4wt or 5wt? That is the question

[JDean]

Looking to treat myself to a new outfit just trying to decide between a 4 wt and a 5wt set up. What are your thoughts? Looking for a set up for creek fishing for resident trout

JD

 

[Kit]

4wt is nice. But Orvis makes a 2wt thats 6ft long that's perfect for small creeks.

 

[IR4Jflyfishing]

haha what kind of answer is that kit! ahah. Personally I would put you on a 4wt, something in the 8 foot range is nice but realistically we need more information on the areas youll be fishing, what your techniques will consist of. If youll be high sticking all day I wouldnt sell you a 7 foot rod, but if you are fishing in super tight areas then that rod may come in handy.
Matt

 

[JDean]

Smaller waters ranging from the grand and granny to upper limits of wilmot and credit. Rod will be for river trout and panfish and such. It will not be used for steelhead of larger fish such as bass

River sections will be castable for the most part although back casts will be limited at times. Will be using dries, Wets and nymphs. Was looking at an 8'6" 4 wt or a 9' 5wt. Just need some more advice and input from others

 

[Kit]

haha what kind of answer is that kit! ahah. Personally I would put you on a 4wt, something in the 8 foot range is nice but realistically we need more information on the areas youll be fishing, what your techniques will consist of. If youll be high sticking all day I wouldnt sell you a 7 foot rod, but if you are fishing in super tight areas then that rod may come in handy.
Matt

Lol I gave my thoughts..

8'-6" 4wt would be fine for what you explained. My 8wt 9' is fine for most of the places you mentioned.. If an area is tight behind you, roll cast is what your gonna wanna do.

 

[AaronKrick]

I have a sage 7ft 3 weight, absolutly love it! Amazing feel, light, sensitive, can feel the smallest bites with ease.

 

[Jacklake]

The other question is what other fly rods do you have? A 5wt would be a better all-round rod if you will have only one because you can even use small poppers for bass with that. To make it an 'everything' rod I would get an 8.5ft one if you can find it. IMO that is long enough for the Grand, but a little nicer/shorter for the smaller rivers/creeks.

For me, in addition to the question on casting (and branches and trees) is the question of how far out do I want to mend line? On the upper Ganny or Credit I use either an 8ft Avid 4wt or a softer Loomis 7.5ft 4wt, but on the Grand I use a 9t 4wt (once the hatches start) because I want to manipulate the line further away than the short rod allows.

 

[34ric]

Cabelas has their fiberglass rod on sale. CGT on for $74.99US from $149.99. I bought a 6'2 2 wt for small creeks. I have mine overlined with 3wt lime since its a faster glass they use. The general concensus that ive read online is that these rods work best overlined 1 line weight and i agree after casting mine. They range from 3-5wt rods. I like mine a lot - check it out.