Carrying 2 rods of different weights
- Thread starter Streammagic237
- Start date
I’d rather sit home and watch the view over fishing tight streams for small fish. Okay, maybe not. I even have a 7’6” TFO Lefty Kreh 3 wt that was given to me for an act of kindness. I must have fished it once but I can’t recall. I do know I’ve never carried it along with my 5 wt.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
The only advantage to carrying two rods is to the person who finds the 2nd rod that you forgot or lost in the woods... 😉
I would NEVER carry two rods because in my entire life, I have never encountered a situation where I felt a quick change of equipment would present enough of an advantage to justify the hassle. I have on one or two occasions walked back to the car to swap rods, sometimes going from fly to spinning or vice versa, but that was more for fun than gaining an advantage.
IF we are NOT talking about carrying a traditional outfit PLUS a specific tight-lining rig:
In regards to a need for different line weights for finesse; the ONLY time I use light line rods on most streams is when I am relatively positive I won't be throwing heavy or bulky stuff for a pronged period. If I'm fishing a really small stream where a short rod is my preference, it will also be a light line rod because all of my shortest rods (5'0" - 6'6") are 3wts with one 4wt in the mix.
If I am not sure about the heavy/bulky thing and I'm not fishing small water, I grab a 5wt or 6wt rod because in my hands there is nothing I can't do with a 5wt or 6wt when it comes to 99% of trout fishing situations. That's NOT something I can say about a 3wt...
I guess I'm old school, but the thought of throwing size 20 BWO's or smaller stuff with a 5wt or 6wt outfit doesn't terrify me OR the fish. I get all the finesse, stealth and "tactical" (I hate that word applied to fishing) advantage I need by tweaking my leader & presentation.
FWIW - My go outfit on the Letort for decades was an 8'6" 6wt and I have never fished anything lighter than a 5wt on the Letort or Big Springs in my entire life. If those fish can deal with 5wts & 6wts, any fish can...
I would NEVER carry two rods because in my entire life, I have never encountered a situation where I felt a quick change of equipment would present enough of an advantage to justify the hassle. I have on one or two occasions walked back to the car to swap rods, sometimes going from fly to spinning or vice versa, but that was more for fun than gaining an advantage.
IF we are NOT talking about carrying a traditional outfit PLUS a specific tight-lining rig:
In regards to a need for different line weights for finesse; the ONLY time I use light line rods on most streams is when I am relatively positive I won't be throwing heavy or bulky stuff for a pronged period. If I'm fishing a really small stream where a short rod is my preference, it will also be a light line rod because all of my shortest rods (5'0" - 6'6") are 3wts with one 4wt in the mix.
If I am not sure about the heavy/bulky thing and I'm not fishing small water, I grab a 5wt or 6wt rod because in my hands there is nothing I can't do with a 5wt or 6wt when it comes to 99% of trout fishing situations. That's NOT something I can say about a 3wt...
I guess I'm old school, but the thought of throwing size 20 BWO's or smaller stuff with a 5wt or 6wt outfit doesn't terrify me OR the fish. I get all the finesse, stealth and "tactical" (I hate that word applied to fishing) advantage I need by tweaking my leader & presentation.
FWIW - My go outfit on the Letort for decades was an 8'6" 6wt and I have never fished anything lighter than a 5wt on the Letort or Big Springs in my entire life. If those fish can deal with 5wts & 6wts, any fish can...
Last edited:
Streammagic237
Well-known member
Bam , Having the day off today I hoped around some of delco's most cultured areas
( knowing rain Was coming) this morning and I carried two rods , mostly just to test the three weight I just got . Guess what ? The earth didn't stop spinning and I didn't forget it 🙃
Attachments
Bamboozle
Well-known member
One thing I'm sure you already know and hope you don't experience:
In Delco, IF you take your eyes off a 2nd rod...
Only the speed of light can rival the speed at which your rod will vanish. 🙂
Glad you had a good day!!
Last edited:
ntallen
Member
I’ve done this many a time and have not yet learned that it’s almost always inconvenient and unnecessary. The benefit: I am so practiced that I can manage two rods through thick rhododendron and brush without much issue. Gentle grip, usually facing behind.
How I manage with 2 on me on the water:
Opros rod holder (new ones lock in position) with a rod in it. When I catch a fish I toss the active rod across my chest pack and handle the fish. Ultimately, I could get by with a single rod. No matter, I do enjoy a simple swap instead of a re-rig.
Yk what drives me nuts? When either rod gets looped against the other, seemingly impossibly. Usually happens when strung up and holding two rods in one hand. Just leave extras in the car, return if needed.
How I manage with 2 on me on the water:
Opros rod holder (new ones lock in position) with a rod in it. When I catch a fish I toss the active rod across my chest pack and handle the fish. Ultimately, I could get by with a single rod. No matter, I do enjoy a simple swap instead of a re-rig.
Yk what drives me nuts? When either rod gets looped against the other, seemingly impossibly. Usually happens when strung up and holding two rods in one hand. Just leave extras in the car, return if needed.
wildtrout2
Well-known member
This. ^
Broodstock
Well-known member
I have at times taken two rods out, when the conditions and the river allow. I have a belt mounted rod holder to hold the second rod which works well enough. It is a major pain. When the fishing allows for working a run for a while, I will toss the rod on the bank and then grab it to move up to the next spot. When I am working water continuously, it stays on the hip. In rare times, when fighting a big fish - I move to the bank and toss the extra rod since having that is a major liability.
