If so, what rod and/or blank? Is wind a huge problem? What about fly size? I’ve been using a 3 wt for several years and am wondering if dropping to 1 wt is practical.
Tks for any insite you may be able to offer.
Donald
Beadleach,
I tried an Orvis Superfine 1wt. a few years back,And I concluded that it just did not have the backbone and versatility that I need in my fishing…If your soley going to fish small flies and not demand casting over 30 to 50 ft… You just might like em alot…I am not of the type that can restrict myself as to one small catagory of fly sizes and pattern types at any given time on the water…a three wt. is about as small as I will go…I do own several 2wts that I enjoy though,But I always have a second rod nearby…
Oh, That superfine, It kinda broke while casting a spinner’d Minner type fly…lol…was trying for my forth fish with that fly thoe…lol…It was not the rods fault…I took sole responcability when I returned that rod to Orvis…and they still gave me a full refund…guess it really does pay to be honest and forthright…
“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
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 10 December 2005).]
Love, love my Sage 181-3 SLT. I use it for bluegill, small bass, rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. My largest fish was a 13" cutthroat, a lovely fish that I hauled out of the river with no problem. THere are several manufacturers of 1 wts. I know that Elkhorn and Sage have them. Check out their websites. Some folks say these rods are toys, but mine is strong and well made. I fish mostly on the river and have no problem punching a #10 fly 30-40 ft. The rod is a dandy for a #14 fly. It is okay in a breeze, but I move up to my trusty 3 wt when it gets windier. Go for it and have a blast.
[This message has been edited by Gardenfish (edited 10 December 2005).]
Hi Donald,
I had been gradually working my way down
toward a one weight here on the Santee
Cooper Lakes of SC. But I found when I got
down to a two weight, it was marginal for my
fishery. I even broke a little two weight
cane fishing for red eared sunfish. I went
back to a three weight for my fishery and
love that size rod. I often have two three
weights rigged while fishing and find them
ideal for me on my waters. Anything less is
sometimes problematic, and anything heavier
is less fun. It’s three weights for me.
Warm regards, Jim
boy - that was quick.
I didn’t know Elkhorn made 1 wts. I’ll check 'em out. Has anyone fished one? The sage is more than I want to spend right now - expecally for a limited use rod.
Jim - the 3 wt has been my favorite for several years now and I have lakes where I’d feel undergunned with less rods also. But I also have small lakes, lakes with channels, and small creeks where I think I could use less rod and have more fun, perhaps. But I have seen some of your photos!
bill - I’ve “handled” other superfines than the 1 wt and I’m not really fond of the action. Some people really like them.
Really appreciate the thoughts expressed and am open to any othere!! <G>
Donald
[This message has been edited by beadleech (edited 10 December 2005).]
After being on FAOL awhile and reading exploits with the 1 wts that sort of became a dream of mine. This summer a fishing partner let me use his and I was less than impressed and happy to have been spared the price of one. I am building a 3 wt, though, and am looking forward to using it this summer. JGW
beadleech, RW here
I’ve been fishing a 1-weight almost exclusively for about 2 years. Should note that I fish headwaters and small streams for brookies and ponds for panfish and smallmouth bass almost 99 percent of the time. For the few steelhead trips I go on I use a 6-weight. I’ve had no trouble playing and landing smallies up to 4-pounds on my 1-weight and at no time did I ever feel outgunned. I’m 70 and have never broken a rod in my life and I’ve fished since boyhood.
Later, RW
“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
[This message has been edited by Royal Wulff (edited 10 December 2005).]
YES!!
I have the Sage SPL 1wt. Wonderful rod…par none!
I’ve used flies up to #10 on it for panfish. Last summer I tagged a 6 1/2 lb. largemouth while doing some topwater fishing for panfish.
One wts. are wonderful tools for panfish. You’ll love 'em.
I’m not familiar with other blanks Donald, as I haven’t looked around much but it seems you have other prospects here.
Be sure to find a good line suited to your model of choice though or you may be disappointed. Lines are VERY important.
Jeremy.
Jeremy.
I don’t even use a 3 weight. A four weight is as light as I wan’t to go. I find that it’s no fun to cast most of the bugs I use on the lighter line weights. In fact, I often use a 7 weight glass rod for panfish. A 3/4 lb. bluegill makes a good account of himself, even on a 7 weight.
RW - If I remember your previous posts corrtectly you use the Cabela’s Clear Creek don’t ya? Do you use a 1 wt line on it? If so, is it the clear creek line? What size flies will the rod handle? Sorry to have so many questions. What I’m starting to see is that the Sage is a heck of a rod but I don’t think I want to sink that much into a new rod 'til I find out of I’ll be able to use it enough to warrent it. I fish mainly for creek smallies and BG so I imagine out fishing may be quite similiar with the exception that I fish a lot of small 100-200a lakes for the panfish, not ponds. I do have access to 2 or 3 ponds that I fish early in the year as they’re too weed filled later in the year. Hope you don’t mind all the questions. <G>
Donald
Hey Beadleech,
I’ve tried out a one weight and a zero weight in a couple of fly shops around my area. They seem a little light and prone to wind conditions for practical use.
