What size trout spey rod?

[Wile E Coyote]

I have the 5wt Dec Hogan with a 5 wt airflo tactical steelhead. It feels good with a 3lb rainbow on it, but it seems big on fish much smaller than about 1.5lb.

With this line it's not the best for close in work, because the loops in the interchangeable tips catch in the rod eyes - but that would be better with a one piece line.

It's a really nice rod, but it's not a creek rod. I'd say you need either the size of water, or size of fish to make the most of it.

[eveningcoconut]

Hey Heli-

I'm selling my z-axis 5110-4. Great rod for trout. Just found it too big for most of my needs. Asking $450 shipped.

[willi]

Originally Posted by Heli911

What I'm wanting (I think) is a 4-5 wt spey rod, most likely an echo dec DH because it's in my price range. But I really need to know the subtle differences between the two sizes. I have no way of casting either one side by side together to compare. So i'm going off everybody else's experience with these rods.

I have owned the Decho 4 wt along with several others. The only reason I don't still have is because of a custom glass.

Get the Decho 4wt. It's a perfect fit for your descriptions. Discontinued means nothing, they still warranty.

[Heli911]

Originally Posted by MJC

Heli911,
If you'd like to try a new in tube DH 4119 on you water for a week with no obligation but the return postage give me a call or send me an email.

Poppy, PM sent!

[Heli911]

Everybody has hit some great points and gave good advice. I think i'm going to test drive the 4119 from Poppy. I know switch rods are mentioned. But I'm looking at a swing rod mainly. I still think I can nymph with it since all I need is a roll cast to hit the "trough" were the fish hang out.

I was in yellowstone park the other day heading out of the park towards the west entrance. The road follows the madison and the big golden stones were out. The river was boiling with fish. I wished I had time to stop and fish. But the fish were way out on the other side and the fisherman that were there were having no luck getting their fly out to them. This is when I thought a light spey rod would come in real handy. If I only could have skated/skittered a stone fly across the river.......

[speycaster]

I've owned a number of trout spey rods - 3 to 5 wt. - and think that 5 wts. are way more rod than you need or want unless you're just casting large or heavy streamers. A 3 or 4 wt. will handle any trout you're likely to encounter - it's the weight of the fly and the weight of the line needed to throw it that is more important. You can cast any streamer you're likely to use on the S. Fork or Henry's Fork with a 4 wt. and definitely handle any fish you'll encounter.

If you're choosing between a 4 wt. and 5 wt. of any brand, I'd definitely choose the lighter rod. If you're considering slightly more expensive brands, I'd look at Gary Anderson's (Anderson Custom Rods) trout speys, which are as good as anything on the market. He has been specializing in light two-handers for a long time.

[Bug Fisher]

I have an echo sr 5. I bought it for said purpose of trout/smallmouth...wish I had the 4wt. It's just a little big for the fish I chase. Fine for the big flies, just a bit of a club!

[kzoocstr]

I picked up one of Anderson's 3wt 11'7" and that thing is a real treat to cast and you can do it all day.

[FKrow]

I have fished many trout spey rods over the past 4 years.

My definition of a trout spey is the line it will cast,,, not the manuf. number on the blank.

Airflo Scandi Compact 240gr, Rio Skagit Short 275gr
TFO 11ft 4wt
TFO 12'6" 4/5wt

Airflo Scandi Compact 270gr, & Rio Steelhead Scandi 280gr, Rio Skagit Short 325gr
Sage 11ft 5wt Z-Axis
Sage 11'6" 4wt ONE
ACR 11'7" 3wt

Airflo Scandi Compact 300gr, & Rio Steelhead Scandi 310gr, Rio Skagit Short 375gr or Skagit Flight 350/375gr
Sage 12'6" 5wt Z-Axis
Sage 11'9" TCX
Sage 12'6" ONE
TFO 12'6" 5/6wt
Echo 11'9" 4wt & 12'2" 5wt
Most other 11'-12'6" rods labeled 5wt

These are my personal experience, others may prefer different lines and gr weights.

Regards,
FK

[Riverman]

You cannot beat the Anderson 11' 7" 3wt! It' a sweet caster. I owned the Decho 4119 and it was a little heavy in the hand, as well as heavy for smaller trout.

-Tony

[Heli911]

I ended up keeping the Dec 11'9" 4 wt spey rod after Poppy let me test drive it. It's an awesome little rod that will throw everything I require on the rivers I fish. I fished it good yesterday swinging some peacock and partridge soft hackles. I caught a trout swinging in the riffles. It was a great time. I found out casting a scandi head requires a little different technique than the skagit heads I was used to fishing. Once I figured that out it easily would shoot out line. I would recommend the rod for the price range it's in.

[Alaskan]

The one I'm playing with this summer is a Meiser 15' 9" 4,5,6. What a hoot. Took a bunch to dial it in, but I wanted to throw big flies and heavy tips. Having a great time with it.

[nohackle72]

Alakan,

What are you using for tossing that 4/5/6 for tips? I've got the same rod and I've not yet found the magic combination yet.

Thanks,

Skeeter

[dave masters]

Originally Posted by krumpkoolidge

Ever think of single hand Spey casting the single hander it's fun?
A Wulff ambush line?

I've been amazed at what I can do with a 4wt. 10 foot Orvis Clearwater strung with a 200 grain Snowbee switch line and polyleaders.

Otherwise think Anderson 2wt or 3wt.

Just my thought.

Right.I agree.
The more I screw around,[an expensive process-but accurate]
the lighter I want to go.

Right now,I have two Meisers.
A 11` 4-5 switch with a 320 gn head and 75 gn shooter.
And a Meiser Combo 93126.
The 12`6" is a 5-6 wt.
I am in the process [painfully for various reasons] of selecting
the right rig line-wise.

If I were to redo all this [3 yrs screwing around]
I would say this:

Go lighter that you might think.
The lighter Meiser 3-4 is it?] can handle an impressive fish
and is much more fun with the smaller fellers you will be
likely to encounter.

Ed Ward ahs a really imformative article over here:

http://2handedtrout.com/?p=1934

Good luck.
I am no pro.
In the end you will be the final judge as you al;ready know.
Go slow.
And look out below.

[Heli911]

After playing around with a Rio 310 scandi and finding the sweet spot the decho 4wt spey rod is the perfect match for my waters. But it's not a small creek rod. The shortest amount of line I could comfortably cast was about 30 ft. However the riffles and shallow runs on my home rivers are very wide. So it works well. I got some looks from boats passing me as I was swinging the riffles yesterday. But I was able to cast and mend to places in the water I never was able to reach with my single hander either. It was a fun learning day on the water. I can't wait to experiment more.

Maybe one of these days i'll invest in a Meiser or Anderson Rod. They sure are beautiful.