Is Longer Better? Some Experts Discuss

[Danoinark]

http://www.midcurrent.com/flyfishing/trout_rod_length.aspx

[FishinCricket]

"you're mothers been telling stories about me again, boy?"

[Buzz]

My last rod was 8'6" and my current rod is 9'. I haven't really noticed any difference between the two. Rollcasts are a must on the creeks I fish and 6" doesn't seem to make any difference. I think the right fly line is the key.

[Geoff]

I think the right fly line is the key.

This! I agree with you 100% there. My rods go from 7' to 9', and there isnt much difference in general, similar distance casting between the two. I'm actually thinking of picking up a SUPER short 3wt ( 5'-6") for backpacking into the mountains for those little streams.

[Gavin]

Just depends on what you want to do...I've got an assortment of rods. Most are 9' rods...but my light line shorties are fun for dry fly work and light duty wet & nymph fishing.... the 9.5 & 10' rods are great for indicator nymph fishing & roll casting.....Havent ventured into the Spey realm yet, but I may someday. Cheers.

[stlfisher]

I like my rods to be 9ft for most of my fishing. I think it is easier to mend your line with a longer rod as well. I fish a lot lakes from the bank and have considered a 10 footer for those times. I did notice, when lake fishing, a big difference between my 8 1/2 foot 6 weight and my 9ft 5 weight. The extra few inches allowed me to cast over obstructions behind me much easier than a shorter rod. Probably doesn't make much difference when fishing most streams in MO. I am looking to buy a short 4 weight for dry fly fishing in tight conditions. I find it hard to make a short cast with a long rod.

[Rolan Duffield]

I'm adding a monkey wrench to this conversation. My favorite fly rod for most situations is an 8.5 foot medium action rod for most Trout fishing in Taneycomo. However, I believe the primary need is to know the type of rod action or simply how stiff is the tip action. Are you using a fast tip where there is very little bend to the rod. Is it a medium action rod where the upper 1/3 of the rod bends or is it a soft tip where the rod bends about 1/2 the length of the rod.

With a fast tip action of 6 weight or heavier fly rod the rod should handle large flies easily though would likely cause you to break off easily if using light tippets because of the stiffness. Some of this could be overcome by using a heavier fly line though that might make casting more difficult.

A medium action rod in a 5 or 6 weight rod is a good all round choice because the slightly slower tip takes up most of the shock of setting the hook. This type rod is well suited to somewhat larger flies as well as with the light leaders and the small midges and scuds used in Taney. Phil always teases me when i'm complaining about breaking off 7x tippet to say "you haven't see Rolan set a hook". Referring that I'm not normally gentle with that.

The soft tip rods are good for very small flies and leaders though I believe this type rod is too slow for good trout fishing where a fast response in setting the hook is necessary most of the time.

Rod length is primarily a choice for how far you think you need to cast and how big the flies are. For most applications in Taney wou shouldn't need to cast more than 25 to 40 feet. It's harder to set a hook effictively when making long casts.

Make certain you consider tip action when selecting your fly rod.

[laker67]

Take 2 rods the same weight, same tip action, but different lengths. The shorter rod will always have the quicker and most consistant hookup. I prefer an 8 foot rod, with a fast tip, for all of missouri's trout water. I can only base this theory on experience and not scientific knowledge.

[flytyer57]

NO! NO!

No more scientific knowledge!

Please!!

Didn't we get enough of that in the conservation threads?