Fly Fishing guys. Need help with a rod....

[Grant Green]

I've been fly fishing for a few years, but still very much a beginner. I fish for trout primarily.

I snapped my only rod (5 weight) and need something new. For ease of purchase, I'm thinking of just going to Cabela's.

Any suggestions would be great. What is the minimum I should be spending for something that will get the job done for my level? Will there be a big difference between the $70 (sale for $41) Cabela's rod and the $130 (sale for $90) rod?

Any brands to stay away from, or that are a good buy?

 

[Obliviax]

I recommend an "Erickson". Its lightweight (TIC)

very malleable and fishy things seem to be attracted to it. Great for "big mouth". Fair warning....it will require a real "leader".

 

[Art]

In your price range at Cabela's

you're pretty much limited to their house-brand which are very good value. Look at their TLr range.

If money were no object, I recommend Sage.

 

[Ralphie_]

Just my opinion, but you get what you pay for, but you don't need an $800 rod either. Without looking at them, I would probably go with the $90 rod. Probably a little better blank, maybe better reel seat. Depending on where and what you are catching, the reel can be more important than the rod. Just get out and fish.

 

[BudatPSU]

It has no spline, you will spend all day casting about with a limp rod.***

***
This post was edited on 3/23 4:59 PM by BudatPSU

 

[Grant Green]

Re: In your price range at Cabela's

Thanks Art. I was actually referencing the TLr with the $90 price range, so maybe that's a sign.

Someday for the Sage.

 

[PSU1282]

Fenwick

I have used a Fenwick for 30+ years and have great success with it.
Remember that the fish can't see the name on the rod.
You reminded me of all the great days at Fisherman's Paradise while at PSU

 

[Pardlion]

Your line is more important than your rod (I'm sure there's a joke there somewhere). Cabella's should be fine at moderate price ranges. If you want to spend big, yeah, Sage is great.

 

[Art]

Not all that long ago Cabela's

bought their blanks from Loomis. Alas, those days are gone.

 

[KCLion]

Re: Fenwick

I, too have an old personalized Fenwick that has to be 45 years old. Love it, but as an adult I wish it was 8.5 ft instead of 7.5 ft.

That said the shorter rod is awesome for the tight spaces of the native brookie streams of NW PA.

 

[wilykyote]

Check Redington, I have two of them, one saltwater and one for trout. Not top shelf, but very good for the price, and a good guarantee as well.

 

[smaturin]

Paul Young parabolic made with pre-war bamboo. Actually I fish old Scientific Anglers. I always liked the feel and they are reasonably priced. I have two paul youngs but really just have them hanging on the wall -- bit of shame really. I will have to break them out this summer.

 

[m.knox]

I have a Sage travel rod. We used to hire a guide to float down the Pere Marquette for Steelhead. The guide gave it a thumbs up a year after saying "use my rod" when I showed him my first rod (which was like a Kmart special).

Cabela's ought to do you right. Go in and talk to the guy. Enjoy the process.

 

[chalkstream1]

Check out the Orvis Clearwater series. Not a cheap rod but a great rod for the money and if you break it they fix it... For 25 years...

 

[tgar]

Hi Grant,

Allow me to provide what I hope might be some valuable advice if you enjoy fly fishing and plan to spend more time on the water as you get older.

Go to a local outfitter before going to Cabelas. Yes, Cabelas will give you a discount on a cheap rod, but Cabelas will never give you knowledge of local waters like a local shop owner can provide. If you have a local shop, go in and tell him your situation, you are still getting into it and have a budget of X. discuss it with a pro, do yourself a favor. Many manufacturers have a stock 5 weight with a little action that can meet your needs.

One rod I have is a St Croix 5 weight, yes I spent more than you mentioned but not a great deal more. Where I buy my gear and flies, The Feathered Hook, in Coburn Pa. on Penns Creek, the expert advice I get on what is happening is invaluable to enhancing my fishing experience.

