Picking your next rod?

[Keith Potter]

So how do you pick your next rod purchase?

I recently bought myself a nice new rod but just can't get on with it. It's 9ft 5wt same as my older rod is for fishing the hill lochs but I just can't get the new rod to cast a decent line. Tried 3 different lines and about to go up a line weight to see if it would load better but considering just selling it for something else so looking to see what tips folk have on selecting a new rod.
Thanks

[James Laraway]

like many folk here I'm on glass now, the only disadvantage being 8ft is the max length in glass. I like them for the brownies as they bend even with smaller fish. Do you fish bank or boat? Is your casting stroke relaxed or do you like a fast rod?

[Robert MacDonald-Lewis]

My preference is to try before I buy but that is often difficult or next to impossible. For the last few rods I have bought or built I have relied headily on recommendations from friends. This can obviously be a bit hit amd miss but has worked for me so far.

I feel that part of the problem trying and choosing a rod is that the line used can have a huge impact on the feel of the rod.

Relative price of the rod and lines may drive the best option for you, either changing the rod or trying other lines.

[Keith Potter]

like many folk here I'm on glass now, the only disadvantage being 8ft is the max length in glass. I like them for the brownies as they bend even with smaller fish. Do you fish bank or boat? Is your casting stroke relaxed or do you like a fast rod?

Mostly fish from the bank with only the odd day in the boat. Have been tempted with a glass rod but it seems another minefield full of options.😂😂

[James Laraway]

Mostly fish from the bank with only the odd day in the boat. Have been tempted with a glass rod but it seems another minefield full of options.😂😂

Where are you based Keith?

[Keith Potter]

Where are you based Keith?

I'm just outside Oban over on the west coast.

[James Laraway]

I'm just outside Oban over on the west coast.

i was going to say if you were more over inverness way i could give you a cast with a couple of glass rods...

[Keith Potter]

i was going to say if you were more over inverness way i could give you a cast with a couple of glass rods...

That's very kind of you. Might be heading over to contin with work soon so might take you up on that offer.

[James Laraway]

Just let me know when your across and we can see if we can meet up?

[David Thursz]

Good evening
What Rod is causing the problem?

[Keith Potter]

Good evening
What Rod is causing the problem?

It's a Orvis Clearwater that I'm slowly getting used to. Have went onto a #6 floating line and finally feel like it's actually working a bit better.

[Peter Lister]

A few years ago I had a holiday in the Borders (Kelso) I had a day fishing the Teviot+Tweed for trout+grayling with kit hired from the Orvis shop in Kelso.I was Hooked ( ) not having Fly Fished since I was a teenager I decided to get a Fly Rod made for a xmas treat for myself, after a few months researching I decided on a Leighton  9'6" Trout Rod from a Chas Burns who comes from York area, he used to have a Tackle shop in York but closed it after the big floods a few years back.I used it a few times and found it very nice to use. I recently joined a Angling  club at work and have been out alot more this year with my rod and I am thoroughly enjoying the Fly Fishing mainly at fisheries within an hours drive form Glasgow..where I work and live.

I recently purchased a Switch Rod  Package from Guideline as we have a few Salmon Trips coming up and as I have never had double handed rod before I thought it best get some training from a Professional, I had 2 hours training with Andrew Toft a former Spey Casting world champion from 2010 and had a good session with him, he went over the basics of fly fishing with my trout rod which he said was very well balanced and the double handed basics as well. I am now looking forward to our Salmon river trips and I am hoping to have a few more hours with Andrew Toft next season to increase my knowledge of the two handed Fly Fishing .. I used to like a bit of sea fishing as well but haven't been for years..seemingly Fly Fishing is also on the up at sea..