Cast a bunch of rods in search of a mountain stream rod

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
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I got some good news at work this past week, good enough where SWMBO agrees that I can proceed with looking for another fly rod.

My only rod now is a Sage FLi 9’ 5wt. I bought it to be my “all-around” rod, and it does pretty well. I fish a lot in the local tailwaters, normally nymphing under an indicator. The rod does well for that.

But I also really like fishing in the Smoky Mountain park. I stay off the larger areas, preferring to fish the smaller streams. While there are larger fish scattered here and there, I’m pretty much catching small stuff. The 5wt seems like overkill for these fish.

I want to work on becoming a better dry fly fisherman, but I may still need to fish nymphs now and then. With this in mind, I’ve hit some local fly shops to cast rods.

Don’t get me wrong, I like my Fli, but I didn’t want another Sage. I cast an old Winston a few months ago and it was incredible. Relaxing I guess you’d call it. So I started with Winstons - a couple of 4wt WT’s and a BIIx. I could NOT make the WT’s work. My rhythm was just off with those rods something fierce. The BIIx was better by far for me, but still did not feel like I was hoping for.

I also cast a trio of Sage rods - a TXL, an XP, and an SLT - all 3wt. I have to say that the 7’ 6" SLT was the most amazing feeling rod that I’ve cast. I felt like it had a more relaxed stroke, but I could still make it work. It also seemed to work better with shorter line out than the XP. The TXL just felt too small - probably the grip size.

Today I cast a St. Croix Avid (not the same price class, but I thought it worth a try) and the Scott G2 4wt. I really thought the Scott would be “it”. Nope. So far for my “feel”, I’d rank the SLT tops, the BIIx next, and the G2 after that.

Odd, I really didn’t want to get another Sage, but it’s looking like that’s the way I’m going to head at present. I’ts still a ways off, so I’ve got plenty of time to talk myself out of it. I’m still torn between 3wt or 4wt. It probably means I’m not really ready to buy yet.

[This message has been edited by 92Esquire (edited 15 July 2006).]

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Get the 3 wt…

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Yes but the 3wt WHAT? SLT, BIIx, G2…

So confusing. I do think that the reel I have will be perfect for any of them, though. One of the Orvis BBS reels, the last of the British made.

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The 3 wt. that feels best to you…of course!

Just to add to the confusion, have you checked out any boo rods? I know they are not everyone’s cup of tea, but…

[This message has been edited by tea stick (edited 15 July 2006).]

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The doRbeR Group, a sponsor here, makes a bunch of short, light rods designed for small stream fishing.

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I bought the St. Croix “Avid” 4-piece 4 weight ($200, which included the rod case) 6 foot 6 inch fly rod. I am using a 3 weight, Double Taper Cortland “Sylk” fly line. I also use a 4 weight, Weight Forward SA fly line.

I use the Double Taper where I have no backcast area, and the Weight Forward where I do. When my SA Weight Forward “Bites the Dust”, I will be replacing it with a Cortland “Sylk” 4 wt Weight Forward.

I think the best fly rod for the small streams, is a a short lightweight fly rod (shorter the better) specially where you have low space overhead, from tree branches.

Using my “Teton” Reel, with my St. Croix Avid, that gives me the correct rod balance when casting. I have a very potent fly rod setup.

~Parnelli

Cortland and St. Croix are “Sponsors of FAOL”!

[This message has been edited by Steven H. McGarthwaite (edited 15 July 2006).]

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92Esquire,

I’m a real fan of the Sage SLT. Just seems to fit my casting style and stroke to a tee.

Just out of curiosity, have you cast a Sage Launch series rod? If I buy another graphite rod in 3 or 4 wgt, that would be my choice. Action similar to an SLT, but a lot less money.

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Tea Stick - I have harbored a secret desire for boo for a long time - I’m just not sure that this is the right time for me to get into it. My view from the sidelines is that unless you’re willing to write a really big check, there’s a lot more “bad” boo out there than good.

RG/AR - thanks, I will look at their site.

