Some people may have seen the discussion in another thread about use of long leaders. This also touched on the advantage of using long rods and several people suggesting using such rods with considerable advantage. There is a long history of such rods in past times being used with success. Why don't we use them now when modern technology would make this so easy? Coarse fishermen use long rods with great success. Do people not use them because they are too clumsy or because they would be 'cheating'? I've tried them myself but find them useful in some circumstances, but a bit too specialised and a bit clumsy. Why are rods over 12 ' banned from most competitions? This would suggest to me that people think they may be too effective and thus be a form of cheating. If not why are they banned? They are very much a traditional type of rod so it seems strange that they are banned without some good reason.

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'If you're doing things the way you've always done them then you're probably doing them wrong'

Space dictates for me.

I love using longer rods when I can - I find the line control is far better and therefore, presentation is improved as a result. Not just for bugging either. Even fishing small nymphs and dries, I find presentation is better. Plus, the line pick up and connecting with the fish is better.

It's just that much of my fishing is done on streams where 6' is about the max. I love that sort of fishing.

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Dave Wiltshire

River Fly Box

The trees eat them.

My coarse rods are getting shorter as well. The long coarse rods were normally for rivers so you wouldn't have to deal with as much line on the water.

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Carl

http://www.wandlepiscators.net/
http://teiseangling.co.uk/index.htm

TOMORROW THE TRENT COULD BE YOUR FISHERY! When are YOU going to JOIN THE ANGLING TRUST?

I agree. I had a 10 foot stick of liquorice once called a streamflex. It was nice to use in open water for delivering spiders and dries upstream, but hopeless as soon as I needed to poke a fly into a tight spot. Rather than bring two rods out of the car with me, I sacked it off and concentrated on my fly line control with my standard 9 footer.
Have I lost out on fish as a result? No.

M

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The sun pushed dark spokes of melt and sparkle
Across the fields of hoar. And the river steamed -
Flint-olive.


http://northcountryangler.blogspot.com

Using a long rod has alot of advantages while boat fishing e.g. dibbling the flies, which can be deadly some days.

There must be something in it albeit for the life of me i think they are one of the worst tools for fishing the dry fly or the duo/trio.

I am a river man through and through and just dont get it.

Can someone tell me what advantage they have and please dont say 12" of reach or they are better at mending 'cause of the length?

Some of the best Czech Nymphers I know use rods of 9' or below and seem to do better than the masses with their 10 footers.

Now boat fish is a different matter but i dont think that is the point of this thread.

The first rod I got was a 7 wt 11 ft diawa signature and it,s a great rob imo. but after having a shot of a greys something 9 ft 6" it totally got me in the 9 to 10 ft choice. becuase there shorter they feel lighter and therefore faster. i can put just as far a line with the 9.6 rod. i,ve never dibled flies so i cant comment on that as for lifting of it is better without a doubt. also as someone else pointed out compitition casting is limited to 12 ft but the entrants only ever use 10 ft rods ? Fishing | Horse & Country TV website | H&C TV The cla casting comp

Most people so far seem to prefer shorter rods; certainly under 12'. So why are longer rods banned from competition? Anyone know the history behind this? Usually it seems something gets banned because someone used it and it was felt to be too good and thus unfair. Otherwise why ban rods over 12'; particularly as there is a tradition of long rods in fly fishing.

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'If you're doing things the way you've always done them then you're probably doing them wrong'

The lenght of rod is in international rules based on the distinct difference between single and double handed rods. my grandfather used salmon rods over 12 ft and built with double handed cork handle. He refered in the dirary that the classic sea trout rod (talking cane here) was 10ft and "beautifially light" to use!.

So loch style fishing had the biggest at the time single handed casting rods that materials (at the time allowed for) break you wrist tying to cast a 13ft rod single handed made of cane! or for that matter fibre glass.

Not to mention trying to present a dry fly with a salmon rod on the test would raise some eye brows!

I don't know if you're talking about competition rules, but on a genaral concept,

for czech nymph, I think a longer rod is more efficient (longer drfits and more discretion)

but for dry fly, it's very exhausting to fish for hours with a 12''!!!

It's also true that sometimes, on czech nymp, you catch fish "on your feet"......but I really think longer rod= longer drift=nymph spend more time in the good stream= more chance to catch fish