Hiya chaps, was on here a few years back under another username, I think , moved house since and had to change my email due to lack of same provider in the area.

Anyway, I'm about to get back into a bit of fly fishing (only done a bit in the past) and am wondering if I should invest in a smaller rod than my 9' 6" 7/8, say a Grey's 8' 3/4 I've seen for £60, I thought of this as a place on the river I'll be visiting has quite a few trees on the banks and don't envisage any huge fish to connect with.

Do you think this is undergunned for a river like the Dee? please enlighten me, I'd be grateful.

Some idea of the width.

Hiya,

And welcome back to the sport from another returnee, at the start of the season just past.

I generally use an 8ft 4wt for my local river - the Spey and switched to a 10ft 4wt at the end of the season to see how it was for nymphing. My experience is that I prefer the 8ft rod because it all just seems a bit more intimate as you feel closer to the action and its good for getting into all those pokey corners too.

The 4wt seems to have no problem in my experience of subduing browns up to about 3.5lb and has benefits too in allowing you to use light tippets. And all in all, I really like my 8ft-er after being more used to 9.5-10ft rods with 6-7 weight lines.

So, if you have the pennies, I would say go for it!

Andy

From your photo of the river; I would go for at least a 8ft.6in, #4,weight rod!! It's also a good all-round river rod, should you decide to visit another fishery!

That was quick, lads thanks, same sentiments as me, Andy, about the shorter rods, I have a travel rod of 270cm in length and 6/7 weight so maybe I'll go for the 8 footer then.

I'll be after grayling, could you recommend some flies for this month, possibles? Klinks, I have plenty of buzzers in the boxes, stoneflies?

I agree with Mostyn, at least 8.5ft, in fact if you are bugging, a 9ft #5 with a not too stiff action, will handle a #4 line easily.
I use a Sage ZXL 9ft #5 and it's action lets me use a #4 with no problems.
Sometimes a longer rod in treed up areas with loads of bankside vegetation, can be far more useful than a short rod.
S.

__________________
"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.

Hi mate. Welcome back.

I have been using the G-series 8' #4/5 all season on a river similar to yours. I am very happy with it.
I find it light to fish with all day and the action is softer than some of the more expensive models. I much prefer this, especially when fishing light tippets.

It is also excellent value for money. I will be happily using mine again next year.

However, as always, what suits me may not be ideal for you. If you have a descent local tackle shop i would recommend going in and seeing if you can try a couple of rods before you buy.

Hope this helps.
Tight lines
Paul

Well, just come back from the shop and bought the 8' 6" 4/5 rod but I picked up a sinking line by mistake, I've never used a sinking line before, think I'll take it back tomorrow and swap it for a floating line ......on second thoughts I'll keep it and still buy the floating line.

The rod feels nice in the hand and also picked up a few good tips from the young man in the shop, can't wait to try it out on Thursday.