Steven - I really thought that the Avid was a nice rod, and that sounds like a nice setup you have. Do you have any problems with trying to keep line off the water with a rod that short? I had a 7’ 6" 5wt for a while last year (an older St. Croix) and I had a heck of a time casting it. I’ve been leaning towards a rod closer to 8’ because conventional wisdom seems to be that it’s better for roll casting.

Ron - I spent a lot of time last year casting a Launch while going back and forth between the Launch and the FLi. Once I’d cast the FLi, I didn’t care for the Launch.

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92 - I learned how to trout ffish on the other side of the hill there, in NC. I used glass at the time, because that was PG (pre-graphite). But even now, both for durability (bushwhacking takes its toll) as well as handling short line, pocket water situations, I tend to glass for these applications.

Diamondglass has some lovely actions, more modern if you will. If you can find an old glass Fenwick or a Lamiglass, you might find them agreeable.

tl
les

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I have a rod similiar to Steven. It’s a pre-IPC Avid 6 1/2’ 3-pc 4wt. I have an Orvis BBSII on it and it seems like a really good small stream rod [I’ve only had limited use of it since I picked it up beacuse of the constant rain we’ve had this summer]. Roll casts quite well with a Cortland 444SL WF line and tosses 40-45’ casts well. I spent a very enjoyable day with it a coupla weeks ago rolling the line under overhanging trees and makin the odd full cast when I had room Didn’t catch anything large but with that rod the small ones I did catch were a lot of fun.

donald

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92Esquire:

I cast without catching anything behind me, The rod is 6’ 6", and my hand is 5’ 0" above the ground. So the “Tiptop” guide is 11’ 6" above the ground.

I cast with the reel seat held firmly against my arm (no spin-cast wrist movement), and let the rod load, using the my elbow as the fulcrum. This way, I do not have to strain to cast 60 feet, instead I let the rod be the lever to multiply my arm motion by 6. The loops are tight which will help “Keepyth Thynne Baakast Upeth!” ~Parnelli

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How small a mountain stream? I love my Diamond Glass 6’6"3# for the average stream, but on the little ones, I built a 5’ 2# that is incredibly fun!

Trouts don’t live in ugly places

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I guided a gentleman not long ago who had a 7’4" sage 4 weight. It felt lighter then a 4 weight. I think it was called a center axis. You need a sage reel as well because there was no butt or conventional reel seat. The reel attached directly to the back of the rod. It was an incredible rod and you should definitly do yourself a favour and try one if possible.

Ed

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it might be “low-end”, but check out the echo 1’s and echo 2’s…I have an echo 1 7’6" 3 wt. (they’re all 4 pc.) and it casts beautifully…plus, it’s got pretty decent backbone…at least good enough to bring in a 16" sea-run cutthroat…

good luck,
~Randy

~Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn’t drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, “It is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.”
Jack Handy~

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If I were in your position, I would concentrate on finding a rod that is DIFFERENT than the one you already have - not just a shorter verson. One the great pleasures in fishing is to have a variety of rods at your disposal, and to try them out on different water. If you have a long fast rod now, consider a 7foot medium action rod. Just cast them all until you find one you like in your price range.

Variety is the spice of life, and if you are serious about expanding your quiver, take the long-term approach and invest in a variety of actions and lengths. That being said, it looks like you are considering some very high-end rods; one thing you might consider is getting two rods- spend your big bucks on a short medium-action honey stick, and then get a cheap, faster rod like a TFO 8ft for the technical pocket water. Given the variety of streams and small water, I’d hate to be stuck with just one 3weight.

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Betty - what blank did you build the 5’ 2wt rod on? Sound like that would be a REALLY fun one.

Steven - I think you def of a small stream is different than mine. 60’ cast?

donald

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I used a Batson blank. Listed as a RX7 blank; IF502, Olive grn/m clear 2 sections. MSRP $31.00

It’s a total hoot! I’ve used it in South Dakota and Wyoming, on the little streams, and it can handle the big brookies easily!

Trouts don’t live in ugly places

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Thanks Betty. That sounds like one I’d like to try. I haven’t build a rod in quite a while and have been thinking about it lately - especially with the 90*+ temps around here the last week and a half.

donald