Building an Urban Rod - Under $500

The wife and I just got under contract on a loft in Denver, so it looks like I won't be moving out to the Burbs for a couple years. Not that I really mind urban living during the week and weekend in the mountains, but it does make it a little harder to get out for weekday morning or evening/afternoon trout fishing. Due to this, I want to experience the urban fishing around Denver in the various lakes and Urban Platte. For this, I need a beater rod that I can keep in the car, and pack on my back and bicycle to locations around town.

Requirements are a fast 6wt or medium fast 7wt suitable for Carp, Bass, etc. and a large arbor reel. I am obviously going to need a decent drag, so the reel may be the hard part, but so far my top contender is the Hardy Ultralite DD. I am out of my element when it comes to budget rods, but I know there are some great ones out there for the price. A decent warranty would be great, but I am open to used rods.

Budget is $500 without the line.




Oh, and if any Denver mags want to message me about places to fish within a 15 minute drive of LODO or accessable via bicycle, that would be kickass. Thanks

Redington Link, TFO BVK (less durable) would be good choices, double as good streamer sticks. Carefull with the Hardy Ultralight, nice reel just make sure you end up with the newer redesign, up until last year the metal was too soft and once backing and line went on a lot of the spools warped and wouldn't spin correctly.

Thanks for the heads up on the reel.

I have been pretty happy with my Sage Flight 7wt and Lamson konic 3.5. Has treated me well on the Platte and throwing larger streamers in the ponds. Still waiting to get into a bigger carp though.