small stream special

[Wildfisher]

The more rods I buy the more convinced I become that you are mad to spend big money on a fly rod

Generally I agree - at least that they are VASTLY overpriced. However my Sage and Scott rods are a delight to use, an absolute delight I have not found in other rods. They are still not worth the money though. Best to buy second hand and save 100s

[corsican dave]

Generally I agree - at least that they are VASTLY overpriced. However my Sage and Scott rods are a delight to use, an absolute delight I have not found in other rods. They are still not worth the money though. Best to buy second hand and save 100s

The more rods I buy the more convinced I become that you are mad to spend big money on a fly rod as, mostly, what you are paying for is magazine adverts. I've been very pleased with my Leeda Volare rods and I know you had one of the 11 foot ones Dave. Why not take a look at their 6 or 7 foot rods for a 3 weight line? You'd pay less than £50 for what would be, I'm sure, a nice usable rod. The 11 foot 4 weight you sold on was a very soft action rod but the 7 weight one I have is much faster and throws a serious line so they do a good range of actions to suit everyone.   

I kinda' agree with both of you, having championed Shakespeare often in the past. however, having been fortunate enough to acquire both sage and hardy rods at cut-price, I have to say that both have improved my enjoyment no end. my Shakespeare agility was not a patch on the hardy proaxis and corroded severely after 2 seasons swff. my sage pike 10wt weighs less than my much cherished (!) fladen vantage #6 and is, as Fred says, a delight to use.

back to the practicalities; roll casting with a soft-actioned rod: presumably just a matter of practice?

[Billy]

I have a Greys GRXi 7' 3# rod which I think is a little cracker. In fact I enjoyed it so much I bought another two Greys rods.

Perfect for small streams.

Billy

[corsican dave]

I have a Greys GRXi 7' 3# rod which I think is a little cracker. In fact I enjoyed it so much I bought another two Greys rods.

Perfect for small streams.

Billy

that was another one on my radar Billy, cheers!

[Wildfisher]

I have a  Grey's GS2 7 foot  #2 weight. Soft action and ideal for small streams where you don't cast far. I recall it was about £60

[Wildfisher]

I also have a 6 1/2 foot #3 weight cane rod. It is beautiful, but hopeless if you have to cast into a wind.

[corsican dave]

The more rods I buy the more convinced I become that you are mad to spend big money on a fly rod as, mostly, what you are paying for is magazine adverts. I've been very pleased with my Leeda Volare rods and I know you had one of the 11 foot ones Dave. Why not take a look at their 6 or 7 foot rods for a 3 weight line? You'd pay less than £50 for what would be, I'm sure, a nice usable rod. The 11 foot 4 weight you sold on was a very soft action rod but the 7 weight one I have is much faster and throws a serious line so they do a good range of actions to suit everyone.

garry evans currently has the 6'3wt on sale for £30; which is tempting, even untried....

[caorach]

garry evans currently has the 6'3wt on sale for £30; which is tempting, even untried....

Even if you hate it you'd get back what you paid for it if you sold it again so that's probably a good enough position to find yourself in.

In truth when you someone describes the action of a rod it doesn't really mean anything to you and it often takes a while to really get into a rod so getting one for a long term test is the way to go.

[corsican dave]

had a look at the shakey agility rise 6' #3wt today. definitely a no go. cork at front of handle poorly finished & rings out of alignment. bit stiff, too I reckon; probably not a through-action. comment on a review elsewhere: "what do you want for £35?" oh, so that justifies buying it, then....?  :roll: not!  :

[Bobfly]

My Shakey Agility is an 81/2' 4 piece 4 weight and it is pretty good to use and the rod is well finished off. It feels about right for action and size. My shortest rod is a Welsh made Kudos 7.5' 4piece, 4weight, built on a Loomis blank. I feel that that is quite short enough for smaller rivers and wee burns because I find that you get not much line control, but line control goes out the window if you are in the bushes anyway!!