I have recently become a member of the Agivey Anglers in Northern Ireland and I’m planning to take up Fly Fishing this coming season. The River Agivey is a small Salmon River fished only from the bank and I’m looking advice on a suitable Fly Rod. Last season, I spoke with some existing members about suitable Rods and most were recommending Rods around 11’. I have been looking at a couple of Rods and would appreciate any views from more experienced anglers for what would be suitable for a beginner.

The Rods I have been looking at are SHARPE'S OF ABERDEEN GORDON 2 11'3 #7 3 Piece and DAIWA SIGNATURE TROUT FLY ROD 11'3 #8 3Piece. Any advice would be appreciated.

Anyone please??

Are these small double handed rods,If not then I recommend that you get a 10' #8 s/handed rod, this will work perfectly on a small to meduim sized river,why you would want a 11' single handed rod is beyond me.A long time ago I was tempted into buying a 12' single handed rod.It was called a Grilse rod.Useless.nearly impossible to put any pressure on a fish bigger than a couple of pounds.and a 10lb fish was impossible to get to the net.add to that the sore arm at the end of a short session.
10' works just fine.

Jim

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

If you are looking at a Sharpes Gordon it might be worth having a waggle of their Plus 3 (10ft 3") as well. It has a slightly slower action which you may prefer.

I spotted a 10ft #7 Redington CPS on offer at Angling Classics (based in Co. Antrim) No experience of this rod but they got a 'best in test' from Trout & Salmon mag last year - others here will know more.

I ghillied on the Dee at Park for a couple of years and found that in low water any reasonable 6,7,or 8 weight trout rod is sufficient as long as you don't overstress it by trying to aerialise more line than the rod can handle. On a small river from the bank, you shouldn't have a problem with a 9'6" or 10' rod, unlike your respondent who decries 11 or 12 foot rods, I think A.H.Woods who fished a 12' split cane single hand, you do get the benefit of better line control than with the shorter ones - probably why so many are now going for 10' low line weight rods for river trout fishing. The added line control lets you fish farther off but without excessive drag as you have that added height and reach for keeping more line aff the water.

10ft #8/9 for me, even down to 9 1/2 ft #7 on some smaller rivers. I think that you will find anything longer....well....too long.............birdsnest

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Fear not if I steal from your side, as of yore, from paradise streams to fish Teifi once more.
BN based in Wolverhampton

Agree entirely with the sentiments on this thread. if it's a small river you'll be doing yourself a disservice with anything over 10'. get a 10' 8 weight, and learn how to use it. you should be able to deal with anything the river throws at you.

By the way, Bloke, a poster on this forum makes a series of rods including a 10' 7 weight. It's a wonderful rod supremely powerful yet good feel to it. have a word with him before you buy an expensive rod..

Cheers
Alex

This might be what your looking for, Davy :

BLOKE XL50 10' 7wt

Johan

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Johan Janssens

Davy, the Agivey's not the Tweed, nor are the salmon of similar size. You'll not need a lengthy rod - like the guys above state, a 10' for a 7 wt will be fine

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Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once - Lee Wulff

Thanks for all the advice. Certainly given me food for thought and prevented me spending quite a bit of money on something which was unsuitable.