I have plans to by a #4 rod and need some suggestions what to choose. The rod is meant for light trout fishing mostly on still waters and a supplement for my Sage XP 9' #5. The new rod should cover situations where more delicate presentations are needed. I am thinking of lengths like 8' to 9' and currently I have the following rods on my list:
Sage SLT , G.Loomis Streamdance GLX (Presentation or high line speed), Scott G2 and Winston BIIx. I certainly will try all the rods, but it is nice to have some background information/meanings when doing that. Should I add other candidates?

Well...............

If you are looking for a 4 wt rod for soft presentations then I would say you have about a million choices. Some of which you mentioned. Cast as many as you can and then make your decision. Check out the Orvis line of rods as well.

since $$ doesn't seem to be a limitation given the models you've named, i'd say look at a Winston WT . That is a much different feel than your XP ,though. I also have really come to like the BIIX and the DB diamondglass rods. So many good rods ,so little time.
have fun trying them out.
best,
steve

Sollid:
Hello. The SLT in a 904/4 is a wonderful rod. Wonderful smooth medum fast action that is a real pleasure to cast. This rod cast great in close but will reach out 60' and further with no problem. I also fish mostly stillwater and find this rod to be great out of the tube, wading or from shore. It also handles a clear intermediate 4 wt. full sink line great. The new Sage VT2 rods are also worth a look. I recently assembled a 905/4 in that series and think very highly of that rod. The St. Croix 904/4 in the Legend Ultra series is also a great medium fast 4 wt. I have heard nothing but good things about the Avid series from St. Croix. They are now making those rod with the IPC taper. That quite a rod series for $200.00. Also, I have used my Diamondglass 8' 4 wt. for lake fishing from my tube and have great success with that rod. It is a blast catching a nice trout, bass or bluegill on a glass rod. Diamondback also make a Diamondglass rod in a 8'6" 3 piece 4 wt.. I know several people that use this rod for lake fishing and say it is great rod for light tippets and big fish. Good luck with your search.

Lanny

Hello,

Scott G 8'8" 4wt is a honey of a rod. Don't know about the G2.

Given you mentioned open water I'm thinking you may want to stick to a longer stick so maybe 9' is the best choice and 8' may be getting too short.

If you think you can adjust from the fast action of your XP (2pc, and a step slower for the 4pc) then maybe the 9' 4wt G2 would work. However, you may like something altogether different like the BIIx.

Do you do other fishng? where a second rod can be more of a compliment to the first... 9'5wt and 9'4wt are much the same.

An alternate solution, and much less costly, is to just go with a longer leader... say 15' +.

Things to consider,

CG

I have a 8'6" Sage SLT and it is a great rod. It can make short casts and also reach out there when you need it. It would compliment your XP perfectly.

I agree with CG, I wanted something different and bought a 9' 4wt and it wasn't much different than my 5wt. So of course I got a 3wt (or 2) and really love them for those smaller streams and brooks. I got both a 9' and a 7'6" (both on sale) and have really enjoyed both for different reasons and as a change of pace. go borrow a buddies and try it out if you can its a big chunck of change to put on the wrong rod

see that you find an old Sage LL (or vps-lt) and dont look back, you wont regret its medium action

I've recently bought a new Scott G2 8'2" 4wt. haven't had a chance to fish it yet but have been very impressed lawn casting it.I'd reccomend you give one a try.
Will you let us know the final verdict?

If i may add one rod,tradenstuff.com purchased from me a brand new
loomis glx 7'6" 4 weight that i had three of at the time,i noticed last
week he still had it.As i have said the rod was brand new when he
purchased it from me and would be a close action to your xp sage,
it would also be useful in smaller waters if need be.At times i wish
i had kept it,but T&T's have replaced it,i still use the other two glx's
though...

You can't go wrong with the BIIx, but I also use an Orvis Super Fine 7 ft 6in 4wt and it is a beauty for small streams and delicate presentations. It's definately worth casting before you decide.

If you're going to use it for stillwater, Sage has a 4w XP in a 10' length you might want to think about. Could be a dynamite nymphing rod too.

First of all thanks for your comments! Last weekend I had the opportunity to join a group of fly-fishing enthusiasts in a sports hall. Indoor is the only possibility in Norway now. This group therapy was great fun and I had the possibility to try several rods.
I tried the BIIx-rod for the first time and I must admit that this is not the rod for me; too soft tip. I first tried with a RIO-line (selective trout) and was not satisfied. I then tried with a Vision Presentation line which is a little bit heavier and I felt a better control, but still not satisfied. Perhaps I should give it a second try later; this was after all the first time I tried a rod with that kind of action. I also tried the Winston WT and this rod felt better to me; more even action and a better feeling.
I was also lucky to try a Scott SES 853 #3 and this is the most wonderful rod I have tried; action, feeling and control was great.
I was sorry to learn that this rod is not produced any longer; too bad! Monday I went to my local Scott dealer and told him about this wonderful rod. He smiled, went to his office and came back a rod and showed it to me. The rod was a second hand, but in great shape and now I am a lucky owner of a Scott SES 853 #3. I look forward to try the Scott G2 #4.

