[Eric Denny]

I'm looking to get a new dry fly rod, a rod that I only use for dry flies. I know I will need to test for my self but figure this is a good way to see others thoughts and get a good idea where to start. I'm open to any price range but would prefer to keep it on the lower end. I am really interested in a redington CT but don't know how it would stack up to other rods.... Like the loop opti stream or the sage Accel.

So I have came to you guys to get a idea of where to start. I fish the St. Joe and NFCDA most often.

 

[Flyguy65]

Build that bamboo Eric, if I remember correctly that rod should be stiff enough for drys.....

 

[eplanajr]

I used my 9' 3wt CT exclusively this past week. I was tossing mostly dries. Very nice. Paired with Rio line.

 

[Manwell Lotion]

Echo Dry. Very nice rod.

 

[MRKbass]

Any 8'6" 4wt will serve you well for those rivers. Shorter would be better if you mostly fish the upper stretches of either river. If you can find a deal on a older im6/ WT that would be great! Or, I would try to find a pre owned winston gvx. It's got a little more guts in the bottom half of the rod.

 

[Eric Denny]

Any 8'6" 4wt will serve you well for those rivers. Shorter would be better if you mostly fish the upper stretches of either river. If you can find a deal on a older im6/ WT that would be great! Or, I would try to find a pre owned winston gvx. It's got a little more guts in the bottom half of the rod.

Funny you say that right now I have a gvx 4wt 8ft. That's what I use. Maybe I don't need a other but damn I want a reason to get a new rod.

 

[freestoneangler]

I need to start out my response by saying that I am both old school when it comes to fly fishing gear and simply feel that most of the expensive, high end rods are more marketing hype than value. I say that having fished a number of the higher end rods and able to buy them if I felt they were worth the $$. This really is a tough question simply because each of us have different casting strokes and ways that we fish. Also, we all tend to become fans of whatever we've decided on in name brands. So what is "best" is highly subjective. No doubt, there are low end, not so great performing rods - but they will catch fish and serve someone well for a long time. But, once you get into the mid range rod market, my experience is that the differences are subtle between them and the $500+ group.

I just picked up the CT 904-4 and really like the way it casts/performs. I think the reel seat hardware is a little on the cheap side, but certainly not a deal breaker. I recently used my neighbors Echo Carbon XL 905-4 and really liked it too... so much so, I almost did not buy the CT, thinking I'd buy it instead. I'm still thinking about getting one of the Echo's as it has the feel of my GL2.

 

[napawino (Roger Craft)]

The best fly rod is the one you can cast well, and is fun to fish with. Brand don't really mean shit.

 

[Manwell Lotion]

The best fly rod is the one you can cast well, and is fun to fish with. Brand don't really mean shit.

Damn i was just about to buy your LL you have had the classifieds for months. Never mind.

 

[Kyle Smith]

Winston BIIT 5wt.
$225 shipped, no kidding.
https://gifts.tumembership.org/store/winston-bii-t-9-5wt-4p-fly-rod
Be advised it's the green graphite reel seat.

 

[napawino (Roger Craft)]

Damn i was just about to buy your LL you have had the classifieds for months. Never mind.

Funny guy. I like it.

That being said...that rod is a good one. It meets my criteria.

 

[freestoneangler]

Winston BIIT 5wt.
$225 shipped, no kidding.
https://gifts.tumembership.org/store/winston-bii-t-9-5wt-4p-fly-rod
Be advised it's the green graphite reel seat.

As if the rod didn't already have enough green . At that price, that is a good deal and gets FSA's "tu-tums-up".

 

[Buzzy]

I very seldom have the opportunity to fish dry flies exclusively so my fly rods do double duty. One of the rods I do prefer for times when dry fly fishing is a good option is my Sage FLi 590-2 . I can't remember when Sage discontinued this rod but you might find one online somewhere. Mine isn't for sale but if you find your way to Ephrata, I'd let you cast it.
(I do have a 2 weight that is used exclusively for dry fly fishing brushy little cricks).

 

[napawino (Roger Craft)]

Brushy little cracks? Leave her out of it.

 

[Kyle Smith]

As if the rod didn't already have enough green . At that price, that is a good deal and gets FSA's "tu-tums-up".

Only downside is "2 to 6 week" delivery wait. Gonna go try mine out on some evening caddis in a bit. Have it paired with a Bauer reel from the same period.

 

[Gone’r]

Of all the 4wts I've cast the Scott g2 and the Winston WT are my favorites for dry flies. Both incredible sticks IMHO.

 

[freestoneangler]

Only downside is "2 to 6 week" delivery wait. Gonna go try mine out on some evening caddis in a bit. Have it paired with a Bauer reel from the same period.

I received a BIIx and a Lamson Guru 1.5 as the gift for my Life TU Membership some years ago. It is labeled "TU Headwaters" and has the burl wood reel seat. I have fished it a handful of times and find the action pretty good but still like my St. Croix SCV a bit more... particularly in head wind. Which Bauer reel? Have fun tonight.

 

[David Loy]

Very fond of WTs as well, but consider the Epic (glass) 480. Superb. The 8' Steffen 4wt is outstanding too. Protects light tippets and offers fish fightin fun. Build it yourself, or call Graywolf rods and get a masterpiece from Shane.

 

[Kyle Smith]

I received a BIIx and a Lamson Guru 1.5 as the gift for my Life TU Membership some years ago. It is labeled "TU Headwaters" and has the burl wood reel seat. I have fished it a handful of times and find the action pretty good but still like my St. Croix SCV a bit more... particularly in head wind. Which Bauer reel? Have fun tonight.

Bauer Mac2. Not sure I'm gonna get out, Sunday is slipping by pretty fast. Good thing I went on WFF!

 

[bucktail10]

Nice rod on ebay ending in an hour. Winston WT 8' 4 weight 3 piece. Has Joan Wulff Favorite full wells grip. Thought about bidding but don't really need another 8' 4 weight. Would sure like a new Scott gs885-4 though.