All around rod

[S.Trutta]

Alright guys...its snowing like crazy and i havent been out fishing since before xmas, so im starting to get the cabin crazies and my mind is wandering to the warm weather and trout fishing. Im curious...what is everyones favorite size for an all around cane trout rod?? Im talking a rod that can handle dries, nymphs, and even smaller streamers. With graphite I always like a longer rod because of the added line control and help with mending line when nymphing, but with bamboo rod almost all of my experience has been with rods 7'6ft and shorter. I enjoy these very much for smaller waters or when strictly fishing dries, but they usually struggle a little when fishing nymohs with an indicator. Curious what size you guys grab for an all around trout rod?


Rich

[Gatorbyte]

Good question. I have a 7ft that is great for dries but tough to nymph with. I'd like to get either a 7'9" or 8' rod that would be more versatile.

[Buck Henry]

Rich,

Sorry to hear that the shack-nasties are kicking in! If I had to pick what I would think to be the best all-around bamboo rod, I would have to vote for an 8 foot 6 weight rod. The more I fish 6 weight rods, the more I like them as they can do just about anything you need them to do. They have plenty of power for long casts or for chunking heavy stuff, but still are light enough to use for dry fly fishing. And the 8 foot length is not too long, not too short IMO. My next rod purchase (or build, whichever comes first) will be an 8 foot 6 weight.

[S.Trutta]

Clark, thats kinda what I've been thinkin. After fishing Bill's 8ft 6wt on the Toccoa its changed my view on 6wt rods. Plenty of muscle for wind, heavy flies, and big fish, yet plenty delicate for dries and smaller fish.

Anyone else?


Rich

[Buck Henry]

Rich, don't overlook the possiblity of a 7' 6" 6 weight rod. One of my Orvis bamboo rods is a 4 oz 7.5 foot 6 weight. It is one of my go-to rods for the same reasons I listed for an 8 foot 6 weight. Not as good in the mending department, but still does a pretty good job with just about anything I ask it to do.

[fishnpreacher]

I really like my 7-6 rod built on Dickersons 7613 taper. Most of you know it as the fling rod. It is a 5wt, but I can overline it with no ill effects, it casts beautifully, and will handle just about any situation I find myself in. Nymphs, dries, boogers, all type flies, I've had no problems. :)

[joesce]

ahey Rich....I don'thave an extensive collection but of those I have, my all around go to rod is an 8' Orvis Manchester. It's listed at 6 wt but .
casts a 5 DT nicely
Joe Sce

[gmreeves]

Given the streams I fish mostly, a 7' 4wt is perfect. I built a Cattanach Sir D that handles dries, nymphs and indicator, and small streamers. It may not be optimal in all the conditions but it gets the job done. I just finished up a 7'9" 5wt that turned out really nice based on the Don Anderson Favorite taper. Very similar to the Garriosn 209e taper. The one I am really wanting to finish is the hollow 8013 which is a 8' 5wt which should throw a DT5 or WF6 perfect. The only bad thing is the rod is not for me.

[Robert Hicks]

I made a 8013 (Solid), and gave it to someone.....Love that rod. The 7613 Is one of my fav tapers, a good all around rod. I have a 6'3" 3/2 on the bench at the moment....we'll see how that turns out :)

[catman]

Orvis 7'9" Far & Fine, I still can't believe what this rod will do....