when fishing small streams...fast action or slow?

[upyun]

I've read through many past threads and it seems that there is no right answer to the question: What action rod do you use when fishing small streams?

Some people say to use fast action so you have a rod that loads quicker and some say use a slow action rod so you have a very easy rod to make tight roll casts with.....is it just good to have both kinds then?

Brian

 

[sstasiak]

Upyun

Slow action rods are good for a few things if you're fishing small streams. For one thing, they're good for making short, accurate, and delicate casts. If you're referring to fishing wild trout streams, those things are pretty important. On bigger waters or on windier days, you may have some trouble casting it a distance you're used to getting out of a stiffer rod. They're also good for trying to catch those super wary fish. If you need to go down to a 7x tippet, a slow action rod will protect your tippet if you hook a nice fish by taking some of the pressure off the tippet and putting it on the rod.

 

[duncan]

sstasiak is right on. The one thing I'd add is that it might be good to shop for what you're not as good at. I'm a young guy who's pretty good at getting my line to load quickly, but I'm glad I have a slow action rod because I can make a pretty good splash with my weighted flies and am not great at roll casting either.

 

[upyun]

Upyun

Slow action rods are good for a few things if you're fishing small streams. For one thing, they're good for making short, accurate, and delicate casts. If you're referring to fishing wild trout streams, those things are pretty important. On bigger waters or on windier days, you may have some trouble casting it a distance you're used to getting out of a stiffer rod. They're also good for trying to catch those super wary fish. If you need to go down to a 7x tippet, a slow action rod will protect your tippet if you hook a nice fish by taking some of the pressure off the tippet and putting it on the rod.

Hey Steve,

So you're on the side that thinks slow action rods are better than moderate to fast action rods for small streams? A couple of folks on here have the TFO Lefty Kreh Pro Series 7'6" 3wt 4pc rod that they use for small streams which I believe has moderate-fast action. Is a faster action fly rod good for certain things on a small stream that a slow action rod is bad at?

I was thinking about getting two rods in the 6'6" to 7' range; one with a slow action and one with a moderate-fast action...you know, to cover all my bases

 

[sstasiak]

Although having 2 rods is better than 1, you definitely don't need to spend the money to have 2 if you can't afford it. That being said, I'll explain why I feel that way. The rod I use as my all around for NJ is the TFO LK Pro 8' 4wt. I've used it to catch 20" rainbows and 2" brookies with no problem. I also have used a slow action rod and liked it on small streams. However, I can't afford a seperate rod for every situation that comes up so I stick to the 8' 4wt. Even though it's a medium-fast action, I'm able to get the job done on small streams(short casts, delicate presentation, accuracy) by adjusting my casting technique a bit or shortening/lengthening my leader to suit the situation.

If you have another rod in like a 4 or 5wt(I'm pretty sure I remember you saying you did in another post) I'd go with a 6' or 6'6" 2wt for small streams. Will this rod be specifically for small streams or do you plan on using it on larger rivers?

Although I haven't been fly fishing for that long, I do it often and have learned a lot in the time I've been doing it. Maybe some more experienced guys can throw in their thoughts.

 

[JeffK]

I'm back to "if it feels good do it." Short rods are commonly better since you may be in cramped quarters - although I use long rods in mature woods (I used to use a 12' rod on the VCB for the extreme end - but that was in the way of nutty historical stuff with old fashioned wet flies). Generally lighter rods are more suitable, but you could get away from a 2 wt to a 5 wt. It helps to be accurate, so use a rod you are comfortable with. If you are comfortable you are likely to be more accurate.

Basically my advice is use what you have. If it isn't cutting it - to heavy, too long, too short, too fast, too slow etc - then you will know what direction you want to go. All the advice here is good, but in the end you have to please yourself and use the equipment that suits your style.

 

[Pete]

If you're a beginner, you may find a slow or medium action rod a lot more forgiving than a fast action no matter where you're fishing.....

On a small stream, you won't be making many of the long casts that may require a fast action.

Roll casting in tight spots will be better with a slower action.

Having said that, it really depends on your casting style and preferences. JeffK has a good point. Start with the rod you're used to, and work from there, based on how you do ...faster/slower...shorter/longer...etc.

 

[upyun]

I'm back to "if it feels good do it." Short rods are commonly better since you may be in cramped quarters - although I use long rods in mature woods (I used to use a 12' rod on the VCB for the extreme end - but that was in the way of nutty historical stuff with old fashioned wet flies). Generally lighter rods are more suitable, but you could get away from a 2 wt to a 5 wt. It helps to be accurate, so use a rod you are comfortable with. If you are comfortable you are likely to be more accurate.

