How many rod outfits.?

[Buzzy]

If you could only have two outfits, for trout fishing from a tube, what would they be?

10ft 6wt seems to be the most common lake rod, paired with floating and intermediate lines. Thoughts?

Why only two outfits? I'll play: it depends on the lake I'm fishing. One lake I hike into is shallow - no need for Tom's type 6, a floater and and I-line (and it is a lake I only take two rods into). A couple of lakes that have deeper water, then I'd take a floater (long leader for the Seegercator) and my fast full sink (type 7).

Jared - Most of the lakes I hike into I take three rigged outfits with me as I do like an intermediate (or a type 3) but sometimes that third rod is another floater for dry flies. Once you get into this stillwater thing, you're going to get a bigger floating device (pontoon or pram or ....) then you'll be taking four rigged outfits.

 

[troutpocket]

If you could only have two outfits, for trout fishing from a tube, what would they be?

10ft 6wt seems to be the most common lake rod, paired with floating and intermediate lines. Thoughts?

My standard outfits for float tubes are a 9’ 5wt for a floating line and a 9’ 6wt for a sinking line. 10’ rods are great in boats but I think they are more work to cast from a sitting position at the water line. More work = shoulder fatigue = less fishing time. You may find a different outcome. The extra length really shines when you can stand up and take full advantage of a long leader in deep water.

 

[Tom Butler]

If you could only have two outfits, for trout fishing from a tube, what would they be?

10ft 6wt seems to be the most common lake rod, paired with floating and intermediate lines. Thoughts?

Since your new to the tube game, go with Tim L.ockhart's simplicity philosophy. Start with one rod and line and flies you think will suit (I use a leech). Then add stuff as you get more comfortable and figure out what works best for the places you get to visit.

 

[jaredoconnor]

Since your new to the tube game, go with Tim L.ockhart's simplicity philosophy. Start with one rod and line and flies you think will suit (I use a leech). Then add stuff as you get more comfortable and figure out what works best for the places you get to visit.

I was planning to just use my 9ft 6wt, but there’s lots of rods on sale at the moment. Some are as much as 50% off.

I also need to buy a sinking line. Not sure whether to get an intermediate, type 3 or type 6.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

I was planning to just use my 9ft 6wt, but there’s lots of rods on sale at the moment. Some are as much as 50% off.

I also need to buy a sinking line. Not sure whether to get an intermediate, type 3 or type 6.

If you want to chase bass more often than smaller fish, I'd go with an 8wt as the next rod.

If you want to chase stocked trouts and panfish, or throw dries, though, I'd go with a 3 or 4wt. A good 3 or 4wt can still catch big fish, but will make panfish and dries more fun. Fish caught on a 7'6" 3wt and small fly:

 

[Tom Butler]

If you want to chase stocked trouts and panfish, or throw dries, though, I'd go with a 3 or 4wt. A good 3 or 4wt can still catch big fish, but will make panfish and dries more fun. Fish caught on a 7'6" 3wt and small fly:
View attachment 80317

As someone else said I like to have enough rod for the biggest fish I'd hope to release, 6wt. These would break my 4wt, or just loose 'em right away.

 

[jaredoconnor]

I was thinking to get a 10ft 5wt or 6wt, to make indicator fishing easier.

Still not sure what sinking line to get. People say intermediate is the most versatile, but I imagine I would be waiting forever for it to get down in deep water. Isn’t a type 3 a better middle ground? Can you troll with a type 3, or do you really need a type 6?

 

[Tom Butler]

I was thinking to get a 10ft 5wt or 6wt, to make indicator fishing easier.

Still not sure what sinking line to get. People say intermediate is the most versatile, but I imagine I would be waiting forever for it to get down in deep water. Isn’t a type 3 a better middle ground?

Maybe this will help. I feel I can comfortably cover this range of depths with a type 6. The shallow edges to the depths. The west side isn't nearly that deep any more, 12' max. My intermediate line isn't nearly as productive. However, the lakes to the east have a maximum depth of 12'. For those lakes my 10' type 3 sink tip and the intermediate line work really well.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

As someone else said I like to have enough rod for the biggest fish I'd hope to release, 6wt. These would break my 4wt, or just loose 'em right away.
View attachment 80320
View attachment 80322

Perhaps I misunderstood the question. I thought it was which rod to get in addition to the 6wt they already have.

And I didn't mean to imply a person should target 12lb fish with a 3wt, just that if you hooked one you could land it.

 

[Tom Butler]

Perhaps I misunderstood the question. I thought it was which rod to get in addition to the 6wt they already have.

And I didn't mean to imply a person should target 12lb fish with a 3wt, just that if you hooked one you could land it.

