never heard of em, but checked em out online, looks like a good rod, especially for the price and lifetime warranty, what kinda flyline did you or are planning to get, One of my reels has a rio streamside line and for $35 it works very well. Remember a good line is very important.
I had never heard of Yellowstone rods either, but I also checked them out online. With the price and lifetime warranty, you can't beat that. I think I'm going to have to check those rods out myself. The only concern that I have is with the reel. The reel looks really nice, but you say that you bought the 1934 model. It is designed to be fished with a 3 or 4 weight line. You can use a 5 weight line on it, but you can't put very much backing on the reel. If you can, you might want to exchange it for the 1956 model which is designed for a 5 or 6 weight line. You'll be able to load it up with more backing which you might need some day if you hook into a monster. I've only had fish take me into my backing twice on Putah, though.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
The bigger reel with more backing will also keep your line from getting all twisted up when you strip line off the reel for casting. The smaller diameter since you have less backing will tend to give the line more "memory" and it will want to kink up.
Daara wrote: 6 weight line? You can do that with a 5 weight rod.? won't it cast oddly?
It'll probably cast better. Many people put one even 2 sizes heavier on their rods, it's called overloading. It makes it easier to cast at short distances and more weight to cut through the wind in long distance ( I think. I know the short range for sure though). Ralph Cutter, a prominent fly fisher, instructor, tier, and author recommends it in his book "The Sierra Trout Guide". Personally I've used a 6wt line on my 5wt and it is much easier to cast, especially in short ranges and high sticking. It doesn't bother me at all in long cast either. At the moment I do have a 5wt line for my 5wt rod...
I've used a 6wt line on my 5wt rod a few times. One time it was by accident. I forgot my reel at home. I lived in Vallejo at the time, so it wasn't like I could just go home and get it. I happened to have a reel in my vest with a 6wt line on it, so I tried it. It actually worked well. I think it 's good, especially for beginners, to try a heavier line, because it helps them to feel the rod load more easily.
I've also read of poeple using one, even two sizes smaller line than the recommended line. One guy in particular was fishing for some wary trout and having a hard time getting them to take anything with his 5wt. He put on a reel with a 3wt line on it and started catching fish. It would have to be pretty hard to cast, but you would be able to make a more subtle presentation. I actually have a 6wt rod that I almost always use a 5wt line on. I like the feel of it better.
I fish a 5wt line on my 5wt rod almost all of the time. There are a few situations, though, where different approaches can be rewarding. Don't be afraid to do some experimenting.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
Yeah, I can agree to that. Definitely more subtle, I think it would be a little harder to cast. I have a buddy who has a 6/7 rod and I swear he cast a 5wt all the time, not on purpose but because he's a moron and didn't look at the package when he bought it at WalMart He gets tangles all the time and I spend a good portion of our outings laughing at him.
hey....whats wrong with walmart fly fishin stuff ? I bought a fiberglass crap rod about 15 years ago and it pretty much made me give up fly fishin...it was a berkely rod and a sceintific anglers reel...what a joke.
nothing wrong with WalMart fishing stuff I just wish my buddy would consult with me before he buys fly stuff, since he often buys stuff in bad judgement and that doesn't work with his equipment. Or he gets stuff that he doesn't need.
He gets tangles all the time and I spend a good portion of our outings laughing at him.