looking for *short* rod recommendations

[corlay]

Hello all.

Up 'til now I've fished/owned one rod - a 8'-6" #5wt. Cabela's "combo" (Three Forks rod /Pfleuger Medalist reel); and I do very well with this equipment.

But, now going into my 3rd yr. of steady fly fishing,
I'm considering upgrading a bit.

I (mostly) fish small to medium streams in upstate NY (well north/west of the WB Delaware...); and thought that *downsizing* a little for these streams might be beneficial?

I was thinking a 7'-0"-7'-6" rod, w/ #3-4 wt. line?

My assumption, is that casting will be a bit easier to manage, on narrower streams; as I tend to get hung-up
in vegetation behind/above me now...(still learning a good roll-cast technique!...)

Anyone have any recommendations for Manufacturer/Series/Model?

FYI...I swing Wet Flies almost exclusively, so rod performance with regard to "presentation" is not so important (compared to dry fly fishing...) but better *accuracy* would be helpful. I fish/cast in/to lots of tight spaces.

I'm familiar with most of the major Manufacturers, but is there one who does small/light rods particularly well? (for less than $200?...)

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[trout48]

If you dont fish bamboo any major manufaturer should have a 7ft 6 in rod to fit your needs. When I fished graphite I preferred sage rods. You have to try any rod you buy or should to see if it fits your casting style.

 

[corlay]

Thanks, 48.

How does one try before they buy?
Do most local shops keep "demo" rods,
for this purpose?

And when you say "try",
does that mean casting on the lawn outside the shop,
or actually using it on a stream?

 

[JeffK]

Not too many bad rods out there anymore - find one that you like. Plenty of choices for under $200 - TFO, Redington, Cortland, St Croix and just about any reputable manufacturer make good rods (steer clear of Walmart - that is below the too cheap line). Two nice less expensive short rods I had were a Heritage Angling one for $75 and an LL Bean Stream Light. Cost and action that suits you do not always go hand in hand.

Now for the controversy. I like a 7 1/2 ft 4 wt. 7 1/2 ft works for me, but you will read plenty of other suggestions - find what works for you. I don't like to go below 7 1/2' since I end up mending wet flies all the time and that gets harder as rod length goes shorter. Shorter rods are accurate casters and are great for dries though. I also don't like going under 4 wt. The light lines are fine, but when you need a little extra weight for a heavy nymph, a little extra distance, need to cast into the wind, got to punch a cast under a tree etc I prefer to have a 4 wt over a 2 or 3 wt.

 

[BIGBOW]

I see that Cortland has been mentioned. They have a new small stream rod out this year called the Brook. I read 3 reviews on the rod and have heard nothing but good things. Its relatively cheap at $179. Of course there are better rods for the money, but this little guy is just right for little streams and the price. Its not on their website yet, but you are able to order them.

 

[troutster]

I've owned a few different lite rods Orvis TO Cabelas and I really like the Temple fork. I tried one when I was in montana my guide had a 7ft 6in 4wt it loaded effortlessly and was a pleasure to cast I'm going to add one to the arsenal this year .they are relatively inexpensive too.hope that helps good luck with your choice.

 

[coolkyle]

I used a 7' 4wt for the longest time thinking it was better for small stream fishing. Last year I picked up my ECHO 4wt (only $140) at 8' and had no problems at all with the ferns and trees and brush of the Cascades. My casting gets better distance when needed, and I can actually mend now and high-stick to some degree.

 

[corlay]

thank you all , for your advice and suggestions so far...

I've done a bit of reading and research,
and stopped by my local shop,
and talked with the Owner a bit.

Everything's pointing to fiberglass, I think?
And I'm liking the idea of an American-made Diamondback; and least to try.
(but they're a bit pricey...)

The idea of "slowing everything down" and moving into more of a medium action rod, is appealing to me. And 'glass just sounds like *fun* for smaller fish?

I may take a drive to the Cortland factory outlet (who carries Diamondback closeouts...) and see what they've got.

 

[beeber]

A Temple Fork Professional 8 foot 4 weight would be a great choice in your price range. I have one I bought as a back-up for a 7 1/2 foot Loomis GL3 and now I use the Temple Fork more of the time. It flexes moderately fast, similar to Sage rods. The extra 1/2 foot does help with the mending.

 

[troutrob]

Go for a Scott in the 3-5wt range- great rods and relatively cheap. My favorite rod, over a sage, pair of orvis, redington, and even my winston is a 4wt scott (a bit shorter than what your looking for) at under $250

check them out for small rods

 

[troutrob]

also , sorry forgot to add, but rarely does the cortland factory outlet have cheap gear that is not odd sized, in fact I'd say 90% of the time they overprice- was there 2 weeks ago

 

[corlay]

also , sorry forgot to add, but rarely does the cortland factory outlet have cheap gear that is not odd sized, in fact I'd say 90% of the time they overprice- was there 2 weeks ago

well, against this advice; I took a drive up yesterday and *totally scored*!

