Heavy, Medium, or Light

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

This may or may not be a controversial topic. I remember reading an old article in Field & Stream by one of my favorite writers, Gene Hill, about his preferred rods. I don’t have the article in front of me - no, it’s packed away with the bulk of my magazine collection in a closet.

The gist of the article was though, that Gene didn’t want to stress fish too much, and as such his go-to rod for 99% of fishing situations was a 9 weight. His reasoning was that the 9 weight could be cast almost as delicately as a 6 weight - he could cast a size 14 dry fly fairly well with it, just as he could cast a size 2 weighted Wooly Bugger. The 9 had enough backbone and strength to quickly play and land a fish without overexerting it, even if you lost some of the fun of the fight. He likened the 9wts as the 12 guage shotgun of the flyfishing world - very versatile if the person holding it did their part.

I don’t necessarily see eye to eye with Gene on that point - I mean I understand his logic, but I find myself drawn to the light weight rods, within reason. I’m sure for small streams, Gene had a 4 weight tucked away. With me, the streams I fish don’t grow monster fish, the largest trout I’ve ever landed on any of my three favorite streams went a whopping 13 inches or so. Gaints for their home water, but not that big in the scheme of things. They’re usually narrow, and bushy. My little 3 weight, and my new 2 weight will handle those jobs much better than a 9 weight could. If I’m not fishing for small trout, I’m usually tossing flies to bluegill, crappie, and bass. Biggest fly-caught bass was about 5lbs, landed with a 9 foot 5 weight rod and a stout 8lb leader, using a Deciever.

I’ve taken a major interest in carp on a fly - and hopefully this year will see that dream come to fruition. For carp I’ve got a 6 weight ready and waiting for them.

I know Gene had some issues with folks like AJ McLean who fished for damn near every species of fish you could fish for with the little 6 foot “midge” rods of the time - rods that would run probably in the 2 or 3 weight category. Bonefish on a 3 weight would be exciting, but I can see how that would lead to increased mortality with the fish. Lactic acidosis is a fish killer. I know there’s folks on here that are probably members of the Orvis 1 club - and have probably landed a number of bigger fish on small rods. There’s probably just as many people who think those people are nuttier than squirrel poop, and wouldn’t knowingly fish for bigger fish with anything less than a medium or heavy weight rod.

What are your views on the issue? Where do you stand - is big fish on small light rods a no no, or do you say ‘hooah’ and continue your quest for the 5lb brown on an 0wt rod?

Like I said before, I’m a light tackle guy, tho I prefer to chase the smaller fish. I wouldn’t go steelheading with anything less than a 6. When I fish gear, I usually have an ultralight rod in my hand, but again, I’m targeting smaller fish usually. Smallmouth/Largemouth bass in the 1/2 to 5lb range. At the same time though, I do thoroughly enjoy fishing for big carp on ultra light spinning tackle, and have landed a 20lb beast on 4lb line. I played that fish for about 20-30 minutes before bringing her to hand, and I released her quickly. She shot off away from the bank without hesistation, and I’m sure she probably made it. Carp are hardier than trout. I wouldn’t think of trying to land a 20lb trout on 4 lb line.

2

For most fish I’m dealing with (trout, bass, panfish, carp), I’m not as worried with the rod as the tippet in almost all situations. You can fish a lot of species with a 5wt. problem is with the leader and tippet.

3

If you can break the tippet with the rod in your hand, you cannot exert any more pressure to the fish with a heavier rod.
…lee s.

4

Hi All,

It seems to me that things have changed over the years. Certainly there were people like Lee Wulff who did extraordinary things with short, light rods. But I remember starting out in the late ‘60’s and buying a Fenwick 7’ 5 wt that was considered a pretty light rod - a 6 wt being the trout fishing standard. Some even said 7 weights for out west. I think the move to light rods (I fish a 4 wt XP most of the time) is, in part, driven by the rod making industry. It’s in their interest to have us all have a full quiver of the latest. That said, I’m going to a fly fishing show later this morning in the Chicago area where I hope to try a 1 or 2 wt.

BTW, a friend of mine who used to guide extensively in New Zealand, told of local trout ff’ing gurus who would use 8 and 9 weights because it was easier to cast 14 to 16’ leaders, insuring the most delicate presentaion.

Bob

5

Lately I’ve been leaning towards the heavier side. I do quite a bit of fishing for smallmouth bass, and until last year I was using mostly a six weight rod. I recently purchased an eight weight rod and when I use the heavier rod, it takes far less effort to toss larger, heavier, bulkier flies. The eight weight is overkill for smaller bass, but I seem to catch larger bass overall because I’m using bigger flies. Perhaps I’ll have to split the difference and get a seven weight.

