1st Fly Rod 4wt Or 5wt

[wgm]

I am about to buy my 1st fly rod, I have a pending offer on a new G-Loomis Xperience 9ft, 4-wt, model FR1084-4 (rod taper fast/action med-stiff)

My questions is am I going wrong with selecting a 4-wt rather than a 5-wt for my 1st fly rod?

I will only be using this rod to trout fish with, primarily on the Little Red & occasionally on the White.

I have a chance to order this rod new with a new Hobbs Creek Large Arbor reel model HC1R, loaded with Sientific Anglers WF4 floating fly line & backing for a total price of $325.

Your thoughs on this deal? I also have the option of selecting a G-Loomis Venture Model 3 reel for an additionl $60, would this be worth the aditional dollars for someone new to the sport?

and one last question... in your opinion would I be smart to select a better fly line, like maybe Rio to starting out with or should the Sientific Anglers line be good enough to learn with?

[Danoinark]

My first question would be to ask if you have cast the rod? Sometimes a fast action rod takes a little more skill as opposed to a more medium action rod that might be more forgivingfor new fly casters. I think it would be to your advantage to try and cast a few different models and actions to see what might fit your style the best. There are hundreds of models to choose from and a competent fly shop employee can help fit the rod to You. As to the reel, I am sure the Hobbs Creek is an adequate starter reel. And in my opinion I certainly like the Rio lines. There are other lines just as good. I would spend more on the line and less on the reel comparatively. A 5wt rod gives you a little more versatility especially on windy days.

Dano

[Brian Wise]

wgm,

Good rod choice. A whole lot of people use 4wt's on the tailwaters, they are great for protecting light tippets which are used a TON on the tailwaters.

The reel, I would honestly rather have the Hobbs Creek than the Venture.

Rio and Scientific Anglers are right beside each other on quality. Both of them have "affordable" lines and you really can't go wrong with either. Having said that though, SA has a beginners line called "Headstart" that is cheaper and can help you 'feel' a little more of the cast....but you will feel PLENTY with that Loomis.

Brian

[Greg]

I think you are making some real solid equipment choices. G Loomis makes a great rod. Both of the reels you mentioned are good. One small point is that while the Hobbs creek is a good reel - it is cast metal and if you drop it on something hard (like a rock or a concrete parking lot) it will probably bend and may be ruined. I think the venture reel is machined and is probably somewhat tougher. I think SA makes great lines. At least as good as Rio.

One other thing - and this is for you to decide. A 4 wt outfit is a decent choice and even the best choice in a lot of circumstances. But in my opinion it is not quite as versatile as a 5 wt. A 5 wt will throw line better on very windy days and will also handle bigger streamers and indicator/splitshot/nymph rigs better. A 4 wt can do those things as well but not as easily. I think a 5 wt is the best all around outfit for tailwater trout fishing. Just my opinions. Others may have different ideas.

Good luck,

Greg

[Terry Beeson]

I really want to emphasize and echo Dano's comment about casting the rod you're looking at. Most beginning casters will do well to choose a medium action rod over a fast action. The rod you're talking about is a really good one for sure. But with ANY rod choice, I've learned (the hard way) that you need to cast a rod before buying it. If your casting style fits this rod, I'd go for it. But for sure, I would cast a medium action rod and this rod before making the final decision.

Greg is right about the Hobbs Creek reel, too. It's a good reel (I have one) but if you drop it, you can bend and even break it pretty easily. I had to buy a spare spool for mine when I dropped it and broke (thank goodness) just the spool.

As for the choice of a 4wt over a 5wt... well... whichever you buy, you'll soon find yourself looking at the other for your next puchase... While 5wt rods are probably in the vast majority on the tailwaters around here, there are plenty of 4wt rods being waved around as well. Along with 3wt, 6 wt, 7wt, 8wt... So, all in all, a 4wt is not a BAD choice at all...

[wgm]

My first question would be to ask if you have cast the rod?

Nope... never casted a fly rod in my life... don't even know how... yet

Here was my thinking... knowing you can spend from $50 to $1000 on a rod ... or more... I just wanted to invest in a reasonably priced ( I know this is a relative term) quality setup to start with, that I could e-bay for a $100 loss, once I learn more & if I want to trade up in to something else or just keep it was a backup.

I have two vacations already booked & paid for coming up into the next two months & am hoping to start the process of learning to fly fish. The first is a cabin for 8 days on the little red river for the last week of May (I know the river might make it to where I can't fly fish...at all, but I booked this vacation months ago).

I am hoping to hire a guide for 2 or 3 days to take me out and teach me to fly fishing & I am wanted to get a rod & reel & start learning the basics before I hit the river in a boat with a guide. I have a great opportunity to receive some personal instructional lessons from a local guy that helped me pick out this rod & reel combination that use to work for Orvis & gave lesson for them for several years... I am really looking forward to this & getting a great fundamental base for learning the art of casting from day one!

