budget flyrod

[paintballdude902]

hey guys

i figured fly fishing is hunting for food so its good enough for in here.

i just moved up to the mountains this year and i finally decided to buy another flyrod. growing up i used my great uncles orvis bamboo rod for fly fishing on vacation but now my dad decided to retire the old flyrod since its quite valuable.

this leaves me in an area with some great fishing and no fly rod. any suggestions for a flyrod? i want to spend less than 120 and i want a length of no longer than 7'.
i have a reel and tons of flys so its just the rod i want

 

[schlockinz]

I like my scientific angler kit. Its well balanced, and its good enough that i don't drool over the rods that are <<$

 

[bad_aim_billy]

I used a cheap 7 1/2 foot Crystal River "Cahill" this past season, matched with a Medalist reel, came to about 55 bucks. Did fine on both small and big rivers, using 5 weight line. Durability of the rod was very good, I put it through it's paces. In my experience, anything over $50 for a rod or reel hits the "law of diminshing returns" very quickly. I'd get what you can find for cheap, and put the rest toward decent waders and flyline...

 

[bpl]

Less than $120 for a nice flyrod is a tall order. 7' in a bamboo is a nice size, but for graphite, most rods are a bit longer. The closest to bamboo in feel would be a slow action fiberglass rod, like one by Diamondback. Something by TFO or St. Croix might work for you. My personal preference is for Sage and Winston, but they are overbudget.

What sort of streams will you be fishing? An 8.5 or 9ft 5wt is a good all around rod, but for smaller streams a 7-8ft 3 or 4wt might be better.

 

[slabuda]

If there is one thing I do a lot of that is fly fish.


What are you fly fishing for trout, bass, salmon?

If you go for trout, a 5 or 6 wt is the standard at around 8-9ft. Trust me a longer rod casts and mends line so much better, not to mention punch through the wind. Especially if you have a decent river to cast across. Only place I would go for 7ft is a small eastern stream and then I would use a 3wt. But for general fishing from trout to bass cant beat a 8-9ft 6wt. I use a Winston 8 1/2ft 4wt on calm days and spring creeks. My 9 ft 5wt Thomas and Thomas for changing conditions and on spring creeks. And my 9ft 6wt Winston for big bugs, nymphing and windy days on big water.

For a few dollars more you can get a great rod from Echo. From what I have seen/cast they cast very well and are priced great. Great unconditional lifetime warranty. Close the car door on it? Ship it to them and pay a flat fee of about $45 and its replaced. Can also try a company called Sage in their launch series. Same good warrant as well. These are more than your range but are 90% of the performance of the top Sage rods or like ones from Thomas and Thomas, Winston, Scott GLoomis etc.

Put it this way. I will spend money for the best casting rod. I fish all year barring the spawning season and put a few dozen days out on the river. I dont have any steelhead gear yet but I will most likely be buying an Echo or Sage Launch (I wont do near as many days for steelhead as I do on the trout rivers, plus its hunting season time overlap). They are the best casting rods out there for the money.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...ch&cm_ite=netcon&hasJS=true&_requestid=156837

just saw this. Cabelas has Sage Launch on sale, going fast so act quick $170 for a 9' 5wt 4 piece is a STEAL!!!!!! PLus they are made in the USA! My opinion the best size for all around trout fishing. This is a top rate rod for an OUTSTANDING price!!!!! I would go for 8wt for my steelhead rod, shame they are sold out!!!

 

[paintballdude902]

the NC mountians most of the streams are pretty small and have alot of trees around them

mostly trout maybe the occasional small mouth
upon alot of reviews i went with a cabelas rod in 7'6" long enough i can cast but still short enough for the smaller streams

the rod i learned to fish on was a 6'

i debated alot between 4

the Cabela's Three Forks

a cheap st. croix triumph

fenwick hmg

Redington Red.Fly2

some where outa stock and a few more didnt look too great with the reviews

but ive always had good luck with cabelas products and customer service so 4 outa 5 with close to 50 views isnt too bad for a 60 dollar rod


money is tight right now since im in college and having trouble finding work but fishing even after spending money on a new rod is alot cheaper than alot of stuff so i figured its worth it

 

[slabuda]

Good luck and you can always upgrade to a Winston for a graduation present

 

[paintballdude902]

haha that what i figured i just need a rod that will last me for a few years until i finish my wildlfe degree and get a job

 

[bpl]

I've heard good things about the Cabelas Three Forks rods for the money.

 

[courtgreene]

its generic but bass pro's whiteriver stuff is really not bad, affordable, and close

 

[skiking]

The Temple Fork Outfitters rods are a real bargain for the rod that you get. I bought my sister one of the $99 dollar ones and it has a nice fast action and casts really well, I like it more than my Sage FLi which was $250. They may make a 3 wt that is around 7' but not sure.

 

[svtruth]

I use

a bottom of the line 5 wt from cabelas or Bass Pro. And my wife's father was the repair department for Orvis, I have several Bamboo rods including a backpacking duo of a fly and a spinning rod he made us as a wedding present.
Have fun.

 

[Kingcreek]

I have 2 of the lower-end Cabela's fly rods, a three forks and another older IM6. great value= better rods than the price would indicate.

 

[DMS]

+1 for the Cabelas Three Forks. I got a 7'6 3wt for small trout this past spring. Excellent rod for the price.

 

[Flyboy]

I have a Redington Wayfarer 5pc (9'6", I think, in 6wt). I know it's a different model than you're looking at, but I can say I am completely satisfied with the rod, and I've used it on everything from little creeks to big water like the Snake River in Jackson, WY. I'm definitely a fan of Redington.

 

[420Stainless]

Eagle Claw Featherlight. Bought a 7'0" 5/6 weight (I think from Cabela's originally) about 15 years ago to keep behind the seat of truck in case my primary rod got broke. Obviously a very soft action compared to fast, high speed graphite. I've never fished a cane rod, but I imagine this rod's action would remind you somewhat of the old cane. I've had some fun days with it.

This link is just a site I ran across looking to see if they are still available - I know nothing about doing business with them.

http://www.troutlet.com/Eagle-Claw-Featherlight-Fly-Rods-P217.aspx