Fly Rod Question

[Chief Grey Bear]

There are many fly rod options that one can choose from. Many more than I ever care to delve into deeply.

But one question I do have is, when it comes to "pieces", how many do you prefer?

We talk at great length about the length and weight of a rod. We have brand names that we are partial to. I see great conversations about every thing but...how many pieces.

Myself, I am a 2-piece man.

[ness]

I can tell you what I own - all 2-pieces. I've built a couple of them and didn't want to do 3 or 4 pieces. The others are 2-piece for whatever reason. If I was going to buy a rod today (and I'm not) I'd be hard-pressed to find a reason to go with a 4-piece pack rod. I just don't hike long distances that often. But once every coupla years when I do, I wish I had one.

So, to summarize - hell, I don't know.

[trout fanatic]

I have several models of both and I like each and every one of them. I can't really tell the difference in feel and sensability in modern rods (but can in most of my older ones). The 4 piecers really shine come vacation time. Nothing like throwing your 10 footers in the back seat of the car and taking off. I can't help but feel however, that a 4 piece is more susceptible to breakage than a 2 piece simply because it has more ferrules and I have seen more rods break at the ferrules than any other place (except for hotel room ceiling fans)-I have nothing scientific to back my opinion-just my opinion.

[Danoinark]

I have several models of both and I like each and every one of them. I can't really tell the difference in feel and sensability in modern rods (but can in most of my older ones). The 4 piecers really shine come vacation time. Nothing like throwing your 10 footers in the back seat of the car and taking off. I can't help but feel however, that a 4 piece is more susceptible to breakage than a 2 piece simply because it has more ferrules and I have seen more rods break at the ferrules than any other place (except for hotel room ceiling fans)-I have nothing scientific to back my opinion-just my opinion.

I'm with you trout fan..

Most of the breaks I have seen are at ferrules and of course at tips. A two piece rod just

"feels" more sturdy to me.

Dano

[Greg]

I think the 4 piecer's have far overtaken the 2 piece in popularity BUT I still have a strong preference for a 2 piece. They just feel better to me, are slighter quicker to put together, and are less likely to break (IMO). But I do have a couple of nice 4 piece rods that I use at times. One is a backup that's behind my truck seat all the time. I also take it or the other when I fly (not often).

Greg

[vanven]

I have never fished a fly rod with less than 4 pieces. It is basically a requirement for me. It is a long drive to trout water and pack-ability is very important. A rod case for a 2 piece would be at least 4'6" long and would have to ride in the bed of my truck due to the size. I don't think my wife would let me move the car seat to the trunk instead.... I have read quite a few articles that state there is no difference in feel and durability when comparing rods of 2, 4, or 5 pieces in modern graphite rods.

-Jerod

[ness]

One of my car buying requirements is that a 9-foot fly rod must fit inside, assembled.

But - a 2-piece won't fit in a pickup cab?

[JONBOY]

I like the 4 piece for the reason the it packs smaller for travling... but the 2 piece is faster at putting together. I would prefer the 4 but 2 is what i can afford.

[Rolan Duffield]

If you need a rod for traveling you don't have many options. However, if you're wanting a good sensitive rod then go with one that doesn't have any joints. I know that's not practible with a long fly rod though the more joints you add will negatively affect performance. A two piece fly rod would be my preference anytime.

Anytime you add a joint you will sacrifice some rod action and rod sensitivity. Any joint will take away from the optimun performance.

Look back on some of Phil's and Bill Bablers reports using spinning rods. they always prefer a one piece rod as it's easier to feel the strikes. Perhaps you think it doesn't make a difference for daytime fishing, however, I'll bet it makes a lot of difference with the rod for feeling strikes in nightime fly fishing.

Rolan