I enjoyed this video, Tim. Iceland and New Zealand are my two dream trips. My favorite rods: Number 1 is the Scott G Series 8'4" 4 wt 5 pc I have had for 30 years. It's my small stream and backcountry trout rod. Number 2 is the Powell Legacy 9' 6wt my best friend left me when he passed. I was with him on the Roaring Fork the first day he fished with it when he tied into a 22" rainbow. I use it for dry flies on big water, like the Yakima. Choice Number 3 is a toss up between my TFO LK Legacy 9'6" 7wt and my TFO Axiom II 9' 6wt. The LK is great for swimming streamers off the pontoon and for summer steelhead. I use the Axiom most often as I spend a lot of time going after Sea Run Cutthroats out here in Puget Sound. If I only had one rod, it would probably be my Beulah Guide II 9' 5wt. It does everything well, from dries to streamers to nymphs.
9ft 5w for most of my fishing. I have an old Sage VPS and a Redington Vice. Both good all around but the sage is better suited to wind and throwing streamers. The Vice is a fabulous dry fly rod and throws everything else well also. I also have an 8'6" 5wt TFO which has a softer action more suitable to smaller streams and rivers. I also have a Redington Strike in a 10' 4wt for my Euronymphing. They all have their place.
Thankyou Tim for this insight into your personal favorites...myself, I use an Orvis 4 pc 3 wt Superfine graphite for small streams specks & browns, a Wes Jordan 8 ft bamboo 2pc. which I line with a DT5F ( though rated for a bit heavier) and for salmon/ steelhead, a Sage Vantage 4pc. 8 wt..I fell and broke the tip but replaced it...these are my favorites... when you disclose your favorite rods, flies, and tackle, people will buy and use them because they will feel that is their best chance for success to be using the same as you use yourself...so they should do well too...that is a product of the power of your presence and presentation that you convey in your videos... to coin a phrase...your word to me is gospel !
Thank you for sharing some of your favorite rods, John, talk about a great collection! I never fished the Vantage, glad to know it's a keeper. Also, I really appreciate the kind words. When it comes to fly fishing and fly tying, I want to lessen the learning curve for others, and these are some of the rods that I rely on, hence the recommendations. Hope all is well on your end! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Been fly fishing for about 45 years and I have never heard anyone talk about sizing the weight of rod to your flies!!! I have been saying it for years and people just give me a dead stare, especially workers in fly shops. I am a hardcore S. Florida/Bahamas/Oregon fly fisher and couldn't agree more with the 9" 8 weight. I have used my 8 weight for so many different things. Windy day? Big fly? Just upsize the line one size, it will cast like a dream.
Pre hurricane Katrina I had a huge 30 year collection of top tier gear . Post Katrina I use a 4wt /9 ft for panfish through medium bass . I use a 10wt/ 9 ft for redfish , black drum , jack crevalle and big bass throughout Louisiana . Some have laughed but I catch fish and have fun ! I have recently been considering a Orvis Helios 3D in 7wt/10 ft as a better mid sized outfit. I will say I have 3 spools for each reel and their setup with a WFF , WFST , and a full WFS for ultimate versatility in the field. 48 years ago my first fly rod was an 7 wt /8 ft fiberglass rod and a cheap reel that was almost magical to Me back then.
Fishing long time now - into euro nymphing for the past year and wow! Catch rate way up - Have a bunch of rods - bought the new Vesper Moonshine 10’ 6” and am fishing it hard all year - love this rod! I run it with skagit mono running line - very very light weight and awesome recovery - it flat out fishes.
Hey Tim There are all-round rods and specific rods. I'm back on the 9 foot 5 line rod again as my go to rod. Specific Sage XP. It can take heave use, big dry flies, big nymphs under a indicator, small flies and medium streamers.It can do most of it. In my fifty years of fly-fishing I tried i t all from 6 foot to 14 foot, from line 1 to line 12. Here are my go to rods when it gets specific Brown trout and gray-ling: 8½' #4 Scott Centric , and my Sage xp. Big Brown trout on streamers: 9' #7 Echo Streamer X. Sea-run brown trout in saltwater: Sage XLi 9' #6. And for my latest passion Northern Pike: Vision Big Daddy 9'# 9 it takes big flies. Have never tried musky pike but I would take a Grand Mama 9' #10 from Vision.
Those sound like some great ones, and I appreciate all of the detail! Are you able to comment more about the 14' rod you tried? Thanks so much! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
My three favorites? Good question, I have so many rods that I like to use. I have just recently got into euro nymphing and the rod I use for that is an Orvis Clearwater 10’, 3 wt. But I haven’t used it enough to call it my favorite. I live in the Chicago area so most of my trout fishing is done in Iowa and Wisconsin. For that my favorite rod is my St. Croix Legend Ultra 9’, 4 wt.. My favorite rod for fishing lakes and ponds around here for stocked rainbows and bass is my Orvis Recon 9’ 6 wt. For pond fishing for panfish I love using my 7’6” Cabelas Vector 2 wt.. But, I also need to add a fourth rod and that is a 7’6” 7/8wt Cabelas fiberglass for fishing small stream bass around here. There are several streams around here that offer good fishing for 10” to 12” large and smallmouth bass. So I need to include 4 rods
Ha ha, Dale, you went with 4 rods! Great choices, and I have fished many St. Croix rods over the years...excellent sticks. Thank you for taking the time to share all of this great stuff, and if you ever decide to upgrade your Euro rod, shoot me an email: tcammisa@gmail.com Tim
Sage Sonic 9’ 6 wt has replaced my Scott Flex 9’ 5 wt I used for primarily trout fishing on the Little Red River in Northern Arkansas. This rod casts large streamers, tiny nymphs and midges and any dry fly I have in my box. I can make that accurate 30’ to 45’ ft cast and then reach out to 65+ feet when I need to. I freakin’ love this rod! My other go to for big bass and light saltwater is my 9’ 7 wt Sage Accel. Powerful and extremely forgiving.
