Dillo Posted November 14, 2015 Posted November 14, 2015 I started fly fishing this past spring and love it. Now I have found that I fish small creeks with 6-10 inch trout a majority of the time and my 9 foot 5 weight feels like too much. Now I want a lighter duty rod around 8 feet for these spots as well as bluegill and small bass. I am torn between a 3 and 4 weight. I plan on using this for dries(size 12 To size 20) and an occasional dry dropper or light nymph rig– I'll use my 5 wt for streamers, big nymphs, and bigger fish. I think a 3 would be better because a 4 is very similar to a 5. I like the idea of a 4 because of the versatility. I could use the 4 on bigger rivers for dries. it could also handle wind and bigger fish better. I also wanted a 4 wt in the first place as my first rod, but internet articles and cabelas sales associates convinced me to buy a 5 wt instead. Also any rod recommendations around 250? Quote
desmobob Posted November 14, 2015 Posted November 14, 2015 I'd go even lighter! My two favorite small fish fly rods are a two-weight and a three-weight. The wind does become a bigger factor as you go lighter, for sure, but that depends on the rivers you fish. On most of the rivers --more like streams-- I fish, it's not a big issue but on more open waters, it can be. For me, one of the most relaxing things in the world is sitting in a float tube, casting a two-weight for bluegills and pumpkinseeds. Tight lines, Bob Quote
68camaro Posted November 14, 2015 Posted November 14, 2015 For small creeks especially in tight areas I bought a Tenkara japanese style fly rod. It doesn't have reel and telescopes from 10.8 to 11.5. Really a very cool setup. I have the Sato set up. I have caught bass on it as well. Tenkarausa.com Quote
Dillo Posted November 14, 2015 Author Posted November 14, 2015 For small creeks especially in tight areas I bought a Tenkara japanese style fly rod. It doesn't have reel and telescopes from 10.8 to 11.5. Really a very cool setup. I have the Sato set up. I have caught bass on it as well. Tenkarausa.com I have looked at these rods... Pretty cool idea. Problem is there's only one shop around me that carries it and they have a pretty small selection. Ill add this to my list of consideration though Quote
Dillo Posted November 14, 2015 Author Posted November 14, 2015 For small creeks especially in tight areas I bought a Tenkara japanese style fly rod. It doesn't have reel and telescopes from 10.8 to 11.5. Really a very cool setup. I have the Sato set up. I have caught bass on it as well. Tenkarausa.com I have looked at these rods... Pretty cool idea. Problem is there's only one shop around me that carries it and they have a pretty small selection. Ill add this to my list of consideration though Quote
Super User everythingthatswims Posted November 15, 2015 Super User Posted November 15, 2015 Temple Fork Outfitters 1 Quote
68camaro Posted November 15, 2015 Posted November 15, 2015 I have looked at these rods... Pretty cool idea. Problem is there's only one shop around me that carries it and they have a pretty small selection. Ill add this to my list of consideration though Orvis carries the Sato kit which is where I bought mine. It's definitely a small creek rod but perfectly suited for it. I keep mine in my car and it fits nicely in my carry-on bag for travel. Quote
Dillo Posted November 17, 2015 Author Posted November 17, 2015 For small creeks especially in tight areas I bought a Tenkara japanese style fly rod. It doesn't have reel and telescopes from 10.8 to 11.5. Really a very cool setup. I have the Sato set up. I have caught bass on it as well. Tenkarausa.com I've looked into this a lot lately and I'm pretty interested. The Tenkara rod is simple, looks like fun with small fish, and is less expensive than buying a rod, reel I won't use, and 90 feet of line that will never be used past 20 feet. Anyone else have experience with these rods? Quote
Lucky Craft Man Posted November 25, 2015 Posted November 25, 2015 Cabelas makes a very good and econimical fly rod called the LSi. They offer an 8'3" 3wt which is great for situations like you mentioned. What's even better is that they are on sale for 50% off now. You could pick up a Lamson Liquid for $99 and get some economical line and you would have a whole outfit for under your $250 number. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted November 25, 2015 Super User Posted November 25, 2015 3wt or smaller gets my vote. a 4wt won't be a ton of difference from your 5. I would also go short as you can, i have a 6' 6"myself, as it allows you to get to smaller areas more easily. you are mostly going to be roll casting anyways and if you slow down your stroke, yo can easily chuck a short rod like that as far as you need to. Sunnies are a blast on the 3 wt and it really teaches you how to play fish. I have caught more than my fair share of bass on this set up while chasing sunnies too. Quote
CarlF Posted December 11, 2015 Posted December 11, 2015 My angling situation, and gear requirements are probably very similar to yours. Out here, I run a, 8'6" 3wt, 9' 5wt, and 9' 7wt. I fish small spring creeks and tributaries here with my 3wt. I use a rio light touch trout line. This setup handles everything from small nymph rigs to tiny midge emergers. If you want to cover all of your bases, you can buy a spare reel and spool it with 4wt line. You can underline your 5 weight if you want to lay out dry flies or just want a softer presentation. Ive never used 2wt line, and I fish VERY Small water with my 3wt effectively. Overall, I feel that the 3-5-7 weight system covers almost all your bases for fly fishing.If 250 is your budget, check out: St Croix avid/imperial Allen fly fishing (great rods, I have several of their reels and they always have sales on their site) Redington/TFO Quote
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