Guys and gals a bit of a conundrum I'd really appreciate help with please. I've done a search but this is quite specific.

I want one small stream rod having sold my other rods (see below) and haven't yet chosen another one.

Had a Loop Opti Creek 8' 8" 3wt - lovely but too long. Sage TXL 7ft 3wt - too fast and actually a 4wt at normal casting distances; it had to be overlined to make it work on a small stream.

I'm wondering what's the best compromise of length and line weight for small to mid size streams (those that you'd fish on lower than a 5wt - streams approx 6ft to 30ft wide). The streams can be both wooded and open and with wind, hence the compromise comment. I'm thinking 7-8ft and maybe a 4wt and mid or mid to tip flex and medium action? My budget is under £200.

Please help it's driving me mad and I can't afford a quiver of small stream rods. Thanks in advance.

Ben

I have a Hardy Featherweight classic 7ft 3 wt , If I had to ditch all my other small stream rods and just have one it would be that.....Its superb Mind you the 7ft 6 4 wt St Croix avid is splendid to. and the Burns Harrison 8ft 4wt,,,

Seriousley the Hardy is brilliant.

Andy


Becks and Brown Trout

hello ben, it is never easy to compromise on using just 1 rod , the right length, or action, for the fishing you expect to do. your opti too long, the sage too fast, both 3 w/t, thinking fishing stream or small river up to 50 60 ft wide the trout rising could be near or far between and most rods to say 8ft 3 4 w/t will do the job. you can try a w/f or d/t and roll cast if in a wooded area, mid to fast action rods have there benifits and i use 1 when i fish a river and a small lake near as i dont change lines w/5. if i fish just the river 7.5 or 8 ft through action and d/t 4 is the way to relax and enjoy. too faster rod will take away the delight of river fishing the dry fly and watching my friend casting with my old fibreglass brings it home that fly fishing soothes the soul not what gear we think need. so i hope you find a suitable compromise and enjoy.

It's a tricky one. Sounds like you want something along the lines of an 8 foot #4. I'd go for a 4 piece one because if it gets tight you can always take off the butt section and cast with the remaining 6 foot top section ... just remember to have enough line available in case you need to give some line out

A mate of mine bought a Greys GRXi (£100 I believe) and is very pleased with it. I think they're nice rods as well but for my local stream 8 foot is too long.

Snowbee make an 8' 4# Prestige for £169. I've got one of the 10 foot models and really like it. I've not used the shorter rod but I'm sure they're pretty good rods.

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Cheers,
Lawrence

If it helps I have found that 7' is ideal. I asked Steve Parton to build a 7' 3# harrison blank rod for me. I usually use it with a 4# line because on the derbyshire small streams casting a long way is not necessary. It was very good value and the finish was superb. It's just right for the small wild brownies we get in Derbyshire. For bigger waters I have a Loomis 8'3" 3# but this is too long for small stream work.

Hi Ben, have a look at the Grays Streamflex, they are an excellent rod. I have 4 ranging from a 7.6ft 3/4 at upto a 10ft 3wt. They cast well and handle fish well also. When guiding I always let my clients fish with these rods and always get some positive feedback. The 7.5ft rod retails at below 200 quid.
Gary.

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Hi Ben,

Wow, you posed a difficult question!! 6ft to 30ft wide; and what rod?? Personally I'm thinking of a 7ft, #3, weight and make do with it, for all occasions on your varying stream! But, I think there might be a possibility of finding a 7ft.3in, #3/4, weight rod?? I sold a 7ft.3in#3,weight Cane Rod last week! That would have been perfect for your requirements! I like the Hardy Classic Lightweights, The Featherweight that Andy (Coasty) mentioned is a beautiful rod, I don't think you'd be disappointed with one! You can get one New at the moment for £235. They're normally £299.

Then you could get a nice Greys 7ft.6in, or have a look at the ECHO Rod Range, that's another rod that wont disappoint.

I certainly wouldn't go above 7ft.6in #3, or #4,weight rod.

A tough decision!

I also have several for different situations and times of the year.

I have to agree with Coasty and Mostyn the Hardy Classic is a gem, I have the six foot version purely for fishing high summer when the foliage and fauna are fully grown and anything else is frankly too long!

Early season I now use a 7 foot Demon and it would be my choice if I had to manage with one rod. It is a middle to tip action which is ideal for the amount of roll casting required on small overgrown streams. Its a three weight but have also over lined it with a four on windy days and copes very well. I have two other Demons in eight and nine feet for the river which is a little wider and more open but would quite happily fish with the seven footer if that's all I could use.

Did you try a 4# on the sage? Might have been ideal?

I'm sure a deal around the two hundred pounds mark can be struck try Grommit on here as he's a top bloke!

Good luck with the hunt and as everybody will advise it's probably best to try before you buy if at all possible?

Mark

What a lot of very useful information IMHO. There's so much knowledge out there and so many people willing to pass it on.

Good stuff!!

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Thanks, Terry

Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then

o.k, slightly over your budget figure but my recommendation would be an Orvis Superfine 7ft 4 weight. I use mine for everything and can't praise it highly enough. Should you ever be near Salisbury and want to try out mine , feel free to get in touch.

cheers

Dan