In Need of a New Rod?
Aug 24, 2019 11:09:54 #
So, after fishing for countless hours on my Orvis Clearwater, it isn’t working out. New line with the Cabelas rod (both are 5 Wt, 9 ft,) still felt better than the Orvis rod.
I’m thinking a rod is kind of like how I was taught with a bow, which is the bow fits the individual. After trying out a ton of rods at the local fly shop, a Sage X 5 Wt 9 ft felt like I could fish for 7 days and not get tired of it. Pretty much been obsessed with how good that rod feels.
Question is, how do you determine you need a new rod? What is the biggest factor to getting a new rod for everyone here?
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by lolploxin
I’m thinking a rod is kind of like how I was taught with a bow, which is the bow fits the individual. After trying out a ton of rods at the local fly shop, a Sage X 5 Wt 9 ft felt like I could fish for 7 days and not get tired of it. Pretty much been obsessed with how good that rod feels.
Question is, how do you determine you need a new rod? What is the biggest factor to getting a new rod for everyone here?
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by lolploxin
Aug 24, 2019 11:10:11 #
Aug 24, 2019 11:10:16 #
Yup. Buy it nice or buy it twice. It’s an investment and something you’ll have for the rest of your life.
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by dingusunchained
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by dingusunchained
Aug 24, 2019 11:10:22 #
Have you tried the new line on the clearwater. A line upgrade is definitely something that can easily breathe new life into a rod.
Sage X is a nice rod. If you have the money, buy it and fish it for the rest of your life.
On a personal note, a 3rd 5wt does not seem like a good purchase and you could get 2 really nice rods for the same price as a Sage X, like a 4wt and a 6wt.
What you like about the Sage X is likely that it is fast action and feels like a cannon. Before you commit to the Sage X, perhaps try casting other rods outside the 5wt category---try a 6wt Recon and maybe 4wt BVK. I would say that having a more diverse selection of rods is better than having a single really good rod
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by DrSkunkzor
Sage X is a nice rod. If you have the money, buy it and fish it for the rest of your life.
On a personal note, a 3rd 5wt does not seem like a good purchase and you could get 2 really nice rods for the same price as a Sage X, like a 4wt and a 6wt.
What you like about the Sage X is likely that it is fast action and feels like a cannon. Before you commit to the Sage X, perhaps try casting other rods outside the 5wt category---try a 6wt Recon and maybe 4wt BVK. I would say that having a more diverse selection of rods is better than having a single really good rod
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by DrSkunkzor
Aug 24, 2019 11:10:27 #
I maintain the best 5wt is a moderate action 6wt paired with something like an inexpensive 4wt classic trout.
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by Independent
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by Independent
Aug 24, 2019 11:10:32 #
I started on the Clearwater felt the same way. Went up to the recon in 9ft 5w and it’s great for tossing dries delicately. It is a fast action rod but doesn’t have the same backbone as others in its weight range. Not great for nymph rigs or throwing streamers imo. Also have the echo boost which I’m a big fan of, stiffer throughout but still pretty supple in the tip. Will say though recon 10ft 3w is my favorite right now. Cast some other rods in 9ft 5w all manufacturers have different feels but can’t go wrong with sage from what I’ve hear.
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by swsjt
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by swsjt
Aug 24, 2019 11:11:09 #
Quote:
Question is, how do you determine you need a new rod?
- Write down exactly what your old rod isn't doing.
- Analyze situation to determine if situation is equipment or lack of skill and technique .
- Determine what equipment, instruction, skill or technique would fix problem areas.
- Develop a multi rod quiver plan consisting of strategic different weight rods for different uses.
- Work on technique until it doesn't really matter which moderately fast rod you are using within it's weight range.
- Use different weight and length rods for different situations playing to their strengths and your weaknesses.
- Get drunk and order yet another clearance rod just cuz it's such a great deal.
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by Independent
Aug 24, 2019 11:11:16 #
This is spot on except you forgot to include the section about religiously scouring local online marketplaces for any rods on any sort of discount and buying them regardless of their place in your quiver.
