I use a hardy uniqua 8' 4wt on a small stream and I find that it gives very accurate short casts ( 9ft 6X leader, 3ft of 6X tippet and 10 ft of flyline through the tip ring.) I'm surprised that such a fast rod gives such good short range casts - should I be surprised? (Fortunately I got the chance to try before I bought, because I wouldn't have bought this otherwise.)

One of the things I posted was a link to Orvis' view on this on how they rate their rod blanks. A fast action (tip) was their recommendation for this type of fishing.

fae

Hmmm.. I would have assumed the complete opposite: you need a floppy tip for short lengths of line.

But who am I to comment: I still haven't caught anything.. Except in Norfolk. Norfolk fish are different though.

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Fly Rod Flex Index ? Choosing a Fly Rod ? Orvis Fly Fishing

Thats 22ft, which is not what i would call short? I think most rods would flex the tip enough for accurate casts at this range, also i'm not sure it's the action of the rod that gives you tight loops, more a case of how the rod is loaded and cast.

I think it depends on what you mean by loops being tight? how tight?

I fish with both fast actioned carbon and slower actioned cane rods and have no problems tightening loops for a cast under and between trees etc, it's just a case of adjusting timing and stroke, so for me i dont thinks it's all about fast rods, especially at close range....

Of course i may be wrong

Cheers,


Graham

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Yes. I would pretty much go along with that. 10 foot out the rod tip is not really a devastatingly short cast, so it should load most rods well enough. 3 feet is is a short cast, but then you probably need to go longer on your leader, and then a slower action rod might give you a slightly better feel of the load, than a fast rod. I also don't think the ease of cast, and accuracy is neccessarily a function of the rod, as much as a function of how the rod is being used. I think you should be a little less humble, and perhaps realise that you probably know what you are doing, and are doing it quite well.

I'd love to think that I am doing it well, maybe you've helped me to think so - thanks for the ego boost!