3 wt. combo recommendations

I currently own a 5wt. Orvis TLS/Battenkill MidArbor combo and found it to
be a little heavy during a recent trip to fish the smaller rivers around
Estes Park. I think that a 3 wt. will complement the 5wt. for low wind conditions
on smaller (but not tiny) streams/rivers. I was thinking of something in
the 7' - 8' range.

Looking for opinions on the wt./length choice. The Sage 3wt. TLX 7'10" cast
and felt really good to me, so I am also looking for opinions on reels to
pair it with.

Thanks,
Jim

Jim Edmondson wrote:
snip
Looking for opinions on the wt./length choice. The Sage 3wt. TLX 7'10"
cast and felt really good to me, so I am also looking for opinions on
reels to pair it with.

My favorite 3wt for small stream fishing is a 7.5ft Winston IM6
paired with a Hardy Featherweight. On bigger, more open streams
and from my canoe I prefer a 9ft 3wt Winston IM6. I put a Hardy
JLH Ultralite 2/3/4 on that rod. In general, the longer the rod
the better so long as you have room to cast it.

--
Ken Fortenberry

On Aug 11, 5:00 pm, Jim Edmondson wrote:
I currently own a 5wt. Orvis TLS/Battenkill MidArbor combo and found it to
be a little heavy during a recent trip to fish the smaller rivers around
Estes Park. I think that a 3 wt. will complement the 5wt. for low wind conditions
on smaller (but not tiny) streams/rivers. I was thinking of something in
the 7' - 8' range.

Looking for opinions on the wt./length choice. The Sage 3wt. TLX 7'10" cast
and felt really good to me, so I am also looking for opinions on reels to
pair it with.

Thanks,
Jim

my favorite 3wt is, like forty's, a winston, but in 7' length.
small streams where i fish, in the appalachians, are usually very much
like fishing in a small tunnel.

wayno

On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:58:09 -0700, "
wrote:

On Aug 11, 5:00 pm, Jim Edmondson wrote:
I currently own a 5wt. Orvis TLS/Battenkill MidArbor combo and found it to
be a little heavy during a recent trip to fish the smaller rivers around
Estes Park. I think that a 3 wt. will complement the 5wt. for low wind conditions
on smaller (but not tiny) streams/rivers. I was thinking of something in
the 7' - 8' range.

Looking for opinions on the wt./length choice. The Sage 3wt. TLX 7'10" cast
and felt really good to me, so I am also looking for opinions on reels to
pair it with.

Thanks,
Jim

my favorite 3wt is, like forty's, a winston, but in 7' length.
small streams where i fish, in the appalachians, are usually very much
like fishing in a small tunnel.

wayno

Boy, ain't that the truth :-) My 9' 3 wt Winston was totally out of its
element in the Smokies - even with PJ using it most of the day ;-)

I liked Ken's rod so much I added a copy to my collection, though truth be
told, that little Winston 7' 2 weight that died on the Fontana Lake road was
even better suited for streams like Snowbird and Hazel...

/daytripper (I miss that rod. I wonder if I can have Winston build me another)

On Aug 12, 2:52 pm, daytripper wrote:
On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:58:09 -0700, "
wrote:





On Aug 11, 5:00 pm, Jim Edmondson wrote:
I currently own a 5wt. Orvis TLS/Battenkill MidArbor combo and found it to
be a little heavy during a recent trip to fish the smaller rivers around
Estes Park. I think that a 3 wt. will complement the 5wt. for low wind conditions
on smaller (but not tiny) streams/rivers. I was thinking of something in
the 7' - 8' range.

Looking for opinions on the wt./length choice. The Sage 3wt. TLX 7'10" cast
and felt really good to me, so I am also looking for opinions on reels to
pair it with.

Thanks,
Jim

my favorite 3wt is, like forty's, a winston, but in 7' length.
small streams where i fish, in the appalachians, are usually very much
like fishing in a small tunnel.

wayno


I liked Ken's rod so much I added a copy to my collection, though truth be
told, that little Winston 7' 2 weight that died on the Fontana Lake road was
even better suited for streams like Snowbird and Hazel...

i haven't heard the story--what happened?

and, fwiw, i have preferred 8 to 9 footers on hazel for the last
couple decades. much easier to mend line, imo.

yfitons
wayno

On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 13:32:00 -0700, "
wrote:

On Aug 12, 2:52 pm, daytripper wrote:
On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:58:09 -0700, "
wrote:





On Aug 11, 5:00 pm, Jim Edmondson wrote:
I currently own a 5wt. Orvis TLS/Battenkill MidArbor combo and found it to
be a little heavy during a recent trip to fish the smaller rivers around
Estes Park. I think that a 3 wt. will complement the 5wt. for low wind conditions
on smaller (but not tiny) streams/rivers. I was thinking of something in
the 7' - 8' range.

Looking for opinions on the wt./length choice. The Sage 3wt. TLX 7'10" cast
and felt really good to me, so I am also looking for opinions on reels to
pair it with.

