Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: wyper on February 01, 2013, 08:54:05 AM

Title: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: wyper on February 01, 2013, 08:54:05 AM
I am looking into getting a new rod for this upcoming season. Currently I have a dragon fly 6wt that I really enjoy. It was the first rod I had purchased and have used it for 2 summers now. I want something that is lighter and will be more exciting to fish seeing as I am only fishing local lakes and rivers were most trout are between 8 and 14 inches. I have used a friends 3wt for a day and it was so much fun when hooking into a smaller fish! I am just worried that a 3 will be too small for some of the larger trout I run into... Would it be better to error on the side of safe and go with a 4wt? 
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: qescott on February 01, 2013, 10:05:23 AM
I would go with the 4wt. Just in case you do get larger fish, or you want to use it somewhere like the interior. Plus a 4 will preform better in wind. I fish a 5wt for trout and I've had a blast catching 12-14" bulls and rainbows all day.
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: Tex on February 01, 2013, 10:54:50 AM
A 4wt is more versatile, and I have always been a propent of the belief that to start with, you should vary your rods by two weights.

As such, since you already have a 6wt, the best bet would be a 4wt.  Then you may want to consider an 8wt afterwards for salmon/steelhead.  :)

A 3wt will work as well though for small trout if that's what you end up thinking you'd prefer. 

Good luck!
Tex
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: SteelheadAdict on February 01, 2013, 11:06:34 AM
10 foot 4 weight u can nymph and dry fly fidh local rivers with no problem and cast a heavy sink tip and pick up line faster on still watter
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: DanJohn on February 01, 2013, 04:48:44 PM
10 Foot 3 weight if you can find it.

If I were in your position. I would actually get a 3 (8 foot) and 4 weight (9 foot), skip the 5, keep the 6, and then go for an 8. 3 for light wind, lighter presentation, dries, and shorter smaller streams or just trolling on lakes, and the 4 for winds, streamers, czech nymphing, longer casting, or when you know there are bigger fish around.

Thats just me. I also have two 5 weights, and a 6. So, although I believe the same as Tex with the 2 weight variance, I also have more rods than I need, and will continue to get more.
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: roseph on February 01, 2013, 05:01:27 PM
10' 4wt.  Unless you're only targeting tiddlers in small streams (in that case get a shorter 3wt), the 10' 4wt will cover almost every trout fishery in BC.
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: DanJohn on February 01, 2013, 05:17:28 PM
10' 4wt.  Unless you're only targeting tiddlers in small streams (in that case get a shorter 3wt), the 10' 4wt will cover almost every trout fishery in BC.
As respectfully as I can, may i say HAHAHAHAHAHA!

A 12 weight will cover every fish you could think of in BC, but that doesnt make it any fun at all.
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: roseph on February 01, 2013, 05:39:12 PM
As respectfully as I can, may i say HAHAHAHAHAHA!

A 12 weight will cover every fish you could think of in BC, but that doesnt make it any fun at all.

You obviously have a different approach when it comes to choosing what weight rod but I stand by my statement.  I have a 10' 4wt RPL+ that I find is the perfect stick for almost all my trout fishing from chironomiding to dries on the skagit (with enough backbone for the bulls). 

Not everyone wants to hoard a million rods for every situation you can find yourself in.  For most it's the trout rods and reels and the steelhead/salmon rods and reels.  Less is more in my opinion.
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: DanJohn on February 01, 2013, 05:50:25 PM
You obviously have a different approach when it comes to choosing what weight rod but I stand by my statement.  I have a 10' 4wt RPL+ that I find is the perfect stick for almost all my trout fishing from chironomiding to dries on the skagit (with enough backbone for the bulls). 

Not everyone wants to hoard a million rods for every situation you can find yourself in.  For most it's the trout rods and reels and the steelhead/salmon rods and reels.  Less is more in my opinion.

I can respect your stance. I am not trying to be a dick and say "OMG THIS GUY IS SO WRONG!" or anything like that, just offer a different perspective. As time goes on, I find myself wanting the perfect tool for different scenarios (as in, my dry fly rod is short and accurate, my streamer rod is long and casts a mile) where as, like you, I CAN make a lot of situations work on a single stick. So I am only offering my experience and motivation in contrast to yours (and many others) for the sake of the OP to have different ideas as what to go for, based on their preference. Just wanted to clairfy, as Im really not trying to push buttons and upset anyone.
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: SteelheadAdict on February 01, 2013, 06:05:44 PM
cabeles and allen both make 10 ft 4 5 3 and 2 weights
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: HOOK on February 01, 2013, 07:40:36 PM
Allen makes a good product.

I havent used tons of their stuff but i know people that own reels and they love them. I was going to buy a 12' 5wt two hander but instead got something else in the same weight  ;D
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: SteelheadAdict on February 01, 2013, 08:12:10 PM
my buddy got that rod and its fantastic he bought 2 he uses them for swining flys for cuthtorat on the harrrison i ended up getting one aswell and love i use a 360 gr. scandi short head, slick shooter running line loads the rod perfectley
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: SteelheadAdict on February 01, 2013, 08:13:13 PM
they also make a 10ft single hand 7wt i use for loch style compotions on stillwater u can punch heavy lines in the wind and pick up line quickley
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: wyper on February 01, 2013, 08:50:58 PM
Hey thanks for all the replies guys! Really helps. I am planning on getting an 8wt down the road for sure. I think I like the idea of going by 2 with my rods. At this point I am leaning towards the 4wt. I had not ever thought of going with a cabelas rod. I have been looking at the Winston passport series but they don't have any 10' 4wts I don't think.. Are the cabelas a quality rod?   
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: SteelheadAdict on February 01, 2013, 09:36:21 PM
yes i have 4 of there rods and they are fantastic i have the Cabela's CZN Series Rods i have 2 of them the 9'6 3 weight and the 10' 4 weight that and there three forks rods rod in 6 weights and i lovem
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: Blackgivesway2blue on February 01, 2013, 11:02:21 PM
10' 4wt will cover almost every TROUT fishery in BC.

