Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and would like to introduce myself. My name is Tom A. and I live just outside of Chicago. I fly fish for mainly panfish, bass and carp in ponds in my area. Like many of you, I love to experiment with all kinds of fly rods and techniques. Currently, I own 4 rods, Orvis 8' 1 wt. Silver Label, TFO Pro Series 8'6" 3 wt., Redington RS2 9'4 wt. and an Orvis Power Matrix 9' 6 wt.

I love the feel of the light weight rods and want to upgrade my 3 and 4 wts. I don't have very many fly shops in my area ( only one) and need some "experienced" advice on what route to take. I have read many of the posts in the forum where a lot of people are seeking all sorts of advice and I have to say it is getting confusing. I guess what I need to know is the following, in the 3 or 4 wt area what would be the recommended length and action for fishing small ponds for bluegill and bass? And what rod would be the most fun to fish with. The bass where I fish average 1-2.5 lbs. with the occassional 3-5 pounder. My casts average probably no more than 25-35 ft. For carp I need a very delicate presentation and again my casts are 15-30 ft. max., at times maybe 40-45 ft. I would like to throw weighted nymphs #10-16's for carp and bluegill, topwater poppers for bluegill and bass #12-10-8-6's, and also streamers for bass #4-6.

I know your recommendations will be varied and that test casting many rods is advised, but again, I don't have the luxury of doing that since I don't have access to many of the rods I have seen on line.

So any info. that you can provide would be a blessing.

Also, my budget is in the $200-300 range, but would appreciate any offerings in the higher end categories as well.

In addition, line and reel recommendations would be a good too.

I'm going to agree with GRN here. I think some more info is needed. I'm reading your post the same way he is and am wondering if you are asking too much out of a single rod. That having been said, if your answer is "I've been doing just that with the rods I already have, I just want to upgrade them" then I guess I'll be quiet about it.

Hi guys,

Thanks for your replies. To answer your questions, yes I do use the rods I desribed in my postiong to fish for larger bass and carp. I have found that in my area, in the ponds that I fish, that bass and carp are eager ro take small fly offerings. Size #10-12 poppers, #10-16 nymphs of all kinds, #10-12, 3-4x long nymph hook clouser style streamers, that I tie myself, all work very well. And I can easily cast a #8 foam grasshopper on my 4 wt.

Insects are a major food source for the bass in my area and it is a challenge to get one to take these offerings. So this is one reason why I like light rods. Also, I like the feel and castability of my 3-4 wts. I do use my Orvis 6 wt. a lot when I need to present larger poppers and streamers but I do like the challenge of the lighter rods.

I am not looking for a do all rod, just to upgrade for the enjoyment of it all, if you know what I mean.

The shop in my area handles Sage, TFO, ST. Croix and I beleive Loomis. But I have seen form this forum and my web searches that Winston, Scott, T&T are all good makers of rods and I am seeking the experience of others out there that have used these fly rods.

So any info. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks GRN. I will look into the Sage line of rods. As a matter of fact these were the ones I was looking at as well, so I feel better that I am now on track.

One more question if I can, what line or lines would you recommend for the VT2? Would I need a line for small poppers vs nymphs or streamers?

Thanks.

If you are fishing for carp, you should be using at least a six weight rod if not heavier. It can take a long time to land a decent sized carp on a four weight fly rod. A heavier rod will work well for bass as you will be able to cast bigger and bulkier flies. There are plenty of good medium priced six and seven weight rods out there

You need to test cast some rods to figure out what you like. There are some good fly shops in the Chicago area as well as other fishing stores that sell fly rods that can help you out. Any of these shops would be happy to let you test cast fly rods to let you see what you like. I have cast rods and bought gear and fly tying materials all of these shops listed below.

One More Cast in Countryside
Chicagoland Fly Fishing Outfitters - Near North Side of Chicago
Corens Rod and Reel - Northwest side of Chicago
International Anglers Resources - Palatine - Northwest Suburbs
Trout and Grouse - Northbrook - North Suburbs

Thanks bigA,

I'll look up the shops you listed and try to visit them asap. The only shop I was aware of in the Chicago area was One More Cast. So the others you listed will be a big help.

..Just $.01 tca...
Pick the line that'll deliver the flies(of whatever size/weight!), then get a rod & reel. Get the casting-tech going(with hardly any wrist action!!) and you'll feel which rods work with your forearm...and which rod throws the kind of line("kind of cast" ie..distance) that puts a smile on your face.... The rods of today are fun.