Rod advice for a novice

Hey All,
Just got back into fishing, have been out quite a few times this season. I enjoy it enough to think about a new rod/reel setup.
Reel will be a Lamson Guru or Sage 3200.

Here is the rod debate...
My Orvis Clearwater which I received in the late 90's/early 2000's has served me well, I don't mind the rod, but its basic. It's a Full Flex 8'6" 5wt. Should I buy another 5wt and just have two? Or should I go down to a 4wt on the new rod? I fish in Utah, few trips around the west/yr, might see use in VT/MA.

The Clearwater isn't THAT bad, it's landed me a ton of fish. I have a hard time describing what it does/doesn't do since I'm new to this, but it just feels kind of dead.

Rods I'm looking at are the TFO's (BVK) and Sage VXP. I work for Backcountry and have deals with Greys, Hardy, Sage, Ross, Reddington, Orvis, TFO,

HELP!

A lot of good options from the brands you listed. I would try to cast some before buying. I do a lot of things sight unseen...but buying a fly rod usually isn't one of them. Only brand I would avoid is Greys since they're pulling completely from the US market and warranty could be problematic. Sage Response is a nice mid priced option and the 590 is killer, i am biased FWIW.

If you dig the 5wt you have enough to use it from time to time, why not pick up a 6wt to complement it? Nothing wrong with a VXP. I fished the Hardy Zenith 5wt yesterday for an hour or so from a boat. Never had much experience with their rods. The Zenith felt like a really nice stick! I didn't have enough time in a variety of situations to say I'd buy one but if was certainly a nice rod.

Its just my sole rod right now, and only one of two rod's I've ever cast (2nd being a Echo 510). I do 90% of my fishing on the Weber and Provo in UT, and I don't know if I could justify a 6, even for the few Green/MT (1-2 total) trips I take a season. A 4 makes more sense for the smaller streams in the Uintas and fishing the Middle Provo with everyone and their cousin.

Yeah I believe the Clearwater rods are slower linespeed, more entry-level rods..
A #5 line is versatile and a Hardy Zenith(9' or 8'6" #5wt) is a pretty nice rod...just got a chance to demo one just for ~15min... Haven't touched either VXP(Sage) or any Redington rods...fwiw. Have often found that going by what flysize you use can be another good way of choosing lines/rods , but a #5 and #6 are pretty versatile... A #4 line outfit is nice but less versatile when a big bug or hopper hits the water or they focus in on a bigger nymph or baitfish..
$.01

My 0.02$ ( and that's about what it's worth...)
Upgrade your 5 weight to something you really like. It is by far the most versatile rod you can get. Then when you are ready to buy another rod (trust me you WILL buy another rod, just ask Dfinn) get a small 3 weight for the smaller streams....

I've got a small collection going. ;)

I recently got a reddington classic trout for a new 5wt. I'm all about the less expensive rods and there's some good ones out there. I end up abusing them too much to spend top dollar. I really like the classic trout for dry flies. The BVK is a good streamer rod in the 6wt but probably way too fast for dry flies even in the 5wt, at least for my tastes.

Also, for reels make sure to check out Allen. There stuff is rad especially given the price and they will hook up an industry discount.

You're welcome to give any of mine a try if you wanna test stuff out.

If you don't know what the fuck you want or why you want it and your rod catch's you fish, keep the rod.

Or buy what's cool and you can flip. And a leader straightener. You need a couple.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

If you don't know what the fuck you want or why you want it and your rod catch's you fish, keep the rod.

Or buy what's cool and you can flip. And a leader straightener. You need a couple.

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And a big ass net, you are going to need a bigger net.

A 5wt Redington Classic Trout is the perfect inexpensive, do it all rod for Utah. Our rivers are not big enough to need a cannon, but there is lots of up close fishing that a medium action excels at here. Love mine. As for reels, can't go wrong with a Lamson. If you're dead set on it being machined, get a Guru (or a Velocity if they are still available on closeout), but honestly the Konic is more than enough reel for trout fishing. Konic, Classic Trout, and Rio Gold will handle 99% of the fly fishing available in Utah.

My take on fly rods:

I own a $$$Sage and my brother owns a TFO, both 5 weights. If you blindfolded me I would have no idea which rod I had in my hand.

The only real difference (that i can tell) is the warranty, lifetime on my Sage and 30 minutes or the city limits on his TFO. I really don't think the lifetime warranty is worth the extra $400 I paid.

Agree with everybody that a 5 weight is the best all around rod in the Western states. I have a 5 and a 3, both by Sage. But my brother catches just as many fish as I do on his only rod, a 5wt TFO. So I have $1,000 worth of fly rods and he has $115 worth. He is smarter than me.

get some fiberglass.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ak_powder_monkey

get some fiberglass.

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I tried that. If anyone wants a very lightly used glass 4wt for cheap PM me.

I love my 5wt bvk, especially cuz they upgraded my lower end one that ended up in a fire one night...... Its def not for everyone but I have a 3wt creek rod too. I fished shitty (cabelas, SA, whatever) kit rods forever and caught just as many fish but there is a difference. However not a 700 dollar difference. Just go to a flyshop or (Gasp!) Sporting goods store that carries what ur interested in and cast it while ignoring the idiot trying to tell you what to like. Or better yet just spend that money on beer and go fish the rod u have

Scott A4 905-4

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Harry

My take on fly rods:

I own a $$$Sage and my brother owns a TFO, both 5 weights. If you blindfolded me I would have no idea which rod I had in my hand.

The only real difference (that i can tell) is the warranty, lifetime on my Sage and 30 minutes or the city limits on his TFO. I really don't think the lifetime warranty is worth the extra $400 I paid.

Agree with everybody that a 5 weight is the best all around rod in the Western states. I have a 5 and a 3, both by Sage. But my brother catches just as many fish as I do on his only rod, a 5wt TFO. So I have $1,000 worth of fly rods and he has $115 worth. He is smarter than me.

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TFO has a lifetime warranty, as well as crazy warranty turn around times. I've had friends get their rods back the same week they sent it out. Far Bank (Sage, Redington, Rio) have a fantatic warranty as well, but it's 2-3 weeks or more before you get it back. I sent one to them a few weeks before the green drake hatch on the Provo and got tired of waiting so I bought a cheap TFO as a backup and ended up liking it just as much as my Redington. TFO is a rad company.

the western river cats are good for castin demos
the hebervalley ff festivals comin up ussually 4 seasons and other vendors usually have a good demo setup
kinda like skis imo
better to find one that fits your style that has the features ya desire
damn the lower provos a summer shit show of proportions i never remember
get a 6 and a still water craft would be my call
or an 8 and start training for salt

honey i'm not goin fishin
i'm training for the keys

Yeah, what Broku said. A 5wt is ok at most freshwater. Good at nothing. If you get a really fast 5, it might be good for smb. Go up or down. Someone already suggested a 4wt. I think that's where you want to go. If you just want to try out a 5wt, let me know. I'll let you try two of mine.