Light rods, heavy rods, or in between?

When I started fly fishing, I read every book, magazine, internet article, or hand scratched note I could find on the subject. Everyone was dead set back then that a 5 or 6 weight graphite rod was THE best beginner stick out there. The faster the better, so you could huck that #2 Muddler Minnow across the lake.

THe first rod I bought for myself was an 8'6" graphite/glass blend that was super cheap, had a cheap foam handle, cheap plastic reel seat, and a cheap action. Nicest thing about it was the Medalist reel, which I'd borrowed "indefinitely" from my brother. I loaded it up with a double tapered #6 line (since every book touted the DT for it's ability to be reversed if you wear one end out...) and thought I was set!

Over the years, I've had fast rods, slow rods, light rods, heavy rods, and in-between rods. I personally have settled on the lighter end of the spectrum for my general fishing - then again, I also settled in on smaller waters with smaller fish as my favored and most cherished places to fish.

My #1 favorite, most fished rod, is an 8' 4 weight, that I underline with a DT 3 line. Other rods that i've loved almost as much were my Cabela's Three Forks 3 weight, and my TFO 6' 2 weight - that rod was a sweet heart, and I had to sell it because I needed cash. I'm planning on replacing it this summer with either their 6' or 6'6" 2 weight... my favorite fly shop owner said he'd sell me a package deal, rod, reel, fly line, and backing for less than $200 whenever I was ready to buy

For me - 5 weights are on the heavy end of the spectrum I normally fish. I don't currently have a rod heavier than my 5/6 glass rod - I sold my 10 weight because we've got a baby coming, and the cash from it was more useful than a rod that only got fished a couple times a year. It'll eventually get replaced with a more useful 6 or 7 weight rod - a good carping rod, steelhead rod, and big streamer rod for trout fishing...

Since my favorite fish to fish for are panfish and small stream trout - I simply adore rods in the 2-4 weight range, and if I ever find a good deal on one, I want to snatch up an Orvis 1 weight, or if I ever get rich enough, one of those Sage 0 weight rods (though, how can you have a "0" weight? 0 means nothing... stop me before I get all philosophical!)

I get tired of casting heavy 6, 7, or 8 weight (or heavier) rods all day. They're just not as much fun to cast or fish with. My personal best on a light fly rod was a sweet trout of about 15 or 16 inches, taken on a dry fly on a small stream that shall remain unnamed. That was a PIG of a fish for that stream, and would be a good fish in just about any of the waters I fish - big or small.

What do you fine folks like to fish with?

I'm the other end of that spectrum, I prefer 9 or 10 footers for everything. In fact even on tight brookie streams I use a 8'6" 5 wt. Why you ask, well because I'm poor and it's the smallest rod I own...lol...I've been eyeing one of those TFO finesse rods in a 389 for brookies for a few years but, there's always something else I need more. Anway, in summary I like 'em big and fast just like my...er...well nevermind...

I started out with a Sears and Roebuck fiberglass rod. I guess it was a 6wt. and probably about 7.5 feet. Threw level line on that for bream in the local ponds for I don't know how long. Advance (yeah, right) to a South Bend graphite/glass rod with the foam handle. That lasted a bit before I really got into it and bought a 6wt. Bass Pro rod.

I finally started adding to the collection and got a 3 wt. Cabelas Three Forks. That is one nice rod for the money. Its been my go to rod for most everything except bass. I also aquired a St. Croix 8' 3wt (Thanks Jeff!) and now it takes precedent over the Cabelas rod.

I finally got around to upgrading the 6wt. as well and went with a TFO. Can't say that I like it all that much as its heavy. I got the cheap one of course.

So, I'd say I like the lighter rods and usually 8' or less, but if I'm hitting big water or a lake for bass, then I'll be throwing a 9' 6wt more than likely.

Floggin...that TFO right you're talking about sounds sweet. Tell your flyshop guy you want 2 of them and I'll take the other off your hands .

@ Dell - women?

And cars...

I began with a 7 weight, and then went down to a 3 weight, and worked my way up to a 9 weight, now i'm mostly a 4/5/6. All 9 footers. I like the rod to be a little snappy and fast.

I started with a 6wt. Added an awesome 1wt, then a 4wt to the mix. Then an 8wt for salt trips.

I then moved to Alaska and went a little crazy..... current tally is:
1-1wt
1-4wt
3-6wts
2-7wts
5-8wts
2-10wts
1-11wt
1-13/15wt
1-7wt spey
1-9wt spey
1-6/7 switch

I think that is all....... But I have some in the plans including a 9wt, 12wt and a eventually I may even acquire a ....gasp....5wt fly rod!!!!

You gotta just to make the numbers work out, right!?