I love my St Croix 10 ft. 6 wt. for trout and especially steelhead. Easy to cast especially for the streamers I use in lakes. I do have many others but that is my go to right now.
Budget definitely constrains my choices. Can’t bring myself to pay a months worth of mortgage payment for a rod. 10’#3 Orvis Clearwater has risen to the top of my list. Hard to beat that for the price. Next would be 10’#6 Shakespeare Oracle. Not sold in us but readily available it the UK for really reasonable price and shipping. Love the extra reach and roll cast ability especially on lakes. Last choice would be 11’#6-7 switch. For the size of rivers around me this gets the job done for swinging bigger flies or nymphing heavy Redington Chromer was my fav until I broke the tip and it’s no longer made.
Thanks for taking some time to comment, and you mentioned some excellent choices at that price range. The Orvis Clearwater is a solid choice, especially...and switch rods are something I'm turning to more often. Thanks for the comments and I hope to hear from you on more of my videos. Tim www.troutandfeather.com
I think about this a lot. My top 4 rods are a 10ft 3 wt euro, 9 ft 4wt for dries and indicator fishing, a 9 ft 6wt for streamers and carp and a 9ft 8wt for big stuff. If I were starting out today on a budget I would go odd sizes 3 wt, 5 wt 7 wt. For a carp rod you want a fighting butt but the flies aren't big so a 6 or 7 is fine IMHO. Also I would get the euro rod last if you are just starting out.
Thanks for the comments, Jeff, and great thoughts. I will counter you: When I taught Heather to fly fish for trout, her starting rod was a 10' 3 weight for Euro fly fishing. ;-) Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Depends on what you fish for and how big they are and where you fish. I use my 5wt Orvis ALL THE TIME. 🤨. However, I mostly fish small streams and use a 7ft 3wt Diamondback.
Another great video. I have to laugh I have two 5 wt rods. I use these on the pond behind my house for brim and the occasional small bass. My go to outfit is an 8’ 6” 7wt Fenwick graphite rod I purchased decades ago. All the rods are in the 8 1/2’ - 9’. Range. One of my 9’ rod is 8 wt. I have used it in the salt once, seriously. No luck. It’s nice to read what other people are throwing. 👍
If I’m only taking a single rod for moving water, I’m going with the 9’ 5wt. But if I’m taking two rods it usually does end up taking a back seat to a 4wt for dries and a 6wt for nymphs and streamers. These are the rods I fish the bulk of the time. If I do end up fishing a different style primarily such as tight lining on a euro rod or throwing massive streamers on an 8wt, the 5wt usually ends up as the reserve rod in case I need to switch things up to capitalize on certain situations. But on those days it mostly stays broken down on my pack. On lakes I’m almost always packing a variety of 6 wt fly rods.
My first rod was a orvis encounter 9'6" 6wt. I got that rod as a " do it all kinda good" rod. I reach for that rod when I'm fishing Pennsylvanias bigger creeks and stream. I have a 7'6" 4wt that I reach for most of the time. For those little bushy streams that have tiny natives in it I'll grab one of my short tenkara rods.
Two great sizes, especially for PA! Thanks for sharing, Seth, though I just got a new 9' 6 weight and love the versatility of that rod. I'll have to try casting a 9'6" and see what I think. Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Hey Tim, when you come to Michigan to fish for salmon bring whatever rod you choose for muskie because you will take anything lighter home in pieces most likely. I hooked about a 30 lb hen this fall. What a fight for 45 minutes until she broke me off. Keep the good stuff coming buddy.
I live in SEPA ,my main rod for trout is a 10'3" 2/3wt Aventik Escape. I have a 9'6" 8wt okuma I use for salmon and Steelhead (I have a salmon river NY addiction, lol). Those are my go to rods,I also have a Cortland 5/6wt,a Maxcatch 7'6" 4/5wt fly/spin combo,a couple other fly rods and an arsenal of spinning rods,which haven't really been used much the past couple years since I've gotten back into fly fishing 😀 😄
My 3: 6'6" Batson Revelation 2wt for smaller bass and bluegill in the local ditches. 9' Revelation 5wt for the beach, peacock bass 9' Sage Z Axis 8wt for saltwater.
I have the same addiction fly fishing , 60 years + and have lots of rods . That being said I have lots of rods I like otherwise I wouldn’t have bought them . Traveling a lot kind of dictates what rods I use just from the standpoint of ease to travel with so these would all be 4 piece rods that I grab most often . Small creek, spring creek drys . Winston Boron llX 8’6” 3wt or Sage SLT 8’9” 3wt . Both have enough power to cast a good distance and deliver the fly nice and gently, they both fight fish great I have caught lots of 20” + trout on them with no problem ., I live in Montana so a 6wt is always in the boat . I see these rods as a multi tool they can throw weighted nymph rigs , euro rigs , dries small and large and small to medium streamers . Hard to pick one so I won’t . Winston Boron llX 9’ 6wt , Sage ZLX 9’ 6wt , Loomis GLX 9’ 6wt .For salmon , bass ,Roosters , bones , permit , snook etc . 8wt Edge 9’ 8wt great rod for big streamers ( sex dungeons , game changers etc ) but also smaller patterns such as crabs and shrimp . TFO BVK 8wt 9’ everyone should have at least one for streamer fishing the west . On a recent trip to Belize I used he Orvis 8 & 9wt Helios HD3 rods they will be my next purchase. Two handed rods mostly steelhead and salmon Sage one 11’6’ switch chunks out Skagit heads with big flys nicely . Trout Spey Echo trout Spey TR 11’6” 4wt great with soft hackles, small streamers and trout Spey flies . I have to say this year I purchased two rods from CD that my wife liked , one is the 3wt CD/ICT intuitive casting and the other is the CD/XLS ll 5wt both came with spare tips and both are really good casting and catching rods made in Australia.
