Small River Outfit

[baztek1]

Hello Guys,

i will be fishing a local river for the first time with a fly rod and real. I have a 5# 8.6ft fly rod with a DT 5# line. I think the river Gryffe would be considered small possibly medium in size in places.

Would anyone be able to advise as to if this set up would be sufficient or maybe even to heavy for the river. I will be fishing most techniques at one point or another i presume.

Best regards

Barrie.

[haresear]

Pretty much a perfect outfit for that river.  Through time you may go lighter, but the #5 outfit is a very good starting point.

I see I'm just beat to the post by Roobarb.

Alex

[bushy palmer]

Aye - sounds perfect to me!

I have an almost identical set up for the burns (albeit in a four weight) and it seems to be a good all-round set up. Sometimes however, I do find myself in situations where a ten foot plus rod would be better but other than that my set up is fine.

[Otter Spotter]

Sounds like you have the set up bang on. 9' #5 is the 'standard' set up for rivers (if there is such a thing as standard in fishing!).

For me big rivers are daunting, so I just pretend that they are a number of wee rivers that happen to be very close to each other. Keeping your line under control is more important than distance.

Give it a go and if you do feel that you are at a genuine disatvantage because of the set up then there are other options but a 10' #3, 7' #2 etc etc, these seem to me to be 'specialist' set ups for specific conditions e.g. czec nymphing, drainage ditches. You are better off (IMO) getting a good general set up together that will cover the vast majority of situations and it seems that you have done this so have a bash and I look forward to the report. 

[baztek1]

Thanks for the replies guys

i had a good idea this would have been ok but thought i would ask. Having it backed up gives me a bit more confidence in the set up and should eliminate the doubt that will no doubt set in 

[theladdie1892]

Without sounding like a complete eejit, just how important is stuff like this?

When I was younger, It was just a case of setting up the rod and reel and away you go. Has my father got alot to answer for or what??!!  :shock:

[bushy palmer]

Without sounding like a complete eejit, just how important is stuff like this?

Like most things it can be as important or as irrelevant as you want to make it and imho there are much more important things like stealth, controlling drag ect when it comes to fishing burns.

Had the original poster stated that he had a double handed 13wt rod then the replies might have stated that his set up was less than ideal though

[scotgillespie]

...a double handed 13wt rod

ah an essential for dapping over the shrubbery that surrounds most lies in small streams   

[River Chatter]

I alternate between an 8.5ft #4 and a 7.5ft #3 for small rivers and burns, depending on wind.  I prefer to fish as light as possible for the conditions generally.  For larger rivers (Clyde and so on) I use a 9ft #5.  Having said that, if I'm fishing burns between lochs I use my 9ft #5 rod without any issues.  As the others have said, focus on stealth and achieving a drag free drift... that will see you alright whatever you use.  Good luck!