What rod to buy?

[noel]

Hi gents

I would like to ask you good people what fly rod to get for fishing cape streams like the Elandspad etc. I currently have a G.Loomis 5 weight Matrix that i am using for still water fishing but i would like to know if i should buy a smaller rod like a 2 or 3 weight for the smaller streams. I am not very clued up with what would be the better weight or brand type so if any one could offer me some advice i will very pleased indeed Also what do you think of the Loomis rods compared to explorer etc. The fly bug has caught me and i totally love fly fishing and I am now buying a lot of goodies - spending spree cant stop! want to buy a rod that will last me a while and not break the bank cause swambo will catch me in the end - but i will tell her its a present for her and she must come and join me fishing naaaa dont think that will work

[dpammenter]

G.Loomis fly rods are great. which Explorers have you looked at? i use(d) an explorer guide 3wt for the Cape streams (while i was still down there) and i've enjoyed every cast. to a degree it depends on your casting style as well. do you have a very chilled/laid back/capetonian-style casting stroke, or is the more aggro/hurry-up-and-get-the-line-out/joburg cast? also depends on your budget

[Rendier]

Hi Noel. I use a 2wt on the streams, but my cousin uses his 4/5wt Explorer Classic on both the Elandspad and Smalblaar. 5 wt might be a bit heavy, but give it a go.

[Chris Shelton]

I have noticed over the past year that this question has come up time and again. It is the first question that every newcomer asks, "what rod should I get?" Perhaps there should be a seperate section devoted to this, i.e. rods for streams, stillwaters and saltwater, kinda like a quick reference that we can add to as new rods are discovered, with general comments on each one's performance?

[shector]

Noel
I visited Phillip Meyer at Eikendal on Tuesday, where I picked up the new Xplorer Classic2 and Guide Series 7'6 2/3wt rods and was amazed how light it was and how well the rods were made. If I was on a shoe string budget and wanted a decent stream outfit, I would probably go for one of the two depending on cash flow.
The other option, if you have a little more cash to spend, would be a TFO 7'6 2wt. I was inlove with this rod the moment I picked it up and cast it. I forgot how beautiful it was, until I had a go at it again on Tuesday, simply beautiful! You can ask Chris Shelton about the rod, he owns one and is absolutely smitten with it!
For years now I've been fishing a Stealth Xtreme 2wt. It was my first designated small stream outfit. I have since retired it in favour of a Vision 6'6 2wt, but that rod has caught hundreds of trout! When I took it out of it sack the other day, it was I like speaking to an old friend. I'm using it again this season, I simply love that rod! Amazing!

If you want a small stream outfit definitely go for a 2wt 7'6!

[croozer]

mmm am also eyeing that rod out still ! Is schweeeet

[BuzzLiteBeer]

Hi Noel.

I use a Stealth 2/3 on the Smalblaar and Elandspad, however if the wind blows really hard I'll use my Explorer Classic 5wt Travel rod (8 Piece). It fits in my backpack easily.

[Pierre]

The Temple Fork 2 WT Finesse is awesome. Take a look at it before you buy. Flywaters Eikendal stocks them plus you can take it for a spin before you buy

[Michael]

The last time I was in the Cape I used two rods...a Horizon 3wt 8foot rod on the Smalblaar, and an Ecotec River Run 3wt 7'6 on the Witte.
Damn, that Ecotec is dirt cheap, but I swear it outcasts some big brands out there! It's also a 3 piece rod.

If you have the money, my vote is for the 3wt's...G. Loomis, Sage or St. Croix. The St. Croix Legend Ultra is a beauty of a light rod too.
If you are budget consious, have a look at the Ecotec...it will amaze you, for the money you pay.

[noel]

Thanks for all the feedback guys
After i posted this thread i did a search as well on rod information I found a huge load of info already on the site which helped me in making my decesion on what to get.
My casting style I think is a bit rushed at the moment and I am trying to slow it down a bit as when I am on a stream i always think there is more fish in the next pool or run, so I get a bit hasty to finish an area and move on to the next one - a bad habit
The rod i ordered is a TFO 3 weight - 8.6ft Lefty Kreh Profesional series rod with a Cabela Prestege Plus reel and a Mastery GPX weight forward fly line. It comes as a package deal and I paid R2000 for the lot including air freight from America to my place.
I hope I made the right choice, I have only heard of good comments on TFO rods so I think it was a good buy.
Now I must just tell my better half about the new rod..........