Choosing the Type and Weight of the Rod
The choice of the type and weight of the rod should be made based on the average size of the fish we will be targeting in a particular river. The reason I am writing this small tutorial on rod weight selection is due to the large number of people who often ask me the same question:
“Which #3 rod do you recommend for fishing large rainbows and marble trout?” My answer is very simple: NONE! What I can advise is, (logically we cannot know which fish will bite our fly, but generally, I would follow this scheme):
- For fish up to 30 cm in length, a #2 rod
- For fish around 30-40 cm in length, a #3 rod
- For fish 40-50 cm in length, a #4 rod
- For fish over 50 cm in length, a #5 rod
Surely we can also catch a trophy fish over 60 cm with a #3 rod, but we will unnecessarily prolong the fighting phase, risking overloading the rod with possible breaks. Above all, we will excessively tire the fish, which after prolonged fighting could suffer significant damage, undermining its release.
Another important factor in choosing the rod is also the type of river we will be fishing in, the current's flow rate, and its general structure. Additionally, it is crucial to carefully choose the strength of the leader and the size of the hook.
An exception to the rule, also for a completely different approach, is certainly the world of competitions. Experienced competitors can land trophy fish even before they realize they are hooked!
The length of the rod usually depends on the different fishing techniques you want to practice, the power of the current, and the space available for casting or fighting a fish:
- Streamer: usually a 9-foot (275 cm) rod
- Dry and submerged flies: 9 feet (275 cm) and in large rivers, even 9.6 feet (290 cm)
- Nymph fishing: usually 10 feet (305 cm), but depending on the fishing conditions, it can range from 9 feet (275 cm) to 11 feet (335 cm)
Teilen:
Grayling photo competition 2020
Autumn Graylings