Does anyone use a 6wt rod for stillwater rainbow fishing or would people consider it too light as a "general purpose" rod............... Not that their is a general purpose rod but hopefully you get my drift.
Most folk I know who dont have the luxury of lots of rods just stick to a 7 or 8wt.
Come on folks, someone sing the praises of their 6!!!!

Rob

Sure, a 7/8wt would be ideal in the middle of Rutland and Grafham or for salmon and sea trout, but up here in the lakes, where there are plenty of wild trout and smaller waters; a 7/8wt is simply overkill.

I used to have a 6wt Winston BIIX, however I traded it in for a 5wt BIIX. It does everything I need on stillwaters (where I mainly fish imatitive patterns, they're more effective anyway) and rivers. I also use a 7ft 10" #4 TXL on stillwater for short-range nymphing, stalking and dries.

Me!!

I have a couple of 6 wts - both more than adequate for both bank and boat use.

In fact, my "go to" rod, wind allowing, is a #5.

I find it much more pleasurable to use than the heavier weights.

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Cheers
Don

a 6wt rod is considered average in the USA
but I dont like going lighter than a 7 weight unless river fishing for browns
an 8 weight is perfect becasue you can throw a good team of flies and handle a nice long leader

Not trying to nit-pick, but most of the guys I know in the states use rods with a line weight of 5 and under for trout. Ultra-light gear seems to be very popular...

6wt 9' rod gets my vote, I will be using one this afternoon. I have choices but prefer my 5/6 Diawa c98 for reservoir. It casts well with the 6 and can be delicate with the 5wt on. I have more expensive, more modern, Hardy rods 7/8, Orvis 7, Bruce & Walker but keep coming back to the sweet little 6wt. I think I may sell most of the rest one day. 6 is well plenty for me.

A 10ft 6# weight for me, it's my most used rod and the majority of my fishing is on stillwater. Very versitile, great sport with the bigger fish and much easier on the old joints.

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Eddie
"We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation."
Voltaire

6 wt for me; Fulling Mill Gold something or other. A full (now long) day casting and not too knackered at the end. My 'go to' weight of rod for any stillwater fishery, unless a very small pond in which case an 8 ft 4 wt.
Cheers

My go to rod is 10' 6# for most of my stillwater fishing, I never use anything heavier on stillwater, when I manage for an evening session with dries I use a 9' 5#......................Jim

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Jim

I use a 9' #5 Demon for dries & small nymphs/buzzers & a 9'6 #7 X-Flite for weighted nymphs & lonshank lures.
This seems about right for small stillwaters, although a 9' #6 would seem to be an obvious choice if you only wish to use a single rod.