3 wt recomondation

[Eagle Claw]

looking for a 3 wt. recomondation to be used for 7-8-9 X...........looking for somthing very soft to be gentle on tippet.

 

[JW1970]

more info

What's your budget?

 

[dcabarle]

See if you can find a Sage SPL on Ebay. They are really nice. I have one myself. My dad may have an extra if you like, I can ask him if he wants to part with it. Not selling mine though, it's too nice!

 

[The_Sib]

You also might want to check out.....

The Orvis ( ouch ) Superfine series. Sweet & Soft.

 

[Eagle Claw]

JW $400 range give or take

 

[just dave]

JW $400 range give or take

I second the Sib. Orvis Superfines are the ticket. Especially if you can find one on the older gray blank.

That said, if you build rods, or know someone that does, the door is wide open. I have a wonderful Rainshadow 7'9" 3wt I built. Amazing flex at the upper third, and a strong butt section. The Scott G series is worth a look, too. I just bought a 3 wt 7" blank to build from Madison River, they are also clearing out some Sage VPS Light rods. Check out Tradenstuff, he's got some Scott G's and Sage LL's. Google around, you can find great deals.

There's always Ebay, excellent used rods go for pretty darn cheap, and often new with warranty are discounted.

What length you looking for?

 

[theartoflee]

looking for a 3 wt. recomondation to be used for 7-8-9 X...........looking for somthing very soft to be gentle on tippet.

IF you are looking for a rod that will be good at protecting light tippet get a rod that is soft action and longer in length. The longer the rod the better it will be at protecting lighter tipped esp. if it is a soft action rod. I dont know if you necisarly need a 3wt a 4wt is fine for 7-8-9 X etc. I use my 9 1/2 ft 5wt. rod on six and seven X tippet all the time. You just need to be mindful with your inital hook set.

 

[Joe D]

looking for a 3 wt. recomondation to be used for 7-8-9 X...........looking for somthing very soft to be gentle on tippet.

I second thewylie. Careful hook setting, ala slip set, should take care of your problem.

However, sometimes we just want a reason (excuse) to get another rod, in that case I'll go along with The Sib. A superfine should only set you back $350 or so.

Joe

 

[Fly Ty R]

Pretty much any 3wt will be soft at the tip. I have a fast action St Croix LU 2wt which is still a wet noodle on hook sets.

A good, soft 3wt I had for many years and through many big trout and small stripers was the Cabelas 3-Forks rod. It wasn't a $400 rod by any means, but it worked beautifully for me for many years.

 

[Scott]

I have a St. Croix 7'9" 3pc Legend Ultra. I built mine, but I think they go for under or around $300. I built one for my dad, and after I tried it out, I built one for myself. I like mine a lot, it's the rod I use most of the time.

I also like the Scientific Anglers trout taper, and XPS line with this rod.

 

[sandfly]

try a orvis clearwater classic in a 7'6" 3wt. identical to the superfine but only 149.00, only certain orvis shops carry them, they are a limited edition rod only at some shops on the east coast...

 

[Olive Drab]

Supre Fine

Eagle Claw...try the Orvis Super Fine 8'..they are going to be discontinued in a year or two...I just got one for Christmas...love it..

Also have a 7' Cortland Precision XC 3 wt for small stream work..love it too...

Olive Drab

 

[Doubletaper]

3wgt Rod

YOU JUST HAVE TO TRY THE DIAMOMDBACK GLASS RODS.MADE IN THE U.S.A , FLOR GRADE CORK GRIP,NOT SURE OF THE KIND OF WOOD FOR THE REEL SEAT,IT IS NICE THOUGH.EXCELENT WORKMANSHIP THROUGHOUT. imp:

 

[darthwader]

A #3 is one of the only numbers I have missing in my arsenal. The reason being, is that after a #4 I find it very difficult to fish with anything other than dry's. I find that anything less than a #4 will not turn over a nymph + indicator well. For that reason, I would suggest a #2. I have a #2 8' ElK Horn. I payed 200$ and it came with a reel (at the flyfishing show). It makes those wimpy stockies feel like 15" natives. When the sulphurs are hatching in the local streams, it's a blast ! On big waters (the "D"), I stick with my #5 XP.

 

[Scott]

Pretty much any 3wt will be soft at the tip. I have a fast action St Croix LU 2wt which is still a wet noodle on hook sets.

A good, soft 3wt I had for many years and through many big trout and small stripers was the Cabelas 3-Forks rod. It wasn't a $400 rod by any means, but it worked beautifully for me for many years.

