Don't shoot me....

[tangledup]

WARNING: This is going to be a "what rod should I buy post" so if you hate newbie questions  like that, the door is over there.

I was poking around the Bass Pro Outlet yesterday (that place is going to be the cause of my divorce) and they had several TFO fly rods marked down. I wasn't super familiar with the brand so I came home and did a little research. After reading reviews on Bass Pro, Amazon, and this site I decided $100 seemed like a pretty decent deal.

Here is my question:

I currently use a Cabela's RLS rod/reel in a 9' 5wt. It has worked well for me in everything from small spring creeks, stocked trout parks, the James River, and pond fishing. The majority of my fishing is chasing rainbows on small creeks and streams and some trips to the trout parks a few times a year. I would be interested in hearing your opinions on whether I should get a better quality rod similar to the setup I'm using or expand my arsenal so to speak and purchase a lighter 3 or 4wt rod since I spend a decent amount of time on small streams chasing trout.

[fishinwrench]

For the streams you are fishing I would go 8'6" fast 4wt.  and either overline it, or go with a 4wt. SA/GPS or Rio Grand line. 

 

[fshndoug]

Spot on Wrench,you are always full of good advice.

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

For the streams you are fishing I would go 8'6" fast 4wt.  and either overline it, or go with a 4wt. SA/GPS or Rio Grand line. 

 

Don’t think they make gps or gpx anymore.  MPX is the new line in that lineup and it’s already over weighted.  You might not wanna hear this but I wouldn’t buy any flyrod without cashing it first.  IMHO.  

[tangledup]

44 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Don’t think they make gps or gpx anymore.  MPX is the new line in that lineup and it’s already over weighted.  You might not wanna hear this but I wouldn’t buy any flyrod without cashing it first.  IMHO.  

I’m always willing take to a rod for a test run Lol. Just don’t know anyone who has one. And honestly I’m novice enough that I probably wouldn’t know a good casting rod from a bad. I have days that I go out and make great presentations and think I’m getting the hang of it, then I’ll go right back the next day and my line always ends up in a tree or piled in a mess at my feet. I’m not sure how effective I would be at testing a rod.

[tjm]

2 hours ago, tangledup said:

I probably wouldn’t know a good casting rod from a bad.

 

6 hours ago, tangledup said:

currently use a Cabela's RLS rod/reel in a 9' 5wt. It has worked well for me in everything from small spring creeks, stocked trout parks, the James River, and pond fishing.

If you don't fix what ain't broke, you don't need a new rod at this time.

Wrench's advice is pretty good though if you insist on buying another before you learn how to tell what works best for you, I almost always over line graphite rods (because I believe they are usually rated wrong)  and the lines he mentioned are both over-weight lines. Where I'd differ with him is in choosing a moderate action in 5wt, but that gets into individual styles and taste. Two things which you apparently have not yet developed. I'd also probably look for shorter rods, since I like them better.

I'd encourage you to get some personal casting instruction and not from YouTube, although there are some great You Tube videos, there are just as many crappy ones, imo, and, regardless of quality,  none of the video instructors can see what you are doing right or wrong. I learned from books about 45 years ago and have thought many times how cheap instruction is compared to time lost in self instruction. There was not any available to me back then so books were my best/only choice.  I fish RRSP fairly often and my guess is that not more than 10% of the fly rod users are competent casters. If most could see them selves cast they would seek instruction, which brings me to another option to determine why you 

2 hours ago, tangledup said:

always ends up in a tree or piled in a mess at my feet.

that is have someone video you while you cast or set up a tripod and self video, you might see for your self why this happens.

One thing I know after owning over fifty rods through the years is that a new fly rod won't make me a better caster. A better fly line might though and given your present rig, I personally would try an AirCel (or equivalent/better) WF6F on the 5wt RLS. Or even a WF7F.

[tangledup]

Well I went back to Bass Pro, but I didn’t buy the fly rod like you guys suggested. So I bought a new gun instead lol.

[snagged in outlet 3]

36 minutes ago, tangledup said:

Well I went back to Bass Pro, but I didn’t buy the fly rod like you guys suggested. So I bought a new gun instead lol.

Whadja get?👍

[tangledup]

1 hour ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Whadja get?👍

A Sig 365. I’ve been wanting one for a while to replace my Glock 42 as my daily carry. It was actually my wife who made me buy it. She knew I had been looking at them so while I was looking at fishing stuff she snuck off and had the gun desk pull one out for me then told me go fill out the paperwork. 

[Gavin]

Just go to Hargrove’s and buy the one you like the best. They will give you several good choices, and a casting lesson in  the process, if you are willing to listen.