0,3,6,9,12..Why make things complicated
That said some 5wts actaully border on 6 wt..So i fish what i like in hand.
Hi Ben,
Taking into account the size of most SA's trout streams. I have a 9' 2wt Greys XF2 Streamflex, which is really a sweet rod fishing a dry fly, soft hackles and light nymphing smaller water at close range. In terms of versatility and having to choose a single weight rod considering early and late season a 3wt in my opinion can cover more options in terms of wind, also fishing streamers and still fishing dries and nymphs. So a 3 will probably be my first choice.
0,3,6,9,12..Why make things complicated
That said some 5wts actaully border on 6 wt..So i fish what i like in hand.
If a 5wt borders on a 6wt, then its a crappy rod. If i want a 5wt, I want a 5wt, not a 5 wt that borders on a 6 wt....otherwise, i would have got a 6wt. This is a fairly common thing with 5 and 6 wt rods, some manufacturers (usually the ones who dont know what they are doing),. will bring out something called a 5/6wt, which to me is a complete ball of poo.
Disclaimer.... none of my posts are intended to be "expert advice"..just opinions from someone who is willing to help where he can.
I'm in the school of thought where your first all purpose rod should be a 5wt.
If you have a good 5wt you can easily fish one or two line weights lighter and heavier on it should you want more delicate presentations or throw heavier flies.
I could easily do 99% of my fishing with a good 5wt. My goto rod is a 9.6 ft 5wt sage accel. Its super versatile, throwing streamers and double nymph rigs with ease but also able to cast a dry with nice presentation.
I do fish a 7wt and other 5s too, but thats because I dont want to re-rig my rods as conditions change so I put pre-rigged rods on my boat ready to go for what I see.
Tiaan
Fly Fishing Addict
interesting... You obviously dont do much dry fly fishing. I would like to see you cast and present a 18foot progressive leader with a 6 or 7x tippet with any degree of accuracy, with that rod. You probably talking about dry fly fishing the Vaal, which in my opinion, is hardly an good example of technical dry fly fishing.
Disclaimer.... none of my posts are intended to be "expert advice"..just opinions from someone who is willing to help where he can.
Andre I think you need to be pretty accurate on the vaal to catch yellows sipping mays in winter. If you dont put it exactly in front of the fish in its feeding line you dont hook up. Catching them with big dries around structure in summer is a different story.
Point is, a 5wt is versatile. Its not the best rod for every situation, but its a good general purpose rod.
Tiaan
Fly Fishing Addict
Disclaimer.... none of my posts are intended to be "expert advice"..just opinions from someone who is willing to help where he can.
Is the fact that most rods sold nowadays are fast action and require lines half size or 1 size heavier to cast..Whats the point.As you say,if you buy a 5wt why must it use 6wt line,then its not a proper 5wt.
Like the tfo ticrx and the likes.Those rods feel almost 2 sizes bigger than they actually are,not bad rods but i dont like the heavy feel compared to other rods.
I think that its because people think that fast rods are easire to cast better, which is absolutely false. fast rods are more technical to cast, and this is why people overline them, because they actually cannot cast them. Overlining slows the rod down so that its easier to cast.... people who overline rods, have either bought the wrong rod, or simply cannot cast, then they blame the line and the size of the fly, and try to sound all clever by quoting AFTMA stuff etc... when all they really need to do, is to learn how to cast the rod.
The "speed of the rod", has absolutely nothing to do with fishing a dry fly in any circumstances, but everything to do with the rods casting.
By "two sizes bigger", I presume you mean the TICRX feels two line weights heavier. This basically means that you cant cast a fast rod like a TICRX, and have to slow it down by two line weights. If true, why on earth did you buy a Sage Accel?????? Case in point.
Disclaimer.... none of my posts are intended to be "expert advice"..just opinions from someone who is willing to help where he can.
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