I was wondering about your oppinions on rod length and what do you prefer. I happen to like fishing an 8' 5wt as my all allaround trout rod .... but what
can I expect as I slide down in length... what happens at 7 1/2 ft and what happens at 7 ft. I was wondering about your feelings on all around fishability at
the different lengths. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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ROD length 7, 7.5, 8 ...your perception on length
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 Pete from MA |
ROD length 7, 7.5, 8 ...your perception on length |
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Posts: 2 01/07/2009 13:52 |
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quashnet |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 2362 01/07/2009 14:56 Moderatus Muscae |
For me, any concern about moving to a shorter rod centers on whether there is a need to mend line through varying current streams over a broad width of river.
If mending line is not a problem, then shorter rods have no disadvantage. Also, a great, shorter taper overcomes several inches of length advantage in a poorer
taper. You can't worry about mending line if you can't get the fly where you want it in the first place. So dropping from an 8'0"/5 wt. to a
7'6"/5 wt. presents no problems when I fish my PHY Martha Marie rod. But as much as I love my 6'3" Midge, and even though I love fishing it
wherever possible, there are big, broad-stream situations where a longer rod is going to be more fun to handle after
the cast is made.
Quashnet's Paul H. Young Rod Database has photos and descriptions of over
410 PHY Co. rods, plus catalogs, accessories, etc. Thank you to all
who continue to send me PHY rod photos and info.
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 CtKenC |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 286 01/07/2009 15:15 |
I agree with "Quash" as usual, but, would add this .... for a guy with a bad or sore shoulder, like me,
 the shorter lengths are a blessing.
I have a Summers 735 at 7'3" for 5wt that I find to be a real pleasure to use ... and a P. Young "Driggs" rod at 7'2" for 4wt that is also a joy to use. My "go to" length is, or always used to be, 7'6" (for 5wt) but more and more I find them staying in the rack as I use the lighter, shorter rods. I am no physics guy and no scientist, but for me it seems that the "fulcrum" effect changes in my favor as I go to shorter rods. "Fulcrum" ...  pretty fancy, huh ? Anyway, that's my two
cents worth.
Ken |
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seattlesetters |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 508 01/07/2009 15:23 |
I fish mostly large streams that either have myriad micro-currents (the Henry's Fork) or a lot of fast-moving water that makes wading difficult and makes
casts longer. As such, I prefer rods 8' - 8'6" in length (closer to 8'6", actually).
For streams like the Henry's Fork, while I can typically get fairly close to a rising fish, a longer rod helps keep line off those crazy micro-currents and helps me prevent drag. My go-to rods on the Ranch are an 8'4" 4wt and an 8'6" 5wt, both radically hollow-built and extremely light. On a big, brawling, Western river like the Madison, the extra length helps with longer casts when I just can't get very close to that prime lie out behind that big boulder in the middle of the stream, and it allows me to keep just a bit of line off the water so that my fly has that extra second or two to swim around in the pocket before the current rips it out. I have the above-mentioned 8'6" 5wt and an 8'2" 6wt designated for such water. If a stream has reasonable current and I can get around and across it rather easily, I don't feel all that handicapped with a 7'6" - 8' rod, regardless of the size of the stream. I just need to wade a bit closer and make a good presentation and my success rates usually are equal to those with a longer rod. for streams like the Firehole, and Gallatin, a 7'10" 3wt and/or 8' 4wt will get the call, depending on conditions and fly sizes. I don't particularly care for rods under 7'6" in length on larger streams, even those I can get around in. I like these shorter rods (6'6" - 7'6") on smaller streams where I can cross at will and get into perfect casting position every time. The inherent accuracy of shorter rods shines in tight quarters, and these rods can be used effectively in lighter line weights, as well. I have a 7' 3wt and a 7'6" 4wt earmarked for "creek" fishing.
Last Edited By: seattlesetters 01/07/2009 15:26.
Edited 1 time.
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mtn |
re: rod length | #4 | ||
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Posts: 423 01/07/2009 15:40 |
Something else to think about..... not only the size of water but what type/size of flies you plan to fish. I seldom fish big water, typically mid size
rivers/ streams. A 7 1/2' 5wt will typically work well as an all around rod but in early season when I don't expect to see much dry fly fishing I grab
an 8 or 8 1/2' 5 or 6wt. I know I'll be fishing big flies, streamers, wets and nymphs with weight and mending also becomes more important. I leave
the 7' 4wts for small stuff and dries.
