Hmmm, my mouth hurt like that was a 690-4 Z-Axis with G5 technology.
Photo: Cameron Miller
We spend a lot of time on our blog telling you which gear the experts use. Today it’s your turn.
What’s your favorite rod to use when you’re fly fishing for trout? Yes, we know that it could be anything from an 00 to a 7-weight, and that you fish everything from tiny midges to giant streamers. That’s not the point. What’s your favorite rod, overall, to use when you’re fly fishing for trout? Why?
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So, what’s your favorite trout rod?
And Here Are The Results
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I have had alot of trout rods over the years and have done alot of trout fishing. My favorites have come and gone but they are all dear to me even today. But without question the trout rod that stands above all others is a
9′6″ 5wt Diamondback Western Trout that I built when I was 20 years old. At the time it was built I was spending 300 plus days a year on the limestone and freestone streams of central Pennsylvania. My game was high-stick nymphing and that Diamondback was the rod I built for it. It was long for better reach and control, slow enough to handle alot of shot and was IM6 graphite, so very durable.
Did I mention it is beautiful?
Three tip tops were literally worn through on that rod and the cork took the shape of my hand. Fifteen years later I do not fish for trout much but when I do it is a safe bet what rod is coming along with me.
My favorite trout rod is a Cabela’s FT-905-4. I have used a lot of different rods over the years and this one has been with me for maybe eight. I like it because it is light but has enough backbone to throw an 8 wt. line with big dry flies and can stand the pressure of a bigger fish. It also fits in my gear bag which is a must as I travel with this rod from Alaska to Chile. Won’t leave home without it!
Sage 690 RPLXi. A tough stick that can handle fishing around the world. Throwing big mouse patterns and giant streamers with sink tips does not bother this rod. As well it can pitch some lead for anyone into the Alaska trout scene. Its easy on the eye and even easier to maintain. Even though I have not had the rod for a long time it has made some great journeys with me and I plan to have many more before its retired or handed down.
Hands down…Sage 389-3 LL. It doesn’t come out as much as it once did – the fish in the Mountain West are often a bit hefty for it (I can hear the tiny violins playing now). But every time I touch the thing it brings back fond memories of my first trout experiences back East.
Smoothest casting rod I’ve ever had the pleasure of fishing. Guides short casts and long with equal pinpoint precision, and delicate as could be. Capable mender. A+ guardian of 7X and 8X – maybe popped a half-dozen tippets over its life, and that was most likely user error.
The first rod I purchased specifically for trout remains in the quiver, with the original reel too (an old Lamson LP 1.5).
I’ll never let it go.
When I’m straining water for slab Bow Bow’s my favortie stick hands down is my 15 year old 10′ 6wt Loomis IMX. It’s fast and light as a feather but is no knife at a gun fight – it’s super boney for those epic battles. It’s length is good for the chuck-n-duck casts and mega mends needed to trick Big Jerry into a nibble gobble. We have had good JuJu together for a long time.
I can't say that I have used a lot of different fly rods, but my Sage SLT 490 is my absolute favorite. It is just a pleasure to cast & fight fish with.
As I do this for a living, I have many rods (119 at last count)
It is tough for me to pick out one rod that I like the best, but if I had to it would have to be my 9′ 4wt Sage ZXL.
http://www.sageflyfish.com/dyn_prodlist.php?k=83527http://www.sageflyfish.com/dyn_prodlist.php?k=83527
Great action on the rod, casts like a dream, and can battle larger fish than most other rods I have used over the years.
Rick Passek “The FlyFish Fanatic”
Old favorite is a Sage 690 SP. It is a slower action than most of my colleagues prefer, but as I mostly nymph with splitties, I like the “shock absorption”. With dries and mice it makes me slow down and try to find some internal “quiet”…which is what I most ofetn look for in a good trout day.
My favorite rod was a 30 something year old Orvis 7.5 ft/3 weight tippet rod that my father in law gave me. Great rod for thick cover and so soft and slow that I could feel a 16″ trout shaking its head back and forth. Also an ideal rod for presenting tiny 22’s and 24’s on the South Platte. Unfortunately, the tip is cracked but it’s still sitting in my closet for sentimental reasons.
Wow… now that is a tough question for a guy to answer without hurting the feelings of many tubular graphite friends! I would have to vote my SAGE 589-5 SP. I can go anywhere with it, stash it in my hip pocket, when I do something stupid (which is inevitable) and break the tip; I have another ready to go. It’s got the sweet mojo for casting dries, can nymph like a banshee, or huck mega far if need be. It doesn’t have the most horsepower out there, but sure gets it all done with a ton of class and Smooth Performance.
Sage Launch series 5 wt.
rachhillis
A couple of folks weighed in on Twitter–
@12gaBrowningGal said “Twin Fork Outfitters makes a great Trout rod. Not sure on the wt.May be a 6. Got an Abel on it. Live Indian River Lagoon- 4 everything”
@TankTX said “490 LL – Most versatile Trout Rod ever.”
Thanks for all the input – keep it coming.
TROUT RODS….
Really my first love was my Winston 8.5′ 5wt Winston Joan Wulff
But I have migrated to Scott the past few years. I have a Scott G2 5wt for dry fly and Scott G2 6wt for streamers and heavy wind
I want a 4wt of my own, been borrowing. Oh, sorry, this isn’t a gift registry…
My 2 faves are Sage 590 SP (the original teal blue one with the teal reel seat) and the original Sage 389LL (2 pc)
Sage SLT 490- 4
Best casting rod I have owned and small enough to travel easily
It has been for years my 379 LL, but lately most of my attention has been towards my Winston DL4 5wt.
I love my lamiglas 7.5 e glass I had custom built. Honey coloured blank with light brown (maple) wraps rated at a 5wt. by Bill here in Toronto. Cant beat the feel of poor mans cane.
I really like my temple fork 5wt. Not as swanky as the sage but pretty good for the dough i spent on it.
4′zebco snoopy model for this guy.
nice, forgiving action, entertaining cosmetics and the reel even comes preloaded with mono!
Another vote for the Sage 9′ 6wt SP… Tho that Burkenheimer 9′ 4wt I’ll be building this summer may give it a run for it’s money!
Another vote from Twitter–
@tfft says “@deneki Love your blog. Put me down with a Scott 5wt for my favorite rod.”
For big rivers: R.B. Meiser Highlander Series "Trouter" 12' 6" 4/5/6; and for everything else: Sage 590-4 XP.