 

[Cold Smoke]

Grant...
Cabela's will have a "right" flyrod for you. Call toll free and ask for a product specialist. He will be your best source of info to match up your current/future skill level with a Cabela's product. Be sure to buy a rod length that matches the size stream you plan to fish. Later, when you're fishing to big rainbows taking pseudo's on the Henry's Fork, you can think about that $850 rod. Good luck.
Dan

 

[Blueblood4eva]

Re: Fenwick

Fenwick's were great glass rods. Too bad their guaranteed replacement and good ethics drove them out of business in the graphite era. My two buddies had Fenwick and me Orvis and this was in fact about 45 years ago. Replaced that original Orvis just last year with an Orvis Helios just because......they were half price, making way for the Helios two. $400 was still a bit much, but what the hell, once every 40 years or so! It is absolutely gorgeous, 8'6" mid flex, 5 wt. To the OP: You should probably spend as much on a good front weighted floating line as you do on the rod, in your price range. The reel does nothing more than hold the line (for the type fishing around here), so just find one the correct weight that balances out the set up. Most important advice is "go fly fishing", and ask questions. You will be amazed at how willing those in the fraternity will be to help you. Great people, young and old.

This post was edited on 3/23 6:49 PM by Blueblood4eva

 

[81b&w]

The TLr looks like a fine rod for you Grant ....

I would recommend the 8'6" 5wt as an all around rod. I use to be a Cabela's product specialist btw. Good luck my friend

 

[Grant Green]

Thanks to everyone. Part of what makes this board great!

.

 

[Steve G]

If you are in Central PA

or are near State College or going to a game, or the spring game, it is well worth your time to go to Coburn and check out the Feathered Hook. The staff is amazing and will be very helpful. Then stop at the Elk Creek Ale house for a bite and pint

 

[beagleman122]

I bought my grandson one of the $90.00 on sale rod several years ago at Cabela's. It had a great feel to it and cast great. If you fish for trout, your line is more important then the reel.

 

[CattyGuy51]

I have many fly rods in all price ranges. The one that I use most

is an LSI from Cabela's. They are on sale right now for about $130, a little more than you wanted to spend. However, if you watch the sales, you can get them for about $110. A very good rod for the price. Fishing for trout, I think I would try the 8'6" 4 wt. I have caught a 20" on it and that was a bit much for the rod but most of the trout are not going to be that size. A 12" trout on a 4 wt. is a lot of fun. Tight lines.

 

[doublehaul]

My two cents. All the major brands are good. I have Sage, Scott and Loomis, high end rods and really like them all. But if you don't want to put out major bucks all of them especially Sage and Orvis make entry level rods that are very nice. I think
it's more important to decide what kind of fishing you're going to do in respect to length and line weight.
Myself, I prefer 9 ft 5 wt. as an all around , especially if you might want to fish streamers and larger streams or rivers.
Funny, I've fished with a lot of guides, and the only rod they've ever drooled over is a Sage RPIII which I've had for years and will never part with.

 

[Ranger Dan]

I inherited my dad's Orvis split bamboo fly rod, but haven't become

a good enough fly fisherman to use it. I just need to dedicate myself to practicing with my entry level equipment.

 

[schoolie]

One more consideration: Research your area for a custom rod builder and visit him. A good rod builder will interview you and build you a rod to "fit" you and your favorite stream(s). You can also give him a budget so he can choose the proper blank composite. And get a line that is properly matched to the rod. My dad was a rod builder and I have fly and spinning rods for every occasion. Wish he were still here to use them with me.

 

[PSU Mike]

As did many brands...

They did some LL Bean, Cabela's, Powell, et al. St. Croix used to do some too. I bought up a dozen or so between 1999 and 2001 from old LCI (Loomis Composites) OEM stock. Now if I could just find the time to wrap the ~40 or so assorted blanks I have...

 

[PSU Mike]

Re: The TLr looks like a fine rod for you Grant ....

What he needs is an old Loomis IMX in that configuration. Oh wait, I have one of those ...

 

[PSU Mike]

I'd love to meet up and fish the Nehalem for sea run cutts some September. Oh, and a few hours on the Clack would be in order too.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Re: It has no spline, you will spend all day casting about with a limp rod.***

you will spend all day casting about with a limp rod.***

He's used to that.....

 

[81b&w]

That's a tough problem to have ....

I haven't built a rod in quite a few years but one of those blanks would get me excited to. Lucky you and smart move getting them back then

 

[PSU Mike]

Re: That's a tough problem to have ....

I have a sweet 8' #2 and 9' #3 around, but they're 2 piece. I built two more of the #2's for the owner and the manager of the now-gone Angler's Lie in VA. They could fish anything, but they loved the one I built.