rod help?

[ab fisher]

ok guys and girls i am new to fly fishing and would like to get some info on rods. first question, is there any difference in lets say a 5wt and a 4wt other then durability? is there any advantages concerning casting and sensitivity between the two or between the different weights in general? can i get a list of basic pros and cons list? whats a decent rod? i am looking to spend $350 at most for rod, reel, and line what would you suggest? i have heard st. croix makes good rods are good is this true? if i could get any help with any of these questions i would greatly appreciate it.

[Raff]

ok guys and girls i am new to fly fishing and would like to get some info on rods. first question, is there any difference in lets say a 5wt and a 4wt other then durability? is there any advantages concerning casting and sensitivity between the two or between the different weights in general? can i get a list of basic pros and cons list? whats a decent rod? i am looking to spend $350 at most for rod, reel, and line what would you suggest? i have heard st. croix makes good rods are good is this true? if i could get any help with any of these questions i would greatly appreciate it.

Talk to Jason about either an Echo Classic or Echo2. A good general rod for me is a 9' 5wt. That will do well for you in a good range of situations.

Here the link to Jason's site: http://www.utahflydrifters.com/

I just got the Classic in 7'6" 3 wt and used it today. Great rod!

[TS30]

9 foot 5 weight is probably your best all-around rod. If you are only going to own 1 rod and plan to fish many different types of situations from small streams to stillwaters, 9 foot 5 weight is your best bet.

As far as inexpensive gear that will get the job done, look into a Temple Fork rod with an Okuma reel. Okuma is not the nicest reel, but I have one on my 3 wt and it has been more than sufficient. A friend has one on his 5 wt and has fished from Yellowstone to stillwaters where he was catching 5-6 pound rainbows, and it held up fine. You'd be under $200 for the two things and then you can get whatever line you want. Stay away from the Cortland Lazer Line. I hate mine and I am planning to switch to the Rio Gold line.

[Stoney Clarke]

If you want a great, classic first rod, one that will last you for ever check this out from Western Rivers. A used 9 foot 6 weight Scott "G" Series for only $250. This rod is arguably one of the finest rods ever produced, medium action, smooth balanced feel and a light touch that will lay a #20 Pare Adam on the nose of a rainbow without a ripple. If i didn't own one already I would snatch it up. http://www.wrflyfisher.com/ecomm/used.php

SC

[Marty]

I have the 8'8" 6 G and love it. Not sure how the warranty would work. I have three differant Echo's 9-5. You can't go wrong with the Echo or the Scott

[ab fisher]

thanks guys do any of you like the sage or st. croix rods i have a friend that has a st croix and he likes it and he also has a scott and apsolutly loves it. i have heard from a buddy that the sage rods are nice to. whats the best line? i havent heard anything good about the laser line from cortland but iu have heard the cortland classic 444 was a nice line.

[«°Ñøvã°»]

It really depends on what type of fishing your going to be mostly doing. Your basic 9' 5wt will cover perty much anything on moving water that you will encounter in Utah. I know this subject has probably been rehashed over and over on this site and I could probably tell you to search the archives. I will save ya a little time and just tell you to go out and cast some different models and see what feels right to your casting style. St Croix's are fine rods and you could probably, with some research, find a lower end model for under $75 used. Jason on this site has some great Echo rods as well that are in the $120 range new. Both models have lifetime warrantys. Put more emphasis on your rod and line as your reel in most situations will just be a line holder. Just my 2 cents.

Im a Sage person myself ...but my first rod was a St Croix and that basturd never broke on me in the 7 years I had it and let me tell ya I put that thing thru a proverbial hell. A little bit heavy and not the finest dry rod but what a workhorse.
Loops have been gaining my attention lately. All my still water rods are Loops.

[TS30]

You mentioned a price range and then through Sage out there....not necessarily a cheap rod. I've fished with a Sage before, very smooth rod. If you are looking for a higher end rod, Loomis makes a great rod. I've fished a GL3 for 12 years now, and I wouldn't trade that rod for anything.

I will add a witness to the Classic 444 being a great line. That is what I started fly fishing with about 15 years ago. I loved it. The last time it came time to replace my line I decided that I loved the classic 444 so much, I'd go with the "upgrade" to the laser-line.....huge mistake! Have hated it.

I've heard good things about the Echo rods, but never fished one. For you budget, Temple Fork or Echo 9' 5 wt, Okuma reel, Rio Gold fly line.....you'll be about $260 give or take when it is all said and done.....and be very happy with your new investment.

