jpinkster Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 To date I have been using my 8 foot 4 weight for my dries on the river. Needless to say it isn't the best rig for what I'm looking to do. I'm looking at getting a slow/medium action 5 weight to take over as my dedicated dry rod. It would likely be used exclusively for dries/droppers. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedBeard Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Well I'm not landing on your page of slow/medium action, but the Sage One is my 5wt dry rod and it's incredible. Light as a feather and toight like a tiger! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsenilegoat Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 All the older Sage RPL series (RPL, RPL+, RPLxi…though the latter is supposedly a saltwater rod) have a bit slower action than the more recent One and Method (though I understand they are fabulous rods in their own right) might just fit the bill for you. I have an RPL 4 piece 5 weight and love it for the type of fishing you are describing. That said, there are so many great rods out there now it is hard to go wrong…..if you try a few first and see what feels good in your hands. Lots of people are raving about the Loomis NRX's, which also come in an LP (light presentation) model. Good luck finding "the one". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpinkster Posted June 22, 2015 Author Share Posted June 22, 2015 That's the hard part...testing something out ahead of time. Too bad stores don't have a "casting range" where you can give something a few spins before making up your mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Current Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Most fly shops definitely have a space outdoors where they will let you cast before making a decisions. Just let them know what action/application you are looking for and they'll line a few rods up for you to try. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrinhurst Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 My go to Dry fly rod for the Bow is a TFO BVK 8'6" 5wt. I absolutely love it. Have it paired with an Orvis Access reel and a Rio gold fly line. Casts wonderfully. Handles both the tiny sz 20 midges and the giant foam hoppers/bitches with ease. Faster action, but light as a feather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfishfairwx Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Check out the ECHO Base, 5wt rods, Fishtales has them, it has the right action you are looking for and is a good tool for drys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdo Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I recently picked up th3 echo boost 5 wt. Have only fished with it twice this year but love it so far. Got it paired with a hardy ultra lite and the scientific anglers textured fly line. I picked mind up from josh and his new shop formerly Westwinds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpinkster Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 I've been doing a bit of pricing out to see where I can get the best value possible (I'm on a bit of a budget). It's faster than I'd like, but I'm looking at the St. Croix Imperial and an Orvis Battenkill from Wholesale. Once I pick up the Trout LT line I should be able to walk out of the store with it all for under $500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Really happy with My Loop Opti Stream. Just saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sage Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Bought an Orvis Recon 5wt 9' rod......its absolutely brilliant. Worth a cast and a look. Great that it has a bit of backbone for casting on the often breezey/windy Bow and nimble enough for the mountain streams. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler909 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 You should have a look at the Beulah platinum 9ft 5 wt there very nice rods at a good price . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cutbow16 Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Interesting to see what you think of the Imperial. I'm considering either the Imperial or the Recon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roast Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Bamboo is a bit out of your price range, however I would suggest that you try out some glass rods if you are looking for something slow that's good for delicate dry fly work. You will have to slow down your stroke, but you might really like it. I know that fish tales have butter sticks and echo glass. Orvis also recently put out a new glass rod, but I don't know if country pleasures stocks it. Best of luck in your search, however ensure that you cast the rod before you buy. Shops are more than happy to let you try them. It's also a good idea to bring your current reel to see how the rods balances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Hardly any of the rods here aren't good bets. I think a lot depends on the water you are fishing. On smaller waters I like shorter bamboo or Fiberglass. on bigger waters especially if there is more wind a faster longer fly rod is really nice for punching through. Try before you buy is always a good thing. I will usually bring my own reel and line but chat with the shop beforehand to make arrangements. Some of the shops at one time had casting days, where you could try a variety of rods. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayhad Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 My personal favourite dry fly rod for hopper droppers I own is the Sage ZXL 586, nice medium action stick, fairly light and you can find them cheap compared to the current line up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcleod52 Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Look at a used Winston BIIx. I grabbed a used one a couple years back and it is my go-to 5wt. Great action with a great back bone to launch flies for the big casts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villageidiot Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 390 Sage one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vagabond Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 590 Sage one. Fixed it for ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nachako Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 How about restoring an old Heddon cane Rod. One in the 8.5 ft with a 2F furreal. Is the ticket for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Fiberglass if you're lookin' for a slow to medium rod, not fussy care wise nor as expensive as cane and a helluva a lot more durable then graphite. Check out the Fiberglass Flyrodders forum and the fiberglass manifesto blogspot 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricinus Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Cast my first modern day fiberglass, they are not your father's buggy whips- impressive.. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Agreed, slow action, very accurate and light presentation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I've got a new 8'6" Kenney e-glass 6wt that will lay out 70'- 80' of line with 2 false casts and I just this morning ordered a Steffen Brothers 8'6" 5/6wt s-glass blank. S-glass is lighter in weight and quicker than e-glass. My graphite rods are slowly working their way to the back of the storage pile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 You'll love the Steffen, my brother in law has one and tried it last spring. Nice caster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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