I have been fishing for about 40 yrs (with a big break in the middle)
I started with a wt forward 8 on 7/8 rods. I now fish 7 wt on 7 wt rods (Bloke and Scott). I fish small / medium stillwaters in the NE England ie Chatton, Witton Castle and Sweethope, they hold fish 2lb - doubles. I am finding that a full day is hard going and am contemplating going 9ft 5 wt - is this realistic and sensible?

I only started FF last year, though I've been fishing on-and-off for 50 years now. I fish the local reservoirs here on the Isle of Man: all but one would be considered a small stillwater, I think. No boat fishing allowed.

I started with a 10' 8wt kit as advised by some locals, and nearly gave up: fortunately I broke the rod tip, and took the TFF offer of a 9' 5/6 wt rod with the subscription. I've never looked back! The lighter tackle is much less tiring to use and is capable of subduing any fish I've seen here (my PB is 9lb, but they run to double figures here). The rods I now use are capable of casting much further than I am, so I see no limitations set by the tackle.

I recently bought a 10' 4wt, which is a very pleasing combination, too. The 8wt rods (even the 9'er I bought to see if length mattered) never see the light of day now.

YMMV, but I'd recommend you at least try the lighter tackle and see how you go!

Paul

Hi

I use both combinations based on the weather and waters fished. I much prefer my 9ft 5wt as you really feel in touch with the fly and more importantly the fish. You may struggle for distance sometime as opposed to 8wt but if you get a really good 5wt rod and a great quality line you will not be upset. This being said on a windy day on a boat you can beat an 8wt set up.

BTW I used orvis 5wt line for a season - big mistake, it's rubbish! As soon as I switched to Scientific Angler I had no line memory issues and got 20% more distance.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Rob

I've recently switched from #6-7 rods to a Sonik 3 #4-5 rod for fishing our 7½ acre reservoir.

It's a middle-to-tip action and at 8'6" is a delight to use with a Sonik 3 #5 floating line. I've already subdued a 6lb rainbow, without much fuss, and for only £90 it's a steal.

I can cast almost as far and would certainly recommend you to buy/try one.

Tommy.

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Thanks for all the advice - will try the 5 wt route and may be able to put in an 8 hour shift again
Keith

It's a big jump down from 7/8 with an 8 line to a 5 wt.

The 5wt will be very much lighter in the hand for you which you'l no doubt be happier with over the full day......... if you get a tip..... or middle/tip 5.... put a platinum 6wt on it........ that way you'l still be able to get good distances, deal with wind etc......... but have the benefit of the lighter rod..... + line. Best of both worlds senario.

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