Best all around 3 Wt.?

[kruger]

I am looking for a little insight on 2 or 3 weight rods. The lightest weight I have is a 5, so I have no experience with super light tackle. I would be using the rod for trout/pan fish and I prefer to fish subsurface flies and high sick nymph fish. Does anyone have a recommendation for a suitable rod for these applications? I have no brand preference but would have to keep a budget, so $180 would be about my max on price. Last question for those of you who do know, what length rod would you be looking for in a 2/3 for fishing MN and western Wisconsin streams? In other words, tight spaces?

Kruger.

[wilsonn166]

I picked up a Redington Classic Trout 3wt 7'6" from Cabelas last November for $75. I fished that all summer and was extremely happy with it considering the very reasonable price. I took it out to Montana for a week and didn't even pick up my 5wt. It handled 18" cutthroat very well. I remember seeing them on sale at Cabelas in October, but i'm not sure if they are still available. I believe Redington no longer makes that rod(?).

[wilsonn166]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Fishing-Rods%7C/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/105573780/Redington-CT-Classic-Trout-Fly-Rods/711781.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rods%2F_%2FN-1102568%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105573780%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104721480&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat105573780

[Woody Erickson]

For the price range you are looking at, I would check out Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO):

TFO Lefty Kreh Finesse Fly Rod - 7'3" 2wt 4pc - $179.95

TFO Lefty Kreh Finesse Fly Rod - 7'9" 3wt 4pc - $179.95

TFO Professional II Fly Rods - 8'6" 3wt 4pc - $149.95

I would go with the 3wt and stick with the odd weights -> 3/5/7. I started with a 4wt and added other even weights -> 2/4/6/8. Wish I would have went odd weights.

[ted4887]

If high sticking is what you want to do, stay away from the shorter rods. You'll want something at least 8'6", if not 9'+ in my opinion. The CT is supposed to be a nice little rod if you like the moderate action stuff.

Don't forget to look at Cabelas. A lot trout weenies will cringe when I say that, but they have some pretty nice sticks that are almost always on sale and I believe all would fit into your price range. I picked up a few 8'6 5wts for dirt cheap a few months ago and they are great for what I want them to do.

Perhaps you want to check out the Cabelas LSi 9' 3wt. That would be a rod that is right up your alley for what you're looking to do.

[Woody Erickson]

I agree with Ted on the Cabelas LSi 9' 3wt. Great rod, and a he!! of sale on it now.

[Ufatz]

I'd like to pitch in and help here but am having a hard time understanding the question. What is meant by " all around 3-wt?"

Give it a moment and YOU try to define an "all around 3-wt" for me.

[ted4887]

I'd like to pitch in and help here but am having a hard time understanding the question. What is meant by " all around 3-wt?"

Give it a moment and YOU try to define an "all around 3-wt" for me.

How about you just answer it as if he is just asking for what you think the best 3 wt for nymphing is for under $180. No need to be a d*ck and pick the guys question apart. But without you old timers asking questions like that, how would the sport uphold its unfortunate reputation as catering only to old elitist d*ckheads?

[Ufatz]

No, my intent was sincere. When you say "all around 3-wt" just what do you mean? A three weight is a three weight. If it is a 7' or a 9' it is a three weight rod. A 9' 3 wt. can be a high-sticking rod and a 7' 3 wt. can be a small stream, short roll cast rod. So where does that leave us. I would say an 8' 3wt. would be "all around" since you could probably handle either method. I worry that we become too consumed by tech jargon sometimes and it makes a basically simple sport confusing. Part of my question/response was intended to get people to think about what "and all around 3 wt." would be for THEM.

The rest of your note is unworthy of response and childish.

[kruger]

Ahhhh the stigmas of the fly fishing world...Ufatz I can see your point here "let’s call a spade a spade". I was a bit vague in my specifications for the insight I was looking for, I’ll give you that. Although I don’t believe you can get too specific when talking about $180 rods. To me you could really start to break down the specifications/applications of a rod at much higher price levels. At that point the rod makers are focusing on action, taper, overall physical weight, aesthetics and the best applications for those elements. IMO. Now so I can be better understood… I was looking for some info on a decent rod for $180 or less. I will be using this rod for fly fishing. I would be in pursuit of panfish and trout of varying subspecies. If anyone has/had a rod that they enjoyed let me know! Things I would consider as well would be warranty, overall sturdiness of the rod (as I am hard on my gear, and proud of it) and the rods ability to cast a fly of smaller size. (i.e. 18-28). Anyway I picked up a TFO finesse series the other day at the big C and think found my new love, so maybe I have answered my own question… But without HSO I would have never looked at TFO. Thanks guys!

[Ufatz]

Although I have lost count of the rods I've owned let me say that some of the C-boys fly rods are just fine. Got stuck in a wilderness area (0f Arizona) and needed a rod quick. Called and got a nice 9' 5wt and was much impressed with it. The TFO's a nice design and you'll do just fine. I get ornery when I am clubbed with "world class trout fishing"...okay, what does that mean? "all around 20-guage shotgun"?...okay: what makes it "all around". Or "record class tarpon"....oh yeah, what class is the record going to be in?

No worries. All is well. Tonight I believe I will sip some world class bourbon and dine on a gourmet class filet. Or slop down some blue collar class blended booze and scarf down a fast food class burger.

Some of us old time news guys think words should MEAN something. LOL