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Posted: 5/15/2017 1:31:11 PM EDT
I have a few different fly rods but my lightest weight is a 9' 5 weight. I have been giving strong consideration to picking up a 3 weight 7.5 ft (or so) soft-medium action rod for primarily dry flies (or single nymphs).
I have access to more small streams than large ones where a 20' cast is about all you can manage in the best of circumstances. Naturally the streams are often overcast by low branches and other obstructions. the fish are much more likely to be 1 foot or less in length than over a foot, but I don't want to admit that. If you have a 3 weight (or something similar) do you often use it or is it a white elephant? |
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[#1]
I'll preface this with, I was a fly fishing guide for many years on large western blue ribbon rivers and still am on the water a LOT, so I probably use my gear more than the average person.
That said, I have a 3 wt Redington Butterstick and I use it anytime I fish small dries. I even use it when I'm fishing hoppers because I love how well it casts. It's an absolute blast when you hook into a pig too, but I probably wouldn't fish for larger fish with it unless you have a boat and can "chase" down fish. It just doesn't have the backbone to man-handle some large trout (14"+) from the bank or when wading. If you have a boat though, you can run them all over the place. As far as small creeks go, I wouldn't take anything OTHER than my 3 wt. It's just too much fun and reminds me why I got into the sport. If you have some specific questions, feel free to PM me. |
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[#2]
Quoted:
I'll preface this with, I was a fly fishing guide for many years on large western blue ribbon rivers and still am on the water a LOT, so I probably use my gear more than the average person. That said, I have a 3 wt Redington Butterstick and I use it anytime I fish small dries. I even use it when I'm fishing hoppers because I love how well it casts. It's an absolute blast when you hook into a pig too, but I probably wouldn't fish for larger fish with it unless you have a boat and can "chase" down fish. It just doesn't have the backbone to man-handle some large trout (14"+) from the bank or when wading. If you have a boat though, you can run them all over the place. As far as small creeks go, I wouldn't take anything OTHER than my 3 wt. It's just too much fun and reminds me why I got into the sport. If you have some specific questions, feel free to PM me. View Quote Many of our streams have native brookies in them that are often 7-10". They require bushwacking to get to and some ridiculous casts at times (one hand half-ass roll cast while hugging the boulder trying not to snag the overhanging branch but not sending it so far to snag it on the submerged log). My casting is mediocre on a good day and I found that I can use a softer action rod much better than a fast action rod (the kind that seems to dominate the rod reviews). I have had to learn to use midge flies that are usually 20-24 size in order to get any interest from the native brook trout. If I hook a monster Brown trout with my 3 weight I will just have to cry about the one that got away I guess. It will get bigger and bigger every time I tell the story about it, of course. |
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[#3]
I have a fiberglass 3wt I use and also a 1wt that is awesome for some of the tiny creeks we have here.
