I have a customer that wants two rods built for his brothers that fish in Ark. They trout fish What would be the best all around weight flyrod for that area? Also Lengh and would you use the old style snake guides or one of the newer type guides out? Any help would be greatly appriciated and soon of course he wants them for christmas nothing like waiting till December!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/2010 03:15PM by Dale Cecil.

Dale,
My feelings would be from 4 thru 6 weight.
Length from 7'6" to 9"
Without knowing personal preference or casting level, I'd go with an 2-piece 8'6" 5 weight IM7 or IM8 with a moderate fast action.
I'd use light wire single foot titanium for the top 3 guides and the remainder would be traditional double foot snakes with a pair of double foot alox for the stripper and next guide up.
The build can be done with one less guide than normal as the water conditions lead to light tippets and long leaders.

Eugene Moore

depending on where they fish in arkansas..many prefer longer rods for that area up to 10 feet..i would give schneiders a call as that is their backyard and have some blanks just for that area

If I were shore fishing, I would probably go with a 9' 4 wt, as they seem to use small flys back there, From a boat, I would go with a 9' 5 wt.
I would probably go with double foot guides for the first 2 then I build the majority with wire single foot guides, unless the customer expressly designates that he wants double foot snakes. Another consideration, is guide size. I use larger for loop to loop connections, and smaller for nail and others. There are so many variables involved, it can be a tough decision

Ron Weber

Thank you all for your Help and I will Have to give Schneiders a call!

I live in Arkansas and fish here all the time. On some of the smaller waters, I use a 7.5' four wt. On the larger waters, I use a 8.5' four wt. When the water is high and flowing, I use a 9' seven wt. with full-sink line (but that's not likely what your clients are doing).

Realistically, an 8.5' or 9' four or five wt. is a good all-around option for Norfork and the White River. Just for the sake of mending line, I'd likely go with a 9' rod, and for the sake of heavy water and wind, I'd go with a 5 wt.

DAle, I think Andrew has given you good advice.
The 9' is a good length for the White River, and a 5 wt should handle most situations.
IF905 in RX7, or the new fast action XF905-4.
Also, we like a couple 2 ft stripper guides and 1 ft running.
Here are some links;
[www.schneidersrods.com]

[www.schneidersrods.com]

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

How big are the trout they plan to catch? How big are the flies they plan to cast? How deep is the water they plan to fish in? How far will they need to cast? Fly rods tend to be as different as spin rods, from ultra light to heavy surf casting.

If they're chasing the "big boys" in the White or the Little Red Rivers, a 5 wt. might be under powered. Remember, the current and two previous World Record Brown Trout were caught in these two river systems. Most who chase these goliaths, fish at night with 7 or 8 weight rods. If they're after the typical 22" and under - trout, a 9' 4 or 5 weight would be about the best all around.

then do a 6 wt. You will be in the middle of it all fast action and it will work with 7-8 and 5. fast action you can do a lot more with then a mod or slow.

Bill - willierods.com

All I really know is they wade fish and they live very close to the Missoury border.

Looks like the customer should have given some guidance. Fly fishing covers a lot of different methods. If you just have to pick, a moderate action 9' in 5 wt covers a lot of territory. Something like the old Sage RPL or a GL3 or one of the moderate action St. Croix or Rainshadows would be a safe choice. Leader strength is more important than rod weight in fish landing with a fly rods. If you go over 9 feet it works well for nymphing with a strike indicator, but is not much fun to cast. Some tailwater fisherman use a light 10 ft. If you go under 9' you are giving up some fishing ability to cast and mend line. But the rod might be more fun for dry fly fishing with light leaders. I have only fished the white once. I used a 9', 5 wt and nymphed. It was a lot of fun and I caught a couple nice fish. If I were to go back I would take my 9', 4 wt RPL and use either a 4 or 5 wt line on it dependent upon whether the wind was blowing and if I was using small flies or big strike indicators. I personally like single foot ceramic guides on my rods ans would reccomend that for this river because you are definitely going to get to fight some nice sized fish.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/09/2010 09:34PM by Bill Moschler.