Been looking long and hard at adding a 4 wt to my rod quiver. I narrowed it down to a Winston BIIx (already have a 6wt and love it and have a 5wt Sage Z -axis).
I tried BIIx 4 wt out at my local (small town) shop. I was going to go for an 8’ 6" as I will use it mostly at Rock Creek (Mt) and Dupuy’s. I ownly own 9’ rods in my 5 wts and up.
The shop ownly had a 9’ and I bought it after test casting it (sweeeet!)
Now I am suffering (tongue in cheek) from buyer’s remorse, wondering if I should have held out for an 8’ 6".
I will use it mostly for dry flies but occasionally also for nymphing or droppers off dries. Also need the flexibility of sometimes tossing Terrestials and Salmon flies…
I did like the idea of a slightly shorter rod, carying , traipsing through brush occasianally etc, and casting mostly less than 40’.
What are your guys thoughts or preferences for 4 wts rod lengths?
I have a 7’6" 2-piece, 8’-0" 2-piece & 9’-0" 7-piece (built the last two)…all 4wts. I have the blank and kit for an 8’-6" 4-piece, but just no time now to build it right now. I enjoy fishing the 4wts for a large variety of fish, and building rods gives me the opportunity to have “collection” of these babies at an affordable price point. If you like the 9’0" rod, just enjoy it and quit beating yourself up. If you think you made a mistake just go out and buy one 6" shorter and then you’ll be happy…right? :?
It’s all about the rod length that YOU feel is necessary for the places YOU fish.
Line weight to me is relative only to the size of the flies and the size of the quarry I EXPECT to encounter. I don’t look at line weight as critically as rod length. Unlike many folks out there; I’m not afraid to fish 5wts and 6wts.
In other words; I’ll fish a 9’0" 4wt when the wind is light; the fish aren’t huge or flies aren’t gigantic. When the flies; fish or wind get heavy; I opt for a heavier line weight; the rod length stays the same because if a 9’0" is the right length; it’s the right length.
dont worry about it and besides the extra length will come in handy when you occasionally want to high stick a nymph if you need to cast shorter then put a 5weight line on it, no big deal. have fun
chris
The only advantage to rods under 8 feet that I know of is they are handy in tight cover. I have a 7 foot 4 wt. that I love. I have a 5 foot (yes 5) 3 wt that I really like but for different reasons. Longer rods (8 foot to 9 foot) in the 3-5 wt. class cast longer, mend better and usually balance better with ordinary 4 wt reels. But on a little headwater tributary, you can’t beat a little tiny rod and reel.
Now since length is only one of the factors that determines how a rod casts, and since there is virtually no difference between comparably constructed rods in those rod lengths, go cast it and buy the one you like and don’t get hung up on 6".
I like a 9’. I’ve had smaller and liked them when I did. I don’t think that 6" is that much difference. Better for nymphing not as good in an overhung stream.
You can always cut off the top 6" and mail it to me. Then you won’t feel so bad :lol:
Yea, I think 8’6" and 9’ are pretty general in terms of Preferance. It really doesn’t matter that much as both are fine and work excellent. The 9’ will make High Sticking a little easier but the 8’6 will do it well too. I would pay more attention to what you will use it for and what rod feels best to you when you are casting it.
I have a 9’ IM6 (WT) I wouldnt trade for anything. I like the rod so much I’m affraid to cast any other Winstons for fear I’d like them too.
I don’t think you can make a wrong choice between the 8 1/2 and 9’.
I have both the 8’6 and 9.0’ BIIx rods and enjoy fishing the 9.0’ much better especially when using nymphs and when the wind is blowing the 9’0 shines.
if you need to cast shorter then put a 5weight line on it, no big deal. have fun 