Fly Rod Length For Trout

Rod manufacturers design their rods.

Fly rod length for trout.

A more compact length and light weight combined is great for casting small flies in a small stream. Meanwhile for fishing dry flies on rivers a four weight trout rod around 8ft 6in is ideal. Rod length choices seem to be governed as much by fashion and a pack mentality as by anything else. This was my experience in the 3wt and 5wt range.

Thus a 5 weight rod is designed for use with a 5 weight line and a 8 weight rod is designed for use with an 8 weight line. A typical wade and walk small stream slow action rod might be a 7 6 3 weight rod. A 7 5 foot leader is common for bass and other aggressive fish. Fly fishing leaders range from 6 feet to 12 feet.

What length to choose depends on the conditions but a great starting point is to go with a 9 foot tapered leader. Larry kenney fiberglass rod builder and co founder of scott fly rod company. Add tippet length if your fishing to easily spooked fish. This rod has moderate fast action rod allows for good placement of flies at a wide range of distances though may be a little stiff near the bottom of the rod allowing for casting into the wind and with heavier flies.

You should buy an 8ft 6in four weight fly rod if. Personally i preffer 10ft however fishing a smaller river as a guest last season with a mate who uses 9ft i think it all depends on were you fish most. Figuring out fly rod length is pretty easy. Much like the spring creek 3 weight discussed above this four weight has the right balance of accuracy and reach and it s got a little more oomph for distance larger flies or a stiff breeze.

Length however is more universal. Going a bit longer is one of the best things you can do for your nymphing game. You can cast equal distances with 9 or 10ft rods however the longer rods gives better line control on larger wider rivers. Get 9 feet if you need to make long casts use a heavy fly line or fish frequently in the wind.

Croix mojo trout fly rod mt865 4 5 weight 8 6 4 piece graphite fly rod for 199. If someone owns one of the length rods you mentioned take their word over mine. Depending on what you plan on fishing for and where you plan on doing it get something from 8 feet to 9 feet. Because fly lines are characterized by weight as opposed to breaking strength fly rods are rated for casting a specific weight line.

A 9 foot 5 weight rod is the current default choice for most trout fishing because that s what everyone recommends what s frequently stocked and what therefore sells the most particularly to folks who aren t real confident about what they need. My experience with the classic trout series is that they are softer rods. I can t explain the geometry of it all but an extra foot of rod length extends your reach much further than just 12 inches into the. So how long should a fly fishing leader.