A 12 weight will cover every fish you could think of in BC,

so dan , where you fishing a 12wt for trout ?  ::)
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: DanJohn on February 02, 2013, 05:23:23 AM
Haha I actually did fish an eight weight for stocked bows in saskatoon when my rod broke. Also no fun.
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: HOOK on February 02, 2013, 08:13:55 AM
I was curious about the price difference between Cabelas & Allen. Cabelas CZN rods are on sale for 149.99 (from 199.99) and Allen rods are 229.99. I was looking at the 10' 4wt models. Sure cheap nowadays to get a person into some decent/good quality stuff without breaking the bank OR having the wife lose her sh** on you  :o

Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: SteelheadAdict on February 03, 2013, 02:14:32 PM
Yep if u want to break the bank u van get a dage esn 10ft 2 weight witch i use when i compotion fish on atreems i got it at an action for 200 they are normaly 800
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: HOOK on February 03, 2013, 03:32:01 PM
what the hell SteelheadAddict !!

proof read your posts before posting it please. Unless you are trying to leave a message in code,this is the most difficult to read or understand reply i have ever seen on this site and there has been some very difficult posts over the years

I realize that lots of members here are english as a second or even third language but people can at least read over their post once before posting it for crying out loud ::)


HOOK - always reads over his replies before posting
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: FreshyPT on February 05, 2013, 01:50:38 AM
Try an Amundson Midge, comes with 3WT and 4WT tips. http://www.amundson.ca/flyfishing/Midge/midge.html
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: SteelheadAdict on February 05, 2013, 03:39:44 PM
first of all its my first language second of all srry i was typing on my phone third i apologize to u for make your life so hard
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: Tex on February 05, 2013, 03:52:06 PM
first of all its my first language second of all srry i was typing on my phone third i apologize to u for make your life so hard

LOL!!!

It's funny, I figured it was on your phone with some of the errors you were making.  Too funny, nice comeback!
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: HOOK on February 05, 2013, 04:37:46 PM
I also post from my phone but i still read over and fix my mistakes. just because your phone has predictive text doesnt mean you dont have to read it over before posting and fix where it either didnt add the correct word or you didnt spell it correctly leaving behind random piles of letters ::)

you didnt make my life hard but did make my head hurt a little trying to decifer your message  ???
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: SteelheadAdict on February 05, 2013, 07:53:10 PM
lol thanks tex  ;D
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: ajransom on February 06, 2013, 07:33:25 AM
I am looking into getting a new rod for this upcoming season. Currently I have a dragon fly 6wt that I really enjoy. It was the first rod I had purchased and have used it for 2 summers now. I want something that is lighter and will be more exciting to fish seeing as I am only fishing local lakes and rivers were most trout are between 8 and 14 inches. I have used a friends 3wt for a day and it was so much fun when hooking into a smaller fish! I am just worried that a 3 will be too small for some of the larger trout I run into... Would it be better to error on the side of safe and go with a 4wt? 

I had the same dilemma last year (see my previous thread). I took advise from the forum guys and went with a 9ft 4weight. It's more versatile and is still great fun for small stocked rainbows. It will be a great tool for fishing dry flies on any trout stream in BC. I bought a redington classic trout 9 ft 4 weight and I love it! Plus at wholesale sports in Langley they are on sale for $125. Paired up with a nice redington rise click and pawl reel it makes for a beautiful little trout outfit.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: Todd Oishi on February 06, 2013, 02:43:39 PM
I'd recommend that you go with the 3-weight for river and stream fishing for trout. I personally prefer a 2-weight, as it allows me to toss very lightly weighted nymphs on longer leaders, and makes a superb dry fly rod. My 2-weight can easily handle trout up to 18 inches without having to play them for a prolonged period of time, and makes the typical trout (8 to 12 inches) feel like a fish twice its size.

You have to read between the lines when reading the American and U.K. magazines and books, regarding fly rod selection and recommendations, as they're writing about angling in parts of the world where they're legally allowed to fish multiple flies, with Hopper-dropper setups and multiple nymphs and streamers - whereas a lighter fly rod, in the 2- or 3-weight range, is much better suited for our province's "single fly only" angling regulation.

Anyways, that's my 2 cents on this subject...
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: Todd Oishi on February 06, 2013, 02:53:05 PM
Yep if u want to break the bank u van get a dage esn 10ft 2 weight witch i use when i compotion fish on atreems i got it at an action for 200 they are normaly 800

That's a great deal Max! Can't wait to see your new rod at the next competition. You're going to absolutely love it!

Cheers,
Todd
Title: Re: Trying decide between 3 and 4wt
Post by: Chehalis_Steel on February 09, 2013, 03:57:21 PM
For me the 3 wt kind of falls into the same category as a 7 wt. Nice to have but not that useful because it's too heavy on the one side and too light on the other in terms of target species. The 3 would be a bit light for big trout and char and too heavy for small trout in really small creeks. You can still use the 4 for bigger trout and get away with it, if you're experienced at fighting fish.