What Are You Throwing?

[Mark Patenaude]

I'm new to the board and hoping I can get a little discussion going.

What setup do you prefer to use for the local waters?

I use only WF line. I prefer Rio Selective Trout in the Camo color.

I will use my Loomis Metolius "Presentation", 8' 3wt. This is my preferred dry fly setup. When its windy or I need longer casts I will use my Diamondback VSR 4wt. The VSR is a very fast rod and loads well.

On larger waters like the Deerfield I have used my 9'6", Sage XP, 5wt.

[JoeOverlock]

I like to stick to my 4wt Orvis Trident rod. As for line I use the cheapest 4wt floating line I can. Some day I'll be fishing that $70 Wonderline from Orvis, but not today.

How's that Diamondback rod? I've been seeing more and more of their adds and they look real nice. I've never held one before though.

[AgMD]

I'll admit to being a bit of a crank, but I have lost my soul to the lure of bamboo. Over the last dozen years or so I have managed to put together a small stable of bamboo rods, and although none of them would be considered high end or collectable ( and a few might rightly be considered beasts) I kinda like them all. My own tastes run to the longer (8 to 9 foot) slower rods. I like the way the longer rod mends and a slow rod matches the way I do most things.
Last year I got started on silk lines, and although I do still throw a plastic line now and then, I really like the way silk lines cast, shoot, and handle on the water. I consider myself lucky that gut leaders just cannot be had, at least that is one temptation I don' t have to deal with.
Although I have thought of building a 4 or 5 yard wood rod (spliced joint of course) and fitting it with linnen line and horsehair leaders. Please, somebody stop me before this gets out of controll.
AgMD

[Uplander]

I chose my rod based upon the stream, weather, and just all around “what do I feel like using today” sentiment.

I have a sweet little 3wt T&T LPS I use paired with a Hardy Flyweight reel. I tend to use this setup on my “secret” small streams.

My most used setup is probably my Orvis “Far and Fine” 5wt with a Hardy LRH Lightweight reel. It’s my workhorse gear, and I typically take it when it’s raining or to the backwoods beaver dams where the mud is deep as your thighs, the leeches as thick as your thumb, and the brook trout as…well…let’s just keep that my little secret….

For “genteel” fishing days, I unsheathe my 4 wt bamboo (crafted by Mr. Ron Bennett of Pennsylvania). I was stumped regarding its perfect reel pairing for a few years until last year when I tracked down what was quite possibly the last new Hardy Bougle Mk IV in North America sitting on the shelf in Pollack's Fly Fishing in Toronto on a tip. It’s one sweet setup!

I haven’t the slightest idea what brand my lines are anymore…. All I can tell you at this point is that they’re floating (more or less) and sized for each rod.

I fish pretty minimalist. I go waderless, preferring to wade wet, and I don’t use a vest. I stuff my floatant, desiccant, flybox, and spool of tippet material (as well as my lunch and de rigueur small flask of hooch) into a ratty Arctic Creel strung across my shoulder. So, if you see a bearded ragamuffin walking past you on a backwoods stream some fine afternoon, check the above list – it could be me….

[Joshua Field]

Ah... the Bougle. I'd love to get my hands on one of those but I'm sure the wallet would complain. We should start a thread of dream setups - Digger DeGere Bamboo, Ari T'Hart Titanium Reel, etc...

I've been fishing a 6'6" bamboo banty rod (top 2 sections from a 9'6" rod) built by Frank Taylor for a few years now and love it. I've currently got it paired with a Redington 3/4 which I've found to be a good quality bang around reel (bought it on ebay used). I've got it loaded with Wulff Triangle Taper 3wt which I think is the absolute best I've ever used. Casts like a dream on a light rod, has no memory even when it is below freezing.

This winter I got another 5'5" bamboo rig setup from the same builder and have matched it up with an old Alex Martin reel (also an ebay find) loaded with a spool of 1wf wonderline... ($15 on ebay! - Joe: I'll look for some 4wt for you) This will be my ultra-light setup for this summer, which might sound funny coming from someone who usually fishes a 6'6" 3wt.

Later this summer I hope to be fishing a 6'6" banty that I'm building right now. I've got it stripped, dipped and drying. Found a great source for reel seats ($15 for a really nice quality seat) and hope to have it built by end of May if I get the time.