Mike |
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Eric Peper |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 81 01/07/2009 16:30 |
When the Henry's Fork became my "home water" about five years ago, I got rid of all but two shorter rods and began acquiring 8-footers -- not
because of more distance being required, but because a longer rod would allow easier mends and more versatile casting. I still own a 7-1/2' for a 5 and a
5'9" Orvis 4-weight that I keep for sentimental reasons, but I find that almost all my fishing is done with either an 8' for a 5 or an 8' for
a 4 whether it's on the Fork or on smaller water like the Gibbon or Warm River. Windy days on the Fork find a Pezon Fario Club in hand as it'll fire a
5-weight through the wind like a bullet. When I fished the Catskill rivers on a regular basis the 7-1/2' for a 5 was my #1 because (except for the
Delaware) not nearly as much air and water mending and "strange" casting was required as on larger western tailwaters.
EP |
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wb4tjh |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 442 01/07/2009 17:18 |
I tend to agree on what's been written before this post. I usually limit my bamboo rods to 8 feet, because I think they begin to get a big heavy and
tiring...at least to me....when they get much beyond 8 feet. If I really need a 9 foot rod, I will usually be fishing graphite. My favorite all around bamboo
rod length is the 7.5 footers. I can fish one all day, and reach 90% of the places I need to put a fly, and they mend pretty well too. Most of my fishing near
my home here in south Florida tends to be saltwater, and I have to admit I usually use a 9 foot, 8 weight graphite for that. But for small freshwater pond or
stream fishing, bamboo reigns supreme for me.
Bamboo is the Benchmark for flyrods. |
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tedgolden |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 2673 01/07/2009 17:48 Moderator |
Often repetitive, my perspective:
I think shorter rods have an edge in accuracy and as has been mentioned, the longer ones in mending. While a short rod may be used effectively on larger water, the inverse is often not the case. By choosing an 8' 5 wt., you have hit the happy mean. Personally I have become fond of an 8' 6 wt for the added versatility. Fly size, streamside vegetation, fish size and specie, wind conditions all play interrelated roles. I would choose a different rod if I were likely to use a wide range of fly sizes/weights on an all day outing as opposed to a couple of hours for an olive hatch. Eric, I am jealous of your new home water. Good to see you hanging out here. Drew |
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uniphasian |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 1917 01/07/2009 19:00 Moderator |
Don't forget about 7'9"s and, oh yeah, 8-1/2 footers. Oh, and ....
- Uni
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bulldog1935 |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 6598 01/07/2009 19:10 Bulldog1935 |
Big water needs big rods, and high-sticking nymphs in most water needs 8' or better.
I will go down to a 7-1/2' for swinging wet flies. As the width of the water goes down, and as the overhang comes down, there is no room to work a longer rod, and a short rod makes total sense.
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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Canewrap |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 69 01/07/2009 20:25 |
My ideal rod is actually a 2-piece, 7'9", 5/6 wt. that is slightly lighter than an 8-footer, so my reels more easily balance the rod. For me the difference in fishing length is negligible and actually allows me to fish in areas slightly smaller than I would be comfortable in with an 8-footer. I don't notice any difference when I use the 7'9", versus the 8'. Used to be when I fished PA streams that were smaller than the average ones, here in AL and TN, a 7'6" was my ideal length, but with more large tailwaters thrown in the mix the length preference has changed. |
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creakycane |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 1994 01/07/2009 21:45 |
I find that often going from a longer to a shorter, lighter rod seems like a relief --- but If I've been fishing a 7' 3wt for a few weeks in skinny
summer water, going back to a long 5/6 wt seems like a drag..... sort of like putting waders back on, after being able to wet wade for a while!
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cebfishing |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 479 01/07/2009 22:53 |
For the first 40 years of my fishing, I used a 9ft, fairly heavy bamboo fly rod on any size stream I fished. Then I started acquiring other rods and learned it
might not be the best match for various streams, flys, and conditions. Not sure I catch any more fish now, but I do have fun experimenting with different
lengths, weights, and lines. I tend to like 8ft rods the most and do not get that excited about 7 1/2 ft rods. This summer I fished a few times with a Heddon 6
1/2ft rod and really like it for small streams. I doubt that I will ever become the expert like many of you. Probably remain a small town boy who is fortunate
now to be able to afford a variety of rods and find ways to enjoy them all.
