Small-ish stream fly rod that can cope with some wind

[johnesmithson]

If we ever get to go fishing again I am wondering about upgrading from my current budget 5wt rod (which, in its defence, has served me very well to date!). I have a nice 3wt 8ft Hardy Zenith which is good for tight spots and small streams, but on blustery days on Dartmoor it can get a bit overpowered. I am thinking about investing in something like an 8'6" 4 or 5wt to fish dries and duo on water like the East Dart. I would want to match it up with a Hardy Ultralite CC 3000 of which I have a pair, one with a 4wt and the other a 5wt line (both Snowbee WF delicate presentation with furled leaders on the tip). I know it's a personal thing and depends on casting style, but I would be interested in your thoughts. Thanks!

[Pete Tyjas]

Hi John,

You might want to consider how you are casting and your set-up in these conditions.

When it comes to the casting part, if you haven't done it already, try altering your casting arc so that you stop your backcast in a higher, more upright position and deliver the forward cast on a flatter trajectory. This should prevent the wind being able to blow out you loop as it travels out over the water. I also find that keeping false casts to an absolute minimum will make life a little easier. Also, shoot line into your backcast but not on the delivery. It will help eliminate any slack for the wind to get hold of and you can even pull on the line as it travels out as it will aid turnover.

I've also been fishing lines designed for small stream fishing that load the rod quickly and shoot line well.

You can also think about shortening your leader. I remember guiding someone on the West Dart and Cherry. When I met him at the Two Bridges car park the wind was howling, it was like a dustbowl.

I kept shortening his leader until he could turn the fly over and at one stage it was just 4 feet long without having any impact on him catching fish. I remember the day well for two reasons. It seemed right to fish a terrestrial in those conditions, we never took the beetle pattern off. A little later he was playing a fish of 5 inches or so on Cherry and something really big came out after it.

I had to apologise for the expletive I said when I saw this!

Hope that helps a little but if you are considering a new rod purchase anyway, I'd hate to put you off!

[johnesmithson]

Thank you for some very thought-provoking advice there Pete. It sounds like my off-season would be better spent in the park practising casting than trawling the internet for the perfect rod! Having said that, I recently came across the late Dave Lewis' website; he was a master craftsman, and his customised rods (based mainly on Sage blanks) were things of beauty. In fact, so much so that you would probably be afraid to actually fish with them!

[terry]

Never put a man off from buying a new rod! I have accumulated a ridiculous number of rods over the past 40 years of fishing ranging from a 9ft #2, 10ft #3 for nymphing (of which I’m rubbish at) 7ft #3 and #4 for tiny streams, 8ft 6” #4 and 9ft #5. Much as I love using the ultralight rods my go to rod for Dartmoor is a 8ft 6” 4/5 weight, made by David Norwich. I use a DT4 most of the time and a WF5 when the wind is strong.
Really pleased to see the board up and running again.

[bluegrizzle]

Yes Terry, I think we all recognize the problem of compulsive acquisition of new rods. The problem is that when you NEED to buy a new rod to fill that yawning gap in your armoury between the 8-footer and the 10-footer is that you create TWO new gaps, one either side of the new rod. When I have broken a rod (usually a top-joint in the car door), I tend to keep the redundant parts to scavenge rod-rings etc. My wife has threatened to use a few of my less-used rods and spare-part pieces as bean-sticks next year!

[Pete Tyjas]

Yes, pretty hard to make an argument against buying a new rod.

I'm sure you'll find a suitable use for it.

[johnesmithson]

I finally succumbed to temptation and ordered a 4wt Demon Smuggler on special offer from Garry Evans. I am justifying it to myself (and my wife, when she see the credit card statement) because it will fit in a day pack, allowing me to walk/stumble/fall over unencumbered until I reach my favourite far flung spots. I have also invested in some new furled leaders from Mike Barrio, connecting them (minus top loop) to my fly lines using a nail knot tool. I got the idea from this earlier post on Eat, Sleep, Fish. eat-sleep-fish.co.uk/content/2012/09/leaders-fly-lines. I realised that I have been previously getting too much hingeing between the fly line and leader; the new set up gives a nice parabolic loop when you hold the connection upwards from both sides, thanks to the relative stiffness of the furled leader butt. Hopefully it should bring a cleaner transfer of energy and better delivery at the business end. I've also ordered some new felt-soled wading boots; my Vibram soles gave no grip at all on the boulders on the Moor. Happy New Year and tight lines to all!

[Pete Tyjas]

John, that sounds like a nice little set up that I hope you'll have many happy hours with and will be interested to learn how the connection turns out.

I've made some room in the rod locker and have been enjoying searching out niche or boutique builders to see what is out there.

Anyone else suffering from GAS (gear acquisition syndrome)?

[terry]

Pete yes I do suffer from GAS but being now over 70 I’m waiting for a Vaccine.
Not that I’m really interested but what “niche” builders have you discovered 😄

[Pete Tyjas]

I've always been a huge fan of Luke Bannister and although I wouldn't call him niche as I think I'd file him under artisan. I've been using a 9 1/2ft 4wt that he built me on a CTS blank. It does just about everything I want as an allrounder.

I also had a Soldarini nymphing rod turn up yesterday from Italy. I doubt I'll get to use this is a while but I'm looking forward to it.

There's a couple of others I've got my eye on but will report back!

[boisker]

Not a major itch at the moment.... I bought a Stickman P5 (9’ 5w) in the summer and do keep considering adding a Stickman P3... which I guess fills the same slot as the CTS Luke built you.. a great dry fly rod and better than a 9’ rod for Nymphing.... I’ve also been toying with the idea of a 7’6” rod for a few years....
but no plans to buy until closer to the season opening... in fact a I may still defer for a year or so as happily sticking cash away for a 6 week trip to NZ when international travel allows...

[Pete Tyjas]

I have to admit Boisker, I have been in touch with Akos at Stickman after your recommendation. They look fine rods.

[boisker]

Mmm... you’ve got me contemplating the 9’6” Stickman P3 again now Pete.... with working from home I am saving a sh!t load in fuel costs, what with no pubs open and not even being able to socialise at friends I could buy 2
I’ll give it another month and then if the itch is still there
If we get chance to meet up at some point I’ll throw the P5 in the car, lovely rod, small guides which ‘gather’ the line and improve accuracy, or so I believe

[Pete Tyjas]

I think it is an interesting and versatile length and line weight and was the one that leapt out at me.

Id love a cast when we are able!