Uplander: I too am into a minimalist setup, but if you are wading wet now, you are braver than I am!

[JoeOverlock]

I can testify to Josh's minimal setup. He shows up this tiny old sack strapped across him with just the bare essentials. I on the other hand carry so much stuff in my vest I jingle when I walk.

I like to be confident that I am prepared for any situation. If a nuclear emergency should happen while I'm on the stream, then I have just the right tool for that situation.

I threw away my old vest about 4 years ago (not enough pockets) and bought a vest with as many pockets as you can possibly sow onto one vest. I have pockets in front, pockets inside, pockets in pockets, and pockets that I would have to take Yoga classes to be able to reach. This all might be a little over kill, but I know I'm prepared for every situation.

[Joshua Field]

SO - if you don't want to carry a lot of stuff but want to be prepared, you just have to remember to bring Joe with you! ;D

[Uplander]

Joshua said:

Ah... the Bougle. I'd love to get my hands on one of those but I'm sure the wallet would complain.

Hardy stopped making the Mk IV a couple of years ago. Now they make "flashy" product.

I had wanted the Mk IV for years, but could never belly up for the cst. But, when I found out they were discontinued I started making inquiries. Found they were real hard to get brand new in the 3". When I heard about the single reel left at Pollack's, I made a phone call. The cost was awful, but it was one of those "regret forever if I don't" situations....



I don't plan of buying any more reels for quite some time!

[JoeOverlock]

WOW! Now that's a great picture!

Did you take that, Uplander?

[Uplander]

JoeOverlock said:

Did you take that, Uplander?

Sure did!

[BambooMatt]

My "go to" rods (all bamboo):

8' 5wt Heddon #20 1 1/2 F - Great dry fly rod for med-lg streams

8' 5wt Heddon #13 1 1/2F - Same as above

8 1/2' 6wt Phillipson Peerless Dry Fly "63" - For the Big River

8 1/2' 6wt Orvis Battenkill- Does everything well!

9' 6wt FE Thomas Dirigo - Lakes, ponds, big rivers

7 1/2' 5wt South Bend 290 - fast action dry fly rod - not expensive ($300) so I don't have to worry too much - I use it for small-med stream "Bush-whacking"

6' 4wt DeBell Custom - light, fast, accurate and sort of rare. My small stream dry fly rod.

-Matt-

[Salter]

Hi guys.

Like Matt I fish cane rods when trout fishing in Western Mass.

Here is my "go to" list

Orvis "Mitey Mite" 5' 1/2 4 wgt.
Orvis "Ultralight" 5' 9" 1/2 3 wgt.
Orvis "Superfine: 6' 6" 2/2 5 wgt.
Orvis "Superfine" 7' 6" 2/2 5 wgt.
Jenkins GA -70 7' 2/2 4/5 TT
Jenkins GA - 80 8' 2/2 5 wgt.

My 3 favorites of the bunch are the Ultralight & the 6' 6" Superfine, and the GA-70 - these are really sweet casting rods IMHO.

Ohh and I have a "big gun" being built by John Pickard, it is a Dickerson 8014 Guide (8026 Guide- John's model number). If you like Dickerson tapers, John's rods are a good bet. pickardrod.com/

All the best
Salter
AKA Michael Hopper

[tims]

i am a gear sleeper... ;D

my go to (for larger waters up here) is a 9' 5Wt sage SLT w/ a ross evolution

also may be throwing: 9' 6WT Loomis IMX w/ a gunnison2 (sinking line)

9' 9WT Albright EXS or TFO for stripers

8' 8WT & 6WT Fenwick Ferralite (glass) for bass

8' 4WT Diamondglass w/ galvan torque (needs one more coat of epoxy!)

8' 5WT hollowbuilt quad by Bob Maulucci (cane dry fly rod, needs one more coat of varnish!) that will get a JW Young Baudeux and a Cortland Sylk

plan to add a small stream rod to the mix, not sure what.....i think i have a few more glass rods kicking around, too

as for lines: i like the SA GPX but have had some durability issues....i want to try the Rio line....also favor the old school Peach 444 in DT.....striper line is an Airflo intermediate clear, and the sink is a density compensated type II, don't recall who's.....

