04-21-2018, 01:10 AM
If you still have a functional 9 ft 5 wt and are planning to fish smaller stream that can be brushy then you want to downsize more than just to 8 ft 4 wt. Assuming 99.9% of the trout you’ll hook are going to be 16 inches or under on smaller streams a 2 or 3 wt is more than adequate. I’d suggest a 6 to 7 ft rod length. You’ll probable hook more fish if you nymph without missing any more fish with dries. If you want to occasionally throw streamers with your smaller rod get a few size 12 streamers. With nymphs stick to size 10 and smaller.
My favorite small stream rod gradually got smaller. I now use a 5ft 8in
1 wt. Fishing Southern Utah last week my Nephew and Brother
in law they used it or a 7’6” 3 wt. They both preferred the larger rod as the smaller rod was just too big of a jump from their usual 8 and 9 ft 4 and 5 wt rods they use for trout and bass.
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My favorite small stream rod gradually got smaller. I now use a 5ft 8in
1 wt. Fishing Southern Utah last week my Nephew and Brother
in law they used it or a 7’6” 3 wt. They both preferred the larger rod as the smaller rod was just too big of a jump from their usual 8 and 9 ft 4 and 5 wt rods they use for trout and bass.
[signature]