Not sure about this but is a rod with less sections got a more continuous taper with no dead spots cause by the joints.

Would there be any difference between a 2 and 4 piece rod?

Thanks
AL

It used to be the case,but I find no noticable difference nowdays.and have made The move to 4 piece rods.
Though I still have several nice 2 and 3 piece rods.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

I have not used a 2 piece fly rod so I cannot comment on that. I do know it is hard to give one away in the states, seems everyone demands a 4 or 5 piece rod. Easier to travel and store seems to be the most common reason given.

Are less sections better for casting?

Nah, the more sections you remove the shorter the rod gets. When down to the last one on a four piece they are hopeless. Keep it standard mate.

Sensible answers please.

No, I don't think it makes any difference. Ferrule joins don't create for dead spots, and even if they did, I doubt that any mere mortal would even notice the difference. If anything, the ferrule joins actually strengthen the rod. I would imagine.

Perhaps an expert caster might be able to tell the difference , I have 3, 4 and 7 pice rods and I certainly can't tell the difference.

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"Don’t argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience".Greg King

Sorry . I once owned a Hardy Smuggler 9'3" 6 piece. It casted well I thought compared to others of the time-80s.

If more sections were detremental to casting why does no manufacture produce a 6' one piece? Surely controlling the manufacturing process would be difficult, as in, changing it's moods as the rod grew in length.

If, conversely, it has four sections, then each could/can be monitored regarding each sections preformance and it's close relationship with the other sections near by. Taking that to an extreme and building a rod with 12 sections then the joints would surely deaden any effect wished for.

It's all about a fine line I guess. As Jim said, it once made a difference. Years ago the manufacturers didn't have the technology to make it work. I also, believe now they do.

I think that with modern joints the effects of them are far more ltd than they were when the brass ferrule held sway. But It would appear logical to me that the fewer the joints then the better the action .
Modern multi section rods are without doubt more convenient for storage and transportation than 2 pce on rods of 9ft and longer and this convenience overcomes any small differences in action.
I think that the current fascination with four and five piece rods is more about manufacturers getting people to update their 3 pce rods that before updated their 2 pce rods, Who knows in a year or two they will be telling us that fewer sections are best in the way that fiberglass is been sold again.
In order to sell us yet more stuff...



Fly fishing North Yorkshire

if the added joints / ferrules or shorter sections make no difference to casting or overall performance why do coarse rods still have mainly just the two sections surely it can't be just be because shorter sections and their rod tubes are easy to transport? I have wondered if shorter sections are easier to achieve quality assurance with over longer sections and then manufacturers / retailers "selling" us the portability as a positive.

I can't see many carp anglers (me being one of em) being bowled over by 7 section carp rods; either for distance work or stalking in the edge.

it's probably just psychological but I'd rather have a two piece fly rod not that I actually have one, mine are three or four piece.