I just ordered one of these for the kids(ya, right) to learn to cast and for Dad to use on some of the smaller waters. Realizing that this is a completely subjective and relative question, what lines are you using on it? Will it stand up to overlining? I was thinking about trying a DT4 on it since I’ve got a 4wt, that way the line could do double duty.
Thanks,
J
Try the 4 wt line and see. I have a 3 wt Three Forks and it’ll stand a 4 wt line rather well. However I bought it to fish with a 3 wt line. If I would have wanted a 4 wt I would have bought a 4 wt.
Thanks Jerry. Had a Brain F@rt, it is the three forks I ordered. My 4wt actually throws a 5DT really well and loads with less line out, but just isn’t short enough for some of the places I fish. The 3wt line would probably be a better choice as far as the kids are concerned. Just trying to kill as many birds as I can with the same stone.
The three wt Three Forks is the best buy in the history of mankind.
I’ve had one for years (now on my third one, don’t ask me how that happened its rather detailed)
I have found no limitations to the rod. Every time I fish it I wonder why everybody does not own one. Perhaps its cuz some folks figger they don’t cost enough. The current models are really nice looking. The earlier ones were rather rough and crude (but still good casters)
I used a 4 wt. on mine, and never looked back. Great combo for small streams.
Chuck
I have 2 of these Three Forks 3wts, one with the weight forward line that came with the combo and the other with a 444 peach classic double taper and either one seems to work fine. Not being any kind of expert caster or any thing I might question trying to teach a youngster to cast with a 3wt. It just seems easier for me to learn to cast a Three Forks 5wt first. I currently have 3 5wts and 3 3wts and find that it is quite a transition to go down to one of the 3wt 7.5 footers and I really have to pay attention to casting for a while until I make the needed adjustments in casting stroke. Once that is done I really enjoy fishing with the lighter setup.
My Daughter (12) can cast my 4 & 5wts just fine. The 3wt was intended for my son(6…he he… and me 
). The 4 & 5 are just too long for his arm strength. He does really well playing and landing his own fish, but gets frusturated cause he can’t cast like his sister! I was just thinking the lighter weight rod may give him an edge.
If not, I’ll just have to fish it until he’s ready 8)
( Can’t tell in the pic, but he actually has a loop of line under his index finger and stripped that fish in on his own. I was very proud of him.)
Great answer and pictures. Thanks
I’ve had one ofthe older, rougher finished ones several years. I use a 3wt double taper SA line, and I love it.
Mark
I’m sorry, I know eveybody loves this rod, but for me it’s a dog.
I’ve tried mine with a WF3, a DT3, a WF4, and a DT4. It’s still at the bottom of my “must fish” pile.
It’s not like I have anything about low priced rods. The stick I’ve been using for the last couple of weeks retails for $20 and I love it.
Again, I apologize to those who like this rod (I’ve said this before and been flamed big-time), but I cannot recommend this rod to anyone.
I ain’t gonna flame ya…just send the “dog” to me…No need to prolong your suffering.
Dudley,
Thanks for the input . Good to know that there are some not happy with the rod. Sorry you had a bad experience with it. Just wish you would have listed it in the for sale forum, as I’m sure it’ll be fine for what I want it for. If my boy breaks it during one of his frequent jousting sessions ( all of you with 6 yr olds know that flyrod and SWORD are synonymous) then I won’t mourn the loss.
Thanks to all of you( Jerry, Bowmaker,Mark, Chuck & Dudley) for your input. I appreciate the help.
Tight lines,
J
jdub,
Those pictures of your son are more than Wonderful!!! What a thrill!! What a guy!!!
Since Cabelas introduced them several years ago I’ve bought at least half a dozen 3Forks #3wts to give to folks I felt needed them. One was my wife. It’s her favorite rod. (She just started fishing a few years ago.) Most folks I’ve given them to still use the 3 wt. line provided. However on the pretty small streams my wife and I fish, she does better roll casting with a 4 wt DT floater. The Cortland 333 does a good job at a low price. And soft hackles let her dance with many brook trout!
Over the years I’ve heard very few complaints and very, very many praises for the Three Forks system.
Again, the pictures of your son are superb. Gave me a HUGE smile.
Bill
isn’t it a really slow rod already??? why overload it with a 4wt line??
just my opinion dont’t hate me for it
chris
Thanks LB, I was a proud father that day( of both of them)
f&t, I was just trying to get some input from those that own the rod already. I have never cast the rod , it was a price point purchase, although a 4dt would work better for me as it would be a small stream rod( 5 to 15 ft casts), it may or may not suit my son. I’m not sure he would be able to cast more than 15 ft( enough to catch fish ) anyway… so a moot point?? I know that for longer casts, an overlined rod would make you work harder. Just not really sure if it would help him feel the rod load at shorter distances or make him work harder for a casting distance that’s within his ability. I don’t own any 4wt lines so… just trying to get some feedback so I don’t buy more lines than I need(right now… 8) )
ok sorry about that i did not read your fist post good enough now i see you have never casted the rod :o i have never casted the rod myself either and was just going ny the article in the catalog 
silly me.
the little one should like the overlined rod more to get a feel of the rod loading and unloading which would make him a better caster like his sister
anything over 30-40 ft i would say that you would have to work to hard and to go with a three weight line but for what it sounds like you’ll be doing with it…4wt line all the way 8)
chris
Thanks f&t, that’s the direction I was leaning also.
I bought a Three Forks several years ago and liked it OK. A little noodly for my taste. Would not throw bigger fliews or droppers at all.Picked up a Loomis 3wt that was a much stiffer faster action that I like better. I can cast a #* Hopper and #12 royal prince dropper no problem with it. The 3 Forks just sits in closet. The Loomis gets to go play all the time.
Bait w;
I like a faster rod for bigger streams. I’m hoping this will help my boy get into casting and serve as a small stream( 15ftmax) rod for me. My original ? was about overlining it. I’m sure with a 4wt line I can get it to cast a hopper dropper combo, I’ll just have to DH like a $#@%^& *(&)^%
I am running the origianl 3wt. line on it and personally would not overline it. Buy the combo, try it then decide if you want to overline it. I started my boys with a 6wt. so that they could feel the line load the rod, I tried to have my wife start with my Loomis and it was too light a casting action for her to feel to start with so went with one of the boys 6wt’s and she could do much better because she could feel the rod load at the end. With the light action of the lighter rod IMO they get WWS (whippy wrist syndrome).