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[#4]
Built a nice little 7'6" 2 wt ( I went 2, 4, 6, and 8 wts)
It's a fun little rod. I have not used it much though, never seem to have it handy when it would be time to use it. My 4 wt is my go-to rod unless I'm fishing heavy weighted junk. |
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[#5]
Quoted:
Thanks! Many of our streams have native brookies in them that are often 7-10". They require bushwacking to get to and some ridiculous casts at times (one hand half-ass roll cast while hugging the boulder trying not to snag the overhanging branch but not sending it so far to snag it on the submerged log). My casting is mediocre on a good day and I found that I can use a softer action rod much better than a fast action rod (the kind that seems to dominate the rod reviews). I have had to learn to use midge flies that are usually 20-24 size in order to get any interest from the native brook trout. If I hook a monster Brown trout with my 3 weight I will just have to cry about the one that got away I guess. It will get bigger and bigger every time I tell the story about it, of course. View Quote I have caught some pretty big trout on the 4wt on bigger water, and some 20"+ trout on a 9' 4wt on tailwaters or spring creeks, even using 6 or 7x tippet. It just takes a willingness to give and not to horse the fish, imo, and some luck with the weeds in spring creeks. Back to the 3wt or 4wt small stream rods, they are a pleasure to use rather than a heavier line weight or longer rod. It is possible to be more accurate with a faster rod than a slower rod but a slower rod is easier to throw weighted nymphs with for a given wt line. So, medium to medium fast is a good middle ground, imo. I would suggest trying size 16 and 18 Royal Wulffs and yellow and red Humpys for small stream brookies. I think the Royal Wulffs look like ants to fish and the Wulff hackles makes them float well and easy to see. I think the Humpys look like beetles to fish, and their heavy hackle and hair wings give them good floatations and visibility too. I use clippers to trim the bottom of the hackles on both the Royal Wulffs and Humpys so they ride upright better, with their bodies closer to or in the surface film. Size 16 or 18 bead head cadis and Prince nymphs are my go to nupms for brookies. I usually use 7x tippet for dries and usually 6x or 7x for nymphs for the most drag free floats and drifts. Learning to "puddle cast" where you don't finish the cast with a snap but bring the tip to the water so a pile of 7x lands near the fly helps gain a few moments of drag free diff in small pocket water where mending is tough. Hope this helps, JPK |
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[#6]
I fish several 3 weights. My primary fishing is the GSMNP and WNC. I fish medium to blueline sized streams.
My rods are: Sage 389LL Sage 379 VPS Light Redington 386 CT Orvis Superfine Carbon 376 The only caveat to fishing a 3 weight is the wind, but then again I am not making casts much longer than 20-25 feet or so, with most being in the 15 feet and closer. I also have several 4 weights but the 3 is my go to. ETA: My primary flies used are dry/dropper combos. I adjust my flies to the season. OP, there should be be hatch charts for your area on the internet. Also, all of my 3 weights are medium action rods. In the type of streams I fish they load better than a fast action rod and with the softer tip I don't break off as many as a fast action will with a trout set. |
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[#7]
Thanks all,
I am looking forward to getting my 3wt rig. I appreciate the recommendations for flies that you have found productive! |
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[#8]
Quoted:
Thanks all, I am looking forward to getting my 3wt rig. I appreciate the recommendations for flies that you have found productive! View Quote This may be of help as well. http://www.perfectflystore.com/waters.html A great forum with more traffic for fly fishing conversation is here: http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/index.php |
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[#9]
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Fly choice will vary as to location and time of the year. This may be of help as well. http://www.perfectflystore.com/waters.html A great forum with more traffic for fly fishing conversation is here: http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/index.php View Quote I am new to fly tying as well. I have all the equipment to tie flies, but so far my results don't match the intended form. I would settle for a broad Impressionist result, but instead my flies are more Cubist or even outright Abstract. I hope the trout like Jackson Pollock paintings. |
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[#10]
One of the best rods you can find for the fishing you described would be a 6-6 1/2' 3 weight glass rod. If you are roll casting a lot load it with a 4wt and you will smile the whole time. My 2 favorite small stream rods are my 7'9" 2wt Winston and a now retired 6' 4wt Partridge Bamboo rod. I also use a 4wt Reddington glass rod for the stonefly hatch. A 3 wt glass rod would rock your situation.
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[#11]
Quoted:
One of the best rods you can find for the fishing you described would be a 6-6 1/2' 3 weight glass rod. If you are roll casting a lot load it with a 4wt and you will smile the whole time. My 2 favorite small stream rods are my 7'9" 2wt Winston and a now retired 6' 4wt Partridge Bamboo rod. I also use a 4wt Reddington glass rod for the stonefly hatch. A 3 wt glass rod would rock your situation. View Quote I have to figure out how to come down with a temporary case of Ebola so I can sneak out of work to set forward this evil plan. When I was in Yellowstone last year some of the most fun I had was sneaking around on Gibbon Meadows and plopping in my line on wary (!) brown trout lurking in undercut banks. I got busted a few times when the trout would start to rise on my fly and then spot me. They gave me the classic fish eye and sank back down into their lairs. Up close and personal is my favorite type of fishing I have done so far...even though I have had limited success at it. |
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[#12]
Fishing like that will help you build a much better understanding of what the trout want to see, and not see. Watch and learn and your catch rate will go up. You are right about how fun that is. More like bow hunting than rifle hunting, up close and personal.
