Hardscrabble
Member
I fish a lot of pocket water, mostly in medium to high gradient small mountain streams, lots of plunge pools, close overhead, lots of laurel and dog hobble crowding the streams, the trails and every cast. I fish close-in paying attention to careful wading so I don’t alarm fish (that seldom reach 8”) but mostly so I don’t roll the wrong rock and ruin my day.
I constantly switch between surface flies up to size 10 elk hair caddis, etc and down to 22 bead heads, Likely 60% of my small stream fishing is done with a 14-18 EHC with a 16-22 tungsten bead head as dropper, and inside 30 feet, mostly
much closer. But, 40% of my fishing isn’t: dries, streamers indicators all might be on the menu in the same afternoon and the water longer, wider and deeper than a plunge pool. The need for flexible equipment capable of some wider ranging utility is a common one, I know.
I’ve been through short and light (fished a 7’6” 3 wt for years until I tired of the compromises). I still pack a dry fly rod (an original LL 864-2 that is nearing retirement), a streamer rod (if the water is up) and an SLT 9’ 4wt that pulls the yeoman’s work with dropper rigs, weighted nymphs, indicators and an occasional woolly bugger when I’m too far from the truck to switch out. The SLT’s are good rods, I have more than one, but I find myself needing/wanting to upgrade. The old LL is...well, I don’t want to break it, even if it is a one-trick pony, and a 2-piece rod won’t travel. I don’t want to ignore material improvements that might make my time more enjoyable.
I have identified some priorities. I know that all this stuff is highly dependent on ability and proper line structure. I get it, but I like a rod to work with me a bit, as opposed to being fussy.
-MUST ROLL CAST like a champ
-preference for 8’6”, not a requirement
-4wt a requirement, lighter not for me on steep creeks
-slightly faster than mid-flex preferred
-but enough punch to turn over a long leader at, say, 30-40’
-placement and sensitivity important, distance not so much
I have done some research and 3 alternatives have floated to the top:
Taylor Fly Fishing Anomaly Z 486-4
Douglas Sky G 486-4
Stickman P4 490-4*
(Akos said he would put me on the list for his new 8’6” P4, release date uncertain, and I will likely buy one as another addition, but I’m going to buy a creek rod before then.)
I would be very grateful for any comments regarding these rods and especially appreciative for “this is the rod I bought (or would buy) because...” comments.
The knowledge I have gained cruising around this site for a week is incredible! Thanks!
I constantly switch between surface flies up to size 10 elk hair caddis, etc and down to 22 bead heads, Likely 60% of my small stream fishing is done with a 14-18 EHC with a 16-22 tungsten bead head as dropper, and inside 30 feet, mostly
much closer. But, 40% of my fishing isn’t: dries, streamers indicators all might be on the menu in the same afternoon and the water longer, wider and deeper than a plunge pool. The need for flexible equipment capable of some wider ranging utility is a common one, I know.
I’ve been through short and light (fished a 7’6” 3 wt for years until I tired of the compromises). I still pack a dry fly rod (an original LL 864-2 that is nearing retirement), a streamer rod (if the water is up) and an SLT 9’ 4wt that pulls the yeoman’s work with dropper rigs, weighted nymphs, indicators and an occasional woolly bugger when I’m too far from the truck to switch out. The SLT’s are good rods, I have more than one, but I find myself needing/wanting to upgrade. The old LL is...well, I don’t want to break it, even if it is a one-trick pony, and a 2-piece rod won’t travel. I don’t want to ignore material improvements that might make my time more enjoyable.
I have identified some priorities. I know that all this stuff is highly dependent on ability and proper line structure. I get it, but I like a rod to work with me a bit, as opposed to being fussy.
-MUST ROLL CAST like a champ
-preference for 8’6”, not a requirement
-4wt a requirement, lighter not for me on steep creeks
-slightly faster than mid-flex preferred
-but enough punch to turn over a long leader at, say, 30-40’
-placement and sensitivity important, distance not so much
I have done some research and 3 alternatives have floated to the top:
Taylor Fly Fishing Anomaly Z 486-4
Douglas Sky G 486-4
Stickman P4 490-4*
(Akos said he would put me on the list for his new 8’6” P4, release date uncertain, and I will likely buy one as another addition, but I’m going to buy a creek rod before then.)
I would be very grateful for any comments regarding these rods and especially appreciative for “this is the rod I bought (or would buy) because...” comments.
The knowledge I have gained cruising around this site for a week is incredible! Thanks!