hey Guys,
I’m new to this board…
And I would like to know your opinion about the following…
situation now: I ve got two rods to cover my trout fishing needs, both are what I would call very efficient rods, a SAGE 590-4 XP and a 389-4 SLT, both are very nice and “keepers”, however now now I’m looking for a rod preferably a 4 wt for sightcasting dries and small nymphs with more of a classic feel. for spring creeks as well as small to medium tailwaters
a rod that will make that smile even bigger when you hook a nice trout
I’ve been looking at winstons WT and LT series, how are they? any more opinions? what length? let me know what you think!
thanks, troutbuster
Hi I generally like fast action rods very much, however, I want to try something a lot different for a change, how would you rate that GLX isn’t it pretty fast? do you know anything about the WT LT or maybe scott G?
“WT LT or maybe scott G”
It don’t get much better than these. You might just find the ‘G’ series at close-out pricing now that they are being changed.
Hi Jackster,
how about the length, I’m used to 9 ft rods, would you recommend either a 8 or 8 1/2 ft in terms of a #4 WT? Thanks, btw are you the same Jackster as the one on the flyfish.com?
cheers,
troutbuster (used to be known there as Roach)
If you can get your hands on some of the Gatti rods, I think that you’ll be very favorably impressed. I have both Sage and Scott rods and my favorite 4 wt is my Gatti FR 864 TA. It is a pleasure to cast and to fish with.
Jim Smith
Two of mine that I call my favorites:
one is a Winston 8’4 LT and the other a Sage 379 LL 3wt but, I feel that it is a personal thing and while asking the question will give you a good view of what some flyfishers like,I am sure that you know to get out a try and try them again until you find the one that is right for you.
These two rods I mentioned are mostly fished
on spring creeks and small waters. They just feel right for these areas.
I fished an orvis bamboo rod 4wg the other day boy am I in trouble with the wife now…
I have a 4 weight 8’8" Loop Yellow line this rod is one of the best rods on the market in my opinion. It is a medium action and is a awesome dry fly, nymph all around excelent casting rod. I have fished this rod and it fishes well in any condition. It will cast a 4 or 5 weight line. 4 weight makes it a medium action you put a 5 weight and it digs into the butt of the rod and really wakes it up. And is less than half the price of a scott or winston. The only down side of this rod is it is bright yellow. This rod was made for casting instuctors so they could see what the rod was doing and explain what people where doing wrong in there casting.
I’ve whiggled a couple of yellow lines in the shop, but never seriously casted any. I’ve heard about their nice and easy casting, but like you say that color…
Maybe I’ll just have to see what the winston dealer has in stock to check out…
thanks all!
[This message has been edited by troutbuster (edited 05 October 2005).]
My favorites are both T&T’s,7’ 3 weight and a 7’6" 4.Excellant quality like custom mades.
No such animal. Opinions will very so greatly that you will never get one answer on this question.
Just look at it this way. Find a rod that you like the feel of and call it good.
There are several types of dry fly fishing and each may need a different rod. Like spring creek fishing with light tippets and small flies. I would much rather have a soft action rod doing this type of fishing to protect the light tippets.
If you fish larger dry flies on larger rivers you may need a stiffer rod and a longer rod to get the job done.
That is what is so great about fly fishing you already have the excuse to buy more rods. 
If I had to have one rod for all dry fly fishing it would be a 9’ 5wgt. You decide on the brand they just about all make good rods now days. Ron
Hey Troutbuster,
I think Ron told ya fair. That perfect
rod, like that perfect woman, is subjective
and what matters is how YOU feel about it/her.G If in truth, there was one
perfect rod we’d all have it by now whether
by hook or by crook.G I have a little 5’
JP Ross rod with a slow action that is
“perfect” for fishing dry flies in my
congested cypress swamp fishery, but I’m
sure it would fall far short for others.G
Warm regards, Jim
The prefect rod usually stays that way. Eventually you’ll have to meet the perfect woman’s mother.
Goodwin Granger 8040
“The more widely one observes nature, the more it appeals to one’s soul. Why? Because there is a music there; and the wider one’s outlook on life becomes, the deeper one’s understanding of life, the more music one can listen to, the music that
answers the whole universe.” --Inayat Khan
Try the new loomis streamdance presentation. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever tried. Perfect combo of power and softness of presentation. My buddy has one, I think it’s a 9’ 4-wt 4 piece. For dry fly fishing along the lines your thinking at least consider it a candidate, cast or fish if possible you might really like it.
-John
The Loomis Metolius Streamdance Presentation is a very nice rod; I have one in 3 wt. that I really enjoy and use a lot. However, I use it primarily on small waters where short casts are the norm. My Winston WT 4 wt. is my favorite dry fly rod. It has the sweetest action I have ever experienced, and will handle short or long casts. As already mentioned many times, however, the best rod for you is the one that feels best to you.
Larry Compton
Without a doubt, 486-3 Sage SP from the late 90’s.
Jude
Late to bed,
Early to Rise,
Guide all day,
Tie more flies!
www.customflys.com
Sage XP 490 4 piece
“Man has an inexhaustible ability to beshit his environment, with politicians well in the lead”…Jim Harrison
troutbuster, as Croaker might say, ‘ain’t 4 weights grand?’
Like others suggested, you just have to try a few rods and find the one that clicks for you.
In 4 weights I would have a hard time choosing between my 8’ IM-6 green stick and the 8’, 6" BIIx (that rod you just HAVE to try!) The extra 6" seems to help in line control.
The IM-6 has a more relaxed feel and is a great dry fly rod yet still manages to toss nymphs and such quite nicely.
The BIIx handles dries close up quite readily as the tip is nice and soft but it can and does really boom 'em out there when required.
Part of the fun of ‘needing’ a new rod is the searching! It’s great to go to fly shops with a well defined mission!
Happy hunting!
Yup, same Jackster… should I duck? <G>
Jackster,
No need to duck! glad to see you again, 
haven’t been to active on bulletin boards lately (as you have noticed on ff.com)
the others thanks for your replies,
cheers, floris/holland
troutbuster,
A 7 or 8 foot 4 weight in one of these ought to do the trick. [url=http://www.theroyalcoachmen.com/series%20fr3pa.html:f32d2]http://www.theroyalcoachmen.com/series%20fr3pa.html[/url:f32d2]
God Bless,
He Knocks. You Only Have To Ask.
Joe