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[#13]
Quoted:
Fishing like that will help you build a much better understanding of what the trout want to see, and not see. Watch and learn and your catch rate will go up. You are right about how fun that is. More like bow hunting than rifle hunting, up close and personal. View Quote Here the water is usually stained by tannin from leaves. It is like fishing in ice tea. I couldn't believe the crystal waters in Yellowstone/Wyoming. It is a real thrill to see the fish! |
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[#14]
I just picked up a 3 wt rod and reel, but I have not used it yet.
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[#15]
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I wish we had more clear water streams in the Northeast. I hear there are some limestone streams/rivers in Pennsylvania. Here the water is usually stained by tannin from leaves. It is like fishing in ice tea. I couldn't believe the crystal waters in Yellowstone/Wyoming. It is a real thrill to see the fish! View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Fishing like that will help you build a much better understanding of what the trout want to see, and not see. Watch and learn and your catch rate will go up. You are right about how fun that is. More like bow hunting than rifle hunting, up close and personal. Here the water is usually stained by tannin from leaves. It is like fishing in ice tea. I couldn't believe the crystal waters in Yellowstone/Wyoming. It is a real thrill to see the fish! |
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[#16]
Quoted:
But remember, those fish see you also. I fish a lot in the Smokies and unless there's been a heavy rain, the water is gin clear. It makes it much tougher and stealth is the key. I can't tell you how many people I have seen or talked to who fish the Smokies and get skunked. Then again wading up the middle of a river wearing neon colors explains it. View Quote |
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[#17]
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Yea, I can often tell when I have been made. Usually from a ballerina-like move where I slide off a rock and splash into the pool. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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But remember, those fish see you also. I fish a lot in the Smokies and unless there's been a heavy rain, the water is gin clear. It makes it much tougher and stealth is the key. I can't tell you how many people I have seen or talked to who fish the Smokies and get skunked. Then again wading up the middle of a river wearing neon colors explains it. |
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[#18]
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In the Smokies it doesn't even take that much. A rod tip flashing over a rock or end of the pool, etc. View Quote For some reason, though, I never thought about fishing in the Smokies. |
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[#19]
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What part of the Smokies are you from? I was born in Kingsport, TN. We used to go up to the Smokies to camp back in the early 70s. For some reason, though, I never thought about fishing in the Smokies. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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In the Smokies it doesn't even take that much. A rod tip flashing over a rock or end of the pool, etc. For some reason, though, I never thought about fishing in the Smokies. My family had a cabin in Elkmont inside the GSMNP for many years. I grew up fishing there, that's where I learned. I still fish the park 60 or more days a year. |
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[#20]
Quoted:
What part of the Smokies are you from? I was born in Kingsport, TN. We used to go up to the Smokies to camp back in the early 70s. For some reason, though, I never thought about fishing in the Smokies. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
In the Smokies it doesn't even take that much. A rod tip flashing over a rock or end of the pool, etc. For some reason, though, I never thought about fishing in the Smokies. My family had a cabin in Elkmont inside the GSMNP for many years. I grew up fishing there, that's where I learned. I still fish the park 60 or more days a year. |
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[#21]
Quoted:
When I say Smokies, I'm referring the GSMNP proper. I live about 40 minutes from the park. My family had a cabin in Elkmont inside the GSMNP for many years. I grew up fishing there, that's where I learned. I still fish the park 60 or more days a year. View Quote Any 3wt fly lines that float your boat? I was considering the Royal Wulff triangle taper or perhaps a Rio Gold. |
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[#22]
Quoted:
Neat. Any 3wt fly lines that float your boat? I was considering the Royal Wulff triangle taper or perhaps a Rio Gold. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
