Hey all--

I'm gonna build a small brookie rod out of one of Lamiglas' slow fiberglass blanks. Probably a 6'6'' 3-weight. Usually, since I'm only casting 10 to 15 feet of line on those little Eastern mountain streams, I'd bump up to a 4 weight line to give the 3-weight rod more flex. But I was wondering: Since this rod would certainly be slower than most, would that make it more of a true 3-weight when casting at short distances? Or would a 4 weight line still be optimal in close quarters? Hope that's clear...

Dave

I built this rod and sold it like a year later.
It's a true buggy whip. The slowest full flexing rod I've ever cast. Slower than a lot of bamboo rods even. You would never need to upline this one, I used a 2 wt. line on it most of the time.
I've heard the 3 pc. is a little stiffer, I had the 2 pc.
It was just too slow for me, that's why I sold it. It was tough to cast past 40 feet. Under 40 it was fun, especially fishing dries. It was tough to set the hook while nymphing though.

There is no such thing as a true 3 wt rod. If you can find the CCS numbers on the rod then you'd know what line would probably be best in close quarters. From what Andrew said above I'd guess it's a pretty soft rod.

dave, i built the three piece version of this rod. it performs well with a
dual taper two. it is very nice at short distances and i would not overline it with a four wt line, or even a three. some who have built the two piece version have complained that it is a buggy whip but i would not describe the three piece version as a buggy whip. it is slow but i find it pleasant to cast and fish with.nice delicate presentation. i also built this rod on the most stiff axis when i spined the rod. that may have helped. i like the rod fine for what i use it for. small streams and small fish. in a previous post i have asked similar questions about the 7' 3wt. i just ordered the blank. i also have the 7'6" 4 wt and like that rod very much with a four wt line. if you build it use light guides and build on the stiff axis and i think you will like the rod for your small stream work.

I would never expect a 3wt to be considered for long casts. The whole idea is small waters, small fish, shorter range casting optomized, and soft as can be for using spider web sized tippets so as not to pop off every take of every 6" Brookie.

In fact, a lot of the creeks will need a heavier line for casting to typical very short distance fish. If long casting is essential, use a bigger rod. If delicate presentation with tiny tippets from 20 feet to 30 yards, you need the soft action as essential for setting small hooks in small jaws that nip and spit PDQ. Even with the soft rod, it will take a lot of skill or a lot of flies will be lost.

If primary purpose is soft landings with no errors at short distance, then it sounds to me like the Lami with soft action suits the purpose very well. The fiberglass is a good idea again as it will be much more durable than fast high cost graphites. And that just adds a bunch of value for such a tiny tip that inevitably will be tested by a drop to the ground or a poke or a snap against a creekside branch.