Basically my advice is use what you have. If it isn't cutting it - to heavy, too long, too short, too fast, too slow etc - then you will know what direction you want to go. All the advice here is good, but in the end you have to please yourself and use the equipment that suits your style.

Thanks for the input and advice Jeff! There's some really good comments in this thread everyone!

Jeff, one question about "using the equipment that suits my style." Does that mean I will eventually just focus on one type of action (slow, med, fast) rod? What I'm saying is, wouldn't you have to change/alter your style somewhat when fishing a slow action rod compared to a fast action rod? So isn't your style kind of dictated by the action rod you use?

Although having 2 rods is better than 1, you definitely don't need to spend the money to have 2 if you can't afford it. That being said, I'll explain why I feel that way. The rod I use as my all around for NJ is the TFO LK Pro 8' 4wt. I've used it to catch 20" rainbows and 2" brookies with no problem. I also have used a slow action rod and liked it on small streams. However, I can't afford a seperate rod for every situation that comes up so I stick to the 8' 4wt. Even though it's a medium-fast action, I'm able to get the job done on small streams(short casts, delicate presentation, accuracy) by adjusting my casting technique a bit or shortening/lengthening my leader to suit the situation.

If you have another rod in like a 4 or 5wt(I'm pretty sure I remember you saying you did in another post) I'd go with a 6' or 6'6" 2wt for small streams. Will this rod be specifically for small streams or do you plan on using it on larger rivers?

Although I haven't been fly fishing for that long, I do it often and have learned a lot in the time I've been doing it. Maybe some more experienced guys can throw in their thoughts.

Money really isn't that much of an issue for me since I'm not looking for the top of the line rods. I currently have some weird obsession for wanting multiple small stream fly rods for some reason (I love them!) and its not like they're T&T's but the ones (2) I want are in the $225-$260 region.

Thanks for the 2 wt. recommendation Steve. You certainly got me thinking about a 2 wt now! And yes, in most instances, this would be a rod strictly for the small streams, brooks, creeks (aka wild trout hunter) that surround our tri-state area.

Thanks guys.

 

[JeffK]

I think experienced casters can adapt to the action of the rod pretty quick as you feel it load and unload. That said, some speed will feel "just right" and it might be a different action for different jobs. Don't expect the action to work tiny BWO dries to be the same one that works best for pitching weighted wooly buggers. I have plenty of rods (as do most people here), but I end up using just a handful that feel right. Cost has nothing to do whether a rod feels right. Some are better at close range (90% of my fishing) and a few are better at cranking out a long cast. A like a 10' 4 wt soft rod for nymphs/wets, a 7 1/2' 4 wt medium action for dries, an 8 1/2' 5 wt medium for general work, and a 9' 6wt medium-fast when I have to crank out streamers a long ways. All my other rods get very little work-out.

Just like baseball bats, tennis rackets, shotguns, musical instruments etc - some fly rods just feel good in the hand and everybody has their own tastes. That's what keeps the fly rod companies in business.

 

[jack1266]

Upyun, Since it sounds like you want a light line rod I'll chime in. I have a 4pc Scott E2 8' 3wt that I have been using in NJ this year. It's Med Fast action and I love fishing dries with it. It's decent for nymphing pocket water. It loads pretty quick. Here's the caveat: I learned very quickly that no matter what size the stream is , wind is a 3wt killer. It's also pretty useless trying to cast a weighted bugger. It can throw some small streamers like a mickey finn, black ghost, etc. but only in the 10- 12 range. I always keep my 5wt in the trunk just in case. For the most part, I like it.

I don't know where you reside but if you take a ride up to Streams of Dreams in Mahwah and find something you like, the guys there will line the rod and let you try it out back.

 

[upyun]

Upyun, Since it sounds like you want a light line rod I'll chime in. I have a 4pc Scott E2 8' 3wt that I have been using in NJ this year. It's Med Fast action and I love fishing dries with it. It's decent for nymphing pocket water. It loads pretty quick. Here's the caveat: I learned very quickly that no matter what size the stream is , wind is a 3wt killer. It's also pretty useless trying to cast a weighted bugger. It can throw some small streamers like a mickey finn, black ghost, etc. but only in the 10- 12 range. I always keep my 5wt in the trunk just in case. For the most part, I like it.

I don't know where you reside but if you take a ride up to Streams of Dreams in Mahwah and find something you like, the guys there will line the rod and let you try it out back.

Thanks for the input Jack. I live not too far from Streams of Dreams, but since I only come up to North Jersey on the weekends, I really don't have a lot of time to check their place out. I'm sure, sooner or later, I'll end up there

 

[Scott]

Some good discussion on rods here: http://www.njflyfishing.com/vBullet...y-fishing-forum/t4140-casting-style-rods.html