Hi All, I'm open to suggestion here. What in your opinion, is the Ultimate Lightweight Fly Rod and why? You can describe the action, if you like. By Lightweight, I mean from four weight down.

If you want to fall back on your own experiences then, that's fine. All opinions are welcome. Give it a go and let's see what surfaces.

Best Regards

smudger564

Hey Smudger,

That's a damn good question!! I'd be interested in the answers to that question!!

The #2/3, weight rods that Greys turn out are very light, and I tried one of the Echo Rod Range, and that was a very thin Blank; and light in the hand!

Also saw a Thomas & Thomas #2,weight at the Monnow social; and that was a very light rod!

Lets see what other members of the forum come up with??

There's an easy way to find out which the ultimate light-weight fly rod for you.. phone Gary Marshall!

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All depends on the individual and where/what they use it for, i've just taken delivery of a new cane 5ft 3wt i've had made for a particular tiny overgrown stream i fish, but i wouldn't use it on say the middle reaches of my local stream where longer casts are needed and the fish can be much bigger...

I'd go for a general rod of 6-7ft long either 3 or 4wt, cane of course() with a medium to fast action. That should be pretty good on all sorts of waters, as long as you're not face with giants

Cheers,


Graham

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My opinion, is that there is not a sigle rod that can be classed as an ultimate light rod. When you get into lightweight rods, they become quite specialised, and suited to different applications by length and action. Lightweight rods are almost exclusively the preserve of streams and small rivers, and in this environment, 4wt is not light, but tending towards the upper end of medium. If you are talking about stillwaters, then a 4wt can be considered to be verging on light.
For rivers, it again depends on the style of fishing you would be doing. For longer casting of around 10 meters, with more than one fly, I would say the Sage Z-Axis 3wt is a great rod. For casting with a dry fly, and perhaps a dropper, to fish of about 10 meters, I would say the Sage TXL 2wt is a great rod. For short casting, to fish that are closer than 6 meters, the Sage ZXL 2wt is a great rod, as are the "ought range of TXL's. If you are high sticking the rod, and casting only the leader, and having the fly only landing on the water keeping leader and tippet in the air, the Greys Streamflex 10 foot 3wt is a great rod. But, as I say, I dont think there is one rod that can be classed as the ultimate light rod, but if I had to make a choice of one rod, I would choose the Sage Z-Axis 9 foot 3wt as good option for versatility to do all of the above, withe Sage 99 4wt for stillwaters. I'm sure there must be dozens of other brands out there that are just as good, but these are my choices.

Hi, Loving this!! You get to see what rods people have tried, with some very good recommendations. Iv'e been thinking about moving down in line weight. This might give me the shove I need.

Best Regards

smudger564

I think a good fly fisherman could break a reasonably aligned branch off a tree, tie some string on (perhaps with a nice tippet and fly of modern making on the end of the string) and still fish with it ok - the rest is academic and consumerist.

PS

Probably only during the Mayfly season.

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splash

Has Ron Clay managed to get your password

Your question was on lightweight rods,

or was it because you were thinking of opening a thread on banning anything below a 4 weight

Back on the question - Of the rods I've used/tried, below a 4 weight and in preference for small streams all around 6' to 6'6".

Cane
Echo
home built harrison
hardy glass

Would like to try a David Norwich - (so if you cannot get on with yours, I'm sure I could find a home for it)

Merv

I bought 3x 6' 2wt's for £29 each today on a IM6 blank's. For the guys using them on our little brook they will hardly be able to justify paying over ten times as much on a Marksman or aTXL. These things i guess will be as good as anything available 15-20 years ago. Was tackle really so bad then?

Has Ron Clay managed to get your password

I would be honoured to get as old and cantankerous as Ron , I respect Ron's stance, if you go round a nursing home these days, then you'll see that many people younger than Ron have given up (that'll wind Ron up).

... now I've been out fishing tonight ... Mayfly madness, all sorts of fun ... I did not need a fancy rod full stop, I could have caught with a reasonably straight beanpole hence my post.

You been fishing today?

How often do you get out?

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