If it is the same LU 2wt I have (2pc) then while it is a fast action blank, it has a soft tip and a more moderate flex. Because of this the butt is where all the power is. I think they made it like this to help protect the lighter tippets used with light weight rods, and help the rod load up with lighter line.

What I do to compensate for this - if I need a more positive hook set - is I try keep the rod tip pointed more or less at a 30-40 degree angle towards the fish. I set the hook by stripping in a little line while making a short sweepng motion with the rod directly away from the fish. This way the hook is set using the butt of the rod.

I rely more on the stretchy Frog Hait tippet I like to use, and the fact the fish isn't attached to anything to provide the shock absorption in the hook set.

 

[AKSkim]

My 3 Wt

I own a 3 wt TFO. no problems

also have a St. Croix ledgend Ultra 2 wt for small mountain streams where I can get at brooktrout

 

[lestrout]

3wts for 7-8-9X

Eagle - where are you thinking of ffishing this light? Are you oriented more towards midging, or perhaps Tricos?

This has been a fantastic spring for midges here in SE PA for some reason, so NJ may be experiencing some of the same activity.

With Tricos here in the East, I prefer short, fast casting cycle sticks, because you may only have 45 min of frenzied spinner fall to do your business, as opposed to long slow drifts where you may want better line control at great distances.

In terms of pure tippet protection, both on the strike and during surges while fighting the trouts, nothing beats the properly tapered cane. But if you want to stay under $400, glass, such as Diamondglass and Lamiglass, as well as some good custom makers, fills the bill. Even 4wts like the D'glass 7'4wt or Hardy Perfection (7'6") are more than satisfactory - I used both a bit this spring with cheesy 8X (my way of using it up).

For graphite, the JP Rosses offer some surprisingly inexpensive alternatives, with a sophisticated and fluid action eminently suited to both midging and Tricoing. I like and use Orvis SF's, Sage SPL's and LL's in these ranges as well, but in general I have to pay more attention with graphites, even as soft as these.

Don't forget the reel with super light tippets: it doesn't need to stop a freight train - rather, you need low startup inertia and a compliance drag for the occasional trouts that want to try to show you your backing.

tl
les

 

[serotonin]

For graphite, the JP Rosses offer some surprisingly inexpensive alternatives, with a sophisticated and fluid action eminently suited to both midging and Tricoing.

The JP Ross 'Beaver Meadow' will definitely be my next 3 weight.
He also makes a 3 weight in a '36t' model which is even less expensive.
But that Beaver Meadow is calling my name... :applaudit

 

[Eagle Claw]

Thanks for the info but I aquired a Sage SPL 3 wt from one of the guys on this board, it is sooooo sweet.

 

[eddavidson9]

i am about to open a can of worms i'm sure, but just looking for some opinions/guidance on possibly getting a new 3 wt.

here is my situation:
picked up a 6'6" LLbean streamlight this summer...love casting it intermediate distances, but for longer casts, it gets pretty tough (especially when wading or sitting in a canoe), and line control and roll casting are also sometimes an issue. i am looking at picking up a second, longer rod for certain (maybe most) situations.

so, here are my 3 basic questions:

-what do you like better for small stream/close quarters pocket water fishing, a shorter rod to create more casting room, or a longer rod for "specialty" casts and line control? i will definately be using the longer rod for dry-fly fishing for cookie-cutter 12" rainbows and small panfish on my favorite lake, but without having spent a lot of time on small streams, i'd like some input from others to get a better idea of wheter i might prefer it for them as well.

-is there enough of a difference in performance that you would suggest saving up or waiting for a deal on a new or used high-end rod? (streamlights are only ~$100, and i love the one i have, but i plan on at least testing a few others out)

-are there any other benefits/disadvantages of a longer or shorter rod in your opinion?

thanks in advance for any replies. i'd really like to stick with another 3 wt for now, it would save me from having to change out lines when going back and forth, and i've found it to be a pretty versatile weight for where i've fished. my only other rod is a cabela's 5/6 8'6" travel rod which i like to use for weighted flies/streamers and (oh no) trolling. It's not a whole lot of fun to cast due to the extra weight.

 

[rckrego]

For those of you who like horsing around with the lightweight stuff, glass is defintiely a lot of fun. usually pretty inexpensive too. I have a 3 weight diamond glass that is tons of fun.

 

[Fishin Technician]

Orvis Superfine rods..........look for the gray series one or the brown series 2.........troutbum...too pricey for a redo of an old favorite that lost 3/4 of it's old and tried models F/T

 

[BRK TRT]

The Orvis Superfines, I also recomend the Sage FLi 7ft 3wt, a nice rod for around 200.00.