Need advice on a good fly rod

Post by **Streamtripper** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:50 pm

It's time for me to upgrade to a very good quality rod and reel. Can anyone suggest a good rig that wont cost a fortune. i dont mind spending extra if its worth it. Looking at 5x to 7X. Thanks...

Post by **worm31** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:17 pm

Hey

TFO is great. good rods and a lifetime warranty with no screwing around. Orvis aint bad either 25 year warranty and good quailty stuff. Battenkill mid arbor is a reel to think about affordable and very dependable. I dont know much about sage but have only heard good things.. can be expensive though.

Worm

Post by **Streamtripper** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:43 pm

Thanks worm, never heard of them before. Is there a model that you can suggest. I'm doing small stream to river fishing for steelies and smallmouth bass and want a good all around rod, good backbone but finesse tip.....

Post by **worm31** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:03 pm

Hey

I acutally use my TFO TiCR for smallmouth in lakes and it works perfectly the rod has exactly what your asking. As for rivers i dont know much. I have used it on a small creek for steelhead and it got the job done. Orvis is a really popular fly fishing brand, check out their site www.orvis.com. I have two orvis reels and a TLS power matrix rod and really like them.

Post by **Todd B.** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:24 pm

Streamtripper,

I assume you meant a 5wt to 7wt (as opposed to tippet sizes). In any case 5-7 is a very broad range in terms of intended uses. Before I recommend anything I would want to know the species you want to target, the conditions you expect to be fishing in (i.e. small streams, rivers, lakes, etc), and what style of fishing you will be doing? (i.e. heavy streamers, dry flies, nymphing, tossing bass bugs, etc)

Cheers,
Todd

Post by **Streamtripper** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:19 am

Yes 5-7wt, sorry. I'm currently using an 8wt rod which allows long casts for river fishing but its light on finesse for the small bows and brookies. My mind was set on a Sage but I know the rod sells at a premium price. I cast a mix bag of nymphs, dry flies , weighted streamers and bass poppers....all of which my sons and I tie. I would like to spend around 250 for the rod and reel...just some presonal endorsements is what I'm after...thanks alot...Kevin

Post by **Salar** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:21 am

Hi Streamtripper,

The least expensive Sage Rod is the Launch series. It'll run you about $200 for a two piece.

I have two Sage Fli Rods, a 5wt and an 8wt. They run about $315 for a 4 piece. They're great rods. I have no complaints. Looking to buy a 6wt or 7wt 10fter sometime.

It's hard to answer your question which rod weight since you're talking about steelies, trout, and bass. No one rod will be best for all of those species. Stick with your 8wt for the steelies. For small trout and bass, either a 4wt or 5wt. For casting larger flies (weighted streamers and poppers), I'd go with a 6wt. It's all personal preference in the end. Ask 10 different fly fisherman, and you'll get 10 difference answers.

Cheers,

Salar.

Post by **Todd B.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:47 am

StreamTripper,

Since you already have an 8wt, I would recommend going with a 5wt for your next rod. You will be limited in the size of bass popper you can throw, but if you're throwing big bass poppers you should probably be using your 8wt anyways.

As for recommendations, $250 for the rod and reel will probably limit your choices considerably. For a 5wt outfit I would personally spend the extra money on the rod. Your will find that for the most part you won't even rely on the drag for your reel, so spending $$$ on the reel is more for show than function. Just get something that balances well on the rod.

For rods, my personal preference is for 4 piece (or more) rods. Based on your price range, a couple rods that you could look at would be:

Orvis Clearwater
Sage Fli
Redington RF2
TFO Professional Series (available through US only)
TFO Series I (4 piece)

For reels, check out the Okuma SLV (a nice reel for an inexpensive price). The Orvis Battenkill Barstock is also a nice reel but probably outside of your price range if you go with the higher quality rod.

Cheers,
Todd

Post by **worm31** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:23 am

Hey

Does sport action 3000 still sell those 5wt SLV outfits? I bought that combo a couple years ago because it was recommended by Richard Weber. I learned most of what i know from him. I argee with Todd that it was a great reel, but then the drag broke? I fixed it and it works, but it was a let down. The whole outfit was only 150$

Post by **Todd B.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:51 am

I'm sure you can still pick up an Okuma rod/reel kit from Sport Action, though I don't recall the kit coming with the SLV (though I may be wrong.)

As for drag, I personally keep my drag set on the loose side. Around here there isn't much that will take you into your backing say for an accidental muskie or a +5lb trout. A good habit to get into is back off your drag when you pack up your gear for the day. This reduces the potential of compressing the cork disk (or whatever material is used for the drag) and prematurely wearing out the drag.

Post by **Streamtripper** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:54 am

Thanks for the feedback guys...... time to shop

Post by **Salar** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:34 pm

If you plan on fishing for larger fish and need a good drag system, check out the new Lamson Konic. It's relatively inexpensive at around $130 and comes with the same drag system as their $400 reels.

Here's some info on the Lamson reel:

http://www.waterworks-lamson.com/news.html

Post by **Streamtripper** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:55 pm

Well my quest is over. Grand River Outfitters set me up with a TFO signature 5WT rod and an Orvis Clearwater reel c/w Rio line and backing for under $200.00. Maybe not the last rig I will ever buy but a very respectable well balanced rod and reel that I expect will keep me happy for quite a few years.....

Post by **Todd B.** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:21 pm

Streamtripper,

Sounds like you're good to go for this season. One word on your reel...if the boys in the store put the line weight sticker on the back of your spool, it will most likely come of if you ever get the reel wet. As a result it will gum up your clicker, causing the spool to stick when line is being stripped off. Simply clean the shredded label from the clicker, etc and it will as good as new.

Post by **beachburger** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:21 pm

New gear rocks.....