When I say Smokies, I'm referring the GSMNP proper. I live about 40 minutes from the park. My family had a cabin in Elkmont inside the GSMNP for many years. I grew up fishing there, that's where I learned. I still fish the park 60 or more days a year. Any 3wt fly lines that float your boat? I was considering the Royal Wulff triangle taper or perhaps a Rio Gold. |
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[#23]
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Not all lines fit all rods. The best fly line for your specific rod will vary from some other 3 weight rod most likely. Some rods prefer true to weight lines, some prefer lines that are a bit heavy from standard. View Quote |
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[#24]
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Ah, I see. The rod I am leaning towards now is the TFO Finesse. I have read that the triangle taper line is good for roll casting, which I do a good deal of. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Not all lines fit all rods. The best fly line for your specific rod will vary from some other 3 weight rod most likely. Some rods prefer true to weight lines, some prefer lines that are a bit heavy from standard. That being said, Rio Gold should do well. However, my favorite is now AirFlo Super Dri Elite. I have several of theses lines and they are Super on these rods. I have both the WF and DT versions, but prefer the DT. I do a lot of roll casting and they do well. Wulff lines are supposed to be really good lines, you just don't see many of them. They are harder to find. I have a friend that has a lawn cast only TFO Finesse 3 weight for sale. His is the 8'9" length. If you're interested, he will make you a deal on it. |
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[#25]
Quoted:
The Finesse is a medium action rod, just about all of mine are as well. For my type of fishing and my casting style, a medium action is better for me. That being said, Rio Gold should do well. However, my favorite is now AirFlo Super Dri Elite. I have several of theses lines and they are Super on these rods. I have both the WF and DT versions, but prefer the DT. I do a lot of roll casting and they do well. Wulff lines are supposed to be really good lines, you just don't see many of them. They are harder to find. I have a friend that has a lawn cast only TFO Finesse 3 weight for sale. His is the 8'9" length. If you're interested, he will make you a deal on it. View Quote I will put the AirFLo lines on my list. |
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[#26]
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Thanks for the offer, but I have my heart set on the shorter 7' 9" version. I will put the AirFLo lines on my list. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
The Finesse is a medium action rod, just about all of mine are as well. For my type of fishing and my casting style, a medium action is better for me. That being said, Rio Gold should do well. However, my favorite is now AirFlo Super Dri Elite. I have several of theses lines and they are Super on these rods. I have both the WF and DT versions, but prefer the DT. I do a lot of roll casting and they do well. Wulff lines are supposed to be really good lines, you just don't see many of them. They are harder to find. I have a friend that has a lawn cast only TFO Finesse 3 weight for sale. His is the 8'9" length. If you're interested, he will make you a deal on it. I will put the AirFLo lines on my list. On the AirFlo, make sure it is the Super Dri Elite. They make several other Super Dri lines and they are all different for different action rods. |
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[#27]
I picked up a Sage Vantage 7'6" 3 wt a couple years back on EBay. It is great fun for fishing the stock tanks & bayous around here for small bass & perch. So long as you understand its limitations, you'll enjoy it. Of course, my wife landed a 7 lb largemouth with a 9' 3 wt last summer, so what do I know?
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[#28]
I have a couple three weights. My first I got many years ago as my first "good" graphite rod, a loomis. It cast really nice and was fun to fish, until a defect at the male ferrule (crack) showed up, after a season or two of fishing . Loomis replaced it with a new rod, but it wasn't the same. It seemed to do best with a double taper.
Later I got a Winston 3 piece and have used that on smaller streams. Nice for packing in luggage too. I like the way the old Winstons cast - the ones with the spigot ferrules. I don't know about their newer ones, as I haven't bought a new fly rod in maybe 8 years at least. I built a bamboo rod at a class at the fly fishing museum in Livingston NY about ten years ago. It will cast a 3 to 5 weight line, but does best I think with a 4. Its a 7.5' rod based on the old Heddon black beauty taper. It is by far my favorite rod now, unless I am fishing streams or rivers where there may be some big fish, or heavy nymphs and streamers will be the main flies. |
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[#29]
Ive got a 7.5' 4 weight carbon and just got a fiberglass 7' 4wt that I havent used yet.
