Hi Tim,

I think that 7 1/2' to 8' is a good idea. I personally like an 8' rod
myself. We sell rods down to 6' though.

You can buy a soft 4 line rod or a faster 3 line and then put a DT4F on it.

Over the years we have changed many fly fishers ideas about rods by selling
them that "smaller fly rod".

Some won't use the big fast 9' #5 line outfit again until they really need
it.

I think trying a low priced rod is OK too. If you go wild for this size you
can later buy a mid-range or higher rod if you feel like it.

It is kind of like selling someone a nice 20 gauge shotgun when they already
have a big heavy 12 gauge. They will try to use that 20 gauge for everything
because it is so light and fun.

The 9' #5 line rod still king and the top mover in the western USA.

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA, USA

Web site: www.kiene.com


"Tim G" wrote in message
om...

I've been fly fishing now for about two years, and I'm afraid it might
be time to take the leap... to a second rod!

I have a 9' 5wt St. Croix Legend, which works fine for me on the
rivers I most like to fish - larger stuff like the Beaverkill,
Farmington, Housatonic, etc. But I also often end up on smaller
streams, some of them really tiny. I'd like to get a smaller and
lighter rod, for --

1) less getting my line (not to mention rod tip) caught in the trees
2) improved delicate presentations
3) better match for smaller fish (i.e., make the little guys feel
bigger)

I'm not entirely sure my reasoning is correct, so I'd love to hear
opinions on that, as well as suggestions for actual rods, sizes and
models. I'm thinking a 3 weight, 7'6". Been eyeing the Orvis
Superfine, or maybe spending much less on a TFO or Redington. (No
need to break the bank on this, as this will not be my most-used rod -
though, hey, I'm always open to quality, right?) I'd love a travel
rod, but from what I've seen it looks like the smaller and lighter
rods are most likely to come as 2-piece, which I suppose would be
fine.


Thanks for any suggestions!

Tim