Good rod specs for small streams, native brookies

[SleepySheep]

Good morning Pennsylvania!

My friend is going to be building me a custom fly rod, and I'm trying to figure out what specs I should go with. I'm looking for the right rod for hunting native brookies in fairly small streams with tight pocket water. Some example streams are the upper reaches of Bowman's creek near Ricketts Glen, Double Run by World's End, Rock Run near Old Loggers Path, and Hickory Run in the park of the same name.

Last time I tried to fly fish one of these places, I was using the 2wt version of this rod: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H70O632?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_22&th=1

However, I found the action to be a bit soft for actually getting a hookset on these little guys, and hooked up with about a dozen brookies, landing only one because I launched him onto the shore by accident. It was quite a frustrating day, and I've only fished for brookies on my UL spinning setup since.

In my mind, I'm thinking a 7ft 3wt with a fast action might be the right tool, but I'd love to hear opinions from veterans before I pull the trigger on this build. Thanks!

 

[Paul6.5]

I use my 90s Sage LL 7'9" 3wt. I feel the little extra length is worth it when I encounter slightly larger pools, but it's not too long where I am getting tangled up with the shrubbery. but this is personal preference, I am not a fan of faster rods for this type of fishing but I know plenty of people who are.

 

[SleepySheep]

I use my 90s Sage LL 7'9" 3wt. I feel the little extra length is worth it when I encounter slightly larger pools, but it's not too long where I am getting tangled up with the shrubbery. but this is personal preference, I am not a fan of faster rods for this type of fishing but I know plenty of people who are.

Can I ask why you prefer a slower action rod here? Can you even feel a 2-3" brookie strike on that kind of set up? My last experience made me feel like I need as much sensitivity as possible.

 

[troutbert]

7 1/2 ft 4 wt medium fast graphite rod is very versatile for small streams.

 

[nd1001]

I like a 7.5ft-8ft rod in a 4wt. I don’t think super short rods are the best tool for these mountain streams, because having a bit of extra reach is helpful for keeping as much fly line off the water as possible in order to prolong the natural drift. It can also be hard to cast a decent distance with a big bushy fly or a dropper nymph when fishing a light weight rod.

I’ve done most of my brookie fishing recently with an Orvis Superfine Graphite 7’11” 4wt and I love it. That said, I have snapped the tip once (though it was totally my fault).

If commissioning a build that will have sentimental value and would be difficult to repair/replace, I would go for a fast action glass to offer more durability than ultra fine graphite.

 

[Bamboozle]

You are going to get LOTS of opinions...

I have no experience with any of the streams you mentioned EXCEPT Hickory Run but you know the others...

IMHO, Hickory Run rod preferences can be something much longer BELOW the mouth of Sand Spring Run where it is much more open versus above, but...

The first thing I'll ask you is, does "I was using the 2wt version" of the Amazon Maxcatch rod mean a 6'0" rod or a 6'6" rod?​

​

The second question is, Did the rod feel too long or too short any place you fished?​

In regards to length, I always like the longest rod I can get away with unless I just have a hankering to fish something shorter. At Hickory Run, my favorite rod is a 6'6" 3wt HOWEVER, I have fished an 11' and a 9' Tenkara rod there.

I also absolutely guarantee you that the 6'6" 3wt Winston Retro glass rod I have fished most often on the upper end of Hickory Run and a ton of other small streams is WAY, WAY slower than your rod...

And I have ZERO issues with hookset...

My suggestion to you is to keep at it with the Maxcatch rod a while longer before pulling the trigger on something new because the rod action is NOT the problem....

Good luck!!

 

[TheDuke44]

I always like the longest rod I can get away with

This has always been my approach. Unless you're fishing in thick rhododendron patches, more rod length only makes casting, mending, etc. easier.