On Jim Hatch’s advice, I purchased a two-weight for brim and small bass fishing. I got a Cabela’s Clear Creek Outfit for around $150. I’ve used it heavily all spring, summer and fall. It has the backbone to land good fish and is not so easily blow around by the wind. I’ve been very happy with my choice. Thanks Jim, it was great advice. 8T 
You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it’s a real short camping season.
Seems like gadabout and me are on the same frequency 
. My 4 weight is great on small/tight waters where wind is not a major factor. It does not react well to large flies besides high wind or big LMB so I find myself on the 7 weight fiberglass most of the time on open water which serves me well for higher wind, larger flies, and big LMB. Most bream give a good fight even on the 7 weight.
Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
“Flip a fly”
I’ve got a 6 weight and a 5 weight. I went back to the 5 weight on a whim and enjoy it better. Even though the 6 weight is a good St. Croix that I got with a great
price on Ebay. I was thinking about getting a 3 weight…just because. {:O) But I could probably fish the rest of my life with that 5 weight. Kahuna
I use a one weight Sage SLT for pan fish and find that it casts well, and I have no more problems with wind than with a 3 weight that I also use. The only complaint I have with this set up is the olive color Cortland line. I can’t see the thing in the air, or on the water!
My wife used the Sage to catch and land a 19" Brown Trout from a small stream in North Park Colorado this past summer. She totally in love with the rod!
for all the larger rod users; I fished a 5 wt for years. Then in 2000 I had a heart attack that left damage. After I re-hab’d I started back flyfishing. I found I could fish for an hour or an hour and a half with the 5 b4 I started to run out of steam. Following a suggestion from a friend I picked up an 8’ 3 wt and found that I could throw that light rod/light line for 4-5 hours! My function has improved since then but I’ve found the light rigs so much fun to use I’ve stayed with them. However, I do appreciate your input and the fact that you took the time to give it.
8T - the same friend that suggested the 3 wt has a coupla of 2 wts [3, actually] and I’ve fished them a bit this past season and I liked 'em a lot. I’ve “suggested” that 3 rods of one size are too many. <LOL> There may be a “deal” possible there so that is another option available to me. Thought I’d look for opinions on the 1 wt before deceiding, tho, as all the pundits say to drop 2 line sizes beteeen rods. However, there seemed to be quite a bit of difference between my 3’s and his 2’s especially in the areas of casting distances and ability to cast in the wind - not to mentioned fly sizes.
The Sage rods seem to be in a class by themselves and I would, quite frankly, love to have one. However, they are simply more money than I want to spend right now.
I really appreciate everyone’s responces [and your time you took to respond] altho it’s what we all expect on this board! Any additional responces and advice encouaged!! <G>
Donald
You are quite welcome,Bear in mind My rod only broke out my own stubborne bullheadedness,and I’m sure if used in the appropriate situations,That you would no doubt enjoy yourself… certianly was not intended for tossing a size 6 fly,let alone combined with a spinner blade and brass bead…they had admitted that they were trying a new ferrule design and were having probelems with them…and thats what happened the ferrule split.
But I still know I pushd the rod well beyond it’s limits.
Another thing to consider is this…there is always the for sale board here on FAOL,Buy the brand you want…fish it for a few weeks,And if after that you feel it’s just not your cup of tea. Sell it here and give the next person who is courious a chance to see if a 1wt. is to their liking, Doubt you’ll want to part with it though. 
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 14 December 2005).]
You are still more than welcome to meet me and cast the dan craft 1 wt at lunkers. I have time off during christmas/new years, maybe we could work something out.
john
A 3wt is about as light as I go for the panfish up here. Most of the time I’m using an 8’ 5wt. I’m throwing a little bit bigger bug than a 1 wt would handle. Plus we get allot of wind here in the Midwest. I’ve looked at a couple of 2wts, but decided they were impractical for the type of fishing I do.
riderbos/John - I would certainly like to meet you and try the rod. I’m retired and the lakes are frozen over so to say that I’m open to any time you’d like to meet is a bit of an understatement on my part! Just post time best for you [or e-mail to me] and we’ll get together. If you do want to try a 2 wt on the rod I can bring my reel up, too.
anglerdave - you’re right - everyone’s fishery is different. I have a handful of smaller lakes/ponds that I access in the spring and [something I just discovered this fall] some “builders channels” on the older lakes around here that seem just designed for little rods. Casting distance [especially on the channels] is 25-30’ and since these are older developments they have large trees to break the wind! Several have enough depth to possibly hold fish in the summer [other than “potato chips”]. Otherwise, my “regular” BG rod is a 3 wt also.
Donald
RW, you are a bad influence on me. I am getting a Cabela’s 1 wt for Christmas. And me talking about over-loading my 3 wt. Sheesh. I need to make up my mind… <sigh>