Best wishes to all this new year. Chuck |
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OnlyTrout |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 26 01/07/2009 23:45 |
I also agree about the longer rods and easier mending but I also think shorter rods are just more fun to fish with if the situation warrents it. I do find
longer rods a disadvantage on streams with overhanging trees because I usuallly have to sidearm cast to get my fly under the limbs and find this much easier
with the shorter rod.
Doug |
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seattlesetters |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 510 01/08/2009 00:11 |
Although I could never do it, I should think a sport with an 8' 5wt and 7' 4wt cane rods rather well-equipped for most trout fishing. Not perfect for
all situations, but in the ballgame, nonetheless.
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PkwyAngler |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 200 01/08/2009 13:50 |
Some wonderful insights on rod length preference shared thus far above. I think you'll find that rod length preference is strongly influenced by the size & type of rivers you fish, the environmental conditions, the angler's skill & physical condition, and lastly an angler's general perception of a rod's performance Vs the task. In general, as you move to the extremes of shortest light line or longest heavy line rods they become tools of specialization for more specific angling conditions, i.e. smaller confined waters or large expansive rivers.
In general, as the average angler slides down the rod length scale he/she will most likely notice differences in line mending & control, effective casting ranges and the overall lower rod mass, both static & dynamic.
I kind of feel the length range of 7.5 to 8.0 foot rods in a 5 or 5/6 weight lines are great "all around" general purpose trout rods able to accommodate most river conditions effectively. |
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spruce grouse |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 1194 01/08/2009 14:50 |
I think if you're starting out fishing bamboo, a 7'6" 5 wt. is a good first rod (mine was) at least here in the East, unless you want to go
lighter, and then a 7' 4 wt. would be a good choice.
I have found lately, however, that my 7'6" rods do not see a lot of action, and I have some nice 7 and a half footers (Dickerson, Young). It seems that while 7'6" is a good compromise, I tend to reach for a shorter or longer rod for reasons previously mentioned. When fishing a 7'6" rod, I'm much more likely to wish I had a shorter or longer rod with me than vice versa. Something that illustrates my point (and probably cries out "Geek!") is that the mean and median lengths of my bamboo rods are 7.5 feet yet only 15% of them are that length. |
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overmywaders |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 43 01/08/2009 17:28 |
I only started to fish rods less than 8'6" in the past five years. I fish primarily fast, boulder-strewn streams averaging about sixty feet wide. In
order to get the best drift over many conflicting currents I find a 9' or 10' rod is excellent. Also, I prefer the slower casting speed of the longer
rod. However, my health forced me to use shorter, lighter line-weight rods; so, last year I used a 7' 4wt and an 8' 4wt.
The longer rods have numerous advantages - see Long Live the Long Rod- too many to let go, so I am going to test my ability to handle a 9'6" 4wt this coming season. The relaxed speed of this rod may make up for its length. |
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Armchair Angler |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 149 01/08/2009 18:37 |
If you have an 8 ft - 5wt rod and like it, I wouldn't go to a 7 1/2 footer. To me 6 inches doesn't make enough of a difference. If I had an 8 ft rod
and wanted something shorter, I'd go to 7'.
Having said this, I do most of my trout fishing with a 7 1/2 ft 5 wt. Occasionally I'll use an 8 1/2 ft rod for bigger water and bigger Trout. A 7 footer just seems too short to me, although I'm sure I'd get used to it. (I could be talked into fishing a Payne 98  )
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57Clemson |
#19 | |||
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Posts: 3 01/09/2009 20:39 |
For me ,the rod I will fish is dependent on the fish I anticipate catching.This past summer,for example, we chased 4'-6' brook trout in little streams
off the Blue Ridge Parkway.I used 6'3'' and 6'10''rods in 3to4wt.Most of the streams I fish in this area generally hold 9'-12'
fish and here I fish the 7'-7.5' rods.In several areas where I anticipate larger fish I'll move up to 8 footers in 4-5wt. I unexpectedly had the
oppertunity to fish a trophy section of a larger stream today and was seriously under gunned with a Driggs.Maybe I would have caught something with the
longer rod, but for me probably not.
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cross creek one |
#20 | |||
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Posts: 345 01/09/2009 20:49 |
7ft9in 5wt/7ft3in 4wt, 'nuf said.
-CC |
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