[bronjuan]

Hi all,

I've been flyfishing stillwaters for about 12 years now. I'm 26 now and want to upgrade my rod. I've dealt with a dragonfly medium action since I first started flyfishing. I find it a little too flimsy and doesn't allow you to get enough line in the air. would your recommend going to a stiffer rod? I was looking at the sage fli 586 as its in my price range and I've always wanted one (lol). Any tips would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Brandon

 

[mrmugs]

How much line do you really need in the air? I've been fishing with the same rod as your old one for a while now and it suits me just fine!!
Although I would still like to get a new rod... >
I'm guessing your Dragonfly is a 6 wht. I personally would go for a 5 wht myself. Anything heavier than 6 would make stillwater fishing boring as you can't feel the fish on your line as much.
See this post- http://www.bcfishingreports.com/forum/index.php/topic,7495.0.html

 

[HOOK]

if your going to go with the FLI series rods i would go with a 590 because that extra 6 inches in length makes a huge difference. none of my trout rods are shorter than 9feet (until i get a 3wt) :thumbup:

the FLI rods are very nice and i might be picking up a 8wt 10foot :thumbup:

 

[bronjuan]

yeah i have a #5 now. it's just a real bitch throwing line into the wind...doesn't seem to have the power behind it. Plus I think my cast stroke is a little more perfected and I need something that will rock that fly out there.
How would a fast action rod handle in a small river/big creek situation? when it's too stiff is it harder to throw short casts? I read something on this but I was kinda confused.
any other models in the same category/price range that you'd suggest checking out?

 

[HOOK]

I would suggest looking at the Echo rods and also Scott rods, perhaps even TFO (higher end). you could check out the T&T rods (thomas & thomas) however these are a little pricier but very nice.


I have a Sage 5wt and its a medium action rod and quite supple, i can still punch it out against a wind fairly easily. I would also suggest taking a casting lesson on learning the single and double haul (will help tons)

 

[professori]

yeah i have a #5 now. it's just a real bitch throwing line into the wind...doesn't seem to have the power behind it. Plus I think my cast stroke is a little more perfected and I need something that will rock that fly out there.

One common assumption many anglers make is that the solution to their casting problem is ti buy a bigger, better rod to conquer distance, wind, etc. Often the solution lies in choosing a line that will load better on a given rod, or that has a heavier, more compact taper, that will work more effectively. While it is true that a 6wt rod and line will punch harder and further than the same 5 wt rod and reel match-up, a 5wt shooting taper line (or possibly a 6wt weight forward) on a 5wt rod will out perform a 6 wt double taper on the same 6wt rod. Matching your line to your rod is much more than just matching the numbers. Go into a reputable fly shop (any of the ones regularly mentioned here) and talk to the folks ther about the problems you are encountering and all the possible solutions. Actually, if you have developed a better cast, you should be getting more distance out of your line in any conditions you are encountering. Tighter loops will find less resistance from the wind than will open, wide loops.

 

[bronjuan]

yeah I dont know, maybe it is my cast....it just seems as soon as i get a decent amount of line in the air the rod just crumples. am I just expecting to cast too far? im guessing a nice rod is more like a nice golf club. at least that's what i was hoping for

 

[4x4]

I bought a 696-4 FLI in Nov and love that stick. I used it on Douglas Lake Ranch a few weekends ago and found I still prefer a 9ft rod instead of the 9'6". The 9'6' FLI has a fair amount of power and I bought it as my main Coho rod and for tubing. If I'm fishing lakes with large trout I would use it otherwise I'll stick to the 9' 4 & 6 wt's.

Bronjuan, I wouldn't get hung up on the rod as much as maybe focus on your casting style. Have an experienced caster watch you. Maybe with a few adjustments and you'll toss your line as far as you expect. Rods do make a difference for casting depending on there action and length but once you are comfortable and have confidence with your casting you should be able to toss a good line with any fly rod.

 

[professori]

yeah I don't know, maybe it is my cast....it just seems as soon as i get a decent amount of line in the air the rod just crumples. am I just expecting to cast too far? I'm guessing a nice rod is more like a nice golf club. at least that's what i was hoping for

Without watching, I can't tell you what the problem really is, but a very common problem (I still get caught by it at times) occurs when a caster has "a decent amount of line in the air" and wants to punch a few more feet out on the next stroke. The caster unconsciously tries to really fire the last cast and drops the rod way down on the backcast and then prematurely drives the rod into the front cast. This is what causes the line to crumble, not the rod. Timing, proper application of power, and relaxation will deliver good casts with a cheap rod, while without them you can get a top-of-the-line, elite rod and still not be able to toss a decent line.

PS. None of this is meant to discourage you from purchasing the Sage (or other) rod of your choice, if that is what you want to get.

 

[bronjuan]

cool thanks for your help guys. I decided to go with the sage 590...as a treat for just finishing this semester. I'll let you know how it feels cheers!

 

[Nuggy]

.

 

[bronjuan]

sage fli 590!

 

[stone]

sage fli 590!

Are you going to take your new virgin rod and break it in on the Roche fishout this weekend? If you are, I'll see you there! That's a pretty nice rod you picked up...I'm sure it will keep you entertained for many seasons to come. :cheers:

 

[bronjuan]

if you want a lunker, hit the super deep drop off near the "no motor" area...it's only a small bay but about 40 feet deep. got a fat 5.5 pounder out of there a few years ago. it's a good little hole. that or work the island in front of the resort!

 

[stone]

if you want a lunker, hit the super deep drop off near the "no motor" area...it's only a small bay but about 40 feet deep. got a fat 5.5 pounder out of there a few years ago. it's a good little hole. that or work the island in front of the resort!

I fish Roche every year, and I'm quite familiar with the lake...a 5.5 lb fish is a great fish, but it's not the largest that I've caught and released there. :cheers:

 

[bronjuan]

so I got my 590 in the mail the other day as well as my pflueger 2056. what a treat. I have been fishing with a 120$ set up for so long! feels amazing casts like a dream plus she's reaaaall purdy!

Can't wait til im done dental school so I can buy some others! :yummy:

cheers

 

[badboi]

yep,

I got no complaints with my 5wt 9'0" Sage FLI

it casts great and is supersensitive

Today, I managed to land my first small trout on it and it was great O0