Hi advice required if you had the choice between a Sage Z Axis 9ft #4, a Orvis Helios 9ft #4 or a Hyrdos for river trout fishing which rod would you choose thanks Dave.

They are all quality rods and quite expensive. Personally I would not really care which was recommended and why, they are all good. I would need to pick them up and try them on water to find the one that suited me/my style of casting best. No way am I spending that sort of dosh without knowing which one I prefer. Perhaps you are going to do so-I think you should.

Dave, how wide is your river; is wading allowed; are there trees behind you?

Some river fishing means casts of 15-20 feet; others like the Clyde can mean casts of 50-60 feet. If the bulk of my river fishing involved casts of 15-20 feet I might go for the more flexible Z-Axis or Hydros mid-flex; and for 50-60 feet the Helios tip-flex.

I've heard that in the #5 at least, the Hydros tip-flex is a stiffer rod than the equivalent Helios.

Oh, and of course, like Chris has said you *must* try the rods before you buy.

Andrew

sound advice no matter what your spending, if possible try before you buy

__________________
WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

THA CAN TELL A YORKSHIREMAN ,BUT THA CAN'T TELL HIM MUCH !!

Hi Dave,

You must go and try these rods! Some expensive tackle there, especially if you make a mistake! I'm NOT a Sage Or Orvis Fan! But I quite like the Helios. Have a look at the Hardy Marksman also.

Hi Andrew casting would be around 50ft or so on the Ribble thanks Dave.

Those are quite expensive rods. You can buy bespoke rods for not much more, or even less, from for example Atomsix, Chas Burns or David Norwich. Does anyone know how these compare to dave me's choices (sorry to go a bit off at a tangent Dave)?

Dave my taste for casting this distance would be for a rod at the stiffer end of the spectrum (so given your original list either the Helios or Hydros in tip-flex). Presentation at 50 feet isn't a doddle. On a river that's going to be a lot of casting during a session.

My pal fishes the Upper Clyde; he has tried just about every rod there is (you know who you are) and the last time I fished with him his chosen rod was the Sage TCX #4.

As others have said you don't need to spend so much on a rod; however you may wish to

My advice would be to see if you can try one or more of these rods. If you don't know anyone, or your tackle dealer isn't keen to take you and three rods to the river, it may be worth your while visiting the Newark Show in February. I haven't been to this particular show, but shows usually present good opportunities to try rods from different manufacturers.

Hope this might help
Andrew

Surely on a river almost all of the casting will be at distances of 40ft or less? Wouldn't you optimise your gear for that sort of casting rather than the two casts a day which are much longer?

At need you can cast much further even with a 7ft split cane although that isn't what you would choose for long casts on a regular basis.

Try them out at your normal fishing distances is all I would say.

Hi thanks for the advice Dave.