Had this on my mind for a while now. What exactly is a good dry fly rod? In my mind I'm thinking a through action, a soft action, hence the fly is delivered slower and consequently softer. Is that it? Is that all that is required? Is it that simple...

I saw a Winston rod for sale recently and the seller said the rod was probably the best dry fly rod ever made. Sorry can't rem the model. But why did he think it to be so good? Obviously because he had fished with it, but I wondered what it's qualities were.

Guess what I'm asking is what is a good DF rod, what would you recommend and why? I'm thinking small rivers down to brooks.

Chris.

You got it in one!
The rod, irrespective of name, is only as good as the user, and the job he wants it to do.
For me, a dry fly rod has to be quite quick in its action, which generaly speaking means quite stiff, this allows fast recovery and pick up of the cast and strike!
However this may not suit other peoples style of fishing!
If you can, get out with yer mates fishing dry, and try out their rods, gauging your own speed for casting/striking.
Doesnt really matter wether rod is fast or slow action to deliver fly softly, that is casting technique, does matter however on speed of strike and direction change, for me the faster action (often stiffer), the better.
regards
bert

I use a 7' Orvis Superfine #4 wt with a DT#3 line which works nicely for me. The reason it is so short is I can fish brooks close in, and for rivers if I want a bit of distance, I can use a WF#4 line or continue using the DT#3 if the water is shallow. I think overall it works best with a DT#3 line. The rod weighs 2 5/8 oz, fitted with a Hardy Sirrus 3/4 reel which takes it up to 9 ozs. The other advantage is, being 4 piece it is so small you can stick it in a bag.

Full flex or soft action as you call it, does not come into play on short light rods using light lines, less weight to load means the rod recovers much faster.

If you can get a superfine 2nd hand, you won't be disappointed.

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No, its not rocket science, its rod science which is even more complicated.

I think the thread was about a winston DL4, slow older rod which is still pretty popular over here in NL. The reason why it was/is so popular is because of the action, it just has so much soul it is like painting your leader on the water. It's a close up presentation rod, the only thing that is holding it back is the recovery. Thats why i'm glad that there are slow rods with quicker recovery now. I like to have the ability to do something in my cast, like a mend or tuck cast loop control is so much better when the tip just bounces back into position.. On small streams i would opt for a through actioned medium powered rod with a fastish recovery, of which there are very few.. I don't know about the shorter models but the Hardy sintrix zenith is like that, the old Streamdance GLX presentation also, but for me the best of the bunch has to be the Boron IIt, i just love these rods to bits.. Same flex profile and feel as the DL4, just with amazing recovery, its just a great dry fly set up.. The IIt is not everybody's rod though, some tend to hate it because it is just to bendy, but they make sence to me and for me they are THE best river rods i know. Well with the right line on, these rods get over loaded fast try something like the XPS or the Whisper on it and you will have some power to spare in your cast to make aerial mends, loop control and turn over with long leaders. I also think it is one of the better modern roll casting rods, if you are just fishing close in, this rod will blow your mind. Don't think you are just limited to close casts, i can almost empty my spool with the 8 ft #4 not with the whisper (32 meter) and not that controlled but casts up and into the 80's are a breeze. Hell i even use the five weight on big Norwegian rivers. Mind you there are loads of rods that will do just that for a lot less money, the fario's are good the cults etc. etc. but for me the IIt does it..

Sorry to be sounding like a Winston ad, but like i said i just love em and with all the knockers around (Yellowstone, but what do they know they probably used a GPX on it) i like to tell as many people as i can how good they are..

Jerry

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When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

I'm with Bert on this one, although I'm talking about stillwaters here I like a fast action rod so I can lift off and cast in one motion to cover rises, with a softer rod I have to strip line in rior to recasting thus missing the chance to cover fish.

Thanks for the replies chaps. Plenty of food for thought there

Chris.

Tried a few 2# and 3#s a few days ago (thanks wobblyface) and fell for the Hardy flyweight 6' #2. rig.
What a little belter. It just feels so positive and accurate. The Greys came a close second but the Hardy worked for me. Once I have settled my mind as to how they can charge that much for it, I'll have one.
Probably next week.

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One fish, one fly, one man, several hats.
激しいセックス

8ft to 9ft, mid to tip action, #5 or #6, matte finish, matte black fittings, guides and hayfork tip. Not as fast an action as a tournament rod but certainly a moderately fast action. Try before you buy...

richard
(Who prefers a cane rod that was once regarded as "fast" action)

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Who resides on the right bank of the Derbyshire Wye and is lulled to sleep each night by the mutterings of a weir, dreaming that "When the rivers and their inhabitants come first, we ALL win..."