I'm hoping to invest in a small rod, something around 6'-7' and ATFM 2-3.
Without restrictions on back casts, headroom etc, what sort of distance could you reasonable expect to cast with a set-up this size?

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You can only fish for so long before you have to throw a stick of dynamite in the river.

mmm, tough question. Rods that light are not made for casting very far ....... if you are looking for presentation with little room then a very full flex helps. With more room then a mid tip rod like the TXL is the way to go.

Distance I am not sure but the 7' #4 TXL has never restricted me. My Superfine does ........ probably to 25 - 30ft ....... I am guessing though.

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Carl

http://www.wandlepiscators.net/
http://teiseangling.co.uk/index.htm

TOMORROW THE TRENT COULD BE YOUR FISHERY! When are YOU going to JOIN THE ANGLING TRUST?

I have a Fladen Vanatage 7' rod rated #3 that I use with a Hardy floating DT3 marksman line in my local river/stream.

The only place I can cast it without restrictions is on the cricket pitch just up the road (with the exception of the groundsman who almost chopped up my rod and reel bag on his grass cutter last week).

I'm still getting better with casting, as this is my first fly season, so my best distance with it is around 30-40 feet landing nicely.

A better caster would go further. The river Don doesn't require anything further than this.

There is more on this rod in the review section. that's my penny's worth!

Good luck!

Courty

I would like to think that with a WF line that has a very short head you would get much further than you will ever need to.

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GAIA: APGAI & GAIC, Single Handed. Qualified Mentor & Trainee Assessor
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ADB Level 1 & Level 2 Coach (Game) http://www.flyfishlondon.co.uk/

I use a number of rods in this size depending upon the type of river/water I fish. If I fish my local stream which is heavily overgrown and max 4m wide I use either an ECHO CARBON 7'3 #2 weight or an ECHO CARBON 6'6" #3 weight. I load the #2 weight with an Airflo Ridge WF#2 and the #3 weight with a RIO Gold WF#3F. With both of these rods I regularly cast distances of up to 10m max 12m (I don't have to cast any further).

However when the Garfish are in I use the ECHO CARBON 6'6" #3 or an ECHO2 7'8" #3 to fish for them on the coast . For this type of fishing I occasionally use a RIO-Gold WF#3 but I normally load the rods with a home-cut 8.5-9g shooting head. With this set up and not casting into the wind ( I dont use the #3 weights on the coast if its windy!) it is easy to reach distances of about 18m-20m.

IMHO you dont have any distance casting restrictions (within reason) with #2 or #3 weight rods. However you should be aware that they are not designed for casting large weighted or even large non-weighted flies. I fish dry mayflies up to about size 12 and at a puuuuuuuush a size 10 with the #3 weight. On the #2 weight, which is is my "goto" rod during the summer months, I use size 14 or smaller cdc&elk sedges and size 14 or smaller beetles, ants or other terrestrials. When after Garfish I use small crazy charlie type flies, tied on a size 12 or 14 hook weighted with small bead-chain eyes.

I have been fishing with lightweight rods for many years now, I suggest you go for it - you wont regret it.

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Get Out There ..... www.balticflyfisher.com

As it was previously said, if you make a right combination of short rod and line, you can cast pretty far. As baltic said before, wind can be a bit of problem when using light lines, specially if you are looking into something that requires a precise presentation (dry fly). Light lines are of course more sensitive to wind and for example you make a nice cast and then wind picks up your line and off it goes. I remember one occasion when i was dry fly fishing for grayling with #3 and doublehouling all the time, to get the fly where i needed it on a fairly short distances. I did end up with a nice fish, but to be honest, #5 would be a much better tool on that day. Light DT line and wind are not a good combination. Otherwise, a lot of fun.

BlueOne

I tried a greyflex m2 7'6" weight 3/4 before I bought and and cast around 70' with it.

I bought it and have used it with great success close in and far out just needs the right timing and speed in the cast to vary from close to far.

Can really recomend it great rod I use a WF 4# at the moment an airflo ridge nymph taper but I'm going to get two line from Pitsford pirate for it one I'm goignt o add a copoly taper leader to it the other I'll use for wets and nymphs etc.

I can get about 65-70ft out of a TXL 7'10 3# with the matching sage DT line. But it's not pleasant or easy casting the rod to that distance.
I tend to fish it at 10-40ft and it's a pleasure.

Much the same here but it can be done no probs if needed tend to find due to the small loop on the cast and a long leader up to 15' so far I tend to get knotted up quick if going for distance.

But on the odd ocassion it has caught me a fish.

Now I can't understand why I fished a 9-9 1/2' weight 5/6 on a 6 for all those years.

Much nicer on the smaller rod.

If anyone is interested - I am getting a 6ft rod for myself built and another couple of rods built ( one 5ft6 and one 6ft) to sell. They wont be ready for another month or so but i can give them to anyone here on the forum - each for for just £45 posted! great to have for a small rod for wee streams or brooks. For that money you cant go wrong.

I will stick photos up when They are ready.