[ab fisher]

alright thanks guys think i have what i need thanks to all of you ts30 you were a great help an di think i will be taking your advice on and echo rod and okuma reel

[devon flyfisher]

Try and get your hands on a Sage XP 5 wt, you won't regret it, they come up on ebay quite often.
Or try and build a rod yourself, might take a few hours but the rewards are worth it,plus you can buy a decent kit for much less than your budget.
cheers
richard

[jonescort]

Scott A2 in 9ft 5wt. If you are not worried about the nicest reel on the market just pick up a cheap on and use it as a line holder till you upgrade. Pick yourself up an airflo ridgeline from Nick or Jason and you will be set. The Scott A2 is one of my favorite rods for the money. If you go on the cheap you can watch ebay and pick one up for 100 bucks with warranty card.

http://www.scottflyrod.smashingdesigns.com/a2/index.shtml
http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/product/0052541319704a.shtml

The 5wt will allow you to throw everything from dry flies to streamers in a variety of situations. I rarely fish a rod bigger than a 4wt on a river, but it means I can't always throw streamer on and it makes nymphing in heavy wind or difficult. The 5wt like many others have said is a very versicle rod that can handle a huge variety of situations.

[«°Ñøvã°»]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sage-XP-590-2-Fly-Rod-9-5-Weight-2-piece-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ260230106400QQihZ016QQcategoryZ23 819QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ShippingP ayment
Every so often the sun shines on the dirtiest dogs ass

[«°Ñøvã°»]

Damn twice in one day? The trout gods are surely smiling.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120250373190&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=002

[jonescort]

I don't know that seems like a ton for that old of rod especially in a 2 piece. Those XPs are sweet but man the money some people want out of them.

[«°Ñøvã°»]

I don't know that seems like a ton for that old of rod especially in a 2 piece. Those XPs are sweet but man the money some people want out of them.

Thats a decent price for an XP even in 2pc...someone got a decent deal on it. Besides compactness what other advantages do the 4pc have against the 2 pc? Ive found the action of the 2's a bit snappier than the 4's.
The LL i just picked up an hour ago. The graphite 2's with those type of slip reel seats are perty rare you hardly ever see them just the Graphite 3's which are a lil faster than the 2's. I like the 2's myself slow and easy. I havent seen a graphite 2 for less than 250-275 on a good day.

[devon flyfisher]

I don't know that seems like a ton for that old of rod especially in a 2 piece. Those XPs are sweet but man the money some people want out of them.

Have you ever used an XP?
In my opinion they are the best rod ever made, better than it's replacement, the z-axis.

[ab fisher]

sorry guys stupid question but who makes the XP and Z-axis

[ab fisher]

please include full brand name along with model name. thanks

[Doug S.]

sorry guys stupid question but who makes the XP and Z-axis

Sage......................nice rods

[Nich]

Sage makes both the rods. The Z-Axis is the replacement for the Xp series. Both great rods. I have two Xp's that I love but went with the ZXL in the new technology.

http://www.sageflyfish.com/dyn_prodlist.php?k=83519

[«°Ñøvã°»]

Sage makes both the rods. The Z-Axis is the replacement for the Xp series. Both great rods. I have two Xp's that I love but went with the ZXL in the new technology.

http://www.sageflyfish.com/dyn_prodlist.php?k=83519

How ya liking that ZXL champ

[Nich]

How ya liking that ZXL champ

Let's put it this way the Xp doesn't get much time on the water now ; )

[jonescort]

I have and they are nice. But I was told the tcr was the replacement not the z axis. The Z has that softer tip.
Cort

[Nich]

I have and they are nice. But I was told the tcr was the replacement not the z axis. The Z has that softer tip.
Cort

How could it be a replacement when they were both out for a couple years at the same time? ZXL and the Z-Axis were the replacements for the SLT and the XP. Similar power curves but newer technology.

[Hopper-Dropper]

How could it be a replacement when they were both out for a couple years at the same time? ZXL and the Z-Axis were the replacements for the SLT and the XP. Similar power curve
But newer technology.

Good lord man... Are you some kind of sage whore or something... I love ya sugar puss!

[cheech]

Good lord man... Are you some kind of sage whore or something... I love ya sugar puss!

Get a room already. No king sized bed needed for you two little midgets.

[Hopper-Dropper]

Cheech
... Its nice to see your getting new material finally... Have you ever read the book and or seen the movie Of Mice of men??? I think I'm just going to start calling you "Lennie." we need to hit the water sometime!

[Nich]

Good lord man... Are you some kind of sage whore or something... I love ya sugar puss!

If having 6 sage rods makes me a whore so be it!