I have a few 4 weights... I like the feel of a softer rod...
8' Thomas & Thomas LPS
8'4" original G Series (5 piece)
8' Winston IM-6 TMF version
8'3" Winston LT (5 piece)
Would never sell the TMF or the T&T.
these are sweet rods. Dry fly sensitivity & enough power to launch a bigger (weighted) bug.
Later,
Peter

486 & 490 SLT's are imo the sweet spot of that taper (as well as the 389). The 4wt B2 is also a a very nice rod, and my experience is like that of most other I have heard favors the 8'6". The new G2 is a more significant departure from the XP than those above, and a nice improvement over the orig. G imo. A discontinued VPS & VPS light in anything from 7'6" to 9' is another likely candidate and can be had, if found, for fairly short $ ($250 range).

I have 4 4's

476-4 VPS
7' Diamondglass
490 SP
486 B2

Can never have enough 4's

In 4wt I like the Orvis Trout Bum. 4 piece, packs up small and full flex for great sensitivety. Plus 7' long for small streams. I also second the Diamondback glass.

If you can find one, try the Loop Grey Line 490-3. Throw it along with all the other high end rods, and see what you think. The Grey Line is a very balanced rod with an unique action - deep, progressive but with fast recovery. The action falls in between the SLT and XP.

The rod was designed by Loop's Goran Andersson who at one time was contracted by SAGE to help them with their spey rods. Under that contract, Loop agreed not to compete with SAGE within the NA market. After that contract expired, Andersson was free to build his rods - the Grey Line are his best. The 490-3 and 590-3 are very good fishing tools.

It should be mentioned that the rods are built in Korea under Loop supervision; however, some examples were not up to the build quality of the best American rods.

John

Lemme see....what 4 wts do I have?

Winston IM6 9'er
Orvis Superfine 7/11
SCLU 8'er
Dancraft 8' 4"
Bamboo 7' Perfectionist tweeked


I like um all for different reasons

I love my Winston 4 Wt 8 1/2 foot rod and could give you no higher recommendation. This is a great rod that you will grow fonder of year after year. I own several rods, including Sage SLTs and XPs (which are great rods), but I find this particular rod in my hands most of all. For the line weight you are considering and the strengths and weakness of the rod you already own this is a great choice. When conditions get technical (clear, low, smooth water, spooky fish, light tippets, etc) this rod has very few peers. Go and try one, it will seem extremely slow compared to your XP. Stick with it and you will be rewarded.............

Fish Small Flies

i just was looking or the same thing. i found some sage vps and vps light rods discontinued at a good price.

the vps light is more of a medium flex, the vps more medium fast. i ended up with the faster rod after casting both of them. just found the faster rod easier to handle... it's probably my wristy casting, it creates bigger loops....

May I add to the list. I had a chance to check out the G Loomis Streamdance GLX 9' 4wt this week and I am in love. What a smooth rod.
Fished the river yesterday and I did see the need for the Loon 10' 4wt. Czech nymphing rod. It would have been perfect for this stretch with very light hits.

Another option to consider is the Thomas & Thomas LPS 8'6" 4wt LPS rod. What a fun rod this is! Exquisite workmanship and incredibly smooth with that wonderfully light touch.

Speaking of options, why not give Dewey a shout, I'll just bet he's got some 4wt. options for you to start you on your way down the slippery slope to becoming a caneiac.

I think the presentation.

Sorry definitly the presentation.

$.01....arriving a little late...,
Winston's 7'7" LT (5pce)
...Would like to try Sage's 7'(6"?) SLT in both #4 & 3wts along with their TXLs...AND a few BIIxs...;-)
.....but have been doing too much(possible?) ww_canoeing

Steve

I went to the Sportsmens show last week and checked ou the 10' 5wt. by St. Croix, but then I came across the TFO booth. I ended up buying the Pro 10' 5wt. It realy feels good with a med. to med/fast. I think it will work with the heavy flies. And the price was a bonus for a once in awhile rod.

I still have
the Winston LT 8'3" 5 piece
OR
the Scott 8'4" 5 piece
available...
interested?????
Later,
Peter

I ended up with the Sage SLT 490/4. It has been a great experience to try the different rods and to try to find out what is the rod for me. In fact all the rods I have tried were great rods; it ended up with a kind of subjective feeling that this is "my rod" and Sage SLT is now my rod.
Once more thanks for your help and suggestions. This is a great forum and definitely a place to seek serious and knowledgeable advice.
Thanks!