I'm looking to buy a 10' #4 rod for nymphing for grayling over winter and then dry's for brownies later on, would a tip flex or mid flex be best or is it just down to personal choice/feel? I was looking at an Orvis Western 3 for £112 but someone else recommended a Greys XF2 Streamflex but at £239 - over twice the price is it actually worth the extra money? Suggestions please.

I will declare up front that I'm a massive fan of the Streamflex plus (especially in a #3) at 9'6'' (with a 6'' extension hidden in the handle).

If you are looking for both a dry fly and grayling rod, it might be difficult to achieve with the "classic" attributes for both kinds of rod (i.e. A classic "grayling rod" will have a forgiving action to minimise the maddening losses of hooked grayling you get with the stiff rods classically associated with trout dry fly).

The advantage of the sf plus is that it has a very soft tip (not unlike a Tenkara rod) and is good at managing the twisting/pulsing fight of a grayling and small fish in general - whilst when you bend it into the middle and butt sections it starts to feel basically like a shorter #5 rod. I've had wild brownies up to the 3lb mark on mine and I know folk who have had wild rainbows (Cressbrook and Litton) around the 4lb mark and they've beasted them in with no problems.

Finally, because of the option to fish it at 9'6'' or 10', it can be changed from quite a brisk dry fly type action to something that feels a bit slower (it also comes with a matt finish blank that is so good for avoiding rod flash in bright brassy sunshine).

I do know of people who just don't get on with it though - so if you can "try before you buy"; do so. You may be interested to know that it is also a fantastic tool for casting french leaders (at either 9'6'' or 10'). Contrary to popular belief, with the right leader, you do not need the weight of the flies to cast these leaders.

Have a look at the Vision Cult. Recently bought one from here Prut Vision CULT 10,0´ #4 - Rybarsky-Market.cz (at today's exchange rate works out at £148 plus postage, which is quite cheap from the CZ). Used it a couple of times now and should have no problem with casting a dry

Hi Gareth,

You have an interesting dillema there ! I had a similar one before the start of last season coming back to fly fishing after a "sabbatical". I wanted a rod that would fish spiders, czech nymphs and dries in that order of priority.

I considered the Greys SF2 plus in a #4 but in the end, and with the advice from the guys in the shop, went with Streamflex XF2 10' #4 as I knew the designer (Howard Croston) used this set up most of the time on UK rivers inc. for dries. A 6"" extension didn't seem worth it for me, but if it changes the feel of the rod, as people say it does, then maybe a good bet.

IMHO these Greys SF's are great rods for the money and yes it coped with all it was asked to do - wild browns up to and just over 3lb, Sea Trout to 4lb. Bit of a compromise on the dries ( which ironically I did more of !) but still easy enough to cope with.

That is a bonkers price for a Vision Cult so you should consider that ! The Orvis Western I am sure is good but a bit heavier ? If you can have a cast with a SF plus then that might be the best option especially if it is a bit stiffer at 9' 6 ? Personally I'd rather have a dry fly rod at 9' or 8'6 - I will be buying a SF2 9' #4 in a couple of months for Dries on Aberdeenshire Don next season. I get it for a discount and it will be under £200. Yes there are 'better' rods, though not by much, but you will pay a lot more. Greys are British and I buy British when I can ( I know they may be 'assembled' abroad before anyone jumps on me).

One last thing, lines seem important when matching to the 10' Streamflex. I mainly use a Mastery XPS DT #4 but a Barrio GT90 is great at short range, roll casting, spey casting etc. The Barrio has more weight at the head and I think when more line is out on a longish cast it overloads the rod a bit much - maybe underline with this ? It is a fantastic line though.

Lindsay

I also agree with this option, This gives the flexability you need. I'd still be a little concerned with 9ft6" for dry fly fishing. Is the river large enough? if the river is small with vegetation and your targeting the brownies in the pocket water or under hanging trees you migh have to bite the bullet and buy two rods. I personally carry a two rod set up most of the time one rod for czech/french nymphing and another for dry fly. I'd look on the likes of ebay etc. there is some cracking deals out there you could quite easily pick up 2 rods for the price of a new one.

I do not think that the 6"extension is worth the extra dosh. At the end of the day it is the same rod with same action and same butt section but just with an extra joint thrown into the mix to make it a teeny weeny bit longer. I am sure most people could thrust their arm out a little more, about length of an outstreched hand in reality to gain the extra reach of the extension piece.
Although it is a nice looking rod that performs well it is only a compromise between a true 9'6" rod and a 10'. Have a think how much "high sticking" you will be doing compared to conventional nymph/spider fishing and will your dry days work into the mix. The Cult is waaay cheap and a nice rod. I am an Orvis user but would not choose the Western as it is tad heavy compared to what is available. Fast/tip flex rods suit a rushed casting style. Full flex/soft/parabolic actions are not my cup of tea and some describe them as "noodles". Do not buy blind, have a cast with some before you do your dough.

try glasgow angling centre,i just got the streamlex 11ft 4wt i think it is £150,lovely rod,I didnt fancy the one with the extendable butt it only a short extension and another thing to break