Ultra light gear articles

[Sasha]

Hey guys a in a discussion somewhere else there were some who were not very fond of ultra light gear. I was surfing the net looking for articles on the subject and came across these two articles. I thought I would post them over here too for those interested.

http://www.byrdultrafly.com/ulmyths.htm

http://www.byrdultrafly.com/ulmyths2.htm

[rayfound]

I think the most valuable thing pointed out in the articles you cite: You can put more pressure on a fish without breaking the tippet with an ultralight rod - because the rod will flex much more within the break strength of the tippet, than say a 6-wt would.


For curiousity - what do you all consider "ultralight"?

For example - The only rod I have/use is a 3 weight, 7'6". I use it in many different applications, from the kern, to park ponds, to high alpine lakes, and tiny little creeks. Sometimes I feel like I would like to have a longer rod (say 8'6" or 9'), I rarely feel like I need a heavier rod.

[anacrime]

ultralight is pretty relative

i would say a 3wt on the lower kings is ultralight while a 3wt on a golden trout creek is heavy

[midger]

rayfound,
Your 3 weight is fine for most Southern California, small stream fishing. It would be inadequate for slinging large streamers, fishing for carp, an fishing in the ocean. You'd also be hard pressed using it in a float tube chasing large trout. Could you use it? Of course, it just isn't the "best suited" for those other purposes.

I rarely use anything under a 3 weight--even on some of those high Sierra streams that hold goldens (the one I frequent also holds very large browns as well) as I like to be gunned for throwing nymphs, small streamers, casting in the wind, etc.

I really don't classify a rod by the size of the fish I'm after, but rather more by its weight designation. A 000, 00, 0, 1, and even some 2 weights class as ultralight to me best suited for dry flies and small nymphs; 2 weights (stiffer ones)-4 weights are generally light weight rods suited for small to medium sized streams and rivers, 5-6 medium/general purpose rods for trout fishing medium to large rivers well suited to flinging nymphs, streamers, and dry flies; 7-8 medium heavy for large lake trout like Pyramid Lahotans, steelhead on the klamath, etc; 9 and above for Alaska, and salt species.

Those are my classifications and by no means are they set in concrete. I usually fish from 3-5 weights except when drifting larger rivers or where I'll be throwing streamers or multiple weighted nymphs with shot. I then fish a 6 or 7 weight. Your mileage may vary.

[Sasha]

Just to be clear my motive for posting this thread was solely for the purpose of information. I saw a thread somewhere else where people were saying that they did not understand why people use ultra light gear if they C&R. Since I knew there were some here who enjoy fishing ultra lights I figured that I would share it over here too as some might not have ever read those articles.

[darrin terry]

This really comes down to personal choice in terms of what to fish in a given situation - size of water, size of fish, size of flies used. I do not think one would want to fish a 2 wt on a big river like the Sac for large trout or steelhead. At the same time why would someone want to use a 6 wt on a tiny meadow creek for small brook trout or goldens. Personally, I try to choose the rod best suited to the conditions, water and trout, I will be fishing. On the Lower Kings where I fish in the fall and winter, I usually fish my 6 wt, or maybe a 4 wt. Could you go smaller or larger, yes if that is what you want or have available. If I am fishing a small creek, depending on the size of the creek, I will go with either one of my 4 wts or, if really small water, the 2 wt I built this summer.

I'd say the best thing any of us could do would be to try out a wide range of rod weights in different situations and see what works for you. Ultimately, it's your choice. Find the tool that fills the need you are trying to fill.

My rods:
6.5' 2 wt - small creeks for fish usually to about 12 inch using dries, small nymphs and very small (14-16) buggers
7.5' 4 wt - small creeks for fish usually to about 15 inch using dries, nymphs & smaller streamers
9.0' 4 wt - small creeks to medium rivers & lakes for fish usually to about 25 inch using dries, nymphs & smaller streamers
9.0' 5 wt - medium creeks to medium rivers & lakes for fish usually to about 25 inch using dries, nymphs & smaller streamers
9.0' 6 wt - medium to large rivers & lakes for fish usually to about 25 inch using dries, nymphs & streamers
9.0' 7 wt - medium to large river & lakes for fish usually to about 25 inch using mostly nymphs & streamers

Future rods (maybe):
7.5' - 8.0' 2 wt -
9.5' - 10.0' 6 wt -
8.0' ish 4 wt (fiberglass) -

What rod suits the fishing situation and brings you the most pleasure. If you are a C&R angler, then also take into account how your rod choice may affect the fish you will be releasing, or how efficiently you can use it to land the fish.

