Rods for fishing flymphs and soft hackles
Moderators: William Anderson, letumgo
Re: Rods for fishing flymphs and soft hackles
I own two 8 foot Jenkins bamboo rods. The cast perfectly for me and have a magnificient casting feel. My sole graphite is a surprisingly nice Redington Classic Trout, 9' 5wt. For around $150, this rod is equal in performance to the old Sage LL from the early 90s. I also own a 7 ft Echo fiberglass.
Re: Rods for fishing flymphs and soft hackles
Billems interesting... I have had three of the Redington rods you mention. Gave a 4 and 5 wt to sons-in-law and kept the 8'6" 3wt. Cant find a single thing wrong with these rods.
Re: Rods for fishing flymphs and soft hackles
PLV our locations are quite different, but clearly our fishing experiences and waters must be similar. I find I'm agreeing with what you have to say about the rods, lines, and waters you fish. Especially, the versatility of the longer so called nymphing rods... What attracted me to the Cortland 10'6" 3wt I fish is watching a friend fish dry flies with that rod. I too have managed some decent sized rainbows on the Madison and Henry's Fork with that 3wt and find that the soft tip provides some needed shock protection and the strong butt provides the backbone. Rods to me are like golf clubs. Lots of choices, and every claims to have the latest and greatest. As long as you like it, what else matters.
Re: Rods for fishing flymphs and soft hackles
I agree with you that Jenkins rods are first class in every respect.billems wrote: ↑Thu Jul 27, 2023 9:45 pm I own two 8 foot Jenkins bamboo rods. The cast perfectly for me and have a magnificient casting feel. My sole graphite is a surprisingly nice Redington Classic Trout, 9' 5wt. For around $150, this rod is equal in performance to the old Sage LL from the early 90s. I also own a 7 ft Echo fiberglass.
Doug J.
Re: Rods for fishing flymphs and soft hackles
I prefer longer rods; 10' plus; last several have been 6/7 or 8wts. Latest being an Echo Stillwater 10'6" 6wt. slightly slower than fast action. Plenty of line pick up for mending longer casts. Usually use steelhead taper lines but I'm trying the Airflo Stillwater line with my new rod. My two-hand rods; an Echo 4120 and a Meiser S2H 3-5-126-4; paired with an old CND GPS 5/6. Have some other 2 hand rods that I still use and love but that's what I've been stuck on the last couple years. I only swing soft hackles; so my rods and lines are set up for long casts to cover the whole river.
Re: Rods for fishing flymphs and soft hackles
Heck yes! I love hearing how others do it.Bizscotty wrote: ↑Wed Feb 07, 2024 8:11 pm I prefer longer rods; 10' plus; last several have been 6/7 or 8wts. Latest being an Echo Stillwater 10'6" 6wt. slightly slower than fast action. Plenty of line pick up for mending longer casts. Usually use steelhead taper lines but I'm trying the Airflo Stillwater line with my new rod. My two-hand rods; an Echo 4120 and a Meiser S2H 3-5-126-4; paired with an old CND GPS 5/6. Have some other 2 hand rods that I still use and love but that's what I've been stuck on the last couple years. I only swing soft hackles; so my rods and lines are set up for long casts to cover the whole river.
What rivers are you fishing for those long casts ?
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Re: Rods for fishing flymphs and soft hackles
I spent a few years fishing flymphs with 10' 3 wts and have spent 24 years using everything from 7'6" glass rods to tenkara rods, but my favorite over the past decade has been a medium action 9' 4 wt. Not only is it a perfect all around rod, suitable to cast dries when the time is right, but it's the softer action and mid rod feel that creates the perfect soft loop to present the wet flies. Whatever the rod length, for me the important thing is the moderate action. It helps that I'm using a Wolff Triangle Taper line that helps me get that presentation.
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Re: Rods for fishing flymphs and soft hackles
The Madison River in YNP is my most fished; some local Lake Ontario tribs; less than occassionallyDUBBN wrote: ↑Wed Feb 07, 2024 9:49 pmHeck yes! I love hearing how others do it.Bizscotty wrote: ↑Wed Feb 07, 2024 8:11 pm I prefer longer rods; 10' plus; last several have been 6/7 or 8wts. Latest being an Echo Stillwater 10'6" 6wt. slightly slower than fast action. Plenty of line pick up for mending longer casts. Usually use steelhead taper lines but I'm trying the Airflo Stillwater line with my new rod. My two-hand rods; an Echo 4120 and a Meiser S2H 3-5-126-4; paired with an old CND GPS 5/6. Have some other 2 hand rods that I still use and love but that's what I've been stuck on the last couple years. I only swing soft hackles; so my rods and lines are set up for long casts to cover the whole river.
What rivers are you fishing for those long casts ?
Re: Rods for fishing flymphs and soft hackles
I received an Orvis Recon, 2 weight, 10 foot for Christmas. I am very anxiois to try it swinging wets. For nymphing, it's lights out. I am sure with its sensitive tip it will make a great wet fly rod.
Re: Rods for fishing flymphs and soft hackles
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