For many years i have read different articles regarding the types of rod actions suited to different types of fishing. I am still bemused by this and do not understand why people state that a certain rod action suits a certain style of fishing as opposed to someones casting technique. I have been on the whole a river fisherman for some 30+ years and the best rod i have used and still use is an old Sage XP 9' 5wt, a rod that is "not supposed to be the rod for river trout and grayling fishing" according on the whole to articles that i have come across. ??

As long as you're happy with what you use it makes no difference.

it won't alter what i use i just want to understand the logic behind the so called rod action matched to type of fishing ?

Sage XP 9' 5wt, a rod that is "not supposed to be the rod for river trout and grayling fishing"


i'd be bold enough to say the opposite, 4 weight might be better but sounds just dandy to me, why ever would it not be?

going back to my original post this is my point exactly. i am asking why the pundits/manufacturers/ or so called experts write about rod actions for types of fishing as opposed to casting styles?
(I wouldn't argue that a 4wt is better than a 5wt for rivers but the 5 has caught me plenty of fish)

There's a lot of rubbish talked about rods. If it puts the fly where you aim it, and if it permits you to do so delicately, and is long enough to give you the ability to make a decent mend and exercise any other control of the line adequately, then it's doing the job for which it was intended. After all, it's only 'a flexible extension of your arm'.
There are extremes that have to be avoided. I wouldn't overtax a 6ft rod on the Eden, which is a biggish river; and I wouldn't even try to use a 10ft rod on a little tributary beck; but rods, like anglers, are very versatile 'beasts'. We can use them in all sorts of situations that some of the angling pundits would frown upon. TC

Terry i am full agreement with you. Whatever is posted here will not stop me using the fast action rods for all my fishing. All i want is someone to explain the reasoning behind the so called certain action rods for certain types of fishing.

so you buy a different one for each situation, look at the 'how many rods do you own' poll

why is it on forums you always get some members with heads firmly planted up their own a***s. Whats with the how many rods poll. The initial question was bloody easy to understand (i do not own lots of rods and don't intend to) for pities sake stop going off on a bloody tangent, if you don't know the answer like myself then let somebody answer who does.

its not a tangent, its an example, why do you think you get so many different types of car?

you dont need them cos you, like me, use the most versatile size and action for most things.