Hello
Ive been thinking about getting a new fly rod,nothing hugely expensive but something great to use.
At the moment I'm using a Sage Flight 9ft 4weight,over lined with a 6 weight line(Ive tried a 4 and 5 but a 6weight line is the easiest for me),i do like the rod but Ive got to work quite hard to get line out.As i do not cast that far(medium river),id like a rod that throws a nice line for delicate presentation with little effort as i mostly fish with dry fly.
My technique isn't the best id be the first to admit and i get quite lazy when casting,but Ive been told that the rod likes to be thrashed and is powerful.
If you can make sense of any of this let me know what you would recommend..cheers

Gareth

Greys Streamflex 8ft. for a #4?

+1 for a streamflex

I'm lazy and uncoordinated

The steamflex makes casting like throwing a dart

Spend your money on casting lessons

I can't speak for the 4wt Flight but having cast a 5wt I'd say it'd be seriously over-lined with with an additional 2 AFTM's. I'd also imagine that the line comes down with a bit of a splash.
As for a new rod, Greys get plenty of thumbs ups here (rightly so) but don't discount Echo Carbon rods. I have the 8' 4wt and it's absolutely peachy (don't bother with the 8'6", not half as nice...). Stuart AKA Baltic Fly Fisher will be able to sort you out.

Andy

__________________
GAIC Single Handed Casting Instructor

http://www.andygreyfishing.com/

Your rod is hopelessly overlined, and this is the reason why you are working too hard to get line out. The rod is collapsing with the weight of the line. The Flight is not a bad rod, a little "dead" for me, but not a bad rod at all, and being a medium to fast action rod, it is designed for tip action. By overlining it to the extent that you are, you are changing the tip action to a far more mid and lower flex rod. The flight is not designed with the backbone to cast with the middle taper, hence the "rod collapse" that you are experiencing. My suggestion is to either go and get some casting instruction, or go for a slower actioned rod. If your casting is not up to scratch as you say, then a few quid spent on a lesson will me money well spent. You will probably find that with the correct line weight, you might come to love the Sage.

Naw,
2 casting lessons, right line on rod, he will marry the sage!!
regards
bert

Hello
Your prob all correct about the casting lesson,as my technique isn't the best....I have no prob getting the line out,presentation is spot on for the majority(I'm catching plenty of fish on the dry at th mo),its just when i watch other people it seems effortless,while I'm going hammer and tong lol....thx for the advice lads

I have a Sage Fli 9 4wt the model before your flight & over line with a 5 wt as it doesnt load properly for short distance but it great with some line out.I tend to use my cheap Fladen Vantage 8 4wt for smaller streams a short casting & it works a treat.Cheers

Hello Gareth

Sort it mate.Sounds a Nightmare like your rod is way overlined.Which 6wt line are you currently casting?.
"Thrashing" stems from struggling to load the rod or trying to keep line in the air from overload.As suggested seek some help.If you have fished for a while should not take long to put you on the path to glory.Will improve the quality of your time on the water no end.

JP