I would like to receive the collective wisdom of this board on a somewhat unusual question. Because of a major change in my health, I feel I need a new five weight, and I’d like to hear your advice on it.
The rod I have owned and used before my health change is a Sage SP 590-3 Graphite IV. It is a superb rod, but it casts best when the person on the handle end has good casting skills, and good timing and coordination.
A while ago I had a stroke, and I feel enough time has passed that my recuperation is about as good as it’s going to get. My balance, timing, and coordination were affected, and I can no longer get the best out of the SP. One cast will be wonderful, but the next is awful. Maybe one or two casts out of ten are as good (i.e, well-timed) as they used to be. I’m afraid I need to go to a more forgiving rod.
I still cast fairly well with the St. Croix Legend Ultras I have in six and seven weights, and the Sage RPLXi in eight weight. All of them are more forgiving than the SP.
Any advice on what I should get for a new five weight? I would like to keep the price tag in the $300 range (my income isn’t quite as healthy as it once was, too).
Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, all!
Sorry about your condition. I would suggest a slow rod. (In modern graphite rods, these are usually denoted as “forgiving” and “entry level”. They are perfectly good rods.
You might also consider cruising ebay for a glass rod. Bill Phillipson glass made for Orvis and Leonard (and others) is lovely stuff. Ricks Rods in Denver can still make one for you using Bill’s remaining stock.
Hi FlyFlinger,
Sorry to hear about your condition. I’d have to concur with Colston here. A slower action rod may help. In the Sage line of rods, look around for the DS2, LL, or VPS-Light rods as they are all medium action. Good-luck!
I do not feel qualified to make a suggestion, but, you must like the Sage rods since you own several. I have a Sage VPS rod in a 9’ 5 weight and like it real well. If you are use to 9’ rods the VPS may be what you are looking for. You may want to drop down to an 8 1/2’ model. I would also suggest you cast a Temple Fork Series I rod. I have one of them in an 8 1/2’ 4 weight and love it! The Temple Fork Series I rods sell for $89.95 with a lifetime warranty and, in my own opinion, cast very well for the money. Try and test cast a Sage VPS and a Temple Fork Series I. I feel one of them would do what you are looking for.
Thanks to all who replied; I very much appreciate your advice. Just for your information, I talked to my local fly shop, and given the above qualifications, they recommended the St. Croix Avid and the Loomis Metolius.
Glad to hear that you feel well enough to continue with your flyflinging. I am not an expert on strokes or casting but I would like to make two suggestions.
The first suggestion is not to give up on your casting skills altogether. They may not be permanantly gone. A little practice (or maybe a lot of practice) may get you back to the point that you are putting your Sage through its paces. Unless you were an exceptional caster prior to your vascular event, you probably had some casts that were not up to snuff and just brushed them off and forgot about them. You may be more aware of those less than perfect casts now.
The second suggestion would be to go with a slower rod. Mid-flex rods are much more forgiving of timimg errors. I seem to be in pretty good agreement with most of the other responders on this suggestion.
FF, please hang in there. I know that I speak for many people on this board when I say that we are all pulling for you. Good fising, my friend 8T
Lots of good advise here. I second the St Croix Avid and the Sage VPS. I purchased a 9’ 5wt Sage VPS for my wife about 3 years ago because it was very light,medium to fast action, and forgiving. It has been a great rod as she sharpened her casting skills and it continues to serve her well with her relaxed casting style today. I “borrow it” once in a while myself. I also looked at the Avid and it too has a medium to fast action ans is very forgiving.
Sorry to hear of you medical problems, but glad to see you are still flinging flies.
