[NymphoStage]

I am starting the research on a new fly rod. I am new to fly fishing and right now have an Orvis Clearwater 8'6" 5wt with a Ross flystart reel. I am thinking about a shorter 3wt to hit the smaller streams close to home like Bear Creek, waterton, and Boulder creek. Anyone have any suggestions or input?

Any advice on where to start when buying a new rod is welcome. I am thinking this rod will get the most use as I start taking half days to hit up some of the creeks I have already listed. I am really thinking of dumping my money into the rod and using my current reel with it although I will be wanting a nice reel down the road as well.

So, I think I like that weight but what about length? 7' seems a little short, 8'6" seems a little long. Do they make them in like an 8' or 7'6"?

Give me input guys.

 

[fishslap]

What about this:

http://www.wright-mcgill.com/fly-fishing/boron-5xe-fly-rods

I have the 3wt paired with a reddington drift:

http://www.redington.com/fly-fishing-reels/drift/

It was my first set up and I've caught a TON of different species of fish on it in the past few years. I'm not much of a trout guy though. I like the set up but might not be experienced enough to comment on specifics.

 

[pistoldog]

Here's my humble opinion. I don't fish Boulder, but I can speak for Bear and Clear and am familar with Waterton and none call for a short rod, so a 8 or 8.5 would be fine in my opinion.

If you plan on fish overgrown brushy streams in the mountain, I know a few in South Park and short 7ft rod would be an advantage in the brush.

As far as rods, you'll get 100 different opinions. I like those Clearwaters like you have, good value. Some guys are TFO guys, me I'm a Scott and Sage guy.

For those waters you mention, fyi, I plan on getting a Sage 3 Weight at 8.5.

Good luck on your quest, soon you'll have 6 different rods for different applications lol...

 

[NymphoStage]

What about this:

http://www.wright-mcgill.com/fly-fishing/boron-5xe-fly-rods

I have the 3wt paired with a reddington drift:

http://www.redington.com/fly-fishing-reels/drift/

It was my first set up and I've caught a TON of different species of fish on it in the past few years. I'm not much of a trout guy though. I like the set up but might not be experienced enough to comment on specifics.

At this time I see no reason to go outside of Ross for the reel. I love the one I have and they are a Colorado company. I love to support local. While I love to support local I was thinking more along the lines of Sage, TFO, G. Loomis, etc...

 

[NymphoStage]

Here's my humble opinion. I don't fish Boulder, but I can speak for Bear and Clear and am familar with Waterton and none call for a short rod, so a 8 or 8.5 would be fine in my opinion.

If you plan on fish overgrown brushy streams in the mountain, I know a few in South Park and short 7ft rod would be an advantage in the brush.

As far as rods, you'll get 100 different opinions. I like those Clearwaters like you have, good value. Some guys are TFO guys, me I'm a Scott and Sage guy.

For those waters you mention, fyi, I plan on getting a Sage 3 Weight at 8.5.

Good luck on your quest, soon you'll have 6 different rods for different applications lol...

Ha yeah... I bought the Clearwater 865 as a good started all-around rod. I am now seeing that most of my fishing is in local smaller streams so I think a 3 wt is where I will buy my first rod for a special application. I also would like to get something nice...

 

[pistoldog]

Ha yeah... I bought the Clearwater 865 as a good started all-around rod. I am now seeing that most of my fishing is in local smaller streams so I think a 3 wt is where I will buy my first rod for a special application. I also would like to get something nice...

Since your an Orvis owner allready, Helios.. One of the guys on the forum is a Helios user, cannot recall who though.

Nice to me means Sage, Scott, Winston, G Loomis, Loop tweaks my interest too. Like I said others will have their favourites too..

I bought a Loop Opticreek on the cheap and it goes on my 4 weight Scott.

 

[im trout of here]

The place to start for me would be to check some reviews to zero in on a few rods that fit my application (I'm thinking you want this to be a dry fly rig as opposed to a nymphing rig) and also fit my budget. Then, I'd find a store that had them and I would go test cast the rods I was interested in. Then, I'd look for a good price.

Reel shouldn't be too much of a concern on a 3 weight, mostly just holding line . But, I don't know about overlining a 3 weight with a 5 weight line (if that's what you were planning on), so you would at least want to load that reel with a 3 weight line. Personally, I'd look for a battenkill, but that's just my preference.

I am a sage and TFO guy.

 

[chuckphlegm]

You definitely need a 700+ dollar rod to make 15 ft. casts on a small creek.

I wouldn't be caught dead on Boulder Creek without my Helios.


:rofl:

 

[pistoldog]

^^ ^^

Troll

 

[chuckphlegm]

^^ ^^

Troll

Yep. I troll too. I don't need a really expensive rod to do that either.

 

[CF LURKER]

If I was to buy another 3wt I would go fiberglass.
I like the slower action for the smaller streams.
I have a graphite 3wt that is a pain in the arse to cast short distance and the same for the gf's 3wt. (2 different name brands) When I go to get new line for these I will go up a wt and see if that helps.

If you do go with graphite go with a longer than 7' rod and/or make sure it is SLLOOOOOWW action.

My $0.02 worth.

Or you can wait for Pete-G to sell you one of his Bamboo rods for real cheap(I hear he does that often )

 

[CF LURKER]

Or go Tenkara!

 

[bobbin]

As mentioned, you will get about 100 different opinions on a new rod. You might consider a 9' 3 wgt Orvis Superfine fitted with a Hydros reel. I am not a fan of the Helios, as I think the rods are too stiff for average work. I bought the Superfine 9' 4 wgt, because if there is any wind, the 4 cuts through it better than the 3. It is a nice rig, although not quite as soft as I might prefer.

 

[Grease Liner]

Check your PM

Sent you a possible option NS

 

[Colcoy]

Check out Elkhorn Rods from Loveland. Brian is great and you will get a wide selection and a lot for your money. I love my 8.5 3w Traveler series.

 

[CF LURKER]

for a 3wt reel I would get one that balances the rod and I would not spend a lot of $$$ for it. As stated earlier it is a line holder.

 

[Falling apart]

small 3wt, go with as slow an action as you can. Something that likes to turn over those little bugs in tight spaces and roll casts like a dream. I like the fiberglass idea - I have a very slow graphite.

For the money, a St. Croix, or TFO, or one of the other less expensive rods makes a lot more sense for what you are going to do with it.

 

[Oyey]

TFO Lefty Kreh Finesse series... Just right for what you are looking for, and a good deal. You can get em under a hundo on ebay now and then...
http://www.tforods.com/fly-fishing/rods/finesse.html#.U7QFhJRdVik

 

[Oyey]

You definitely need a 700+ dollar rod to make 15 ft. casts on a small creek.

I wouldn't be caught dead on Boulder Creek without my Helios.


:rofl:

Get a life under a different bridge eep:

 

[im trout of here]

Second on the finesse, that's what I run for my 3 weight. 8'9"

When I got it, the shop guy told me, "this is the only rod you need for Colorado right here" I don't agree with that statement, but it is pretty versatile on smaller stuff, just don't expect it to be a great nymphing rod.