Small Stream Fly rods

[justfishing55]

I recently had a discussion with a guy in a fly shop about short fly rods. My son, who has been fly fishing for about 4 years wanted to buy a 6′ fly rod to use on small creeks and streams. We were told that only very qualified flyers should use such a short rod, but that he should use his normal 8′ and learn techniques to adapt to the close quarters. We ended up not getting the 6′, but I wanted some advice from people that had actually fished in very tight places to find out what they prefer.

Thanks

[Zach Matthews]

Hey JF-

I actually don’t think a 6′ rod is any harder to cast, especially up close.

[justfishing55]

Zach,

When a 15 year old gets something in his mind it’s hard to get him off it.

[Zach Matthews]

Hey JF-

I am not familiar with that rod but if he’s got a break rate like that you might look at TFO.

[justfishing55]

Great. They have a 6′ – 2wt for $89.00. Might be a little light, but the replacement deal is nice to have.

Thanks

[newsman]

Short rods are not any harder to cast. To prove it to yourself & son, line your rod. Then take take the tip section off and cast with it. One of my freinds from our local Bass club, who is avid fly guy, built an awsome three footer that he uses for panfish.

Too bad about the tackle clerk feeding your son misinformation. One of the things I emphasize when teaching novices about tackle is to do your home work and make your own decision. Your equipment, is “your equipment nobody elses”. The right equipment for you will last you for years. Get the wrong equipment and will be wanting something else within six months.

[brian dunigan]

I have a 7′ G. Loomis “Streamdance Metolius” 3wt, and it is absolutely, hands-down my favorite rod in the whole wide world.

[mountainsallaround]

OK, I’ll throw in a slightly divergent opinion; I can’t see why a shorter rod would be harder to cast, but on small freestone creeks, a longer rod can get you a lot better drifts.

On smaller creeks, the shortest rod I’m using is a 7.5′, and I’ll typically fish a light-action 8′ rod unless it’s really, really brushy. I do a *lot* of highstick dry fly fishing, and an 8′ rod is really the way to go (or 8.5′) if the river’s a tiny bit bigger.

[Jack Cummings]

I think it best to go with the longest rod you can get away with. The cast is the easy part. Once that cast is made it all boils down to line control. Longer rods are simply easier to mend and more effective than short rods once the fly is in the water.
I fish the skinny waters of North Carolina and usually end up tucked in a rhododendrun tunnel. Even with little room the shortest rods I’ll use is a 6′ 10″ 3 weight and I tend to want a 8′ or even an 8.5′ when I can get away with it.

Lee Wulff and Joe Humphrey’s certainly like short rods, but consider the fact they have decades of fly fishing under their belts! 😉

[justfishing55]

Mountainsallaround,

I did find this helpful article off of that site in your little home

[mountainsallaround]

Thanks for the kind words, but the credit goes to Ian Rutter for the article. He lives (and breathes) small streams, and guides a lot of folks in GSMNP and on most of Tennessee’s tailwaters.

If you liked the article, then keep in mind he has a new photo book coming out in less than a month. I think he has a few sample spreads and an excerpt up on his http://www.randrflyfishing.com site.

From what I can see, it’s gorgeous.

Tight lines,
Tom Chandler

[paul_puckett]

“Too bad about the tackle clerk feeding your son misinformation. ” – Newsman

I wouldn’t say the clerk gave you “misinformation”…it was just his opinion.  And, you should be able to cast the rod before you buy it anyway.  I think for beginners it is easier to use a longer rod to get more leverage and cast further and more accurately.  You can always get a 7-8 foot rod and choke up during certain situations.

[justfishing55]

MAA,

I checked Ian’s book out. It does look pretty sweet. I did buy his other one. Anglers Companion

[newsman]

Talk about short rods check “Mad For Micro” on the news page at flyfish.com

[brian dunigan]

I’ve always wondered whether a short rod might be an advantage when streamer fishing with Kelly Gallup’s “jerk strip” method.  I use a 9′ 8wt for streamer fishing, and it can be awkward to rapidly strip a fly with such a long rod.  I think it might turn out to be a little bit easier with a short rod, though I haven’t tried it.

On the other hand, casting might be tougher.  Plus, I imagine it would be pretty expensive to obtain a 7′ rod in 7 or 8 wt, because it’s not a common item.  That cost factor will probably prevent me from ever getting to try it…

bd

[scott s.]

justfishing55,

Just curious….was this clerk from DS Flyshop? I used to live there and know those guys well.

[Author]

Posts