4wt outfit suggestions

lukeaday · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:42 am Post subject: 4wt outfit suggestions

Hi guys,
Lookin at getting a new 4wt set up consisting of a loop xact 9ft 4# and a lamson konic/guru 1.5
Not sure what line yet?
I plan on fishing the golburn, cumberland river (lorne), and any other streams...with drys and nypmhs.
You thoughts and reveiws on these.
Cheers, luke

Nivlag · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 12:15 pm Post subject:

Very specific request there Luke, my suggestion but to be noted I’ve not used this outfit and I might be going over stuff you already know.

Rod – have a few casts with it, most shops will let you do this even if you have to supply your own reel. If it feels good and you’re happy with the casting ability then there you go. If you want long casts then something stiffer is better.

Reel – I’m not familiar with that reel but I much prefer a quieter click and a reel you can spin line back onto the reel once a fish has been hooked, rather than having to wind the line back on (if you know what I mean?) Drag dosent mean a lot when you’re fishing 4#, a couple of fingers on the spool will do.

Line – can’t go past Courtland 444 in my view but there’s plenty of other good lines.

Cheers, Brett

lukeaday · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 4:44 pm Post subject:

yeah, I hate buying rods sight unseen.
I would even consider custom building one but it's even harder to get the one rod you are after in the first order!!!

So, plan A....Get a reel, line and backing (20lb braid?)
Then hunt around a few tackle shops for the right rod.....

Also, I have heard, is it best to go a weight up in the line eg: 5wt forward for a 4wt rod?

Nivlag · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:55 pm Post subject:

Going a line class up in weight can help load the rod up but you only need that if fishing the lakes a fair bit and want to be able to cast long. E.g. I have a 7 weight line on my 6 weight rod that I only ever use in windy conditions on the lake, but have #3 on my #3 rod and use this outfit 95% of the time. If you’re new to fly fishing then it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go up a class to help get the fly out there.

As far as backing goes, you only really need it to fill up the reel. I have never been taken to the backing by a trout – close but no cigar as yet. If you mean gel spun braid, I think the diameter is too thin and if you ever do get taken to the backing you have the potential to cut skin. I realise the fish would be being played on the reel by that stage but it still has the potential to cut. I use Dacron which is thicker and softer through the hands. Having said all that, it’s rare to get down to the backing and if you have a spare spool of braid, and to save on money then I don’t see a problem but thicker is better.

Don’t know where you live but if there are carp around they are great fun on fly and you probably will get taken to the backing!!

lukeaday · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:49 pm Post subject:

I am in Melbourne, Vic. I am not a novice at fly fishing at all. I have been waving the wand for many years. I have a 6/7 kilwell rod and a lamson velocity 3 reel
Now I am thinking of leaving my options a bit more open on a rod as long as it is 8ft and 4wt.
I have a bulk spool of 30lb fins braid that I can use for a bit of backing.
I know of a couple of areas that have carp and regularly rise. Just not sure what fly to cast to em.

muckawa · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 3:35 pm Post subject:

i keep buying new fly rods cause there so cheap compared to the seventies and eighties , they break every time i fall down , or the wind blows the car door
i find four piece are much better on streams and havent broken one let.
for a eight weight four piece i brought the biggest graphite cheap reel and put 350 metres of braid plus double taper fly line
fishing on the boat ramp hooked a carp and it pulled all the line till i couls see the arbor then i ran the bank trying too recover line for 300 metres
the carp was only 11kg
hooked a big brown at lyal dam that pull all the backing ,then when i through he was beat , he buried in the weeds
on stream its rare to get to the backing
buy a four piece rod with tube and carry it in your car all the time,
_________________
some days my post get deleted

fin101 · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:30 pm Post subject:

Sometimes a rod around 7.5 feet is ideal on tight little streams, you loose no line speed so casting is not affected, and it a lot easier negotiating through the bush. I own a stack of rods, nearly all sages, but my all time fav is a scummy old imx loomis 7 footer blank(sr 842) old tech but sweet to use. You can break any rod if you are clumsy, hit it with a bead head nymph if you cast poorly etc etc, whether it's 4 pc or 2 or 3.

blackwater · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 1:33 am Post subject: Re:

Tyenna Dave · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 10:16 am Post subject:

I would have to agree BW !
Also trying to go long with a heavier line may do your rod damage as it possibly collapses under the line load .
Seen many a cracked feral from this situation

If you want to go short ,get a soft tipped rod as they will load in short ,if you want to go long then get the rod with the firmer and faster recovery rate .
My favourite rod for the streams is a 9' cheap asse Norstream ,loads like a gem with only leader out the tip

Dave ...

Nivlag · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:44 pm Post subject:

Well blow me down I’ve been doing wrong all these years.

I doubt very much going up 1 line class will do damage to the rod – never had it happen, seen it happen or heard of it before now. I guess that’s not to say it can’t happen though.

But as I said in my original post, have a few casts with the setup if you can and you should be able to work out pretty quickly if it suits your style.