ll plan to report back with some on the water experience.

12

RALMD,

Thanks for the update. Hope to see you on the stream someday, somewhere with each of us fishing the NRX!

13

You can try out the rods at Cumberland Transit, too. It’s only a few blocks from FlySouth. At least one of the staff is a member here.

Regards,
Ed

14

For a Middle Tn. tailwater fisherman, I can understand the desire to fish “lighter” rods as most of the fish you encounter are not the kinda brutes you find over on east Tn, tails. I just sold my Sage XP 490, and felt that it, or the Sage Z-axis 490 rods would have been ideal for rivers like the Caney. I hated to do it (sell the XP) but I have a very ill, anemic little Chihuahua needed some help. Enjoy your NRX!