rod weights/lengths

[achja]

just curious about the rod weights & lengths y'all use for trout up yonder... i have a 9' 6wt, but it seems a little bit overkill unless the wind is gusting hard. also, any pointers on how i can convince the better half that i need another rod?

[The Ole Man]

achja
I have 11 so far, not counting 3 old fibergl****jobs from the past. Mine are a 6'6", 4 wt; 8'4",4 wt; 81/2,5 wt; 9',5 wt-2 pc; 9',5 wt-3 pc; 9',6 wt; 81/2',6 wt; 91/2',7wt; 9',8wt-3 pc; 9',10 wt; & 9' 12 wt. I'm in the market for another: a 7', 3 wt. You have to accumulate these on the sly. There are creative ways to select, purchase, pay-for and store your gear in the stealth mode. If you must admit to it, just tell your wife that you can never have too many rods & reels. I find great bargains weekly in the VFS auction and classifieds-often 1/2 price or less. As far as what to use up yonder. It depends on the water, the terrain, the flies and the fish size. Just to strike a happy medium for a North Ga small stream rod I would say a 7', 3 wt would be about right for stocker streams-maybe a 7',2 wt for smaller- wild-fish streams. If you go over and fish the big'uns at Unicoi Outfitters-better take a 5wt or a 6 wt. Out west a 6 wt for western trout is the norm. In the NW 7wt to a 9 for steelhead is ususal. It all depends on the factors I noted.

[The Ole Man]

achja
I have 11 so far, not counting 3 old fibergl****jobs from the past. Mine are a 6'6", 4 wt; 8'4",4 wt; 81/2,5 wt; 9',5 wt-2 pc; 9',5 wt-3 pc; 9',6 wt; 81/2',6 wt; 91/2',7wt; 9',8wt-3 pc; 9',10 wt; & 9' 12 wt. I'm in the market for another: a 7', 3 wt. You have to accumulate these on the sly. There are creative ways to select, purchase, pay-for and store your gear in the stealth mode. If you must admit to it, just tell your wife that you can never have too many rods & reels. I find great bargains weekly in the VFS auction and classifieds-often 1/2 price or less. As far as what to use up yonder. It depends on the water, the terrain, the flies and the fish size. Just to strike a happy medium for a North Ga small stream rod I would say a 7', 3 wt would be about right for stocker streams-maybe a 7',2 wt for smaller- wild-fish streams. If you go over and fish the big'uns at Unicoi Outfitters-better take a 5wt or a 6 wt. Out west a 6 wt for western trout is the norm. In the NW 7wt to a 9 for steelhead is ususal. It all depends on the factors I noted.

[J Byrd]

Achja,

I have a 5wt 8'6' rod, that is my universal rod. I also have a 5wt 6'6 rod that I never use. I fish my 8'6 anywhere from the hooch, to Smiths, and smaller. Sometimes I wish I had a 4wt for the smaller streams and sometimes I wish I had a 9ft 7wt when I want to reach out and touch someone. I think my next rod will be a St. Croix 4wt 3pcs, for camping and smaller streams. I would suggest a 3 or 4 wt rod for the small stuff in the range of 6 to 7 ft should do it. As far as hiding it from my wife? I'm single, I can buy anything I want!!!!!!! If only I had the cash to do it. J. Byrd

[HNeal]

I use a 9' 5wt for the Hooch, I have a 7'6" 4/5wt, a 8' 7wt, and a 9'6" 7/8wt. My next will be a 6'6" 2 or 3wt for the mountain streams. The thing is to pick the one for the water you fish mostly. Your 6wt will be adequate for a bigger water like the Hooch. A 5wt would be better. If you like the smaller waters, I'd start looking for a 7 to 7'6" 4wt. But you can use your 6 wt, it'll just be more difficult.

As for the SO problem, good luck (I had to get a divorce before I could get back into fishing so I'm not the person to advise you http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif )

[The Ole Man]

achja
Forgot to tell you my strategy for convincing the better half. B****boats. You could buy yourself 3 premium rods and reels, lines, leaders, premium waders/boots and vest, a fine hat,4 boxes of flys, and all the access. you could want AND still not begin to touch the cost of buying, operating and maintaining a b****boat. And thats before the b****rods/reels and lures are purchased. When the b****boat and trailer are gone to the recycler-your fly gear will still be around to p****on to your grandkids. I get a real chuckle when a bassin man asks me -that flyfishing is expensive aint it? Not on your life. It's all relative.

[achja]

Saw this in a post on VFS and figured everyone might get a laugh... http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/biggrin.gif

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I might add, for the younger guys who have not yet come up with a suitably effective response to the question [how many rods do you own/need?], my reply that has served well for shotguns and flyrods: "Why do you need more than two, or possibly three, pieces of jewelry (feel free to insert frocks, shoes or handbags). Watch the "high ground" slip from beneath their feet.