I like ultralights and small, wild fish but that is far from the only type of fishing I either do or like. That is why I have the rods listed above.

Sasha, great links. I'd read through them sometime in the last year or so. Interesting stuff to consider.

[midger]

Doc,
Thanks for the kind words--if you get enough years under your belt you manage to learn a bit. Note that I never said anything negative about fishing with the lightweight/featherweight rods. It's a matter of fish what you want to fish with, and as I'm a nymphoholic who frequently throws weighted flies and shot, I generally need a rod that has enough backbone to chuck the hardware I use.

[Rockstar Fisherman]

Until I get the $$ I'm stuck with a 5wt because it's the best all around, in my opinion. Granted the biggest fish I catch are usually 18-20" with an occasional rare bigger one, and I'm always hoping for the bigger one. But I definately want a 3wt for smaller creeks someday, hopefully by next season!!

[rayfound]

Well, they are hinting at the idea that UL gear makes landing slower - therefore increasing mortality. I disagree, and am generally of an opinion similar to what the articles said - the TIPPET not the rod limit how fast you can bring in a fish. following that theory - fish as light as you want, without the tippet strength causing your rod to break.

That being said, I just hope to someday be in a position to need to worry about which of my rods to use.

As it is today, I don't have to think.

[Sasha]

...I saw a thread somewhere else where people were saying that they did not understand why people use ultra light gear if they C&R.

Simply because it's fun. But if that's what they said, I don't understand what they're getting at. What type of gear would they prefer I use? I'm just trying to figure out what angle they're taking.

It is not the forum you are thinking of
I was doing some internet surfing looking at different ultra light rods and happened to come across another site. Basically one poster was asking for advice on ultra light rods and quite a few jumped on him for wanting to fish a "toy" rod. And they basically said that fishing them unless you were specifically target juveniles otherwise you would just kill fish because the rod does not have the backbone to land them quickly. I then saw on another forum that we are all familiar with another thread about playing fish and mortality rates, a couple of the posters there questioned the reason for sub 0 rods. I then came across these two articles so I figured that I would share them on both sites.

[Rockstar Fisherman]

I think the most valuable thing pointed out in the articles you cite: You can put more pressure on a fish without breaking the tippet with an ultralight rod - because the rod will flex much more within the break strength of the tippet, than say a 6-wt would.

And wildfly you summed it up very well too.

[anacrime]

you really can put a lot of pressure on fish with a 0wt. certainly enough to bring in a 12-13" trout in under a minute. and trout are at a major disadvantage in small creeks b/c they really don't have anywhere to run. i could see someone bringing in a 20" trout on a 0wt with 5x in under 5 minutes. just screwing around in my room it seems that they're capable of putting 4lbs of pressure on a fish

[rayfound]

just screwing around in my room it seems that they're capable of putting 4lbs of pressure on a fish

I sure hope you're getting yourself an engineering degree.

[flybob]

Hey Guys/Gals......I have read all the P's & C's and here is my Dos Centavos worth...

FISHING WITH AN ULTRALIGHT IS JUST PLAIN EFFIN FUN!

I went pond fishing recently, and took my 0wt, I was using Sage 0Wt DT line with 5X tippet throwing a weighted mini streamer (thanks Midger, that pattern has proved to be quite universal!) and I caught of ton of gills in the 9" range, as well a couple of LMB's, not big, but not small!
Let me just say that I had the time of my life! When those gills hit, it was non stop action with a doubled over rod, what a blast!
As far as the bass go, I don't have any experience with them, although I have been trying all my life, but when they hit it was like a big "Thunk" and nothing...for about two seconds and then, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ line going out! WOW! What a rush! You really gotta work to bring them to hand! I am sure that a bigger bass would have broke me off.

NOW, I don't know about youz out there, but that is why I go fishing! To have fun! This rod just makes it more exciting and challenging!
Ever see a 52 year old man jump up and down and laugh like 10 year old!

Lots of these!


And, a couple of these!


Bob

[darrin terry]

Now that just sounds like pure fun, Bob! I am imagining that on my 2wt. It brings a smile just thinking about it.