Rod length in small creek fishing

The discussion about small-stream rods in a thread above brought to my
mind a closely related question I've been thinking about recently.

I have no first-hand experience on fishing bushy creeks, but a couple
of months ago I heard that there are some really interesting ones
nearby where I live. So I will most certainly be checking out some of
these places later this year. However, since I'm a novice in fishing
places like this, I was wondering what sort of a rod one should use. I
have a 2wt 8' rod myself, and I will naturally find out next summer if
that is of any use in these creeks. But since it will take a couple of
months before I am able to wet my line in these streams, and since I
am an impatient man, I thought it might be interesting to hear your
opinions about this type of fishing.

In my area the best weight of the rod is probably 2 or 3, but the
length of the rod is much more of a mystery to me. I often hear
fishermen talk about 6'-7' rods, but some suggest longer rods for
dapping flies over small bushes or long grass. I've noticed that Sage,
for example, does not even produce rods shorter than 8' in their
premium SLT series in weights 0-2. I could also imagine that a shorter
rod might be useful because it would not get tangled in bushes while
fishing or moving around (I think that the shortest ones I've noticed
in my catalogues so far is a 5'6" T&T rod).

It's impossible to determine an optimal small creek rod for all types
of terrain, vegetation etc., but I'd still like to hear your
experiences. What type of rods do you use in small creeks? In
particular, how long are the rods? How does the length of the rod
limit / affect the techniques you use?

--
Jarmo Hurri

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"Jarmo Hurri" wrote in message
...

The discussion about small-stream rods in a thread above brought to my
mind a closely related question I've been thinking about recently.
snip
It's impossible to determine an optimal small creek rod for all types
of terrain, vegetation etc., but I'd still like to hear your
experiences. What type of rods do you use in small creeks? In
particular, how long are the rods? How does the length of the rod
limit / affect the techniques you use?

--
Jarmo Hurri

Jarmo,

I use a 7' 3wt for small streams. As the fish normally are smaller in such a
stream a 3wt has proven enough.
On the length issue: I like the rod to be short, this due to the
maneuverability and the fact that you don't need as much length to be able
to control the line in a small stream as in a big one.
Now then, a small stream for me is one no wider than 5 meters so my
perception of a small stream might differ from yours.
As this rod of mine is a cane rod it throws a roll cast without difficulty
even with much less line out than would make it possible to do the same
thing with a graphite rod.
I'd say (personal point of view) that the length which gives you control in
a big stream will get you into a whole lot of trouble in a smaller stream,
whether you are casting your line or fighting a fish.

/Roger
Off for a couple of days to do some more hunting, this time ptarmigan. Stay
warm.

Hi Roger,

Roger Now then, a small stream for me is one no wider than 5 meters
Roger so my perception of a small stream might differ from yours.

In my book a creek with a width of 5 meters is already quite a river.

Roger I'd say (personal point of view) that the length which gives
Roger you control in a big stream will get you into a whole lot of
Roger trouble in a smaller stream, whether you are casting your line
Roger or fighting a fish.

Another reason to buy a new rod.

Do you often bump into situations where your 7' rod is too long?

Roger Off for a couple of days to do some more hunting, this time
Roger ptarmigan.

What's the equivalent of "tight lines" in hunting? Bloody bullets?

--
Jarmo Hurri

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"Jarmo Hurri" wrote in message
...

Hi Roger,

Roger Now then, a small stream for me is one no wider than 5 meters
Roger so my perception of a small stream might differ from yours.

In my book a creek with a width of 5 meters is already quite a river.

If that is true, then you're in for a surprise when attending the clave ;-)
(Even the micro clave in June might broaden your horizon)

Roger I'd say (personal point of view) that the length which gives
Roger you control in a big stream will get you into a whole lot of
Roger trouble in a smaller stream, whether you are casting your line
Roger or fighting a fish.

Another reason to buy a new rod.

You might fool yourself, but the rest of us knows that you don't really need
a reason and that justifing a new rod can always be done ;-)

Do you often bump into situations where your 7' rod is too long?

It has happened but in situations like that the creek is really small, less
than 2 meters wide. And in my book that is just a trickle =)

Roger Off for a couple of days to do some more hunting, this time
Roger ptarmigan.

What's the equivalent of "tight lines" in hunting? Bloody bullets?

Straight aiming?

/Roger

Do you often bump into situations where your 7' rod is too long?

Roger It has happened but in situations like that the creek is really
Roger small, less than 2 meters wide.

Ok, that's a good piece of information. I will find out this year what
kind of a rule of thumb applies to an 8' rod in our northern
environment.

--
Jarmo Hurri

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Roger Ohlund wrote:
"Jarmo Hurri" wrote in message
...



What's the equivalent of "tight lines" in hunting? Bloody bullets?


Straight aiming?

Tight Groups

Peter A. Collin wrote:
Roger Ohlund wrote:

"Jarmo Hurri" wrote in message
...



What's the equivalent of "tight lines" in hunting? Bloody bullets?



Straight aiming?

Tight Groups


Clean kills.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

What's the equivalent of "tight lines" in hunting? Bloody bullets?

Peter Tight Groups

This one is my personal favorite. :-)

--
Jarmo Hurri

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Jarmo Hurri wrote in message . ..
Hi Roger,

Roger Now then, a small stream for me is one no wider than 5 meters
Roger so my perception of a small stream might differ from yours.

In my book a creek with a width of 5 meters is already quite a river.

Roger I'd say (personal point of view) that the length which gives
Roger you control in a big stream will get you into a whole lot of
Roger trouble in a smaller stream, whether you are casting your line
Roger or fighting a fish.

Another reason to buy a new rod.

Do you often bump into situations where your 7' rod is too long?

Roger Off for a couple of days to do some more hunting, this time
Roger ptarmigan.

What's the equivalent of "tight lines" in hunting? Bloody bullets?


My two small creek rods are a Winston 7'6" 5 wt. and a Hardy
Perfection E 6'6" - 3 wt. The Winston is perfect for big flies and
windy days while I like the Hardy for the really itty-bitty streams.
The Hardy can virtually cast just the leader so it's the ultimate for
small stream work.

Peter

Jarmo Hurri wrote in message
. ..
What's the equivalent of "tight lines" in hunting? Bloody bullets?

Stones into your backpack!

These sayings are puposed to mislead the game or fish to think
thet these guys are not going to catch them.

In Russia hunters say: "I wish you no feather no fur".

OsmoJ