Really busy with work and kids activities, coaching, etc etc that I haven't been able to fish for a while. My mind has been wondering to my little Mtn streams inhabited by 7-10" wild trout. My 389 LL has been my go to for a long time but I have been thinking to go lighter. Any ultralight aficionados have input or opinions on a setup? Probably looking at $300.00 ceiling. But could probably go higher if I sell some crap in my garage.
I had a 389 LL that I used for beaver ponds around here that have cutties from 6 to 12 inches. I found it to be to much rod so I picked up a used TXL 00. What a sweet little rod. The usually sell on flea bay for around $300 to $350. Troy
Last year I also decided my 3wt was too much for a lot of small streams/fish, so I picked up a TFO finesse 1wt which is just under 7'. Its been an amazing rod for small mountain streams so far and retails for around $180. Now, finding a cheap and light weight reel to match it is somewhat of a challenge. Anything below a 3wt is kind of a specialty item, so they seem to be a little pricy. I ended up going with a SA system-1 456 for $50, which is a little big (but very light for a 456wt). I just wish someone made a cheap click-pawl in this size. The Sage Click 1 or Click II would be perfect but is a little pricy. IMO when you get below a 3wt, all the reel does is hold line, so a $300 reel is kind of overkill.
You might think about a glass rod, I picked up a Cabelas 6'6" 4wt last year and it is perfect for enjoying small fish in streams or ponds. It is a 4wt but flexes all the way to the butt with almost any size fish and is a blast with a 6" fish. I think the Redington drift reel comes in a 2/3wt size that would work, they aren't super light but a nice click and pawl reel for around $100, just another option.
Mark is right. Get a 3wt or even 4wt glass rod. They are just as fun as a 1wt-2wt graphite rod, but because the line weighs more, its mass will more naturally cast flies larger than a midge.
I really wish Cabelas still had their Clear Creek line of rods. I picked up a 1wt combo with reel and line for around $100 on closeout a few years ago and has become one of my favorite rods. Love it for small streams and also warmwater fishing. A 3-4lb bass on a 1wt is pretty exciting/sketch. If I were to get another 1wt in the future, I might check out here: http://www.rdpflyrods.com/blanks.html 7'6" 1wt blank for $60, could easily build a rod for less than $100. I've never used their blanks but have heard some good things, similar to tiger eye blanks and other overseas inexpensive fly blanks.
Thanks guys, good info. Hadn't thought about the glass option and I've got another 3 wt reel that's been sitting in a drawer for several years unused. The glass crowd is another little subset of flyfishers that seem pretty enthusiastic. Thought about building one too, but I just don't have time right now.
I use the Cabelas Custom Glass 7ft 4wt and it blows my 3wt away on small streams and beaver ponds. Like it was stated above, the glass is way softer so the smaller fish feel bigger and it has just enough fire power to toss a small streamer to coax the big boy out from under the log. Plus the price can't be beat.
My family took me over to check out the Tulalip Cabela's for father's day and I checked out their custom glass rods at your suggestion. Ended up picking up the 5' 9" 3 wt. Sweet little rod and came with a really cool packable tube. I also received $40.00 back on it in Cabela's points per the special they have on them through July if you use your Cabelas card. The spigot ferrules are a little different but the thing is really fun to cast. I think I'm going to pick up a 4 wt too. Thanks for the heads up guys. -JE
I'm sort of drawn to this rod. The only thing I'm worried about is the hook set. Do you find that your strike to hook up ratio drops with a softer rod?
Patrick, I have been using the Scott F2 fiberglass rods for about 5 years now for all my really small stream fishing. Yes, I really like them and no, I have not noticed any reduction on my strikes-to-hook-up ratio.
If you're looking for cheapo,light weight reels for light weight rods I would suggest looking on ebay.They can be had for around 30.00 and do come from china,but I ordered one and aside from being way to small the quality seemed pretty good.Machined aluminum.Just watch for size.
I haven't had a chance to try the Scott. I'm a little afraid to because I think I might like it and it's pretty expensive. For now I'm enjoying the Redington CT 2wt. For $150 it's a bargain.
I've fished a 7' Elkhorn 1 wt. for years and recommend it without reservation. I can get a size 14 fly 35' accurately and that is all I need. Bonus: There's no such thing as a small fish. Some company makes/made 0, 00, & 000 wt. rods. Those are for people who want a cast that would send size 16 stimulator up a republicans ass. Never understood why anyone would want to do that but now you know you have the option.
I've been wanting a small stream rod lately too. It's interesting some of you are thinking your 3wt rods are too heavy....that's what I was planning on getting. I just figured it would be a bit more versatile than something a little smaller. The glass rods in a heavier weight are an interesting option though.
Try the Classic Trout 2wt 7'6". It's a little faster than most of the CT range, but still not fast. I think of it as a 2.5wt. It's great when I'm fishing dries on the streams, but still works with small buggers or leeches for bass and panfish. A 10" brookie or a 1lb bass really puts a bend in it, but I can still get them in quickly. I'm using a Rio Classic 3wt line and it works nicely. For short work on brushy streams I think a Rio Grande 3wt would be perfect. There is a huge difference in the 2-3wt rods out there. I amazing how everything from the toothpick sized 5' 2wt Cabelas TQR to the Fast Sages to the slow glass rods are called 2wt.
Thanks! The CT's are near the top of my list. You're right though, there's a lot of variation in a given rod weight.
