Been musing on this trend for some time now, a trend that seems to be growing and somewhat of a mystery to me?
I have cast a fly to just about most species over the past 40 odd years and a recent artical by Jeremy Lucas in Countrymans weekly has prompted me to post.
My problem is that 10 and now even 11 foot light line rods (read #2 to#4 wt) are now being seen as the mode to adopt, but as an instructor and flycaster of some 40 years and just can't get around how an 11 foot #3 rod can cast well at all and offer "increased control" over the cast?
That is until I was enlightened that very little actual "casting" takes place with virtually no Fly line utilised beyond rod tip! Mmmmmm. I ask myself how can this actually be described as Fly fishing then? And is this just a good excuse for those whoo cannot ot can't be arsed to learn to cast properly?
In some articles, I've even read of talk of on narrow overgrown waters "poking" the rod tip through the shrubbery and "dapping" the fly underneath on the surface!
I can see the association here with Czech Nymphing and Japanese "no reel" leader to hand techniques, but in my mind it is not true Fly fishing in any sense of the word whatsoever, What next? dangling a set of Mackerel feathers over the side on a reservoir? bit of wn exagerration maybe that, but not so far from the truth when you think about it eh?

Now there is that can of worms again!(pun intended)
Fly casting, and fly fishing, are two completely different sports!
Some guys can cast the full line, but dont catch ought!
Some guys can only get 10 yards, and catch everything!


regards
bert

from Dry Fly Fishing for Trout and Grayling by "Red Quill" 1908

"I can only prudently recommend ....A Hardy's 11 ft Perfection....and as it weighs only 11 oz it can easily be wielded single handed"

Malcolm

Want 'long and light?' http://www.andersoncustomrods.com/im..._Spey_Rods.pdf

I don't have this 15' 2" 5wt (mines 13'9" the baby brother). Bye the bye, both are excellent casting rods. I use a 31' 280 grain Scandi head on mine for low water summer run Steelhead fishing.

fae

__________________
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living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living." -- Anonymous

Because you tie a fly on the end of a leeder. Be it nymph, dry or wet. Never tried it myself though but would like a dable at Chez nymphing.

HORSES for COURSES! Not really necessary to have a long rod! Just an extention to ease the anglers ability! Each to his own method, But I'm on the side of the traditional fly angler; with the advantage of modern lightweight tackle (even the cane rods are lightweight these days) and I'm certainly in favour of lightweight fly lines; and the use of silk lines!

COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SPORTS??

I don't think so! Same as - same as; they go together like a horse and carriage, you cant have one without the other!!

Yet another gimmick to get with those with to part with.

Interesting mix of opinions here, but I wonder what folks would think if I rocked up with an 18 metre Shimano Pole and strung a tungsten beaded Nymph on?
In principle it's the same and to my mind requires very little skill by comparison, to being able to place a size 18 or smaller dry fly 12-15 metres up stream, under a bush, without drag and deceive a trout into taking the fly.
I just can't help but feel the true spirit of our sport is being eroded away here and the improper use of the longer rod and not using the line to cast with is a form of "cheating". Maybe I'm biased, as I've developed the skills over many decades to both cast and fish well, utilising conventional "Fly-Fishing" methods, I think if I had to resort to "dabbling" with a long rod, I would just feel a total failure.

Seems to me your problem is not with the longer rod but the way they are being used?
Is it OK to dabble if I use an 8 foot rod?
If used as a casting and mending tool a long rod can help any fisherman. But I prefer a smaller rod on a small stream and a longer rod for line control at distance on bigger water and lakes.
Anyhow, it is in my view not the length, it is how you use it! (how many times have you heard that?).
All the best.
Mike