What's your favorite rod?

[troutstalker]

Hey all,

I like fly rods as I'm sure all of you do. I've accumulated quite a few over the years. I know that this is not an easy question but please state what your favorite rod is and provide a brief summary as to why.

I'll start. I mainly fish the skinny water, as OMJ would say, for smaller trout so I'm partial to 3wt rods which I find do what I need/want best for this type of water. I can toss a dry, swing a wet or a nymph without issue with a 3wt. I know that they aren't for everyone or for every situation.

I really enjoy fishing my Winston biit 8' 3wt. It's really enjoyable to catch fish on, bends deep and I've caught hundreds of fish on it and it brings a big smile to my face every time I use it.

Let's hear what your favorite rod is and why.

Thanks!

 

[Zak]

1990s Sage LL 486-2. My first nice rod and still, by far, my favorite. It feels like an extension of me in a way my other rods don't. It's very versatile and can lob heavy buggers or make a size 16 fur ant tumble off a rock. Lately, it's been casting size 6 muddlers to small bass.

 

[clarkman]

Just one?

Because most of my fishing involves tiger muskies and/or big streamers, I've gotta go with my Epic Bandit 7'9" 10wt glass. As sweet as my NFC 10wt is, this one is just a little bit sweeter, and more versatile. Just an all around fun rod to cast & fish with a pretty wide variety of lines and line weights.

 

[jaredoconnor]

10'6" 3wt Cortland Nymph Series

I only fish rivers, but this is the only trout rod that I will ever need around here. If they made a 10ft version, I would probably prefer that. However, they don't and that extra 6 inches bothers me less than the cons of competing products would.

 

[Tom Butler]

My favorite is my Sage GFL 9' 6wt my dad gave me for graduation in 1981. Been a lot of places. Broke it opening day '91 too drunk to fish. I managed to sober up after that, and dad had the rod repaired for me. A nice all around rod, I just fish it special mood days anymore.

 

[Dogsnfish]

Bruce and Walker 3wt two hander. Just love casting and fishing that rod.

 

[Old406Kid]

I just dusted it off and used it for several days this week on a couple of mid sized streams.
It's an 8 1/2' 5wt Powell that I built back in the early 90's.

Classic Powell Rod

classicpowellrod.com

 

[HOG]

6120 gass, it forces me to work smarter not harder, and so light

 

[krusty]

Every flyrod I own, with the exception of my POS Sage X.

 

[Wetswinger]

I built two No. Fork Composites rods that I've grown fond of. Both are more of a med/fast flex. Once I learnt to slow down and let them unwind, I'm surprised how well they perform. They are both LMX-FAF rods. A 10ft, 6# for lakes (float tube) and a 11ft, 7# Switch for the shore. I've turned into a NFC groupie I guess...

 

[troutstalker]

I built two No. Fork Composites rods that I've grown fond of. Both are more of a med/fast flex. Once I learnt to slow down and let them unwind, I'm surprised how well they perform. They are both LMX-FAF rods. A 10ft, 6# for lakes (float tube) and a 11ft, 7# Switch for the shore. I've turned into a NFC groupie I guess...

That's awesome! It must feel pretty amazing catching fish on rods that you've built yourself!

 

[Wetswinger]

That's awesome! It must feel pretty amazing catching fish on rods that you've built yourself!

I feel if you can tie flies you can build a rod. It's really not too difficult to build a basic rod. Yes, the fancy thread work on the guides takes experience, but a functional, plan jane rod is doable by most people. Check out the tutorial videos at Proof Flyfishing.com....thats where I learned..

 

[clarkman]

I feel if you can tie flies you can build a rod. It's really not too difficult to build a basic rod. Yes, the fancy thread work on the guides takes experience, but a functional, plan jane rod is doable by most people. Check out the tutorial videos at Proof Flyfishing.com....thats where I learned..

I'll have to check that out. I just have to wrap guides on two mostly built rods but for some reason I have this major mind block going on about it even though I know that it really won't take all that long.

 

[troutstalker]

I feel if you can tie flies you can build a rod. It's really not too difficult to build a basic rod. Yes, the fancy thread work on the guides takes experience, but a functional, plan jane rod is doable by most people. Check out the tutorial videos at Proof Flyfishing.com....thats where I learned..

I'll have to check it out as well. Thanks

 

[Old Man]

My favorite rod is my GL3 9' 5wt. It was the first rod that I paid over 200 bucks for and caught a few big fish in Washington. But I have a TFO 7'9" 3wt that I use here in Montana. and since I only try to fish when it's nice weather. It's the only rod I like to use. It casts like a dream. I've caught fish to 18" with it.

 

[Bajema]

My favorite is a 7’ bamboo 4wt I built With a blank from Anglers Roost. I’m not sure how it performs compared to other bamboo rods, but I love it (probably more due to the work I put into it rather than it’s performance). I fish it on small streams even though it’s overkill, and on some local lakes where the fish aren’t too big for it.

 

[troutstalker]

My favorite is a 7’ bamboo 4wt I built With a blank from Anglers Roost. I’m not sure how it performs compared to other bamboo rods, but I love it (probably more due to the work I put into it rather than it’s performance). I fish it on small streams even though it’s overkill, and on some local lakes where the fish aren’t too big for it.

That sounds like a special rod for sure!

 

[troutstalker]

My favorite rod is my GL3 9' 5wt. It was the first rod that I paid over 200 bucks for and caught a few big fish in Washington. But I have a TFO 7'9" 3wt that I use here in Montana. and since I only try to fish when it's nice weather. It's the only rod I like to use. It casts like a dream. I've caught fish to 18" with it.

I was hoping you'd share. Those are some nice rods Jim!

 

[RCF]

Loomis IM6 9' 5# and 9' 6#. I bought them new in the 80's. Great moderate action, uses the whole rod when fighting fish, and the soft tip helps protect the tippet and detect subtle bites. I can feel the rod loading and unloading - rarely ever have to look at my back cast. I have had them sooo long they are an extension of my arm.

 

[troutstalker]

Loomis IM6 9' 5# and 9' 6#. I bought them new in the 80's. Great moderate action, uses the whole rod when fighting fish, and the soft tip helps protect the tippet and detect subtle bites. I can feel the rod loading and unloading - rarely ever have to look at my back cast. I have had them sooo long they are an extension of my arm.

Those Loomis im6 rods and others built on those blanks are highly regarded and highly desirable!