Usually the two rods are a long, dedicated nymph rod (10'7" 3wt) and a shorter dry fly or streamer rod (8'8" 4wt or 9' 5wt)
I have done less and less of this, and will mostly now just take the 10'4wt or even the 9' 6wt and use it for all tactics. It is not ideal for light nymphing, but you fish the water you have, with the gear you have, and make the most of it.
Usually the two rods are a long, dedicated nymph rod (10'7" 3wt) and a shorter dry fly or streamer rod (8'8" 4wt or 9' 5wt)
I have done less and less of this, and will mostly now just take the 10'4wt or even the 9' 6wt and use it for all tactics. It is not ideal for light nymphing, but you fish the water you have, with the gear you have, and make the most of it.
Nymph-wristed
Well-known member
Not for nothing, but it seems like one spinning rod and one fly rod is a thing on the Pine Crick. I saw multiple, presumably unrelated jamokes rocking that look this spring. Maybe it was Dusty 😉
Honestly, that has crossed my mind when I used to prospect for hidden gems a lot more. A spinning rod is a far better tool for surveying cricks, but it has its limitations too....
Honestly, that has crossed my mind when I used to prospect for hidden gems a lot more. A spinning rod is a far better tool for surveying cricks, but it has its limitations too....
So true. You can more readily and more quickly on average hit difficult habitats and then move on.
- Joined
- May 3, 2011
- Messages
- 7,470
The main advantage of spin gear vs fly gear (for wild Trout fishing in this context), is that you can fish spin gear much faster. And thus cover more water, which, especially on small wild Trout streams, generally leads to more fish being caught. Or at least having more opportunities to catch fish.
I forgot I do carry two rods in one instance…backpacking trips. But, the second rod is an UL spin rod. And only one of them is ever rigged and being fished at a time. The other is in its tube if the fly rod, or broken in half and strapped to the pack if the spin rod.
I forgot I do carry two rods in one instance…backpacking trips. But, the second rod is an UL spin rod. And only one of them is ever rigged and being fished at a time. The other is in its tube if the fly rod, or broken in half and strapped to the pack if the spin rod.
gfenlikestolosepasswords
Well-known member
I just think there's a weird tendency for people in this hobby to carry way too much crap now.
Before I fished, the trout fly fishermen were I watched on stream in a vest with a couple lumpy pockets. After I started, I learned about the people who wore the Richardson boxes and had way too much stuff but were also just super into the whole nuances of it. I remember hauling a big tacklebox of crap I never used to go fishing as a kid and I liked the streamlined approach.
But as time went on the packs got bigger and bigger. Bulging lumbar packs. Backpacks that were more than a drink and a jacket. Backpacks and lumbar bags and chest straps. Just walking clanking arsenals of stuff everywhere.
I feel like two rods is the natural step forward to losing sight of being streamlined and agile. At this point, you've all but strapped the Plano box to your back so why not carry multiple rods? Especialyl so since you've decided you need a "2wt" 12' euronymph rod with a 21' mono leader, a 6wt to throw giant streamers with juvenile names, and then a special "dry fly rod" when, when I started, everyone owned an 8'6" 5wt and folks thought my purchase of an 8' 4wt was "light weight."
One of the most fun summers I had fishing is when i ditched everything for a little lanyard and about a dozen flies in a tiny little 2x3" box. Made me concentrate on doing the actual fishing and not "what do I want to do here?" when your only choice was a size 14 adams or a size 14 royal wulff.
Before I fished, the trout fly fishermen were I watched on stream in a vest with a couple lumpy pockets. After I started, I learned about the people who wore the Richardson boxes and had way too much stuff but were also just super into the whole nuances of it. I remember hauling a big tacklebox of crap I never used to go fishing as a kid and I liked the streamlined approach.
But as time went on the packs got bigger and bigger. Bulging lumbar packs. Backpacks that were more than a drink and a jacket. Backpacks and lumbar bags and chest straps. Just walking clanking arsenals of stuff everywhere.
I feel like two rods is the natural step forward to losing sight of being streamlined and agile. At this point, you've all but strapped the Plano box to your back so why not carry multiple rods? Especialyl so since you've decided you need a "2wt" 12' euronymph rod with a 21' mono leader, a 6wt to throw giant streamers with juvenile names, and then a special "dry fly rod" when, when I started, everyone owned an 8'6" 5wt and folks thought my purchase of an 8' 4wt was "light weight."
One of the most fun summers I had fishing is when i ditched everything for a little lanyard and about a dozen flies in a tiny little 2x3" box. Made me concentrate on doing the actual fishing and not "what do I want to do here?" when your only choice was a size 14 adams or a size 14 royal wulff.
Tigereye
Well-known member
Excellent. End of discussion. Nailed it.
SBecker
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2010
- Messages
- 5,883
I carry
::: Old Man Screams At Clouds And Waves Fist In The Sky:::
6xAdams(Jones)
Well-known member
Streammagic237
Well-known member
Soooo you took 2 different flies .... not one but 2, kinda sad to hear you are losing your minimalist ways 😛 . But in all seriousness I see your point ... and I imagine my thread has kept you from yelling at kids on your lawn for a few minutes . So alls well
SBecker
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2010
- Messages
- 5,883
But, they are his own kids he is yelling at.
So what’s the verdict? Will you routinely carry two rods? Will you leave the second in the car? Or will you nix the idea and just head out with one or the other? How are strappy sandals for wading?
