Best 3 Or 4 Wt, Small Stream Rod

[bman]

Sage tlx 3, have last years model. Nice and fast, super accurate, and sooo light. Everyone who has tried mine falls in love with it. Fantastic rod.

[SilverDoctor]

Any of these rods will do the job nicely. All by name makers and they will all perform admirably for you. You'll find as many comments on rod brands as vehicle makes. I can vouch for the first four, as I've tried them all. Mind you my old fiberglass and bamboo work just as well. Don't be swayed by comments or advertising, It's always nice to find a shop that will let you lawn cast or try out to see if it fits your style. The waters you listed will benefit from fishing strategy, more that brands.

 

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I was thinking:

 

- Sage TXL-F series

- St. Croix Legend Ultra

- Loomis Whisper Creek GLS

- Loop Opti Creek

- Amundsun Midge

- T&T Whisper-Lite

 

Any suggestions? Bonus if you can pick one up in Calgary.

 

Thanks,

 

Paul

 

[Guest Dennis59]

On the Cane rod, Don Anderson makes one nice Cane Rod. He's Local.

 

I have a ZXL 1wt 7. 9 and just love it. You can fish with that all day and not work up a sweat. I also have a Sage 8.6 VT2 and that is my go to rod any more. Its now been replaced but heard replacement is very nice also. This is a middle of the road Sage. I think I would look at the new F series Sage it's a bit faster and lighter.

 

Tight Lines Always.

Dennis S

 

 

[vancouver]

Sage 389LL.....

[ÜberFly]

Yeah I fish an 8'6" 4 wt LL in a 3 piece as my go to Bow River dry fly rod - The LL series is one of the best dry fly rods out there (according to all the online reviews)...

 

I think the one you list is on Kijiji in a 2 piece - I'd dicker them down a bit though...

 

P

 

Sage 389LL.....

 

[PGK]

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[chiasson]

A subjective question. With dry fly rods I think the two things to consider are the average size of fish in your streams, if they are less than a pound consider a 2wt. And, wind, if there is any amount of wind a 3 will be a PITA to cast effectively. I have the ZXL 386 and love it for dries, and wets even, but when the wind is up I prefer to fish a 4 or 6.

 

My personal opinion is that a med action long 3wt makes for a versatile dry fly rod. Such a rod would also be great on the Bow. I hear the #3 Sage Launch is sweet.

[proflytyer]

All round small stream rod...RL Winston BIIIX 8'6" 4wt and also the 8' BIIT is rockin too!!

[Hawgstoppah]

Wholeheartedly recommend the St Croix Legend Ultra, 7'9" 3 wt.

 

If you can find one to take out and cast, do it. That was all the convincing I needed. St. Croix calls it fast action, but I would say it is closer to medium. Just my opinion though.

 

I have pretty much the same rod. Mine is a 7'3" though, perhaps a bit older of a model (I've had it going on 10 yrs now) and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It is indeed a medium action.. even though they call it fast. It casts very nicely and you can lay line down without so much as a ripple or sound most times.... great for tricky dry fly fish.

[brownonbow]

Haven't had a chance to fish my new TXL 3 pc 3wt but I have lawn cast it and it seems to throw some nice loops.

[GUNandROD]

I bought a midge and like it. Pieroway is now makeing the 3wts and they are sick. If i was buying i'd go Pieroway. They are awesome guys and the service is fantastic. Local too.