Re: [VFB] Building a fly rod question

[Glenn Overton]

Hi Ed, I always favor a 9 foot rod and even a 9  1/2 for my style of fishing as I can control the line better and I use a ten foot most of the time on the Kootenai River here in Montana but I admit it a real pain when the wind is blowing and impossible to cast ,but for swimming a fly ,long rods is my first choice. I'm not impress how far a rod can cast a line as I test a rod that can flex , to just cast your fly just ten feet in front of you and have back bone for whatever distance you choose but I will test a rod that can place a fly in a two inch width on the grass but also do the same at any distance  ,even at seventy five yards or more. I hate a rod that the only way it will cast is to have enough line load out before it able to perform well. You probably already know that you put one size line larger than the factory recommendation for these new graphite materials. I recommend to go to a fly shop and try there rods out and when you fine the rod you like then that is the blank to purchase.Then there is wind conditions and what length leader to use .Casting loops in your fly line will increase with your longer rods and the winds can catch it like a kite.and the reason for faster rods that can cast a smaller loop in the line and that depends also how you cast a rod also .I also fine that most weighted forward lines have a to short of a head and makes a rod perform not to well when casting with the running line area on the rod . Double taper lines are great and I cut off about eighteen inches on the end and not to forget that your taper leader is a continuation of the taper of your fly line..I even have use a five foot rod for those streams that are brushy and less then six feet wide using a very fast six foot leader I make myself. Have you ever cast a level line with know taper on the line ,remember your leader can be the taper part of the line and I have seen some rods cast a level line with unbelievable results. Ed I admit that on this site there are many more knowledgeable people then I am ,because they have more excess to the many different rods and lines then I ever will .But then when it warmer I fly fish at lease four days per week when my health is good .Again I prefer a longer rod for better line control  ..Good Luck Glenn Overton       ----- Original Message ----- From: Ed Ward To: vfb@troutnet.com Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 3:07 PM Subject: [VFB] Building a fly rod question I've been thinking about building  one more fly rod, I'm pretty sure its going to be 8' 6"  2 pc.  but  other than that I'm confused  I've seened  the same size rod  listed for line weights from 3,4,5, and 6 weights  and actions listed from moderate,moderate fast and fast  action. Anybody have any thoughts, coments or questions  . Ed Yahoo! Mail Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.