[Ricardo O.]

Flyfishnm's question about a favorite rod begged one more question, what about action?

Fast, medium, or slow, what is your preference in your favorite rod?

My preference runs from Med/Fast to Fast as characterized by Sage SP and RPL rods. I don't seem to be able to cast as far/well with slower rods (those with medium to full length flex). Stiffer rods with flex in their tips seem to work better for me. :THUMBSUP

 

[DiejehHehdudhhe8373737]

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[Crump]

I bought an XP, this summer, and I love it!
-crump :THUMBSUP

 

[808fishin]

I too prefer faster action rods and they seem to fit my casting style. When I was looking into getting a new 5wt I tried a bunch of rods and the two that "made the finals" were the Sage XP and the Scott Supr-ply. I ended up going with the Scott which I absolutely love to fish. For what it's worth, I think I would have been equally happy with the XP. However, I also fell that the faster action also overpowers the smaller fish on the rivers that I frequent more than 50% of the time. So, I am thinking about getting a 3wt for the smaller rivers and streams. An 8wt is also on the wish list :LOVEIT, and we'll have to wait and see if I like the faster action in those rods as well.

 

[Guest]

IveofIone
I prefer fast rods for nymphing and stream fishing in general but medium to medium fast seem to work better in lakes. A good IM6 is still a joy to dry fly fish and it also works great with an intermediate line. Slow seems to equate to heavy with me so I have little interest in them. Light weight is really important so I fish with 4wts most of the time and use those little Battenkill 3/4 disc drag reels to keep the weight down. I am fishing between 80-100 days a season so my stuff gets plenty of wear but holds up well under all conditions.Ive

 

[ceviche]

My preference is found in my Temple Fork Outfitters' 6 & 8wt rods. The 6wt is a 2 piece, and the 8 wt is a 4 piece. Both are 9 foot with med/fast actions, made with IM6 blanks, and are pretty good for casting on bigger waters. On smaller water, I have wished for a smaller, shorter, and slower action rod, needing a more delicate presentation. Still, I am completely happy with these for where I prefer to fish.

By the way, I did do a comparison between my TFO 8wt and the Redington Wayfarer. I found that the TFO felt better and cast better for myself. It also came with an unconditional warranty like the Redington. Being priced substantially less than the Redington, I went with the TFO. :THUMBSUP

 

[troutman101]

Depends on river size, casting distance and wind conditions. My trout rod is medium (DSII)>? Well, it feels medium. I hate fast action trout rods for short distance presentation. I do enjoy fast rods for nymphing though. I also like really fast action single hand steelhead rods. Medium/fast spey rods.

I agree with IveofIone with trout rods though. I have tried all sorts and settled with IM6 and graphite II (slow/medium). I would fish even slower rods at certain times when accuracy is crucial and presentation is dire. It is nice to slow things down when you are trying to cast a fly accross 6 lanes of current accross the river and to an overhanging hole in the brush the size of a frizbee from 50' away.

 

[troutpocket]

I've got a Fenwick HMG 5wt coming up on 15yrs old that I really like for fishing intermediate and sinking lines in lakes. It's got a medium/slow action that I think helps keep larger fish from breaking off. My 6wt G.Loomis GL3 is great for distance casting and winging out weighted streamers on rivers but I have a real hard time keeping fish hooked on lakes. Probably my fault.

I've been trying out a new reel this year, the Cortland graphite large arbor. It's disc drag and was recommeded to me by Patrick's fly shop as the best deal at $100. So far I really like it. Anyone else tried this one?

rod

 

[Ricardo O.]

Time to 'fess up.

The reason behind my question is simple. I am building custom rods and want to build some "try" rods to have on hand. No sense building an Edsel if no one wants to drive it, right?

Thanks for the feedback and I invite more of it, on-line or off.

 

[Randy Knapp]

I like them all to some degree but currently favor medium to medium soft actions mainly because that is the action of most glass and bamboo rods and that's what I currently fish.

If I were making rods to sell I would have a variety to try because you never know what is going to tickle someone's fancy. You will always be able to sell a fly rod if not locally then on eBay.

You can sell the pieces of a broken rod on eBay.

Randy

 

[Rob Blomquist]

I really like Med/Fast rods, as they are more fun to cast. Not to mention IM6 rods are pretty cheap to buy and build. I don't really need to cast beyond 60' for most of my fishing, and a shooting head can get that out to 80 or 90' so I am pretty well covered, but taking IM6 to these distances can get tiring.

The other nice thing about softer action rods is how much fun smaller fish are. I have a 7 wt that I use for lake fishing with sinking lines, and a 12" fish on that is just fine. On a fast stick, that won't be much of a fight.

But as a tool for tossing a line a country mile, you can't beat a fast action rod. So I am looking at a Sage RPLXi rod for my saltwater and big river shooting heads.

To me, the rods I buy are a function of how much money I have, and what I want out of the rod. I can't see spending more on a rod than is necessary.

One of the talents of a good fly fisher is the ability to make any rod sing, not just one rod. Learning to cast them all, from bamboo to fiberglass, to NanoTi is a real learning experience that can only improve ones abilities.

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