Mike, LOTS of great stuff in here, and it sounds like you travel nearly as much (or more!) than me. I also like that you have tried some rods while on a trip and decided that they will work for you in the future. Too often, many anglers purchase a rod without any prior experience fishing, or at least casting, the rod. Glad you've been able to. Thank you for taking the time and I look forward to hearing more from you on some of my other videos. Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Hey Tim, I use the Cabela’s five way 9 foot rod in my kayak I have a Hobie kayak has a rod storage but I can’t go much longer than 9 foot in at five weight seems very durable and when I’m on a reservoir, lake, large pond and this rod is my go to rod. When euro nymphing I’m looking at a Sage nymphing rod $650.
Awesome video,I have & love 3 Moonshine Rods,3,5 & 7 weight,my 3 weight is Moonshine Revival 7' for smaller creeks,both my 5 & 7 weight are 10' Drifter series from Moonshine Rods,my 5 wt is for standard everyday nymphing & smaller streamers my 7 wt is for bigger streamers/nymphs,set up with a 275 grain Skagit integrated head for throwing big nasty streamers,love a of them,tight lines & bent rods 🤘
So many options for sure - I too have many favorites. What is my go to? A 9 foot five weight! Lol. It’s an old school fly rod too…SAGE 590-4 TCR - LOVE that fly rod!
@@TimCammisa Hello Tim! Typically I’m fishing larger rivers (Yakima, Tilton, Clark Fork for example). I also use this rod for Stillwater - it’s just stout enough to throw just about anything and light enough for a nice fight on the fish. I too have several fly rods - this one just has a TON of great fishing karma. Love your stuff - cheers!
Very nicely done I fish the Adirondack ponds a great deal out of a guide boat I most often fish with indicators on long leaders (up to 20’) and chironomids For this my goto rod is a Scott Flex 10’ 5wt I just started using this rod for winter time river fishing with egg patterns and an indicator
Hi James, fishing out of a boat is so much fun! Is there a reason you prefer a 10' rod for it? There are times when I love a 10' for lake fishing, the extra foot seems to help, especially with casting. Thanks, and I hope all is well! Tim
lol I fish a 9ft 5wt. I think it’s really lacking in wind. Also, on smaller streams I feel like it’s too long. I been fishing in Colorado mostly in the front range. In still water and defiantly in wind I’ve wanted something heavier.
Nothing to laugh about, Derrick, as that's a great rod. You mention something heavier, do you think a 6 weight would suffice? Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Hi Tim congratulations for the video and for the explanations; I wanted to ask you what you think of the Hanak Alpen 4 in1 fishing rod 9'6"-11' #5, to fish both nyph and dry in a single fishing session, thank you! Alex.
Hi Alex, thanks for checking in! Hanak quality is insane, though I don't have experience with that rod. I fished with one of the owners this summer, Franta Hanak, and he had a demo rod for a new 5-weight that I fished one day...it was incredible! I can get you more info if interested, shoot me an email: tcammisa@gmail.com Thanks again! Tim
I have 2 fave 6Wt both Sage a 5wt slow action built from Sage Blank....A 4wt Hardy and a 3 wt fibreglass made in China...All great to fish with depending on the river I fish
They sound like great ones, Malcolm! Mind sharing the water types you fish (length, speed, etc.) and the lengths of the rods? Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Fishing my entire life but fly fishing for just over a year. 9ft 5wt because I'm a beginner and the internet told that's what I needed for trout in NC. It has turned out to also be effective for smallmouth. Maybe wish I had gone with a 4wt. I chose #Clearwater by #Orvis because of reviews. It has proven to versatile for nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Also durable. I have fallen and hit it against a few boulders and no issues. Very happy with Orvis on this rod.
Glad to hear your success with the rod, Everett, and the Internet tells us a lot, doesn't it?!? Ha! I think that you've done well using it for smallmouth. I tend to run a 6 weight for them, but that's based on the long casts I make here. Thanks again for the comments and hope all is well! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Atlantic Canada, 10 ft 2 wt contact 2, 2 wt because fly size is usually small and it'll still handle a big fish. 9 ft 5 wt Orvis Helios 2, for anything my 2wt can't do ponds or streamers single hand spey etc. I love my Sage Payload 9+ for striped bass. Would have to be my top 3 go to rods, of course there's others.
@@TimCammisa my friend bought one originally and I got to use it. The first fish I hooked with his 2wt was an Atlantic Salmon on 6x and a small perdigon. I had to get that rod after that
I prefer the extra reach the rod offers, and even throw an 11-footer occasionally in big water. I talk more about this in a blog I wrote about fly rods, thanks for checking! Blog info: www.troutandfeather.com/fly-fishing-blog/2022/the-perfect-fly-rod-for-fly-fishing
I fish in maine and nh 9’4wt recon 2 for bigger tail water rapid river grand lake stream and some still water for rain bows. Orvis sf 5 wt glass for most dry fly fishing. Tfo finess trout 7’9” 4wt for small to med size brooks for brownies and brook trout. Iam currently in the hunt for a 6 wt. those are the ones I use mostly.
Those are some great rods, Cliff, and they seem tailored well to your fishing. What length of 6 weight are you looking for? The Moonshine Vesper (9' 6 weight) has been an absolute beast over the last year for me: amzn.to/3wPEWTE Good luck on the search! Tim
Try a TFO BC in a 10 wt for musky Redington predator 11wt Behemoth reel. The Titan tapers are the best lines but remember they are two sizes over weighted The tfo axion 2 x in a 10 wt is also great for musky
Thanks for the recommendations, and I have had a few people also mention the 11 weight as a favorite. Is that a good all around size for them? Thanks again and I hope all is well! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
@@TimCammisa 11wt is the industry standard for musky.... But with modern fly line tapers and rods specifically designed for the task of heavy sinking lines with giant flies.....like the tfo bc .....you can get away with a 10wt.... And who wants to throw anything heavier than they have to all day. Some people use a 12wt.... It's sort of ridiculous... 10 or 11 is right depending on the rod model and personal preference..... 8-10 for pike.... The test of a musky angler.... if he can endure the wait to see one, all the follows that amount to nothing, and the missed hookers..... Is boat side.... Not losing it or breaking your rod right beside the boat. This is going to ruin your life my man....