Not a small rod like I was looking for, but an 8' 3pc Diamondglass at a spectacularly marked-down price. Was the only one in the shop. Maybe my timing was completely lucky...

 

[Stonefly]

I Have 2 short rods a Sage LST 7'6 for a 3wt and an 8' Diamondback for a 4wt.

As your casting to closer lies, with small flies, nymphs and what I call micro streamers a medium fast rod (sage SLT) is an excellent choice. They discontinued the SLT's this year, but you can find them from time to time on ebay for sale. The Diamond back is also a good choice under 300.00

 

[Fishin Technician]

Find an old Superfine 4 wt by Orvis....6 foot to 7 foot........OK maybe 7 .5 foot, they seemed to work 40 / 30 / 20 / yrs ago, might be too old in design for the new elite experts.....:rofl: / FT

 

[Eagle Claw]

If the streams are really small you are probably just flipping the line and not really casting. I bought a 6 foot Fenwick fiberglass on Ebay for $50 bucks and it is fun to fish on small streams. No need to spend hundreds of bucks to just flip a line 20 feet or less.

 

[Eagle Claw]

There is a 5'3" on Ebay right now for 25 bucks,even if it goes to $50 how can you go wrong for a bush wacking rod.

 

[Fishin Technician]

Short rods........I just bought a Browning one piece 4 foot 6 inch UL silaflex / fiberglass spinning rod rated for 1 to 2 lb test....1/16 to 3/16 oz lure weight for $55.00 never used..........it is a 1968 rod.......I matched it up with a Orvis UL 50A spinning rod that was made in Italy, (was a Alcedo Micron reel) 1970 never used rated 1 to 4 lb test............I had this same combo in the early 70's....the reel today was a buy now for 200 big ones..........I hate to admit, the older i get, the more i want to be back in the 70's as far as fishing goes.....I haven even taken up small stream worm and minnow fishing again with this outfit, just so I can catch a few big trout again...........and fry them up!!!! F/T used to be a purist, but I saw the Light....

 

[Fishin Technician]

Must be all purist's here?

 

[afishinado]

For small water and tight places I use a March Brown - Hidden Waters model. I use the 7’ 4 wt model. It’s a seven piece and breaks down into a small 12" or 13" rod case that I carry in my pack when hiking to the stream. One other feature is that it converts to a 6’ rod by leaving out the second section. It casts well with a moderate fast action, is fairly light, and overall is a great rod for small streams. You can order it on-line at Beekflies for around $189.99. HTH.

March Brown Hidden Water Travel Fly Rod Series

 

[Fishin Technician]

Seven pieces.........all mine are two pieces........I just thought that is the way rods are supposed to be built...

 

[Der_R_Gno_Snaggers]

Ugly Stick?

Sorry, I could not resist.

 

[Bourgeois_Local]

The forum admins have really small rods. Pm them and I am sure they will work out a deal. I hear they like to give the short rod out to random guys.

 

[dcabarle]

The forum admins have really small rods. Pm them and I am sure they will work out a deal. I hear they like to give the short rod out to random guys.

Ohhh jeez... Are you cruising around the public porto potty's again? Stop spying on us. Ohhh... and enjoy that website, now that I know it's right up your alley! :rofl:

 

[Dennis]

Don't know what weigt rod you are looking for but I fish ultra light 0,1,and 2 wt rods on big water I will break out the 3 or 5 wt for trout nothing larger, my rcomendation is the Temple Fork Outfiters (TFO) 6ft 2wt what a blast and it can realy help in the tight spots, even if I am fishing a 8 or 9 ft rod I keep this 2 wt in my pack when I am on the water just incase , and oh yeah I don't think i have ever presented a dry fly better than with this rod, it is so ,so delicate. I personally love it and I picked it up @ Tight Lines Fly Fishing in Pine Brook(Great store by the way, people who really understand the sport) it is 2 pc rod and is very inexpensive I have a Tetonlight wt reel coupled with it. It is a great value for the money. You should @ least try one out for the hell of it. that is why I brought mine

 

[stcroixboy]

here is a completely different idea than a name brand... where i go in wv they have custom lightweight rods made for them and they sell them online now... they are handmade in the good ol usa and are guaranteed for life! elkspringsflyshop (cant post url dont have enough posts) tell them you know the jersey boys!