Q&A

Hi my name is Isaiah im wondering about the quality of cabelas fly rods especially thier moderate action rods such as the PT series and the clear creek series rods. Ive been fly fishing for many years now with the same 3 weight fast action rod from cortland, it performes well for most conditions until a hatch of small mays, midges and caddis flys. The rod is to stiff to lay the flies down gently enouph to keep from spooking the fish. The 1weight 7 ft clear creek outfit from cabelas is very tempting. I've heard stories from fly fishers who own 1weight rods and they say they are a blast to catch fish on. I'm wondering if that would be a good choice for a rod or would you have any other suggestions.

Hi Isaiah, There are a bunch of variables involved in your question such as the waters you fish, the rod length you prefer, the fish you are chasing, etc. However, I will take a stab in the hopes that my response will strike a chord. First, I don't know of a better company to trust with confidence than Cabela's.Whatever you buy, house rod or famous brand, Cabela's will stand behind the product, even when the manufacturer won't.Unfortunately, I have not personally cast any of the rods you mentioned.My sole experience with their house rods are the two Stowaway 7 models I reviewed last year.I liked the 7 so much that a 4-weight now resides in my inventory.But based on your statements, I don't think it is the rod for you.

No doubt about it, very gentle presentations are best accomplished with a full flexing rod.Personally, when the lines get skinny, I favor shorter rods.One of my favorites is a Winston 8-footer known as Tom Morgan's Favorite.Rated as a 4-weight, it really is a 3+.It throws beautifully but it is not inexpensive.I have two other favorites:a Hardy 7.5 foot 4-weight (fiberglass) and a real old timer, a Betts 6-footer (fiberglass) that I picked up in St. Pete. FL after returning from Vietnam in 1963.I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! Either of these rods casts either DT-3-F or a DT-4-F with ease.

If you are beginning to think that fiberglass is a popular item with me, you are absolutely correct.As you know, the length of the rod is not all there is to casting.Frequently, a shorter rod will cast as far as a longer rod in the hands of a competent caster.Lee Wulff, a true master of the gentle art, chased his Atlantic salmon with 6-foot rods and casts of 80-feet.

If I were you, I would take a long look at fiberglass ... Cabela's carries the Fenwick Fenglass, very good buy.And don't let the catalog's 5-weight rating stop you.The little 6-footer will throw a DT-3 or DT-4 with ease. On close waters a little rod is a blessing and fiberglass, in my view, has it all over most graphites in surviving in those environs.

If I were you, I would forget all about so-called 1-weights (2-weights included).The 3-weight is the lightest I ever recommend to my clients and since I teach them to throw a 3-weight line on their 4-weight rods, there is no advantage to the 3

You might try communicate with Cabela's and order rods out one at a time to try.If you do, don't overlook the Redington RedStart II, also a good buy

Hope this helps ... Let us know what you decide

Doug Macnair

PS.Don't forget to experiment with the length of your leader and the length of your tippet.