Just looking to buy my first rod and I’m addicted to glass ones (echo bag)…. Pretty much see myself fishing the surf so I’m thinking 8ft or 9ft 8wt…. Would love opinions.
Howdy Tim, I love my 3 wt vasper which you recommended. And my Fenwick 7 weight glass I made in high school 1982 lol. I am now looking for a streamer rod for trout and Smallmouth. What are your thoughts on the echo streamer X rod.? Have you tried one out? Thanks Dave
Wow, that's really great that you still have the Fenwick...I have an older one in that ugly yellow color! The Echo Streamer X is one I recommend, especially if you love throwing streamers. If you decide to purchase, here's a link to use: alnk.to/3cgIXZj Thanks! Tim
My go to is a 10ft 4# Nymphomaniac (Vision), for all the same reasons you have the #3, except my primary fishing is in the Scandinavian mountains where it's often windy. As for a #6 and a #8 (9ft) I can whole heartedly recommend the Guideline Elevation series. After getting these, I have no desire to fish with my (3x more expensive) Scott Radian, or any of the other older premium rods I own in the same range of weights. Same with these, I can cast from #4-#8 lines on both rods, just that the #6 bends a bit more, and they are super light and comes with reasonably high quality cork and fittings as well for being a
Just a tad strange, but I least you know why you reach for it! ;-) Thanks for sharing, and I'd love to know any thoughts you have when comparing the two rods. Tim www.troutandfeather.com
I have found that I like my 3,4 and 6 wt best for trout. The 5 lacks the ability to throw larger streamers, indicator nymph rigs. The 5 also lacks the ability to do small dry flies with light presentation. Sure, if I had one rod it could prolly make it work. Honestly I find myself using and enjoying my 3 wt euro nymph rods the most for trout. I am looking into an 8 wt for larger warmwater species, but I'm not experienced with them as much so don't know what I like.
Good information, personally I'd rather not nymph. It just isn't for me, I don't enjoy it much fish or not. In the same manner I'd rather fly fish and catch nothing then use conventional gear. Nymphing, though it produces fish...just isn't fun for too long. I'd rather be casting.
Thanks for your comments, Rudy, and I am sure many have similar opinions to you. Though I do cast quite a bit when I'm Euro nymphing, and now fishing an 11' rod, my casting distance has increased. Thanks again! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Hi Dan, I actually have changed the rods I fish since this video. The rods that I won't fish without are now found here: www.troutandfeather.com/fly-fishing-blog/2022/the-perfect-fly-rod-for-fly-fishing Appreciate you checking in. Tim
I enjoyed this video, Tim. Iceland and New Zealand are my two dream trips.
My favorite rods: Number 1 is the Scott G Series 8'4" 4 wt 5 pc I have had for 30 years. It's my small stream and backcountry trout rod. Number 2 is the Powell Legacy 9' 6wt my best friend left me when he passed. I was with him on the Roaring Fork the first day he fished with it when he tied into a 22" rainbow. I use it for dry flies on big water, like the Yakima. Choice Number 3 is a toss up between my TFO LK Legacy 9'6" 7wt and my TFO Axiom II 9' 6wt. The LK is great for swimming streamers off the pontoon and for summer steelhead. I use the Axiom most often as I spend a lot of time going after Sea Run Cutthroats out here in Puget Sound.
If I only had one rod, it would probably be my Beulah Guide II 9' 5wt. It does everything well, from dries to streamers to nymphs.
Sage R8 core 10’ #5
Helios D 9’ #7
Scott Sector 9’ #9
9ft 5w for most of my fishing. I have an old Sage VPS and a Redington Vice. Both good all around but the sage is better suited to wind and throwing streamers. The Vice is a fabulous dry fly rod and throws everything else well also. I also have an 8'6" 5wt TFO which has a softer action more suitable to smaller streams and rivers. I also have a Redington Strike in a 10' 4wt for my Euronymphing. They all have their place.
Thanks for the comments, Tim, and you picked some great ones there! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
8'6" 4w Sage Z-axis. Love the way it casts, G.Loomis NRX 9' 6w for light bass/trout and a TFO Axiom II 9' 7W for smallmouth.
Thanks for sharing your lineup, Jason, and I'm in the market for a new smallmouth rod...the NRX sounds like a winner! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
I picked up a TFO Axiom II 9' 6wt specifically for coastal cutthroat. He and I had a great Christmas Eve morning in Puget Sound!
Thankyou Tim for this insight into your personal favorites...myself, I use an Orvis 4 pc 3 wt Superfine graphite for small streams specks & browns, a Wes Jordan 8 ft bamboo 2pc. which I line with a DT5F ( though rated for a bit heavier) and for salmon/ steelhead, a Sage Vantage 4pc. 8 wt..I fell and broke the tip but replaced it...these are my favorites...
when you disclose your favorite rods, flies, and tackle, people will buy and use them because they will feel that is their best chance for success to be using the same as you use yourself...so they should do well too...that is a product of the power of your presence and presentation that you convey in your videos...
to coin a phrase...your word to me is gospel !