When I’m panfishing, using a heavier rod (5 or 5 weight) makes dealing with the wind much easier. If there is no wind, I’ll use a a three or four weight, but in windy conditions I catch more panfish with a heavier rod because my casts are better.

6

I bet AJ’s “midge” rod was around a 5 or 6 wt. I believe anything under a 4wt is probablly some what of a new invention. Lee Wulffs 6’ Midge rod was a 5wt.
I like the shorter rods now a days. I fish mostly with 7’ to 7’6" rods but I do love to fish 5’-6’ cane rods. These rods might be short and lack some casting distance and mending ability but they are by no means wimpy when it comes to fighting fish.

7

I agree with Idabelangler, short rods have an advantage for fighting fish. Being shorter you have a shorte “resistance” arm on the third degree lever that your rod is. Hence, less power needed on the “power” arm to displace a fish of a given weight (within certain logical limits, of course). That’s why many times I feel far more secure bringing in a 4 pound rainbow in still waters on a 7 ft 3 wt than on a 9 ft 3 wt. Mechanical advantage. The fish “feels” lighter because of the shorter rod.
The disadvantage of shorter rods is line control, back-cast clearance over existing vegetation, casting in wind and when your hip deep while wading. A 9 footer just feels more confortable. That’s why in some instances I just love my 9 ft 5 wt and in others I prefer my 7 ft 3 wt, even though the average trout I might catch in both cases be only a 12 incher.
About ultralight gear, click onto to [url=http://www.byrdultrafly.com:5d983]www.byrdultrafly.com[/url:5d983] for some input. When used in the correct manner, an angler can drag in (and I mean really “drag” in, not just play until tired) a big fish in no time flat. In still waters, I’ve drug in 6 pound rainbows with a 3 wt in way under 5 minutes with 4x tippet. The key, remember the terms “keep your rod low”, “put the butt to them”, “put them on your reel”. Also, todays little 2 and 3 wts are a lot more stronger than you’d think (when used properly).
It is also relative to the species. If you’d normally use a 8 or 9 wt for bonefish, the use of a 6 wt might be considered ultralight for that species.
Wish you luck.

8

It just depends on the conditions and what I’m fishing for, but my 5’s, 6 & 7wt get fished most often. Cheers.

9

I can see the point, but always remember this. If you are fighting a fish and you start to feel it’s gone on too long you can simply reach out and grab the line, or straighten the rod and break the tippet. I have been known to do this rather than overstress the fish by continuing the fight.

Jeremy

10

nutty, RW here,

I am a light tackle nut too nutty. I fish most of the time with my 1 weight, and have no trouble landing fish up to 4 pounds, and, in a reasonable amount of time. Of course, there might be times when the fish you are pursuing reach weights and proportions too big to fish light tackle. But for panfish, small stream trout, and smallmouth bass, my preferred kind of fishing, the light tackle is just the ticket. When I catch a fish I want to feel like I’m “in” the fight, not just a guy hauling in numbers with something that’s kin to a telepone pole. There is something in this game of fly fishing for everyone, so don’t let anyone preach to you and tell you there isn’t. “To each his own” is my motto. Read my profile line.

Later, RW

“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-

11

I tend to fish light tackle. Before flyfishing, I was ridiculed for fishing a 5’ UL spinning & 2 lb line, but guess who caught more?
I think a lot of folks rear back & try to haul a fish in with rod bent double…bad way to fish, but good way to break a rod. My rule is simple…keep the rod low & (at least in my experience) at about a 45 degree angle bend for pressuring the fish, certainly NEVER more than 90 degrees. You can put a LOT of pressure on with a light rod, & don’t forget, the softer lighter rods will absorb more impact than a real fast rod, thus effectively “strengthening” your tippet.
My current lightest is a 3 wt & I took a channel cat of about 6 lbs (22") with that, & I never felt “out of control”…I’m sure I’ll go lighter at some point in time.
Mike

This site’s about sharing!

12

I also have gone back to using heavier lines. The lightest line I will use anymore is 4wt and I am often using a 6wt for trout. I have come full circle on this issue and believe that there is something to those old “rules” about needing X rod wt for X size fly. In my case it is more about the amount of split shot I have on the tippet.

I compensate by using soft bendy rods. I assume you are familiar with the Commom Sense System. My rods CCS 2 line weight light and are somewhere north of full flex.

CCS only measures the top third of the rod. I believe my 6wt(4 wt power) may protect tippets better than even the a fast 4 wt rod because of its very progressive nature. Most fish are broken off when they lunge, not on a steady pull.

