Does 6 inches matter

[Bmi1230_0]

A question,
between a 9ft #7
a 9ft 6in #7
and a 10ft #7.
What in a fishing situation would be the major issues/ differences on say a 3 fly leader set up. Using floating lines and sinking lines.

Its a question i get asked quite a lot in the shop i work and i am intrigued about different peoples view.

[Paul Arden]

Hi Bryan!

This is an interesting question and I think it depends on the circumstances. The advantages of a longer rod is greater mending capacity, longer roll casts, a longer dibble, less line on the water. Shorter rods are definitely better for playing/ landing fish.

There is some debate around which rods cast further because the longer the lever the more force it takes to rotate it. But the longer the lever the faster the tip is going for the same angular velocity. I’ve read many times that the ideal for most people is 9’-9’6. But I haven’t cast enough 10’ rods in competition to compare.

Then there is the question as to the performance of the fly rod itself. It’s very difficult to make a 10’ rod that doesn’t noticeably bounce after the stop. And there is also the question of feel, I’ve never liked the feel of any 10’ rod I’ve cast! (Actually maybe there was a 10’ Scott 6WT that I fished s few times). 9’6 I have liked for distance. But if I want to make some fast funky casts then 9’ or less I prefer. Those last bits are perhaps personal taste!

It will be interesting to know what others think.

Cheers, Paul

[Tangled]

All other things being equal, a 10' rod will have a higher swing weight (moment of inertia) than a shorter rod, so will likely feel heavier in use. That said, I used a 10' Salmonlogic rod a couple of weeks ago that was lovely - though it had a two-handed butt.

[Vicente G]

Then there is the question as to the performance of the fly rod itself. It’s very difficult to make a 10’ rod that doesn’t noticeably bounce after the stop. And there is also the question of feel, I’ve never liked the feel of any 10’ rod I’ve cast! (Actually maybe there was a 10’ Scott 6WT that I fished s few times). 9’6 I have liked for distance. But if I want to make some fast funky casts then 9’ or less I prefer. Those last bits are perhaps personal taste!

It will be interesting to know what others think.

Cheers, Paul

I had a 5# 10'4'' that was incredible for close casts, I remember it well because the biggest trout I ever had in my life was just 7m from me (like 25ft sorry I'm a metric guy) there was this big brown trout on the middle of the water column, very dense vegetation above the fish, I stood there like 10 minutes just thinking what the hell im gonna do to not scare the fish, I made a plan on my head and tied a small purple and orange stimulator, when I started the cast I felt on the WC accuracy finals with side wind and it had to be a soft presentation, I don't really know how I managed to put the fly under all those low hanging branches on the first try it was pretty much automatic, the trout slowly took the fly and the fight started, pretty nice fish. Well I got carried by the memories, back on the subject again the rod was pretty bouncy as you say and casting over 14 or 15 metres (45ft+) I didn't liked the feeling too, but it had a lot of mending ability, I could do better and easier mends and it felt really good doing spey casts, I guess all that things improved my catch rate because it was my probably one of my best seasons when I had it, or maybe I finally found a rod that actually catches more fish or maybe its just me trying to justify the price tag but don't tell that to anybody

[Paul Arden]

Hi Vincente,

French Nymphing rods are usually 10’ or so for this reason! I don’t know how they label some of them 4WT however because the ones I’ve cast have really been 8WTs!! But since the flyline rarely sees the tip ring if ever, then it doesn’t matter!!

10’6 and even longer rods used to be very popular on the lakes when I first started. Maybe they still are in Ireland I don’t know.

Historically fly rods were even longer!!

Cheers, Paul

[George C]

I wonder if longer rods may help some people pull slack out of their backcasts. I have a very experienced 80+ year old friend who fishes quite effectively out to 70’ using a weak under-slung back cast that never fully unrolls. Something between an oval cast and an air born scandi cast. His forward stroke is excellent. He favors 10’ rods matched with a heavy line (4wt EN style rod with 7 wt line). Works for him and I suspect the longer rod is part of the reason why.