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by Stoned4days
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by Stoned4days
Aug 24, 2019 11:11:25 #
Meh, where I am is a fly fishing wasteland. The rigs that appear on Craigslist tend to be grandpa's old 2 pc rods with some random old click n pawl reel for practically what the rigs sold for brand new back in the day. I once got a 6wt G Loomis GL3 and antique Lamson small arbor reel on C'list, but it's really just a poor, if namebrand predecessor to better equipped affordable new rods like the Fenwick Aetos. And, much as I like modern Lamson reels, the antique tiny arbor Lamson Number 2 is readily bettered by many cheaper modern alternatives.
I appreciate that in some fly fishing centric areas buying used may offer up some incredible bargins, but I just haven't seen them in central NC. Here, most of the ads are somebody trying to get max dollar out of their dad's beginner gear or transplants trying to sell their unused 5wt. YMMV
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by Independent
I appreciate that in some fly fishing centric areas buying used may offer up some incredible bargins, but I just haven't seen them in central NC. Here, most of the ads are somebody trying to get max dollar out of their dad's beginner gear or transplants trying to sell their unused 5wt. YMMV
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by Independent
Aug 25, 2019 13:27:14 #
Hunterbill
Loc: Toomsboro, ga
Let your grandkids use it. It will happen, then grandma forks over some green cabbage for a new one ☝️!!!
Aug 25, 2019 14:33:15 #
Related anecdote (true story); back in the day, when I was still young, foolish and married, I decided to try my luck fly-fishing; it didn't end well !
One slightly windy day, I
tried a double-haul cast in an attempt at gaining more distance; on the second pass the wind shifted slightly and I ended up wearing a #10 wooly-
bugger as an earring ! No cutters on me, so I had to hike the quarter-mile back to my car to dig a pair out of my toolbox; using the cutters and car mirror, I finally managed to trim the barb off the hook and remove the 'fly' ! That incident CURED me of the fly-fishing 'bug'; I haven't looked at, touched, or considered buying another fly-fishing rig since ! Have been a confirmed spin-
fisherman for the past 45 years; not real keen on bait-casters or spin-casters, either; WAY too many 'bird's-nests' in my past !
One slightly windy day, I
tried a double-haul cast in an attempt at gaining more distance; on the second pass the wind shifted slightly and I ended up wearing a #10 wooly-
bugger as an earring ! No cutters on me, so I had to hike the quarter-mile back to my car to dig a pair out of my toolbox; using the cutters and car mirror, I finally managed to trim the barb off the hook and remove the 'fly' ! That incident CURED me of the fly-fishing 'bug'; I haven't looked at, touched, or considered buying another fly-fishing rig since ! Have been a confirmed spin-
fisherman for the past 45 years; not real keen on bait-casters or spin-casters, either; WAY too many 'bird's-nests' in my past !
Aug 25, 2019 23:13:16 #
Now you know why I ALWAYS wear my cowboy hat and subglasses when I flyfish.
Aug 26, 2019 15:37:15 #
Aug 26, 2019 16:02:31 #
Sorry ! Not clear if you meant 30 or 40 rods, or $30/$40 rods ? If the former; out of my league, unless I hit the lottery !
If the latter, then I'm with you ! Most of my rods (NOT fly-rods) have been in that price range, with the exception of the few substitute combo rigs I've bought to temporarily replace any broken gear !
If the latter, then I'm with you ! Most of my rods (NOT fly-rods) have been in that price range, with the exception of the few substitute combo rigs I've bought to temporarily replace any broken gear !
Aug 26, 2019 16:09:48 #
No I mean I have 30 to 40 different rods for various techniques and typically carry 20-25 in my rod locker in the boat at any given time... moral of the story is if your like me, your time on the water is your therapy so if a rod, a lure (fly) creel or whatever is gonna make it more enjoyable, do it... your asking other fisherman their parameters to justify spending on our sport and my response is... if you want it and can afford it, fricken buy it, life is not a dress rehearsal so enjoy your one go around while you can! Tight lines!
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