Need some help choosing gear

Surf Fisherman · Member

Need some help choosing gear

DrDan · Administrator

Welcome! 9 ft 5 wt would be fine. It seems like the sweet spot for most California trout waters.. Still fun with the 10" trouts and enough of a backbone for the occasional larger 20" fish. I've just picked up a 10' 4wt and I love how well I can roll cast and water load cast. A bit better than the 9' rod I have. There is not much room for overhead/ back casting on a lot of the water at Putah. Probably not as nice all around rod but worth considering.

Surf Fisherman · Member

Thanks for the info! Another question that you may or may not know the answer to, are there many students at davis in the fly-fishing scene? How hard would it be for me to get to the fishable parts of putah (winters)? I won't have a car, but biking will be a bit of a trip.

Thanks.

lightfoot · Senior Member

I don't envision you riding a bike from Davis to the upper section of Putah to trout fish. It can be done but you really have to want to go fishing to do it. I used to ride from Vacaville to Lake Barryessa, which is a comparable distance, but without carrying along a vest, waders, boots and a rod.

I doubt it will be that hard to find somebody at UCD with a vehicle to go fishing with.

Arnell · Member

I fished Putah last weekend and I went through Davis to do it. I remembered your post and took note of the time and distance in my truck. I'm with lightfoot on this one. You really have to be dedicated to ride your bike that distance with all your gear. Find a fishing buddy and share the expense and experience. I'm sure you'll be able to find a fly fishing friend easily at school.

Good luck,
Arnell

Cole Davis · Senior Member

I used to do a lot of road cycling in 02-03 when the wife was finishing school. I would ride from my house on J street out to putah, past the marina and up "cardiac hill". That is a little farther up the road than the creek but I seem to remember it being in the 65 mile range round trip. It's 32 miles round trip just from Davis to Winters. Everytime I was climbing the canyon I would look over and see someone fishing and think, what the hell am I doing on this bike right now??

-- Edited by Cole Davis on Thursday 5th of July 2012 10:27:02 AM

iamamultitasker · Senior Member

@Brendan,

I put up a review of some great inexpensive fly rods and reels here:

http://putahcreekflyfishing.activeboard.com/t49059574/looking-for-a-good-9ft-5-weight/

I have to say that the Okuma SLV rod and reel are unmatched in value by anything I've seen. If I were you, I'd get an Okuma SLV 6wt rod for $70 (incl. shipping if you have Prime w/Amazon) and the 5/6 wt SLV reel for $45. The 6wt is a tad big for Putah Creek, but the fact that you can use it for light steelhead, big trout, bass and shad, makes it a versatile choice. After I broke a Loomis rod on a shad this year, I bought the SLV 6wt and love it!

Surf Fisherman · Member

Thanks for all the replies guys. @iamamultitasker, Thanks for the reviews on the inexpensive gear. I might be going on a sierra trip for some goldens in a few weeks with a neighbor. Luckily for me, my work has given me more hours and I'm able to raise the amount I can spend on a rod. I've been talking to alot of fly fisherman, and the Scott A3 series is beloved by a few of them, and I assume the Scott A4, the successor is just as loved if not more so? Anyone have experience with these rods? My biggest problem is that I don't have a scott dealer close to me so Its going to be a huge hassle to try to casts one before hand.

Thanks guys!

- Brendan

Sammy · Member

Hey Brendan,

Probably wouldn't hurt to get involved in a few more forums like this one. Good way to find fly fishers in your area. Check out http://www.kiene.com/forums/

and if you're a facebooker you can add to this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/126474567407708/

The cool thing about Davis is you're really not too far from all kinds of great water.

Berryessie · Senior Member

If you get a chance, check out fly fishing specialties in Sacramento. They carry Scott rods and will let you cast it at the shop. I know a lot of people who fish the A3 and A4 and love them.

http://www.flyfishingspecialties.com/

Surf Fisherman · Member

Thanks for all the help and comments guys. While at a local fly shop yesterday evening someone recommended the Redington classic trout rod. I was skeptical as I'm not the biggest redington fan, but people seem to really like this rod and the action seems almost perfect for what I'd need for putah fishing.

http://www.redington.com/fly-fishing-rods/classic-trout/

What do you guys think? I'd go for the 9' 5wt in the series

- Brendan

-- Edited by Surf Fisherman on Sunday 15th of July 2012 12:27:23 PM

Matt R · Senior Member

Go for it. 9' 5wt will work fine on the creek. Great all around trout rod

windknots · Senior Member

I have a Scott A3 for steelhead, 9' 8 weight. I feel the rod was a good value though not sure how a lighter version will feel to you. I have no complaints about the rod whatsoever.

I'd also recommend looking for used rods on craigslist or ebay. Be sure to get one from a manufacturer that offers lifetime warranties for the rod. I've returned 4 on warranty over the years (I bought all of them new) 2 from Orvis - no cost no questions asked, both my fault. 1 from Sage for $50 and 1 spinning rod for a nominal fee, both broken accidentally by kids I was taking fishing.

Lots of people shell out the coin for a nice rod and then never use it and eventually liquidate it to get some cash. Spend less for your rods and buy more of them, you're better off having various wt rods from 2-8 wt, it takes time to build up the quiver though. When the tip on your 5 wt breaks it's not a big deal to use the 4wt or the 6 wt until you can get it repaired or replaced.

Cole Davis · Senior Member

Great info here. Really good deal for the Redington that won't break the bank. Plus it has more of progressive old school taper which some folks like for horsing in the big boys. Not to mention great customer service now that Sage owns them.

AfricanAngler · Senior Member

Like Cole said Sage owns Reddington now so you get great customer service and a lot of the Sage R&D filters "down" to Reddington.

The only other recomendation I would have to add to this is to say have a look at Echo rods. The first rod I bought was an Echo (9ft 6t) from The Fly Shop in Redding for $160. There customer service is very good too.( I broke my rod and found out first hand!!!) I now own many other more expensive rods (mostly bought on e-bay!!!) and the Echo is still my favourite casting rod!! That said I have a Scott 10ft 6wt (A3) that I really liked for fishing rivers aorund the valley, and would say if I had to have just one rod for fishing around where you will be a 10ft 6 wt of any brand that you like the feel of would be the go!!! I like the "reach when short line or High stick nymphing and then when on larger water like the Yuba could get a bit more leverage for long roll casts and line control with longer line nymphing. What I like about the Scott in particular is that on the occasion when I was tempted to put a dry on (Not often as I am a dirty-ass nympher!!!) it was "soft" enough to put a reasonable cast down with fairly small dries.

Anyway sorry I rambled on so much but hope it is of some help.

Cheers

AA

PS Look up Vince on the forum....he is in Davis and is always up to go fishing!!

-- Edited by AfricanAngler on Monday 16th of July 2012 04:37:28 AM

Surf Fisherman · Member

Cole Davis wrote:
Not to mention great customer service now that Sage owns them.

Really? Now I'm certainly more willing to look into redington rods. Now I'm not to concerned about their customer service if a rod with life-time breaks.