Thank you for sharing some of your favorite rods, John, talk about a great collection! I never fished the Vantage, glad to know it's a keeper. Also, I really appreciate the kind words. When it comes to fly fishing and fly tying, I want to lessen the learning curve for others, and these are some of the rods that I rely on, hence the recommendations. Hope all is well on your end! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Been fly fishing for about 45 years and I have never heard anyone talk about sizing the weight of rod to your flies!!! I have been saying it for years and people just give me a dead stare, especially workers in fly shops. I am a hardcore S. Florida/Bahamas/Oregon fly fisher and couldn't agree more with the 9" 8 weight. I have used my 8 weight for so many different things. Windy day? Big fly? Just upsize the line one size, it will cast like a dream.
Orvis 7-11 4 wt. I’ve had this rod for about 25 years and it’s perfect for fishing drys and small streamers in N.J.
Sounds like a great rod, Bill, and one that I'm positive be used in MANY places around the world. Thanks for commenting. Tim www.troutandfeather.com
10' 4 wt trout nymphing dries and small streamers. 9'6" 6 wt for stillwater trout bass and light salt/inshore. 9' 9 wt pike, blues, stripers. That kinda covers me.
Pre hurricane Katrina I had a huge 30 year collection of top tier gear . Post Katrina I use a 4wt /9 ft for panfish through medium bass . I use a 10wt/ 9 ft for redfish , black drum , jack crevalle and big bass throughout Louisiana . Some have laughed but I catch fish and have fun ! I have recently been considering a Orvis Helios 3D in 7wt/10 ft as a better mid sized outfit. I will say I have 3 spools for each reel and their setup with a WFF , WFST , and a full WFS for ultimate versatility in the field. 48 years ago my first fly rod was an 7 wt /8 ft fiberglass rod and a cheap reel that was almost magical to Me back then.
Fishing long time now - into euro nymphing for the past year and wow! Catch rate way up - Have a bunch of rods - bought the new Vesper Moonshine 10’ 6” and am fishing it hard all year - love this rod! I run it with skagit mono running line - very very light weight and awesome recovery - it flat out fishes.
Hey Tim There are all-round rods and specific rods. I'm back on the 9 foot 5 line rod again as my go to rod. Specific Sage XP. It can take heave use, big dry flies, big nymphs under a indicator, small flies and medium streamers.It can do most of it. In my fifty years of fly-fishing I tried i t all from 6 foot to 14 foot, from line 1 to line 12. Here are my go to rods when it gets specific Brown trout and gray-ling: 8½' #4 Scott Centric , and my Sage xp. Big Brown trout on streamers: 9' #7 Echo Streamer X. Sea-run brown trout in saltwater: Sage XLi 9' #6. And for my latest passion Northern Pike: Vision Big Daddy 9'# 9 it takes big flies. Have never tried musky pike but I would take a Grand Mama 9' #10 from Vision.
Those sound like some great ones, and I appreciate all of the detail! Are you able to comment more about the 14' rod you tried? Thanks so much! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
My three favorites? Good question, I have so many rods that I like to use. I have just recently got into euro nymphing and the rod I use for that is an Orvis Clearwater 10’, 3 wt. But I haven’t used it enough to call it my favorite. I live in the Chicago area so most of my trout fishing is done in Iowa and Wisconsin. For that my favorite rod is my St. Croix Legend Ultra 9’, 4 wt.. My favorite rod for fishing lakes and ponds around here for stocked rainbows and bass is my Orvis Recon 9’ 6 wt. For pond fishing for panfish I love using my 7’6” Cabelas Vector 2 wt.. But, I also need to add a fourth rod and that is a 7’6” 7/8wt Cabelas fiberglass for fishing small stream bass around here. There are several streams around here that offer good fishing for 10” to 12” large and smallmouth bass. So I need to include 4 rods
Ha ha, Dale, you went with 4 rods! Great choices, and I have fished many St. Croix rods over the years...excellent sticks. Thank you for taking the time to share all of this great stuff, and if you ever decide to upgrade your Euro rod, shoot me an email: tcammisa@gmail.com Tim
I had a Legend Ultra 9' 6wt. That was a great rod. St Croix, the pride of Park Falls!
Sage Sonic 9’ 6 wt has replaced my Scott Flex 9’ 5 wt I used for primarily trout fishing on the Little Red River in Northern Arkansas. This rod casts large streamers, tiny nymphs and midges and any dry fly I have in my box. I can make that accurate 30’ to 45’ ft cast and then reach out to 65+ feet when I need to. I freakin’ love this rod! My other go to for big bass and light saltwater is my 9’ 7 wt Sage Accel. Powerful and extremely forgiving.
Isn't it a great feeling when you find the perfect rod for you?? I know the feeling...until I find another one! ;-) Tim www.troutandfeather.com
I love my St Croix 10 ft. 6 wt. for trout and especially steelhead. Easy to cast especially for the streamers I use in lakes. I do have many others but that is my go to right now.
Appreciate you sharing, Tony, thanks! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Budget definitely constrains my choices. Can’t bring myself to pay a months worth of mortgage payment for a rod. 10’#3 Orvis Clearwater has risen to the top of my list. Hard to beat that for the price. Next would be 10’#6 Shakespeare Oracle. Not sold in us but readily available it the UK for really reasonable price and shipping. Love the extra reach and roll cast ability especially on lakes. Last choice would be 11’#6-7 switch. For the size of rivers around me this gets the job done for swinging bigger flies or nymphing heavy Redington Chromer was my fav until I broke the tip and it’s no longer made.
Thanks for taking some time to comment, and you mentioned some excellent choices at that price range. The Orvis Clearwater is a solid choice, especially...and switch rods are something I'm turning to more often. Thanks for the comments and I hope to hear from you on more of my videos. Tim www.troutandfeather.com
I think about this a lot. My top 4 rods are a 10ft 3 wt euro, 9 ft 4wt for dries and indicator fishing, a 9 ft 6wt for streamers and carp and a 9ft 8wt for big stuff. If I were starting out today on a budget I would go odd sizes 3 wt, 5 wt 7 wt. For a carp rod you want a fighting butt but the flies aren't big so a 6 or 7 is fine IMHO. Also I would get the euro rod last if you are just starting out.