The second trip I have already booked & paid for is to Palm Beach Florida for 14 days in June & I have always spent a lot of time in south Florida hiring charter guides to take me deep sea fishing & diving, but this year I am going to hire some guides to take me fly fishing, both salt water & inshore flats & the back country everglades... if I wash out on being able to fish the Little Red the last week of May, the Florida trip will be my 1st ever fly fishing.

I also plan to go this Saturday to a basic Fly Fishing 101 seminar beinh held by AFF (Arkansas Fly Fishers)

I have been fishing all my life but never learned to fly fish. So any help will be very welcome.

thanks

glenn

[Terry Beeson]

Boy did you ever put a couple of new twists into this conversation...

First... If you have never cast a fly rod before, then I would advise very much getting that first fly casting lesson before investing in a rod. With that said, I would recommend you definately lean toward a medium action rod for your first one. A medium-fast may be just a bit too much depending on your natural ability. A medium will allow you to make the common beginner's mistakes while still giving you a decent result. Once you learn that art of fly casting and can control the path and speed more, then a faster action rod will be more beneficial. With that said, again, go get the lesson, then cast a few rods. This will help you more than anything in choosing the right one for you. For your style, a med-fast rod might be OK.

With what you said, I'm assuming you're in the Little Rock area, so go to Ozark Anglers out on Chenal and have them put a couple of beginner type rods in your hands. I'm sure they will give you a couple of beginner pointers. The AFF event you're talking about will present you with a couple of really good casting instructors who will help you a great deal.

Now, the other twist... Saltwater fly fishing. If nobody has told you yet, it is TOTALLY DIFFERENT than fishing a tailwater or lake. Depending on what you are fishing for, you may have to be a really advanced caster to even get close to a fish. You're going from a 8-9 ft 4wt or 5wt to a 8-12 wt rod. The casting stroke is somewhat different and you have to be able to get the line out there in an instant and when I say out there.... I mean OUT THERE... I know several really good stream casters who were smoked the first several times they went after something swimming in the brine. All I can say is get those lessons the PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE before going to FL. Then don't be disappointed if you need to switch to casting or spinning gear to get something on the line. Just be sure your guide knows your casting abilities before you get there. This might clue him in on what species and where to take you.

I should add... To prepare for your FL saltwater fishing, get yourself a tape of a man with a very excited tone of voice saying over and over again:

"TWO O'CLOCK!!... SEVENTY TWO FEET!!.... CAST RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS NOSE!!.... NO!!... IN FRONT OF HIM!!... YOU'RE TOO MUCH OUT!!.... AGAIN AND TO THE LEFT!!... THERE... NOW STRIP.... STRIP!.... STRIP, STRIP, STRIP!!!!!..... STRIPSTRIPSTRIPSTRIP!!!!!!!! SET!!!!!! AWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! too bad... shoulda had 'im.... OK.... NINE O'CLOCK!!!! FAST!!! CAST!!!! NOW!!!! NO.... TO THE LEFT!!!! STRIP!!!!!! STRIP!!!!!! SET!!!!! AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[soggyfeet]

Being a beginer myself (only two yrs anyway) I agree with the others. I started with a 7wt and had a hard time learning how to cast but Im glad I did cause when I bought my 5wt the casting was alot easier. I think my first set up was for less than 100 bucks from Cabelas and now since it was a 7wt I use it for night fishing(those fish hit a little harder ) But I notice you said you were planning on selling it on ebay. If your like me after you start fly fishing you wont want to sell it you will just want to by more and have a different rig for each fishing hole or condition. (big fish, pan fish, trout, salt water, yard caster and the list goes on and on)

[Yakfly]

"My questions is am I going wrong with selecting a 4-wt rather than a 5-wt for my 1st fly rod?

I will only be using this rod to trout fish with, primarily on the Little Red & occasionally on the White."

Go with the 5 weight - will give you the more versatile rod. Make sure you pair it GOOD quality line - don't scrimp on the line. Good line will work well on even a cheaper ($100) rod. Lousy line on a good rod (say $200+) will cast like crap.

[3wt]

If you lived in Missouri, I would say a 4wt. Since you're in Arkansas go with the 5.

The difference is that we have more small to moderate spring fed streams here, and you all tend to have tailwaters. I usually fish a 3wt on streams and a 5wt on the odd occasion I make it to Taneycomo. I'm glad I have my old 5wt for those occasions. It is a Sage discovery series (old first rod from around '95). My point here is that if you're as serious as you sound, get a rod that is possibly a little less expensive, but will last you several years through your learning. You WILL eventually get the itch for a new rod, probably a more delicate feel and faster action, then you could get your 4wt, (probably ise your same reel with a different spool and line). Here's what I would do:

First setup - TFO series one 5wt 8'6" w/cabelas LSR reel and Scientific anglers line (check their site, they'll combo anything, and you'll save on line cost)

Second rod - a faster action 4wt, use the same reel, buy a new spool and line.

The TFO is a forgiving, medium action rod, that casts like it costs more than it does. You can pick them up for <$100, one of the few rods in that range that are worth ANYTHING.

All that being said, you can't really go wrong with Loomis. You're a serious fisherman, and you'll catch on quick enough that the fast rod won't be too tough to deal with.