[dpetrzelka]

I'm wanting to pick up a 3wt for an upcoming backpacking trip in the North Cascades to use on smaller creeks and maybe some small lakes. I have a mediocre old 9'/5wt Reddington Redfly that I know well and can make do most of what I need on small rivers and lakes, but it is too long for some of the tight areas I'll be. I'm the kind of guy who's happy fishing an average rod, and usually go used—but I would love to get something a little nicer or more interesting for the 3 wt.

The search function isn't giving me solid results on 3wt - so please forgive me if this has been covered.
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4-piece would be ideal for breaking down to fit on the outside of my pack. (I know there are 7-8 piece "pack" versions but am I right to be skeptical about the impact on the feel and action of the rod with that many segments?)

6'6" - 7'6" would be an ideal length for tighter areas.

My buddy picked up a Cabela's Three Forks kit several years back for the same trip—it fished great, but with all the sale of Cabela's to Sansome Pacific Properties, I can already feel the change and not looking to go that route.

I have in mind that fiberglass with medium action and deeper flex would be sweet for the fun of working smaller fish.

I'm set up for making rods. Moonlit has a nice looking 3wt NIRVANA SuperGLASS blank that I could make up. There a numerous 3wt blanks available.

A dream would be a well-used Scott F2 or early Orvis Superfine glass.

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I welcome any thoughts or recommendations for what I should consider or look for.

 

[I'm not here]

I recently picked up a Moonshine drifter 7.5' 3wt for $200. Pretty nice little rod, build is good, quality components. Casts really well, I'd buy another.

 

[stilly stalker]

I have 2!

Blue Halo 7’6” 3wt glass- love this rod
Moonshine midnight special 7’6” 3wt- loved as well

Both I’d recommend for not only product but customer service. Both have proven to me to be companies worth supporting

I catch a shitload of fish on both

 

[Mems]

https://tforods.com/finesse-trout-glass-fly-rods/
I am a sales rep for TFO and really like the finesse series. For little streams I use the 1/2 wt. It is so much fun to fish. Good luck, Mems.

 

[Gone away]

I have a 7' 3wt Moonlit Nirvana Superglass rod. It has been a blast on lil streams and creeks so far. I have had no problems casting micro chubbies either. One day I even threw a weighted wooly bugger with it. It did not do too bad. The caster just needed to remember to slow down the his casting stroke and not try to over power the the rod.

I put a cheap Cabela's 3wt WF floating line on the rod along with their RLS + reel. I think it would also make an outstanding bluegill and crappie rod.

 

[Gone away]

The blanks are currently on sale for $70.

 

[dpetrzelka]

The blanks are currently on sale for $70.

That's exactly what was tempting me. I'd just need to decide on a reel seat and thread and get wrapping.

 

[SNOWDOG]

Shane Gray (Graywolf rods) has a couple of 7' 3/4 weight E glass blanks that are
5 piece. He also has a killer deal on some grips and reel seats right now.

https://www.graywolfrods.com/rod-building

Good luck,
Mike

 

[jasmillo]

I don’t fish small rods a ton but did pick up an echo river glass rod earlier this year. Not necessarily cool and definitely not high end at about $250. Local company which is nice though - plus you won’t cry if you snap it bushwacking to all those great little streams .

 

[Mark Mercer]

Fiberglass, period !

 

[Buzzy]

Fiberglass, period !

Mark -
Not to be argumentative but I'm not sold on the "Fiberglass, period!" comment (but then I don't have a fiberglass fly rod). I have a 6-foot carbon fiber 2 weight that's a blast on small creeks. It almost flexes into the cork, its soft and sweet. Having said this, a few weeks back I had the chance to cast a friends 3 weight Echo Glass and it was a hoot. Just what I need, another fly rod! And then, of course, there's the "grass" guys.

Pat

 

[David Loy]

Agreed on fiberglass! And, there’s a killer 5 piece (7+’ 3wt) for sale on the Fiberglass Flyrodders web site by Chris Barclay, the maker. He builds a great rod! Think I did the math and it should fit in a 20” or less tube.

 

[Porter]

Reddington 380-5 Classic Trout or 386-4 Classic Trout, I prefer the 386. It is a really nice rod. MHO.

 

[David Loy]

I miss-spoke. The 3wt for sale that I mentioned is a 7’ (5 piece) built by Shane Gray (Graywolf Rods). I have three of his and can promise he builds a great rod.
IMO most graphite rods in the sub 5wt range can’t touch fiberglass, particularly for small streams targets. But like Porter, I also have a Redington 803-6 (8’ 3wt 6 piece) that is in fact an outstanding rod (w 4wt DT line) particularly for the price. Guys that only know graphite of course push graphite, especially in fly shops. There is more...

 

[stilly stalker]

Having both a graphite and glass rod the same length (7’6”) allows you to really feel the difference
My graphite 3 is a mid flex, but the glass is still slower, but oh so super sensitive

 

[Rippinsomelip]

I would suggest some sort of Fiberglass rod. I have an Scott F2 and love it but casting a 3 weight should be about feel and fun. Chasing small Brookies or other trout is a great time with a small rod. You can always cast a dry-dropper as well and still land most species. It’s a good problem to have...

 

[dpetrzelka]

Thank you all.

I’m totally sold on the idea of a fiberglass rod—slower/medium action, delicate presentation and just make plane fun.

I think it will be just about deciding to build something like that five piece 3wt, or finding the right used rod.

 

[Jim F.]

Another vote for Blue Halo. i bought the rod referenced used and it is a very sweet rod. I like my TFO finesse 3 weight also, but it is a longer version.

 

[Old Man]

I also have the TFO Finesse rod. Mine is the 7'9" 3wt. I fish the hell out of it in the summertime.

 

[stilly stalker]

Another vote for Blue Halo. i bought the rod referenced used and it is a very sweet rod. I like my TFO finesse 3 weight also, but it is a longer version.

Such a killer little rod, huh? So many people won't buy one because they can't cast it first...... but Blue Halo makes great rods and their warranty service is great. Considering I just broke a tip section on Friday and a new one should be here by next week. All I had to do was send pics