Ive just taken delivery of a greys xflite rod thismorning, its a 4wt. im only used to fishing with 7/8 weights, this morning i also recieved my x flite 3/4, ive noticed there is no room for backing...............What happens in the situation of a large fish on this rod set up???? im looking forward to using it, aswell as a bit nervous
i fish places like bessy beck quite alot so its not unusual to catch someting 6lb + is it wise to use my 7/8 weight rods on places like this?

hello having seen your reel an x flite on the web a 3/4 size should take a d/t 4 and at least 50 mtrs of backing no problem. anyway is it likely you may catch into 5lb plus your 90 ft flyline may not cover. i dont know how others on here fish but i most time go 1 step up in reel size if weight is not a problem for a shorter rod, so a 5/6 reel and d/t 4 or 5 and enough backing might be the answer. only my opinion.

You should get A #4 WF and some backing on that OK.
On the odd occasions I fish BB, I use my 9.6ft #6/7, bit undergunned with a #4 rod on there IMO, you just never know.
S.

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

Where do you advise for the cumbria area mr trout? i started off fishing last year on the eden carlisle association stretch, got fed up with it quite quick with gangs of polish lads always on it maggot fishing etc, i moved into still water fishing and really enjoy it. i dont suppose you have ever fished the river that comes out of ullswater through pooley bridge? ive driven past it 100's of times and have always fancied a go

I am a member of Penrith AA and Appleby AA and fish most of the Eden, Lowther, and the Eamont, which is the river out of the lake.
Just google Penrith AA and it will tell you all you need to know.
You can get day tickets for most of the waters, not all, some are members only.
S.

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

I'd have no hesitation cutting the line down to the longest cast you are likely to make if the reel capacity is a problem. That way you can get a lot of backing on the reel. Can I suggest that if you are using a 4 weight on a small river then anything over about 60 feet of line may be unecessary?

Malcolm

Don't be coy, Mr T. How about those secret tarns, fished under a waning moon with bait made from Stansfield's "special". (Is Stansfield's still going?)

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

I bought the rod because i read an article somewhere on people fishing a 4wt on still waters for the fight it gives, now i have it im not too sure, im just bothered about snapping the rod on a decent fish really.

Those days are long gone Bill, I need a helicopter now to get me there.
Never heard of Stansfield's.
S.

---------- Post added at 01:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:19 PM ----------

Fair enough for catch and kill, CF but a bit unfair for the fish if C&R. IMO of course.
S.

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

As one who has spent a lifetime fishing small rivers for salmon, and had fish to well into double figures, all taken on a 9 or 10 foot light trout rod (probably around a five or six weight) I would say that given a modicum of good sense (i.e. don't try horsing a decent fish around with light tackle) you should have absolutely no problems fishing light gear for any size of trout - I've also spent happy days hauling out 5 - 7lb rainbows on my local fishery with a Greys G Series 4 weight when I've called in after a river outing, just need to remember everything takes a little longer and you may walk a little further following rather than mastering a big fish - if you don't jerk, but apply sensible pressure, no fish should be capable of busting a rod if your terminal tackle is in line with rod/line weight in use.