Help choosing a do it all fly rod

[BrookieChaser]

Warranty is definitely a concern. I do want to protect my investment and keep the rod as long as I can.

I'd recommend you stay away from Far Bank (Sage).

The Far Bank warranty policy has changed and they didn't stand by the previous Sage warranty.

 

[flyguy93]

I'd recommend you stay away from Far Bank (Sage).

The Far Bank warranty policy has changed and they didn't stand by the previous Sage warranty.

I actually just purchased the sage sonic. I have read into sages warranty and peoples grievances. Seems like people recently have been getting better turn around time on repairs as opposed to during the pandemic. The repair fees increasing with the discontinued models is a bummer I will say. I've read mixed opinions on sage and their customer service. I actually spoke to someone at the sage repair department regarding warranty questions, and he was pretty helpful answering some of my concerns. The sage just seemed like the option to best fit what I'm looking for in my budget.

 

[flyguy93]

I had second thoughts about the sage and instead ordered the Orvis Recon 2 in 8'6" 5wt for a little more than $400 new. I'm sure this rod will fit the bill and for a great price. Thank you everyone for the advice.

 

[dudemanspecial]

I had second thoughts about the sage and instead ordered the Orvis Recon 2 in 8'6" 5wt for a little more than $400 new. I'm sure this rod will fit the bill and for a great price. Thank you everyone for the advice.

Wow where did you get that deal?

 

[flyguy93]

Wow where did you get that deal?

East Rosebud fly & tackle has the sale.

 

[EchoRidgeElder]

8-6-5 is the Swiss army knife of fly rods for 90% of PA streams. IMHO!!!

 

[Swattie87]

Yeah. If one rod for Trout in PA only, I’d take an 8’6 5wt.

If one rod period for PA, I’d take a 9’0 6wt.

 

[flyguy93]

I had a 9'5 wt as my first rod and it was fine, just think the slightly shorter rod would be a bit more of an advantage for smaller streams if I decide to bring it. Hopefully spring brings me some luck, because I got skunked the last 4 trips. Had one little brown on the last trip and lost him.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

It doesn't matter how short or long the rod in that I'm using. The tip of the one I'm using is almost always 1" lower or higher than the vegetation in my back cast. 😕
That said, I use an 8' or 8.5' 5-wt ~80% of the time.

 

[flyguy93]

At the creek I mostly fish, I almost never back cast. Mostly roll cast, Bow and arrow and whatever you call casting left to right or vice versa. No bigger wild trout waters near Philly.

 

[troutbert]

...whatever you call casting left to right or vice versa.

Side arm casting.

On small streams I probably use a side arm cast more than any other cast.

I wonder if they teach sidearm casting in fly fishing classes.

 

[flyguy93]

Thank you for the clarification. I've only been fly fishing two years. No classes. I've picked up some things watching videos but mostly just figured it out with time on the water. I learned that side arm cast watching PA woods n water. Love that guy's videos.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

Thank you for the clarification. I've only been fly fishing two years. No classes. I've picked up some things watching videos but mostly just figured it out with time on the water. I learned that side arm cast watching PA woods n water. Love that guy's videos.

Side arm casting is also a serviceable way to cast in the direction opposite your dominant side - by loading on the casting stroke and throwing on the back cast. Works a lot better than trying to cast with my other (left) arm.

 

[flyguy93]

Side arm casting is also a serviceable way to cast in the direction opposite your dominant side - by loading on the casting stroke and throwing on the back cast. Works a lot better than trying to cast with my other (left) arm.

I had to look at both of those cast haha. Doesn't really look like either. I guess it's kind of like a lateral roll cast? Roll cast too the left or right then with the line in the water cast it the other direction. The second cast picks up more momentum.

 

[Swattie87]

Side arm casting.

On small streams I probably use a side arm cast more than any other cast.

I wonder if they teach sidearm casting in fly fishing classes.

You’re the Dennis Eckersley of FFing. 😜

 

[wildtrout2]

At the creek I mostly fish, I almost never back cast. Mostly roll cast, Bow and arrow and whatever you call casting left to right or vice versa. No bigger wild trout waters near Philly.

Agree. It's a lot of what I do most of the time.

 

[TimMurphy]

Side arm casting.

On small streams I probably use a side arm cast more than any other cast.

I wonder if they teach sidearm casting in fly fishing classes.

Dear troutbert,

It's something you learn intuitively after digging enough flies out of trees. 😉

Seriously, to quote Gunny Highway from "Heartbreak Ridge", "Improvise, adapt, overcome!"

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[troutbert]

Dear troutbert,

It's something you learn intuitively after digging enough flies out of trees. 😉

Seriously, to quote Gunny Highway from "Heartbreak Ridge", "Improvise, adapt, overcome!"

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

Yep. And for a quote you could also go with "Necessity is the mother of invention."

I'm sure that many fly fishers have invented the same casts independently trying to keep their flies out of the shrubbery.

 

[troutbert]

Roll cast too the left or right then with the line in the water cast it the other direction. The second cast picks up more momentum.

Sounds like you are doing a roll cast to get your line in position. Then doing a "water haul" on the final forward cast.

 

[troutbert]

You’re the Dennis Eckersley of FFing. 😜

I'll assume that's a good thing, since I don't know who that is.