4 wt, 7 or 8 ft? help!

[River rat]

I am currently thinking of buying a Fly Rod for small to medium water. I have decided on a 4wt. rod, but length is still in question.
I am looking at the diamond back " All American" series. I thought I wanted a 7ft rod, but the experts at the fly shops all try to talk me into a 8ft. Any suggestions?

[HNeal]

The determining factor is what sort of "small-to-medium" water will you be fishing. If you are talking about the heavy cover of a mountain stream, the shorter rod would help, keeping you out of the trees, brush, etc. Otherwise, an 8' or longer would be better. The 4 wt. is a good choice, if not a 3 wt.

[HNeal]

The determining factor is what sort of "small-to-medium" water will you be fishing. If you are talking about the heavy cover of a mountain stream, the shorter rod would help, keeping you out of the trees, brush, etc. Otherwise, an 8' or longer would be better. The 4 wt. is a good choice, if not a 3 wt.

[HNeal]

The determining factor is what sort of "small-to-medium" water will you be fishing. If you are talking about the heavy cover of a mountain stream, the shorter rod would help, keeping you out of the trees, brush, etc. Otherwise, an 8' or longer would be better. The 4 wt. is a good choice, if not a 3 wt.

[The Drifter]

RR
If you can't decide, get an Orvis "Brook Trout". Its a 4 wt. and is 7.5 feet in length. I've fished with one for about 7 or 8 years now. Of all my rods, I use it the most. 'Course a lot of my fishing is on the small streams of the Smokies. Sometimes a longer rod is more advantageous when "mending" line. On small streams with wild trout, a drag-free float is imperative.

A lot of people knock Orvis, but the selling point for me is the lifetime warranty (may be twenty five year warranty now). They have replaced two rod tips on this rod with no questions asked.

Good luck,
The Drifter

[123chris]

Also what kinds of flys are you going to fish? I had an Orvis Trident 4wt which really cast small nymphs and drys well, but when I wanted to cast wooly buggers or heavy streamers I could not get the fly to turn over. Even in the small streams I was trying to roll cast and the fly just would not turn over or the line was not heavy enough to lift the bugger off the water and carry it to the destination of my choice. I went back and traded it for a 5wt Trident TL and put 6wt line on it, now even in the smaller streams the rod loads quickly and cast much better.just my .02 cents.

[Goldman]

I currently fish small streams with an All-American 7ft 4wt and it has been an excellent rod for the price. However, I only use it for small streams, Dukes and Smith for example, because you just can't cast for any distance. If your looking for something you can use on the Chatooga, look for something longer. If your needs are only for small streams, this is good rod with a lifetime warrenty. I've also never had a problem turning over any fly, no matter how heavy, but I do lose distance when weight increases.

[superchub]

I have the 7 1/2' Diamondback 3-piece and am very pleased with it. As has been mentioned....this is a rod for smaller streams BUT I like to use it from the float tube in the Chattahoochee...when you are working the banks and are inclose to the snags its great. Go to the FISHHAWK in Buckhead....they'll let you try the diamondback, orvis (if they still ahve any) and the St. Croiux THEN decide.... throw them all first BEFORE you buy!
SC

[The Ole Man]

Riverat

For a real good deal on a small stream rod, as of last Thursday, The Bargain Barn in Jasper, Ga. (Hwy 53) had two Orvis Superfine 7-11 4wts. & one Far & Fine 7-9 5 wt at half price for 163.00. They have been closing out various Orvis for last 2 yrs. I've bought three including a Trident. My favorite smallie is Orvis Rocky Mtn. 6'6" 4wt. They have some 9' Rocky Mtns at 1/2(same as Silver Label) and even have a 10' 7wt. I may race you back up there for the Far&Fine.

[Jeff Jones]

River Rat, I have fished a 4wt, 7ft. Cortland rod for 3 or 4 yrs. I now fish the sae wt./gth. rod in a B****Pro Shops "house" rod. I have nothing against Orvis other than the fact that I wouldn't buy a $300 screwdriver. I usually want a new rod every 2 or 3 years, so a 25 yr. warr. doesn't appeal to me. ( however I am only a lowly salesman and have what many flyfishers would consider a very limited budget.However, my $70 rod and $50 reel serve me well and have never failed to catch trout when called upon. Stick with a major Co., a rod that "feels" right to you, and match your equipment and you'l be fine; whatever length you pick. No offense Orvis lovers!

[The Ole Man]

Riverat
Jeff is totally correct. Buy what feels right to your fishing situation. Being budget minded as many members are, I would never buy an Orvis at full price. I will buy them at half price. I got my first flyrod 45 yrs ago when I was 11 yrs. old. It was a square fiberglasss job and I fished it to death. I have a fibergl****Southbend that I bought in 1963 that is still a dream to cast and I still take it fishing sometimes. Ironically, my favorite all time rod (I have 14 rods) is one I paid only $20.00 for. I went in WalMart about 12 yrs ago and saw some flyrod tubes in the corner. They were Daiwa Pro Graphites- normally 70.00. Only 20.00 bucks. I bought one, an 8 1/2 5wt. Smooth gray blank, maroon wraps tipped in silver, not one but two aluminum oxide stripping guides. Nice flannel bag and a tube to boot. I use a DT5 Aircell line on it. I prefer to cast it and fish it above all the rods I own. So, I only relate the on- sale Orvis rods to you because they are an excellent buy at half off. $163.00 is not a lot to spend for something you may own the rest of your life. Consider that I've owned my Southbend for 35 years, still love it and it didnt even come with a warranty. I paid $7.95 for it. Lets see, thats about .23 cents a year. I'm retired and even I can afford that. Hope you find a rod you love.

[ALG]

RR,
Back in Spring I bought a St.Croix Imperial Series 4/5 wt. 8' rod. I got it at the fishhawk after literally almost 1 1/2 hours of throwing different rods. I have fished it on the hooch and on streams small enough to cross in one step. I have found it to be a great rod. The imperial is the middle of the line for St. Croix, but I preferred it over the faster(and Higher priced) models. I would highly recommend going to the fishhawk and test out the rods until you find one that fits your style. Let us know what you get!
Tight lines,
ALG