[tims]

by the way, salter -

the 8014 is a killer taper, and Pickard makes a great version (i threw one this winter)

Jenkins makes a sweet rod as well.....

any bamboo fans should make the trip up to maine in February to FFIM's Super Boo event....last year we had close to 100 rods in the racks, available for all to cast......one member alone (fishnbanjo to clark's board fans) brought 10 classic rods, including a gillum, several phy's and a wicked kushner....

[DanaC]

Orvis Superfine 7' 5wt "Small Stream"
" Henry's Fork 8'6" 5 wt

T&T 8' 3Wt LPS (Hey Uplander, ain't it sweet?!)
T&T 9' 5wt LPS

Custom 7'6" 4 wt bamboo by Billy Carter (Bondsville MA) -an old friend of mine who set up rod shop in his basement

And a couple of deep-sea rods for cod and haddock, hey a man's gotta eat

Dana

[JoeOverlock]

How do your T & T rods compare to your Orvis rods? Pretty simular or is there a big differance?

I love my Orvis Trident, but I almost got talked into a T&T a few years ago. Best rod I've ever cast was a T&T 9wt, I still havn't found a rod that comfortable to hold and cast.

[DanaC]

Different action types - the Orvis rods are what they call 'mid flex', fairly slow actions, but easy to cast. I always start the season with the 8'6"
Orvis when I'm rusty. The T & T LPS (Light Presentation Series) are medium fast and outstanding when you need a bit more power with finesse. (And heaven knows I need all of the above sometimes...)

Of course both makers produce other models, these are simply what I own.

Dana

[Uplander]

danac said:

Different action types - the Orvis rods are what they call 'mid flex', fairly slow actions, but easy to cast. I always start the season with the 8'6"
Orvis when I'm rusty. The T & T LPS (Light Presentation Series) are medium fast and outstanding when you need a bit more power with finesse. (And heaven knows I need all of the above sometimes...)

Of course both makers produce other models, these are simply what I own.

Dana

Ayup.

And, I love the fact that both rodmakers manufacture their rods right in our backyards: Orvis in Manchester, VT, and T&T in Greenfield, MA.

[strbender]

This being my 2nd season of Fly fishing I'm still adding to my list of things. I started with an Orvis Clearwater 8'6" 5wt. I had an old Cortland Crown II real that I replaced with a Orvis Battenkill BBS III with Silver label WF. I plan to upgrade the 5wt and add a 3wt set up for this season. Now that doesn't mean I can't buy more than one 5wt or 3wt ;D

[JoeOverlock]

strbender said:

Now that doesn't mean I can't buy more than one 5wt or 3wt ;D

Good thing you're a carpenter. Now you're going to have to build a "Rod Library" for your house. ;D

[strbender]

Joe
I was thinking Mahogany? or Cherry?
I got my first fish today on a fly tied by me! ;D

[JoeOverlock]

Congradulations Steve!! It's an awesome feeling catching that first fish on your own pattern! I hope you have many more.

[jlibs]

It's interesting to read what everyone uses. I tend to be more functional and practical than extravagant.

When I first got into fly fishing, experienced anglers would tell me that once i got hooked I'd want the fancy gear. Of course I told them that the fancy stuff was not important to me.

We'll, I still don't have the fancy stuff, but I want it now and I can appreciate it more. I have plenty of gear in many weights, but my go-to rods are:

Very small streams - Elkhorn 7'6" full flex 2-weight
Medium streams - Elkhorn 8'6" 3-weight
Bigger water/high sticking -Orvis Silver Label 9' 5-weight
Stripers/Salmon - Cabelas 9' 9-weight
Back Up Striper/Salmon Rod (unbreakable and unstoppable for $50)- 9' 9-weight Ugly Stick

[FishinCane]

When it comes down to it you really only need one rod/reel but that wouldn't fun now, would it.....

My go to configs are:

Small Streams - PHY Midge Taper (Bamboo) or Orvis Superfine Tippet with CFO I reel

Larger Trout - Payne 101 Taper (Bamboo) or Orvis Superfine Far & Fine with Orvis CFO III reel

Steelhead/Salmon - Orvis Clearwater 9'6" 7wt. with Orvis Battenkill Mid Arbor IV reel

[JoeOverlock]

No Bamboo Salmon rod yet?