Thanks for the comments, Jeff, and great thoughts. I will counter you: When I taught Heather to fly fish for trout, her starting rod was a 10' 3 weight for Euro fly fishing. ;-) Tim www.troutandfeather.com
I agree, the 3,4 and 6 are the real workhorse for me. That being said, I know people who are catching steelies and salmon, I dont fit that bill
Depends on what you fish for and how big they are and where you fish. I use my 5wt Orvis ALL THE TIME. 🤨. However, I mostly fish small streams and use a 7ft 3wt Diamondback.
Well said, and it sounds like you have found a couple rods that match up well with your fishing! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Another great video. I have to laugh I have two 5 wt rods. I use these on the pond behind my house for brim and the occasional small bass. My go to outfit is an 8’ 6” 7wt Fenwick graphite rod I purchased decades ago. All the rods are in the 8 1/2’ - 9’. Range. One of my 9’ rod is 8 wt. I have used it in the salt once, seriously. No luck. It’s nice to read what other people are throwing. 👍
I agree, Bruce, and I keep wondering if it's time for a 7 weight and an 11 weight! ;-) Tim www.troutandfeather.com
If I’m only taking a single rod for moving water, I’m going with the 9’ 5wt. But if I’m taking two rods it usually does end up taking a back seat to a 4wt for dries and a 6wt for nymphs and streamers. These are the rods I fish the bulk of the time. If I do end up fishing a different style primarily such as tight lining on a euro rod or throwing massive streamers on an 8wt, the 5wt usually ends up as the reserve rod in case I need to switch things up to capitalize on certain situations. But on those days it mostly stays broken down on my pack.
On lakes I’m almost always packing a variety of 6 wt fly rods.
Thanks so much for sharing! So the 9' 5 weight lives on!! :-) Tim www.troutandfeather.com
I have so many now, I rarely use most of them. I’d like to get down to 10; which means 40 must go? At least then I’d remember what I have.
Nice to meet You at The Edison Show this Year Tim. It was great talking to you for a while. Tom
Thanks so much for commenting, Tom, that was a great show! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
My first rod was a orvis encounter 9'6" 6wt. I got that rod as a " do it all kinda good" rod. I reach for that rod when I'm fishing Pennsylvanias bigger creeks and stream. I have a 7'6" 4wt that I reach for most of the time. For those little bushy streams that have tiny natives in it I'll grab one of my short tenkara rods.
Two great sizes, especially for PA! Thanks for sharing, Seth, though I just got a new 9' 6 weight and love the versatility of that rod. I'll have to try casting a 9'6" and see what I think. Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Hey Tim, when you come to Michigan to fish for salmon bring whatever rod you choose for muskie because you will take anything lighter home in pieces most likely. I hooked about a 30 lb hen this fall. What a fight for 45 minutes until she broke me off. Keep the good stuff coming buddy.
Is that an invitation to Michigan?!? If so, I'm in! Hope all is well with you. Tim www.troutandfeather.com
I live in SEPA ,my main rod for trout is a 10'3" 2/3wt Aventik Escape. I have a 9'6" 8wt okuma I use for salmon and Steelhead (I have a salmon river NY addiction, lol). Those are my go to rods,I also have a Cortland 5/6wt,a Maxcatch 7'6" 4/5wt fly/spin combo,a couple other fly rods and an arsenal of spinning rods,which haven't really been used much the past couple years since I've gotten back into fly fishing 😀 😄
Let's keep some of those rods in the closet...and stick with the fly rods! ;-) Tim www.troutandfeather.com
I only have one. 9ft 5wt use in Northern Colorado for trout. Would love a 7ft 6in 2 or 3wt for small streams.
Glad it works for you, which is all that matters! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
My 3:
6'6" Batson Revelation 2wt for smaller bass and bluegill in the local ditches.
9' Revelation 5wt for the beach, peacock bass
9' Sage Z Axis 8wt for saltwater.
Those sounds like some great sticks! I don't know about the Batson and would love any information you have: tcammisa@gmail.com Thanks! Tim
I recently got my first dedicated euro nymphing rod (Redington Strike 10' 6") and love it.
Awesome, Brandon, and sounds like the addiction has begun! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
I have the same addiction fly fishing , 60 years + and have lots of rods . That being said I have lots of rods I like otherwise I wouldn’t have bought them . Traveling a lot kind of dictates what rods I use just from the standpoint of ease to travel with so these would all be 4 piece rods that I grab most often . Small creek, spring creek drys . Winston Boron llX 8’6” 3wt or Sage SLT 8’9” 3wt . Both have enough power to cast a good distance and deliver the fly nice and gently, they both fight fish great I have caught lots of 20” + trout on them with no problem ., I live in Montana so a 6wt is always in the boat . I see these rods as a multi tool they can throw weighted nymph rigs , euro rigs , dries small and large and small to medium streamers . Hard to pick one so I won’t . Winston Boron llX 9’ 6wt , Sage ZLX 9’ 6wt , Loomis GLX 9’ 6wt .For salmon , bass ,Roosters , bones , permit , snook etc . 8wt Edge 9’ 8wt great rod for big streamers ( sex dungeons , game changers etc ) but also smaller patterns such as crabs and shrimp . TFO BVK 8wt 9’ everyone should have at least one for streamer fishing the west . On a recent trip to Belize I used he Orvis 8 & 9wt Helios HD3 rods they will be my next purchase. Two handed rods mostly steelhead and salmon Sage one 11’6’ switch chunks out Skagit heads with big flys nicely . Trout Spey Echo trout Spey TR 11’6” 4wt great with soft hackles, small streamers and trout Spey flies . I have to say this year I purchased two rods from CD that my wife liked , one is the 3wt CD/ICT intuitive casting and the other is the CD/XLS ll 5wt both came with spare tips and both are really good casting and catching rods made in Australia.
