Rod Length Controversy

[troutnut4]

I recently read an interesting article in "Mid Current" regarding the difference (slight), that length makes in a fly rod. The article was written by Philip Monahan and he interviewed a number of experienced people including some that you might recognize depending on your location. This might be interesting to you as well and your comments to the article are welcome.
The site is Mid Current Fly Fishing and the address is news@ midcurrent.com

[moucheur2003]

Here's a link to it. I had to search around for a while because it's not in MidCurrent's "news" section, it's in the "ask the experts" section:

What’s the Right Length for a Trout Rod? | MidCurrent

Once I started reading it I realized I had read it before. It's been up on their site for a while.

I tend to agree with the Orvis guy who said that the 8' 6" is often the sweetest rod in any particular series, because it has the right combination of both length for line control and lightness for balance. That doesn't necessarily mean it will be the best for any particular purpose, though. As you go longer than that you are adding more material to the stiffest, heaviest part of the butt section, which makes for a clumsier rod, but you will gain reach and mending ability. As you go shorter you may gain finesse and delicacy, but you will lose distance.

Tom Morgan, the legendary former rod designer at Winston, offers his own thoughts on rod length and line size here:

Tom Morgan Rodsmiths - Yellowstone Country Water

[fysh]

C'mon everyone KNOWS longer is better!

[Liphookedau]

Back to the Old Story "Horses for Courses".
I have at Present Rods from 7'9" to 10ft,they are of course for different applications,I am in The process of Building a 10'6' Switch Rod,even though i find difficulties in Netting Fish with my 10' Rods I am curious to see how they go over here..
For years I used an Old Heavy Fibreglass in a 9'6" then I moved back to an early 8'6" Carbon Fibre,now with The introduction of Light High Modulus Carbon Fibre as Larry Kennedy mentioned The Longer Rods have become Lighter I find The best length for my style of Fishing to be 9'6".
Many people now use The Switch & The Spey Rods because they are not only Lighter Than The Old Salmon Rods of yesteryears,greater Length Casts Can be still Made,larger Flies are mainly used,more Water can be covered & made axcessable.
Brian.

[imxer]

Originally Posted by fysh

C'mon everyone KNOWS longer is better!

John,

You mean it's not how you use it ?

[fysh]

A longer rod and an Orvis shirt are magic!

[rubberguy]

as long as it's a "2 hander"....

[fly_guy12955]

I'll just say I believe you guys,,,till you start talking about 'fast recovering tips',,,,them I'm'a gonna call you on it LOL

[Diver Dan]

That lightness they are talking about in the difference between 8' 6" and 9' is nonsense. In fact I don't believe for a second that an 8' 6" in any series of rods will out perform the 9' unless they just botched the rod in some unimaginable way. And yes, longer is better. Longer and longer and no I am not compensating for anything!

[attila]

I've learned to use the longest rod I can reasonably get away with. The pros outweigh the cons IMO.