Anyway, heavier lines and soft rods are a personal perference thing-I just like the way it feels. Now if I could only hook a fish big enough to poop that 6X…

13

For all of these and many more reasons…I carry with me…more than 2 rods at almost ALL times…even if it means towing a homemade caddy that i’ve made from an innertube (smaller/mid sized)…and plywood…
I may target several spieces in a givin body of water in a given amount of time…I just gotta be ready for all things…But My 7’6" 3wt. is my all time fav…for even carp fishing…and my new Global Dober 5’6" 5wt. will be the perfect Lil pack’in in rod while tooning!!! My Lord!!! I cannot wait for spring!!!..lol

“I’ve often wondered why it is that so many anglers spend so much money on,and pay so much attention to.the details on the wrong end of the fly line.If they took as much care in selecting or tying their flies as they did in the selection of the reel and rod,They might be able to gain the real extra edge that makes it possible to fool a fish that has,in fact,seen it all before” A.K.Best

Everyone wants to excel in this sport but at the same time we let traditionalists place restrictions on our tactics, methods, and ideas. I always assumed that fly fishing was a sport that allowed imagination, creation, adaptation, investigation, dedication, education, revelation? : Fox Statler, On Spinners (Not the dainty Dry Fly kind) “Spinner’d Minner Fly”

“Wish ya great fishing”

Bill

14

I’m with BigA on this one. I have come full circle in the last year or so, and now my go rod is my trusty 7wgt. With a full action it has the sensitivity to get enjoyment out of panfish and crappie, and the backbone to deal with a bruiser of a smallie. Fish stuck in the snot? The 7wgt will handle that with a lot more ease that the lighter rods, and it handles the bigger and bulkier flys and poppers. My 5 and 3 wgts have their place, but I like the heavier rod.

Bob

15

I tend to gravitate away from the big fish / small rods practice for a number of reasons. One of the reasons is that catching fish on tackle that requires you to be ultra-careful with the fish and really prolong the fight is not so good for the fish. And it is really not so good for the fisherman either. There is a big difference between authoritatively fighting a fish and “walking the dog”, so to speak.

Some people seem to be under the impression that using very light rods will somehow “amplify” the size of the fish. It’s just not true. On rare occasions I’ll fish a 1 weight. I’ve caught trout up to say 14 inches on it. I really don’t find it to be all that much different than using a 5 weight. After all, I’m using the same size tippet in both cases and that’s what really counts.

16

Count me on the heavy weight side.
When guys on this board talk about warm water fishing with light rods it’s like fingernails on a black board to me.
The ponds I fish are weed choked with plenty of wood and other cover. When you hook a good bass you need a rod with some backbone to turn that fish and haul it throught the salad.
When I fish warm water it’s a 8wt for bass and maybe an old glass 6wt for pan fish.
I’ve even taken a 10wt when fishing for pike in the thick stuff.
For trout a 4 or 5wt usually does it but I will go to a 3 if I need to.
Salt water? Most often a 10wt, but a 9 if the wind is down.
The times I fished with an 8 I felt woefully under gunned

“The man who knows all about trout does not exist,
although you have probably met him”
Samuel G. Camp 1911

[This message has been edited by dudley (edited 05 February 2006).]

17

In my opinion, the limiting factor is almost always the person holding the rod. After that, tippet (including knots). If find that I can land fish just as fast, if not faster, with rods people would consider light or too light for the fish, because I can keep the pressure on the fish up close to the breaking strength of the tippet, while the rod will absorb the shock of head shakes, runs, etc. With a heavy rod, I cannot do that, since there is so little between no pressure and too much pressure (unless of course you use 20# tippet all the time).

An angler must set his own limits, but no one else should set them for you.

18

For most fishing situations, rod strength isn’t the issue, tippet strength is. My 3 wt will break 3X tippet rather easily, so I can’t land most trout any faster with my 5 wt than with my 3 wt. If your rod won’t break your tippet, I would say step up to a rod that will. On the other hand, I lose far more fish on my 5 wt than on my 3 wt when fishing 7X.

19

Very interesting topic and points of view (personal preferences). I happen to have a slightly different perspective on Heavy, Medium or light. When I first saw the topic heading, the action of the rod was what came to mind. In other words a fast action tip flex, a medium action mid flex, or a light action full flex rod. No matter what the weight of the rod is, the ability to absorb the lunge or surge is more a consequence of the rod action than the weight of the rod if the fisherman’s capability is equal. That said , my favorite action is a mid-flex for fighting fish and for casting i like the tip flex. However, all around use goes to the medium action mid flex. I only have 2 rods a 3 wt and a 5 wt and the largest fish I have caught probably didn’t go more than 3 pounds so I may not know what I’m talking about. Just another line of thinking.

Lee - Better Loops and Singing Reels

20

I guess I am from the old school. In that I believe on using the rod for the conditions I am fishing and not the size of the fish I expect to catch.

Oh and no disrespect to the late, great Lee Wulff who caught salmon on a 6’ 5wt bamboo rod or a Scott 7’ 6wt glass rod. But then I am no Lee Wulff and neither are most of the people I fish with.