Mike, LOTS of great stuff in here, and it sounds like you travel nearly as much (or more!) than me. I also like that you have tried some rods while on a trip and decided that they will work for you in the future. Too often, many anglers purchase a rod without any prior experience fishing, or at least casting, the rod. Glad you've been able to. Thank you for taking the time and I look forward to hearing more from you on some of my other videos. Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Hey Tim, I use the Cabela’s five way 9 foot rod in my kayak I have a Hobie kayak has a rod storage but I can’t go much longer than 9 foot in at five weight seems very durable and when I’m on a reservoir, lake, large pond and this rod is my go to rod. When euro nymphing I’m looking at a Sage nymphing rod $650.
Awesome video,I have & love 3 Moonshine Rods,3,5 & 7 weight,my 3 weight is Moonshine Revival 7' for smaller creeks,both my 5 & 7 weight are 10' Drifter series from Moonshine Rods,my 5 wt is for standard everyday nymphing & smaller streamers my 7 wt is for bigger streamers/nymphs,set up with a 275 grain Skagit integrated head for throwing big nasty streamers,love a of them,tight lines & bent rods 🤘
So many options for sure - I too have many favorites. What is my go to? A 9 foot five weight! Lol. It’s an old school fly rod too…SAGE 590-4 TCR - LOVE that fly rod!
That's a GREAT rod, Dan, love your choice! What kind of rivers/streams do you tend to fly fish in? Tim
@@TimCammisa Hello Tim! Typically I’m fishing larger rivers (Yakima, Tilton, Clark Fork for example). I also use this rod for Stillwater - it’s just stout enough to throw just about anything and light enough for a nice fight on the fish. I too have several fly rods - this one just has a TON of great fishing karma. Love your stuff - cheers!
Very nicely done I fish the Adirondack ponds a great deal out of a guide boat I most often fish with indicators on long leaders (up to 20’) and chironomids For this my goto rod is a Scott Flex 10’ 5wt I just started using this rod for winter time river fishing with egg patterns and an indicator
Hi James, fishing out of a boat is so much fun! Is there a reason you prefer a 10' rod for it? There are times when I love a 10' for lake fishing, the extra foot seems to help, especially with casting. Thanks, and I hope all is well! Tim
@@TimCammisa the 10' rod helps to turn over those long leaders as well as help the cast from a sitting position
lol I fish a 9ft 5wt. I think it’s really lacking in wind. Also, on smaller streams I feel like it’s too long. I been fishing in Colorado mostly in the front range. In still water and defiantly in wind I’ve wanted something heavier.
Nothing to laugh about, Derrick, as that's a great rod. You mention something heavier, do you think a 6 weight would suffice? Tim www.troutandfeather.com
@@TimCammisa Is there much difference between a 5wt and 6? I was thinking 8wt would help chuck big streamers a little farther.
The perfect fly- rod is the one you already have.. go and make it justice😂
We're gonna have to agree to disagree on this one, but for those who already have a fly rod, fish it and have fun! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Hi Tim congratulations for the video and for the explanations; I wanted to ask you what you think of the Hanak Alpen 4 in1 fishing rod
9'6"-11' #5, to fish both nyph and dry in a single fishing session, thank you! Alex.
Hi Alex, thanks for checking in! Hanak quality is insane, though I don't have experience with that rod. I fished with one of the owners this summer, Franta Hanak, and he had a demo rod for a new 5-weight that I fished one day...it was incredible! I can get you more info if interested, shoot me an email: tcammisa@gmail.com Thanks again! Tim
I have 2 fave 6Wt both Sage a 5wt slow action built from Sage Blank....A 4wt Hardy and a 3 wt fibreglass made in China...All great to fish with depending on the river I fish
They sound like great ones, Malcolm! Mind sharing the water types you fish (length, speed, etc.) and the lengths of the rods? Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Fishing my entire life but fly fishing for just over a year. 9ft 5wt because I'm a beginner and the internet told that's what I needed for trout in NC. It has turned out to also be effective for smallmouth. Maybe wish I had gone with a 4wt. I chose #Clearwater by #Orvis because of reviews. It has proven to versatile for nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Also durable. I have fallen and hit it against a few boulders and no issues. Very happy with Orvis on this rod.
Glad to hear your success with the rod, Everett, and the Internet tells us a lot, doesn't it?!? Ha! I think that you've done well using it for smallmouth. I tend to run a 6 weight for them, but that's based on the long casts I make here. Thanks again for the comments and hope all is well! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Atlantic Canada, 10 ft 2 wt contact 2, 2 wt because fly size is usually small and it'll still handle a big fish. 9 ft 5 wt Orvis Helios 2, for anything my 2wt can't do ponds or streamers single hand spey etc. I love my Sage Payload 9+ for striped bass. Would have to be my top 3 go to rods, of course there's others.
Love your list, Jody, thanks for sharing! The 2 weight, do you Euro nymph with it? Tim
@@TimCammisa yes I do, I'm absolutely hooked on that style of fishing. But I will still throw dry flies and smaller streams with it too.
@@TimCammisa my friend bought one originally and I got to use it. The first fish I hooked with his 2wt was an Atlantic Salmon on 6x and a small perdigon. I had to get that rod after that
@@jodypower4606 sounds like a perfect reason. Don’t tell anyone, but that’s my typical tippet for steelhead! 😉
@@TimCammisa your secret is safe with me haha
Tim, thanks for the great info!
Why do you prefer the 10’ vs 10’ 6” 3wt? And why do you switch between the two?
Thanks in advance!