Definitely for dry stuff and I fish small streams in general in western SD. I was out there last week and was fishing dry flies with my 6wt. Not much of a fight with small browns. Wish I had my fiberglass rigged as it would have been way more fun. Do it |
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[#30]
My small stream rod is a Scott F2 7'6 fiberglass 4wt. Great for tight quarters, small fish dry fly action.
J- |
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[#31]
Thanks all for the responses!
I have been catching small brookies and random bass on my 3wt this summer so far. The rod really works for what I wanted it for- popping in small dry flies under branches. The fish have not been big so far but they have been numerous, which is A-OK in my book! I found a 4 wt Greys GR10 at a yard sale (8ft) that I overloaded with a 5wt line and it has been a laser for me. I lucked into a stonefly hatch (the big ones) up in the Magalloway River in Maine a few weeks ago that had me running back to the truck for more flies. |
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[#32]
Just added a new rod to the stable. 9' 5 wt Loomis NRX. I had a chance to use it a bit this past weekend, very nice.
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[#33]
Quoted:
Just added a new rod to the stable. 9' 5 wt Loomis GRX. I had a chance to use it a bit this past weekend, very nice. View Quote Here in New Hampshire the water is heating up to the point the trout get sluggish and start to go deep, find a spring hole, or just plain croak (Brookies if they get too warm- stocked fish). The Browns and Rainbows do a lot better. The best chances we have to find cool water are bottom release dams (hydro power), which means a lot of driving North. I can also hike up to some ponds/streams in the White Mountains that hold trout year round. I have been catching smallmouth bass closer to home and they are fun and put up a good fight. |
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[#34]
Our water temps are on the increase. They will implement 'hoot owl' rules here shortly I'm afraid. They ask you not fish if the temps hit 70, but they will close rivers and streams if they need to.
I was in the area of The Big Hole river last weekend - they have implemented hoot owl on the upper stretches - no fishing from 2 pm till midnight. |
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[#35]
Quoted:
Our water temps are on the increase. They will implement 'hoot owl' rules here shortly I'm afraid. They ask you not fish if the temps hit 70, but they will close rivers and streams if they need to. I was in the area of The Big Hole river last weekend - they have implemented hoot owl on the upper stretches - no fishing from 2 pm till midnight. View Quote The fishing regulations vary so much state to state that it is bewildering. Maine gives you a list of rules that resembles a small phonebook. NH restricts certain sections of rivers to fly fish only, closes fishing in October in some rivers, etc. |
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[#36]
Fished the Blackfoot river yesterday with the new 5 wt. It's awesome.
My reflexes however, not so much. |
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[#37]
Quoted:
Fished the Blackfoot river yesterday with the new 5 wt. It's awesome. My reflexes however, not so much. View Quote As for my reflexes when it comes to hooking the fish at the right time and in the right direction it is a hit or miss affair. When you get on a landlocked salmon here they do this acrobatic leap and twist movement that is like a PBR rodeo bull. I land few of the landlocked salmon I hook. I have been told you have to "bow to the king" and lower your rod tip when they do their leaping shenanigans. |
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[#38]
If you really want to mess with you mind, do like I've done at times. Throw an 8 wt (or 10 wt) all day in saltwater and the next morning, pick up your 7'6" 3 wt to throw at bream and small bass! I've done it more than a few times and it's always "entertaining".
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[#39]
Quoted:
If you really want to mess with you mind, do like I've done at times. Throw an 8 wt (or 10 wt) all day in saltwater and the next morning, pick up your 7'6" 3 wt to throw at bream and small bass! I've done it more than a few times and it's always "entertaining". View Quote The trees collected their share |
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[#40]
I went up to the headwaters of the Connecticut river and there the 3wt really came into its own. The trout were tiny (biggest I caught was a 10" brook) and the river (stream at that point) was choked with overhanging alders.
