I'm thinking about asking Santa for one. Seems to me it would work well in the close quarters of Putah and get your flies into some hard to reach spots.
I use a 10' for 4wt Cabelas CZN. Great nymphing rod for the Putah. I love tight lining with it and it even works great withe indicators and split. The extra length makes keeping line off the water and mending so much easier. It's a little tougher navigating the banks however! Always seems to get stuck in the bushes.
I just oust bought the 11' version and it's even better with a bit more backbone for larger fish. It feels a bit like cheating but anything to get an advantage on those wiley PC trout!
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Nymphing with a 10' rod rocks! But for putah i would prefer a 9'. I have a good buddy that fishes a 10' XP and he loves it. For me, the narrower water, and heavy brush can make my 10' 6wt a little clumsy. But on the lower sac, feather, and American, a 10' rod is right at home. The big benefit IMO would be hooking and fighting fish. On putah, the softer action, due to the longer length, will protect your 6x tippet a little more against hard strikes and head shakes. Tight Lines!
-- Edited by steelheadgoof on Thursday 28th of November 2013 10:43:45 PM
Hi Bob, Like Drdan, I picked up a Cabelas CZN stick a while back and hardly fish with anything else when the game is high stick or indicator nymphing. It is also the 10' 4 wt version and for 200 bucks I've been very pleased with it. Before buying the rod, I'd come to the conclusion that because of the way I intended to use the rod,( flipping upstream, roll casting, high sticking through pocket water), it didn't have to be a precision casting tool and be in the price range of the similar models offered by Sage, G Loomis, etc. I'm happy to say that I was correct in that assumption and the rod performs these tasks very well and when asked to toss a # 20 bwo emerger, it's happy to ablidge. I think the best thing about the longer length is the increased ability to mend efficiently. While the extra length is a definite advantage once on the water, it does make for trickier navigation along brush choaked paths. I have been so happy with the 10 footer that picked an 11' 2-3 wt on Ebay for less that 100 bucks. it is im6 graphite. A lot slower than the Cabelas CZN and feels more like glass. I've only used it once on the Calaveras and was happy with it as well. I'd say that if you're interested in adding a 10'er to your arsenal, see what's out there, check out reviews etc, but know that for the money, you can't go wrong with CZN.
I also use a 10' 4 wt at the creek. I still use my 9' 4 and 5 wt's but find myself grabbing the 10 footer more and more often, and it's become my go to. It gives better reach better drifts and over all more control while nymphing I personally don't find it a pain or disadvantage while moving around the bush. At least not any more than I do with my 9 footer. I have a 12' 3wt too...now that one is a bitch to move around the creek, but the reach is amazing!
I fish an Orvis Access 10' 5wt and smile every time I set it up. Primarily I use it on the Truckee but it works really well on Putah too (lighter tippet). If you get one just remember that extra foot while landing fish.
I fish an Access 9 foot 5 weight at the creek. I figure when you get into some of those really tight spots with overhanging trees all around, that extra 12 inches would really help avoid a lot of roll casting and the ensuing snags that seem to eat up half your day at Putah. Can't catch fish when your flies are in a tree!
I'm going to take a look at that Cabelas rod next time I'm in Reno. thanks for the tips.
I've been using a Echo Shadow PE 10' 3wt and like it a lot. The extra length helps with distance/control and the soft tip is good for detection. I've been trying to get away from using an indicator, so I've been "euro-style" fishing with it lately. The extra foot makes it a little harder when bushwhacking or landing a fish.
Santa came early yesterday and dropped off a Cabelas 10' 5 weight CZN rod. Any recommendations on a reel for this stick? I also hear tell that its best to fish one line up on a nymphing rod.
I would take the line advice with a grain of salt. I've always found that trial and error are best for me. I would take a 4, 5, and 6 wt lines out and see what the rod wants to work best with. Also, it really boils down to what type of nymphing your doing at the time.
If your indicator fishing you're gonna want a line that's heavy enough to load the rod. This way, roll casting, overhead type casting and line mending will be easily achieved. This approach uses the line to load the rod and deliver the rig.
If your going the tight line or Euro nymphing route, you want to go with a pretty light line (maybe 2 wt or 3 wt) or a specialty line for best results. The lighter lines won't sag in between the guides and in between your hand and stripper guide. This way you can keep a direct contact with your flies. This method uses the weight of the flies and or shot, not the line, to carry the leader and small amount of line to the target.
Good luck with the new rod.
Also, I like the Galvan Torque reel. I'd go with the T5 for a 10' 5wt
-WF
-- Edited by wormfree on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 12:10:47 AM
-- Edited by wormfree on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 12:30:07 AM
I'm probably going to do mostly traditional indicator nymphing, but will try Czech from time to time too. I watched a few Youtube videos on czech techniques and some guys don't even use a line. The leader goes loop to loop onto the backing, with a short strip of indicator material.
I've seen some Truckee rigs with the split shot below the bottom fly. Might give that a try too.
I have a bid in on a Torque on Ebay. Also looking at a Hardy Ultralite.
Hi Bob, The Galvan Torque is a great reel. I haven't checked out the Hardy up close and personal but I'm sure it's a fine reel as well. I several Galvans and usually go with either a satanard model 1.5 or a Lamson litespeed 1.5 when I fish my czn, but it is the 10' 4 wt. Both those reels balance with the rod really nicely, I'd say you can't go wrong with the Torque though. Great drag on that reel, as well as the rest of the Galvan models. Good luck on your bid! Carl
I'm probably going to do mostly traditional indicator nymphing, but will try Czech from time to time too. I watched a few Youtube videos on czech techniques and some guys don't even use a line. The leader goes loop to loop onto the backing, with a short strip of indicator material.
I've seen some Truckee rigs with the split shot below the bottom fly. Might give that a try too.
I have a bid in on a Torque on Ebay. Also looking at a Hardy Ultralite.
I have two of the Hardy Ultralight 4000 model. I really like them alot too. I use one on my 10' 4wt Zenith and it balances the rod well. Smooth drag and a lot of line pick-up. I think the Galvan has a slightly better drag and with a wider range of settings, but I'm really splitting hairs here. You will save some dead presidents with the Hardy though.