I prefer the extra reach the rod offers, and even throw an 11-footer occasionally in big water. I talk more about this in a blog I wrote about fly rods, thanks for checking! Blog info: www.troutandfeather.com/fly-fishing-blog/2022/the-perfect-fly-rod-for-fly-fishing
I fish in maine and nh 9’4wt recon 2 for bigger tail water rapid river grand lake stream and some still water for rain bows. Orvis sf 5 wt glass for most dry fly fishing. Tfo finess trout 7’9” 4wt for small to med size brooks for brownies and brook trout. Iam currently in the hunt for a 6 wt. those are the ones I use mostly.
Those are some great rods, Cliff, and they seem tailored well to your fishing. What length of 6 weight are you looking for? The Moonshine Vesper (9' 6 weight) has been an absolute beast over the last year for me: amzn.to/3wPEWTE Good luck on the search! Tim
10’ 3WT Echo carbon ex ❤
Sounds like a winner! Use this for Euro nymphing, Michael? Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Try a TFO BC in a 10 wt for musky
Redington predator 11wt
Behemoth reel. The Titan tapers are the best lines but remember they are two sizes over weighted
The tfo axion 2 x in a 10 wt is also great for musky
Thanks for the recommendations, and I have had a few people also mention the 11 weight as a favorite. Is that a good all around size for them? Thanks again and I hope all is well! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
@@TimCammisa 11wt is the industry standard for musky.... But with modern fly line tapers and rods specifically designed for the task of heavy sinking lines with giant flies.....like the tfo bc .....you can get away with a 10wt.... And who wants to throw anything heavier than they have to all day. Some people use a 12wt.... It's sort of ridiculous... 10 or 11 is right depending on the rod model and personal preference..... 8-10 for pike.... The test of a musky angler.... if he can endure the wait to see one, all the follows that amount to nothing, and the missed hookers..... Is boat side.... Not losing it or breaking your rod right beside the boat. This is going to ruin your life my man....
Thanks for sharing Tim, I'm looking for a euro rod, this will help.
You got it, Jerry, and if you need any specific rod recommendations, shoot me an email: tcammisa@gmail.com Tim
Just looking to buy my first rod and I’m addicted to glass ones (echo bag)…. Pretty much see myself fishing the surf so I’m thinking 8ft or 9ft 8wt…. Would love opinions.
My favorite are a scierra brook #4 Winther a scierra Line to a #5
Thanks for mentioning these, Tina, what type of species do you typically fish for? Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Normal put and take in Denmark and That are rainbow trout and the biggest rainbow trout caught was one that Weight 16 kg on a #3 fly rod!
TFO big fly 10# for musky
Sounds like a winner!
Howdy Tim, I love my 3 wt vasper which you recommended. And my Fenwick 7 weight glass I made in high school 1982 lol. I am now looking for a streamer rod for trout and Smallmouth. What are your thoughts on the echo streamer X rod.? Have you tried one out? Thanks Dave
Wow, that's really great that you still have the Fenwick...I have an older one in that ugly yellow color! The Echo Streamer X is one I recommend, especially if you love throwing streamers. If you decide to purchase, here's a link to use: alnk.to/3cgIXZj Thanks! Tim
My go to is a 10ft 4# Nymphomaniac (Vision), for all the same reasons you have the #3, except my primary fishing is in the Scandinavian mountains where it's often windy. As for a #6 and a #8 (9ft) I can whole heartedly recommend the Guideline Elevation series. After getting these, I have no desire to fish with my (3x more expensive) Scott Radian, or any of the other older premium rods I own in the same range of weights. Same with these, I can cast from #4-#8 lines on both rods, just that the #6 bends a bit more, and they are super light and comes with reasonably high quality cork and fittings as well for being a
Is it strange that I generally reach for my Hardy LL 10'2" 2wt over my T&T Contact 10' 3wt because I love the alignment dots and spigot ferules ?
Just a tad strange, but I least you know why you reach for it! ;-) Thanks for sharing, and I'd love to know any thoughts you have when comparing the two rods. Tim www.troutandfeather.com
I have found that I like my 3,4 and 6 wt best for trout. The 5 lacks the ability to throw larger streamers, indicator nymph rigs. The 5 also lacks the ability to do small dry flies with light presentation. Sure, if I had one rod it could prolly make it work. Honestly I find myself using and enjoying my 3 wt euro nymph rods the most for trout. I am looking into an 8 wt for larger warmwater species, but I'm not experienced with them as much so don't know what I like.
Funny - I just started forcing myself to bring my 9' five weight....
Lol that’s what I have a 9’ 5 weight😂😂
And I bet it works perfect for you, which is all that matters! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Moonshine? C'mon man.....
For pike/musky go for a 9’ 10# vision grand mama, or even vision merisuola predator if you’re feeling like an empty wallet😂
Hi John! Let's be honest, are we supposed to have anything left in that wallet with fly fishing?!? ;-) Tim www.troutandfeather.com
Good information, personally I'd rather not nymph. It just isn't for me, I don't enjoy it much fish or not. In the same manner I'd rather fly fish and catch nothing then use conventional gear. Nymphing, though it produces fish...just isn't fun for too long. I'd rather be casting.
Thanks for your comments, Rudy, and I am sure many have similar opinions to you. Though I do cast quite a bit when I'm Euro nymphing, and now fishing an 11' rod, my casting distance has increased. Thanks again! Tim www.troutandfeather.com
cant lie without? common tim....
Hi Dan, I actually have changed the rods I fish since this video. The rods that I won't fish without are now found here: www.troutandfeather.com/fly-fishing-blog/2022/the-perfect-fly-rod-for-fly-fishing Appreciate you checking in. Tim
Wow one of your rods might be the best rod money can buy however another you have is know as one of the worst performing fly rods in the market.
Hi Kevin! Would love to hear some of your favorite rods and the types of water you fish on. Thanks! Tim www.troutandfeather.com