I had a hoot catching the wee trout! I then caught a good Brown trout on a grasshopper imitation much lower in the river system (below the bottom release Murphy dam- 54 degree water). August is often called "junk food season" around here as you just don't know what the trout want. The water temps and oxygen levels lead to them going sluggish. |
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[#41]
3wt is all you need for small dries. Glass gives a particularly accurate, soft presentation.
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[#42]
I've used a Sage SP 9' 3wt (with Laserline) almost exclusely for the past 15 years. I like 1-wt's for tiny (step over) streams, and 5 wt's for big rivers/lakes.
I'm also a big fan of 8x tippett and size 18-24 dries. |
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[#43]
Quoted:
I've used a Sage SP 9' 3wt (with Laserline) almost exclusely for the past 15 years. I like 1-wt's for tiny (step over) streams, and 5 wt's for big rivers/lakes. I'm also a big fan of 8x tippett and size 18-24 dries. View Quote How many calories is in midge? |
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[#44]
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I have had results with my size 20-24 midge imitations. I don't know why anything would think that is worth the effort, though. How many calories is in midge? View Quote |
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[#45]
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If you ever clean a trout check the stomach contents. Something like 80% of what they eat is tiny stuff. Mainly because there are a 1,000 times more of them than the big meals. With that said, I am suffering from CSS, can't see shit, so I avoid the tiny stuff. Fortunately, for our fish tiny equals size 16. There is almost 0 chance I could land a 12 lb steelhead on a size 20 midge, thank god! View Quote I do check the craw of the grouse I shoot in the fall to see what they have been eating. I will have to do more messing about with fish guts! |
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[#46]
Quoted:
I never thought of checking stomach contents- DOH. I do check the craw of the grouse I shoot in the fall to see what they have been eating. I will have to do more messing about with fish guts! View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
If you ever clean a trout check the stomach contents. Something like 80% of what they eat is tiny stuff. Mainly because there are a 1,000 times more of them than the big meals. With that said, I am suffering from CSS, can't see shit, so I avoid the tiny stuff. Fortunately, for our fish tiny equals size 16. There is almost 0 chance I could land a 12 lb steelhead on a size 20 midge, thank god! I do check the craw of the grouse I shoot in the fall to see what they have been eating. I will have to do more messing about with fish guts! https://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/fish-stomach-pump.html |
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[#47]
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There is also a way to check stomach contents without killing the fish, for those wanting or having c&r regs. https://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/fish-stomach-pump.html View Quote That is too cool. My kid would totally be on board with this plan. "Hold the trout. We're gonna make him barf." |
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[#48]
I bought an Echo-3 3wt this past Spring and it's an absolute delight to cast. Very well made rod for the money. One thing I haven't done is load it with my 4wt line to see how it roll-casts.. something I plan on trying a bit later this month.
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[#49]
Ahh,
the glorious 3 weight rod ! I have 4 of them for my area and creeks. (Shenandoah National Park and Monongahela National Forest and George Washington National Forest) 1.Lamiglas Appalachian Trail 6'9" 3 pc. 2.G.Loomis Streamdance Metolius 7'0" 3 pc. 3.White River Classic IM7 6'6" 3pc. (beater/let buddy use it rod) 4.Handmade by a buddy on BRFF a 6'0" 3pc. with a "fast tip" action for tight stuff. Made from Spin rod blanks. Gave me a reel spooled too,with a furled leader,and SA Stealth flyline. Gratis. Tight lines mates |
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[#50]
IF anyone here is interested I have in my possession a brand new St. Croix Imperial Graphite 2 piece "IF 7023" 25TH Anniversary rod/case. It`s a beauty that`s perfect for small stream fishing. I found it in Penn. at a "discovery" auction and would be willing to let it go. It has a great feel and has never had a reel mounted on it. PM me if interested otherwise off to EBAY it goes. I can send pics etc.
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