Thanks,
Jim

my favorite 3wt is, like forty's, a winston, but in 7' length.
small streams where i fish, in the appalachians, are usually very much
like fishing in a small tunnel.

wayno


I liked Ken's rod so much I added a copy to my collection, though truth be
told, that little Winston 7' 2 weight that died on the Fontana Lake road was
even better suited for streams like Snowbird and Hazel...

i haven't heard the story--what happened?

and, fwiw, i have preferred 8 to 9 footers on hazel for the last
couple decades. much easier to mend line, imo.

yfitons
wayno

The Alarka Cabin adventure?
The day that monster rainbow nearly killed you up on Hazel?

I left my 7/2 in its rod sock on the roof of my Pathfinder for just a moment
while I struggled to keep the swinging spare tire carrier from smashing the
rod. Which turned into it sliding off onto the road about a quarter mile from
the Fontana marina, to be subsequently flattened by persons unknown.

From the looks of the remains, three cars ran over it - or one really
determined fellow :-(

It was replaced by Winston but with a markedly different rod. It claims to be
a 7' 2wt IM6, but it lacks the finesse of the original, and the grip is too
thin for my oversize hands. My youngest son really likes it - but he's
comparing it to the 7.5' 4wt Cortland that his grandfather wrapped for him.

Mending on small streams can certainly be handy, but I'm 6' 5" with an
anatomically appropriate wingspan ;-) so I can get away with a somewhat
shorter rod...

/daytripper (got gangly)

daytripper typed:
snip
Mending on small streams can certainly be handy, but I'm 6' 5" with an
anatomically appropriate wingspan ;-) so I can get away with a
somewhat shorter rod...

I was always told I was 6'3". LIARS!
--
TL,
Tim
---------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj/

On Aug 11, 5:00 pm, Jim Edmondson wrote:
I was thinking of something in
the 7' - 8' range.

Looking for opinions on the wt./length choice. The Sage 3wt. TLX 7'10" cast
and felt really good to me, so I am also looking for opinions on reels to
pair it with.

Like some of the others, my preferred small stream rod is a Winston
IM6/WT, but I use the 8' 3wt or the 7' 2wt IM6 (eat your heart out
Trip). I'm partial to hardy reels but except for their Asian assembled
Marksman series, the exchange prices have essentially priced them out
of the market compared to the offerings from Ross, Tibor, Abel.

Sage has just announced the discountinuation of the SLT series of rods
and they will soon be showing up at close out prices, Their 3wt rod
using the Quiet Taper fly line is a nice fishing tool. I would pair
with with a Ross Evolution or Ross Rhythm Reel.

Jim Edmondson wrote:
I currently own a 5wt. Orvis TLS/Battenkill MidArbor combo and found it
to be a little heavy during a recent trip to fish the smaller rivers
around Estes Park. I think that a 3 wt. will complement the 5wt. for
low wind conditions on smaller (but not tiny) streams/rivers. I was
thinking of something in the 7' - 8' range.

Looking for opinions on the wt./length choice. The Sage 3wt. TLX 7'10"
cast and felt really good to me, so I am also looking for opinions on
reels to pair it with.

Thanks,
Jim

I haven't cast the TXL 3wt(I own a 0wt TXL), but if it suits you, i'm
sure it will be a great rod for you. My 3wts, I use either a Ross
Evolution 1, or a Orvis BBS II. Both are light, and reliable, with the
Ross being the prettier(IMHO)of the two. For 2wt and smaller, I use a
Orvis CFO I, or Sage 3100. Again, both are very light, and seems to
balance light rods....if that's something important to you.

For very small creeks, I use a Sage TXL 0wt, or Winston IM6, 7' 2wt. I
like the longer TXL, for it's slightly better mending, and
dapping/flicking abilities. The Winston works well when I have a lot of
low hanging trees, or brush. For bigger creeks, and streams, I like
Winston's 8'6" BIIx, 3wt. It's one of my favorite rods to cast and fish.

brians

Thanks everyone for of your helpful comments. I think that I will try out
the Winston WT and the soon to be discontinued (thanks Wayne) Sage SLT for
comparison to the Sage TLX. I like the fact that Winston offers each rod
in a wide selection of lengths in contrast to most rod makers.

As for the reel, the Ross Evolution is really sweet, but I will now consider
the Orvis BBS II (brians suggestion) in the interest of marital harmony!
I have the Battenkill Large Arbor V which has a similar offset disc drag.
I use it for light sal****er and have had no complaints so far.


Jim



I currently own a 5wt. Orvis TLS/Battenkill MidArbor combo and found
it to be a little heavy during a recent trip to fish the smaller
rivers around Estes Park. I think that a 3 wt. will complement the
5wt. for low wind conditions on smaller (but not tiny) streams/rivers.
I was thinking of something in the 7' - 8' range.

Looking for opinions on the wt./length choice. The Sage 3wt. TLX
7'10" cast and felt really good to me, so I am also looking for
opinions on reels to pair it with.

Thanks,
Jim