No, I didn't think you did. And I hooked up a couple steelhead on my euro rod looking for whitefish before taking the 6wt each trip. I was more thinking you never know what will show up when pan fishing. Often both my floater and my sinker are 6wt rods. It can go little, little, big quick.

 

[troutpocket]

It depends on how fast you’re trolling, but most folks I’ve talked to use Int/Type 3.

Personally I’ve been playing with building a lake streamer line that has a reversed-density from the “seamless” or “multi-density” fly lines so many makers offer. I’d like to have a heavy section in the middle that sinks very fast, and an intermediate section at the head/tip. Cast out, let it sink, and then when I strip the line back in it keeps the fly at or about the depth the heavy belly/mid section sank to. I guess they used to offer parabolic lines that did this in the weights I want, but not anymore.

They are available.

SONAR Stillwater Parabolic Sink Fly Line | Scientific Anglers

Sure, the SONAR Stillwater Parabolic Sink sounds scientific, and that’s because it is. These lines sink in a U-shape through the water column, suspending...

www.scientificanglers.com

It would be a fun line to experiment with!

 

[Jacob Watrous]

They are available.

SONAR Stillwater Parabolic Sink Fly Line | Scientific Anglers

Sure, the SONAR Stillwater Parabolic Sink sounds scientific, and that’s because it is. These lines sink in a U-shape through the water column, suspending...

www.scientificanglers.com

It would be a fun line to experiment with!

Huh. Thanks! I wonder if I can find them in an 8 and 10/11wt.

 

[wmelton]

I was thinking to get a 10ft 5wt or 6wt, to make indicator fishing easier.

Still not sure what sinking line to get. People say intermediate is the most versatile, but I imagine I would be waiting forever for it to get down in deep water. Isn’t a type 3 a better middle ground? Can you troll with a type 3, or do you really need a type 6?

A type 3 isn't really a substitute for an intermediate. A floating line with a long leader would be better in my opinion. You aren't going to cover all the bases with two lines, so think about where you plan on fishing/what you plan on doing/what you enjoy and choose between an int and a s6. You will end up with both eventually.

 

[Westcoast]

I usually have an indicator rod, full sink 3, intermediate and a full sink 7. So at the least 4 rods and if there is any possibility of dry fishing I’ll bring that one to make it 5.

 

[Jim in Anacortes]

I first used a 9' 5 weight rod to Stillwater fish from a tube. When I went to a 10' 4 weight, I much preferred it. That one extra foot gives me so much more control when casting. And a 22 inch brown at Pass Lake (on a 4 weight) is a hoot getting pulled around the lake.

 

[Draketake]

Old406Kid I actually used that product yesterday to hold my "collapsed" rod together. It works like a charm,, However, I make a "wrap" (out of thin neoprene) that resembles a very small street taco. I glue a small strip of neoprene to the center of the "taco" ( as a "flap" to keep the rod pieces from chafing against each other) and then glue two pieces of velcro to the area around the inner part of the top of the "taco". Very simple.... Just get the "flap" between the rod pieces and squeeze it together like a taco. Once you have a piece of neoprene and some velcro and glue...it's fun to custom make these things on a rainy afternoon.

Hey Jim is there any way you could post a picture of this modification. I think Id like to make a few.

Thank you.

Happy 2026

 

[Draketake]

I do the same but use this in lieu of velcro. I also use it to secure my stored rods to the frame of my pontoon.

It has a soft rubber coating and in my opinion is right up there with duct tape and baling wire due to its many uses.

Morning,

If you have a moment could you either repost that picture of this product or maybe attach a link, with theproduct name? For some reason I can not bring your picture up.

Thank you for any and all help.

Bob

 

[Zak]

Morning,

If you have a moment could you either repost that picture of this product or maybe attach a link, with theproduct name? For some reason I can not bring your picture up.

Thank you for any and all help.

Bob

Someone in my local fly fishing club designed this 3D printed device with his son and they are now selling it:

FOLDnHOLDFlyFishing

I haven't tried it yet but it looks neat.

 

[Coach Potter]

I really like the looks of that!

 

[Jim in Anacortes]

The FoldnHold looks like a winner. "Folding" my fly rods in half is something that I like to do for fiting into my truck bed, and for a second rod on my float tube. The idea of quickly unfolding (and refolding) a fully "ready to fish" fly rod intrigued me. This is the way I like to do it. The fly must be "hooked" to the cork or a keeper. After pulling the rod apart at the middle, I prefer to let out line and slide the tip of the rod down to the middle of the rod. This is different than "Folding". Then take up the slack line and "lash" the two pieces of the rod together. With a little practice this can be done and undone almost instantly.