FLYMPH FORUM

Hello every one. May I start by saying that this is the most interesting site on the internet as regards fly fishing. Informative and downright addicting, you gentlemen are the best!
In October, 2009, Mike Conner shared some of his thoughts about a long rod. Oh my, it was inspiring! So many fresh ideas. Thank you, Mr. Conner!
Could some one advise me about where to get a match rod, as described, on this side of the Atlantic?
I can report that the bricklayers line he described, is very nice to work with. It is for me anyway.
Thank you, all of you, sincerely, Woodbutcher

Don't know if they still have them or if it is the kind you want, but I bought a 15' Match rod from Cabela's many years ago along with a side cast reel.

Woodbutcher, nice to have you joining in and glad you've enjoyed the site. Welcome.

I don't have any information about a match rod, but if you would describe what kind of fishing you prefer and where it might add to the conversation and maybe spark a new line of thought.

Woodbutcher, Howdy;

Welcome to the active part of the forum .

I merely highlighted the words match rod in your original post and
found this;
https://www.google.com/search?q=match+r ... 8&oe=utf-8
Didn't show any folks on this side of the Pond, but I didn't explore
it any further than the 1st. page. Hope this helps get you aimed in
the right direction.
Again, welcome to the active side ... hope to see more posts from you
in the future.

hank

In response, I will describe a really nice fishing "hole". South and east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a small town of Confluence. There is the start of the Youghiogheny River.
Since some folks have almost hurt themselves trying to pronounce that, it may be good to refer to it as the Yough, as the locals do.
The Yough reservoir does not empty over the dam, it goes out from the bottom, about 130 feet down. Keeps things cool in the summer, 2 steps in, only 1 step out! The flow goes thru a small power station and is discharged. This is where it gets interesting! It has been described, to me by one of the workers, that the chute is about 25 feet deep and about 8 feet in diameter. the flow follows a ramp and hits a concrete pyramid, to go straight up. This makes a boil that I see as maybe 10 feet in diameter, on a day with normal flow. The different currants in that immediate area are incredible! And it is accessible from shore area. I believe that there are critters down there that would eat your leg! I've seen things moving past me, I needed bigger heavier tackle!
The discharge area is perhaps a hundred yards across and maybe 3 times that long. Then the riffles start, Big riffles. Almost wadeable, mostly not. The tail of the pool in front of the rough stuff just draws me to it. 2 sides and around the power station have nice nice walkways, and some easy wading. some of the area might go as deep as 6 to 8 feet, till you get near the boil!!! The area across requires a couple hundred yards of hard wading, but there are fish there, I've seen Herons feeding on trout. They travel easier than I do. Most of the currents are gentle and not that difficult, but the boil will get you. I think the trout ride the upswells like a roller coaster. Lots of trout and miles of good fishing downstream also.
I said all that to say this. The outflow area is for me. The idea of a longer rod, maybe 10 feet or a bit more, might help working a wet or two. I can do OK with an 8 foot rod for distance, but sometimes the currents in between just beat me. Getting deep isn't difficult, an indie or some sort of float seems to provide control. The picture, in my mind, of a smoother drift because of a longer rod, is making me think too much. I guess that, being a "normal" fisherman, the idea of a new piece of equipment will just make all the difference needed.
Thank you for considering my ramblings, Woodbutcher

Woodbutcher ~ The Yough actually begins in the mountains in Maryland, where it is also a fine trout stream. At the town of Confluence, PA it meets up with the Casselman River, which also has its origins in the mountains of western Maryland and has a reputation for being a good early season trout stream. I used to fish the Yough below Confluence when I lived in Pittsburgh many years ago, and if you hunt around a bit , you will discover that there are several small tributary streams downstream of the Confluence dam that have wild trout in them.

WB, I loved your little rant. I've been meaning to come out and fish the Yough but, I just can't seem to do it. Maybe this year. I've often had conversation with my friends about where the best place in PA would be for a chance at some 30 inch browns.. The Yough and Kinzua tailwater often came up.

Your story makes me want to drive out there.

Gentlemen, one and all, thank you for your thoughts. The tailrace area is for me. My family is getting ready for the opening day, at the Yough, right now. My game plan is set, and I'm ready. Couple of new flies ready to go.
My search for a long two-handed rod is still on, and I've much to learn. By the way, what is a 6 ounce curve? Can I take a 6 ounce weight to the store and test a rod? Maybe good old Cabelas has what I need.
Oh yes, may I mention, I have it on very good authority that there are critters in the Kinzua that can swallow a football. That fella has passed on now, and I couldn't win an argument with him when he was with us, so I'll simply pass on his words.
Woodbutcher

Woodbutcher (there has to be a story there- cabinetmaker?) we have the same kind of thing here in NZ, both naturally on bigger rivers where rapid current enters deep pools and man made in the way of hydro power tail races.
Both are excellent places to find BIG trout. In the natural rivers, flow is concentrated so all that is being carried in/on the water is in the channel that feeds the drop off into the deep pool, like some kind of giant food conveyor. The hydro tail races, well they take a fair share of upstream water or empty a lake divert it (and any trout food it carries) forces it through a "blender" and then hoses it back under pressure like some kind of trout food smoothie. Before the days of Salmon farms in hydro canals here, tailrace exit points were places to get "big-uns".

As to the currents and vortexes, both natural and man made can be a right s.o.b.! Even if you can get a lot of slack in a floating line the forces of the water will grab it and drag it under somewhere. Very seldom do you have a clue just where your fly might be in that messy water- nor at what depth. When you want the fly to go one place it will end up somewheres totally different! Not always a bad thing, the trout know where the pockets are they can lay in and survive in- the currents carry the food so therefore your fly is in the feed channel, but because your line is never straight you loose contact with your flies and do not have a hope of feeling strikes.
Now, a longer rod will help keep your line clear of the messy water, but depending on length of leader and size of fly- you are still at the mercy of undercurrents to fish such places. Another option is shooting head lines that use a much thinner running line, thus meaning less drag in/on the water.
The UK fishers love 10' rods for reservoir fishing and the reasons you state of helping lift line clear of the water surface to negate line drag. Keep an eye on that auction site for a rod of suitable length, just remember the shipping might be hurtful to your wallet.
Other option is a Spey rod of 3-5 weight (Spey line weight- not usual fly rod weights) of 12-13' like they use for Steelhead and Salmon up North.