rod size for area trout fishing

Keith Stancill · 03-02-09, 10:03 PM

Help I'm needing to a new fly rod.Whats everybodies thoughts.
I'm thinking 9' 5wt.

BirdDawg · 03-02-09, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Stancill

Help I'm needing to a new fly rod.Whats everybodies thoughts.
I'm thinking 9' 5wt.

Keith
I think the general consensus for the all purpose rod would be a 5 wt 8 1/2 ft rod, although I would probably recommend a 4 wt if I only had one.

Naturally_Fly · 03-02-09, 10:14 PM

a great one is also a 7'6" 4wt...its a great all purpose rod...whether trout, bream or bass...

kevin m · 03-03-09, 07:14 AM

Depends on where your fishing. On the hooch if the wind is light I prefer a 9ft 4wt, a 5wt if theres wind. For mountian streams a 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 ft 4wt.

digger · 03-03-09, 07:40 AM

I've got everything from a 7 1/2' 2wt to a 9' 8wt. I like a 9' 5wt or 4wt for the Hooch, mountains, lakes...wind or no wind. For me, the 9' makes it easier to reach across small streams and easier to cast in wind on bigger water.

HoWink · 03-03-09, 07:50 AM

It's hard to go wrong on our major streams -- the Chattahoochee and Toccoa -- with anything between 8' and 9' in a 5wt. I recently went from a 9' 5wt to an 8-1/2' 5wt and I enjoy the more compact feel and balance. You give up a little length for high sticking and mending, but pick up a bit of maneuverability. Now, that just applies to graphite. If you're thinking bamboo or fiberglass, there's not much you can't do with a 7-1/2' or 8' 5wt on any river in the state in those materials.

Regarding the 4wt vs 5wt question, it's more about the size flies you're throwing than the size fish you're expecting to catch. I find larger streamers easier to throw with a 5wt. If not for streamers, I'd fish almost exclusively with a 4wt.

Mostly, though, it's just what you're comfortable with.

nu2trout · 03-03-09, 08:00 AM

I began with a 9ft 5wt, then went to an 8'6" 5wt, and now use an 8'6" 4wt. i think this is perfect for the DH sections, and it will throw everything I need to throw, from nice little dries to WBs.

GUTHOOKED · 03-03-09, 05:43 PM

Clear as mud, isn't it?

I'd say 9' 4 or 5wt would be a good all-around rod for most of our larger trout streams and occasional warmwater duty. If you plan to fish the smaller mountain streams as well, then you might want to go a bit shorter and lighter, maybe a 7 1/2 or 8' 4wt.

Egg Sucking Leach · 03-03-09, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Stancill

Help I'm needing to a new fly rod.Whats everybodies thoughts.
I'm thinking 9' 5wt.

I'm thinking get thee to one of the independent fly shops post haste.

Or better yet the Spring Fling. Some of the sales weasels will be there representing their lines, and you can try a few, see what you like.

watkins · 03-04-09, 12:04 AM

Or talk HoWink into getting rid of some of his. Thanks Howard !!!

TRW

03-02-09, 10:03 PM	#1
Keith Stancill Native Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rocky Face Ga. Posts: 45	rod size for area trout fishing Help I'm needing to a new fly rod.Whats everybodies thoughts. I'm thinking 9' 5wt.

03-02-09, 10:14 PM	#3
Naturally_Fly Formerly Known as Orange_Spokes Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Pleasant, SC Posts: 2,807 Blog Entries: 3	a great one is also a 7'6" 4wt...its a great all purpose rod...whether trout, bream or bass... __________________ I use dry flies...why just for the chance of the perfect cast, perfect drift, just to see it disappear...and then FISH ON!!!! 2010 Fall Fling Hero Shot Winner - 73' 2011 Spring Fling Hero Shot Winner - 84' (91' Practice) Southern Fly Fishing http://southernflyfishing1530.wordpress.com

03-03-09, 07:40 AM	#5
digger Native Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Buford, Ga Posts: 246	Area flyrod I've got everything from a 7 1/2' 2wt to a 9' 8wt. I like a 9' 5wt or 4wt for the Hooch, mountains, lakes...wind or no wind. For me, the 9' makes it easier to reach across small streams and easier to cast in wind on bigger water. __________________ "City life is to merely exist" Jeremiah Johnson

03-03-09, 07:50 AM	#6
HoWink Native Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Roswell/Mineral Bluff Posts: 328	It's hard to go wrong on our major streams -- the Chattahoochee and Toccoa -- with anything between 8' and 9' in a 5wt. I recently went from a 9' 5wt to an 8-1/2' 5wt and I enjoy the more compact feel and balance. You give up a little length for high sticking and mending, but pick up a bit of maneuverability. Now, that just applies to graphite. If you're thinking bamboo or fiberglass, there's not much you can't do with a 7-1/2' or 8' 5wt on any river in the state in those materials. Regarding the 4wt vs 5wt question, it's more about the size flies you're throwing than the size fish you're expecting to catch. I find larger streamers easier to throw with a 5wt. If not for streamers, I'd fish almost exclusively with a 4wt. Mostly, though, it's just what you're comfortable with. __________________ HoWink "I fish all the time when I'm at home, so when I get a chance to go on a vacation, I make sure to get in plenty of fishing." -- Thomas McGuane

03-03-09, 08:00 AM	#7
nu2trout Native Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Metro Atlanta Posts: 4,204	I began with a 9ft 5wt, then went to an 8'6" 5wt, and now use an 8'6" 4wt. i think this is perfect for the DH sections, and it will throw everything I need to throw, from nice little dries to WBs. __________________ Far better it is to dare mighty things to win glorious triumphs even though checkered with failure, than to take ranks with those poor spirits who never enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.

03-03-09, 07:14 AM	#4
kevin m Native Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: conyers, ga Posts: 983	Depends on where your fishing. On the hooch if the wind is light I prefer a 9ft 4wt, a 5wt if theres wind. For mountian streams a 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 ft 4wt.

03-03-09, 05:43 PM	#8
GUTHOOKED Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Shady Dale, GA Posts: 1,462	Clear as mud, isn't it? I'd say 9' 4 or 5wt would be a good all-around rod for most of our larger trout streams and occasional warmwater duty. If you plan to fish the smaller mountain streams as well, then you might want to go a bit shorter and lighter, maybe a 7 1/2 or 8' 4wt.

03-04-09, 12:04 AM	#10
watkins Native Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Adairsville,Ga. Posts: 1,435	Rods, Or talk HoWink into getting rid of some of his. Thanks Howard !!! TRW

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