I've been thinking about getting a light weight fly rod for some panfish and trout fishing. The lightest fly rod I currently have is a 4 weight. I was thinking this would make smaller fish more fun to fight. I've always wondered how 2 wts cast. Can you get any distance with them and how do they work if there is any wind? Just wanted to get some input. Thanks.

Anthony,
I have a few 2 wts and a bunch of 3 wts.The 2wts are great fun but have very definite limitations. generally not good in wind and can be a challenge throwing anything weighted. casting distance is a function of the caster more than the rod so I won't comment there. that said I had a 2 wt built on an older Fischer blank that handled weighted flies just fine . I'm kinda partial to my 3 wts over the 2 wts. though. If you want to have some fun pick up a Diamondglass 3wt. you'll definitely feel the fish and be able to do more with it.
Best,
Steve

Anthony,
I'd have to concur with Steve's post. I enjoy my Sage 2wt 7'9" LL rod. I can cast a dry-small dropper combo but it's a better dry fly only rod. I prefer my Sage 3wt 7'9" LL because it throws a dry-dropper better. But for fishing small creeks with a small dry the 2 wt is hard to beat! FYI the "new" generation of 00-2wt rods may be different. But I don't know. But generally speaking the 2 wt is not designed to be thrown in a strong wind. Good-luck!

Another option is to use a 2wt line on your 3wt rod.... many 3wt rods are soft enough to do this... some do it better than others.

CG

I wouldn't trade my LL 2wt. for anything. Use it more than the 3 wt.

I'm with you Flygoddess! I also would not trade my Sage 279LL or 379LL for anything! These are definately my two favorite rods. Good to meet another LL fanatic!

Flygoddess, SoCalFF, and others:

Can anybody provide insight on the Orvis Superfine 7'9" 2wt (the Ultra Fine), as compared to the Sage LLs or others?

For some reason, I've always been interested in the Ultra Fine. I've cast it a few times and really liked it. I'm wondering if anybody else has experience with it.

Thanks in advance!

Don

dpeurach,

I've never cast the Superfine 2wt., but I am a big fan of the Superfines. I have the 4wt. Trout Bum and love it. The thing can do a whole lot more than you could expect it to. I too was thinking of trying this out. My only problem is that the light Superfines come with slip ring reel seats. I wish it had uplocking seats. I just feel more comfortable with them.

I LOVE 2 wts for panfishing. I have several but usually go back to an older 7'9" Sage RPL 2 wt ( lined with a WF3F). It's throw a #10 foam spider 60' on a calm day and 40-45' on most any day. Odly enough , my largest ever largemouth bass ( in the 8-9# range) came on this rod and a tiny little Berkley 554 reel

I have 7'9" far and fine 5wt, the trout bum 4wt, & the one ounce 4wt. and I don't feel that they are in the same class as the LL. The superfines are more in the bamboo class(full flex thing). I feel like my LL is a little faster. I have an older Scott Eclipse is very similar. But, that is my opinion.