New member with rod questions

[Ghostcat78]

Hello all. I ran across this website while surfing high mountain lake fishing. I’ve recently moved to Idaho so I don’t have any experience with the washington lakes (I hope this doesn’t disqualify me). There are 100’s of mountain lakes here with good fishing that i’ve been researching. I’ve recently gotten into fly fishing and fly tying. I’m looking for a good 3# fly rod setup with a spinning reel. So far I have been eyeing a few rods that are decently priced:

ww griggs 3#
eagle claw trail master III spin/fly
cabelas 3 forks 3#

I’ve even considered taking a rod building class and making myself a rod. For reels I figured I find the lightest weight shimano or mitchell that would fit the seats of whatever rod I found. I’m open to suggestions and would like to keep the rod between 6-7′ long.

Doug

[Brian Curtis]

Fishing in Idaho certainly doesn’t disqualify you from these parts. I’ve fished a ton of Idaho high lakes so I’d be happy to talk Idaho high lakes all day.

If you really want to fly cast I’d stay away from the spin/fly combo rods like the Trail Master and go with a straight fly rod. I use a 9′ 5wt for both spin and fly fishing. I takes a bit of getting used to, spin casting with the reel behind, but is very effective. I’m so used to having the reel between my fingers when I cast that I end up casting two handed so I suppose I look a git goofy, but the setup works well and you can’t fly fish as effectively with a lousy fly rod.

3 Wt seems really light to me for high lake fishing. I’m not sure how it would cast lures, especially when you start getting up to a quarter ounce, and you do want to get that large, especially when you’re fishing deep.

My other concern is getting a rod that breaks down into enough pieces to put in your pack. Brush isn’t as big a concern in Idaho as it is here, but you’ll find it in certain areas and it isn’t worth risking your rod having it sticking too far out of your pack in any case. The Cabelas 3 wt comes in a 3-piece, but I think you’re better off with at least 4 pieces. Cabelas has a 5-piece including reel and line for $135. That looks like it could be a really nice set up.

I don’t know anything about the Grigs, but they look like they’re probably nice rods for the money.

I’ve found the Shimano reels to be lighter and smaller then the Mitchells and I’ve been happy with mine. Of course they’re releasing new models all the time.

[Ghostcat78]

I happen to own a sage 9′ 5# 4-piece with a tube. It’s convienent and compact. I’ve debated taking 2 poles with me. I was thinking something inbetween like a spin/fly combo might be the way to go to save on weight. So a 3# 7′ might be a simple solution to the inbetween worlds of both styles. I couldn’t imagine putting a spin reel on my 9′, that would seem awkward. If all else I’m just planning on getting a decent 2-3 piece spinning rod and using cast-a-bubbles. Thanks for your advice so far.

Doug

[Brian Curtis]

Here’s a bit of an action shot of me with a Shimano spinning reel on a 9′ fly rod at an Idaho high lake.

[Ghostcat78]

I’m betting you can get some good leverage with that setup and get those 1/64oz jigs out there a ways. I just might give that a try. It would make things much easier, since I can find a good comfortable reel a lot easier than finding a pole. Back about 15 years ago or so you could easily find a decent inexpensive UL spinning rod 2-piece with a shortened cork handle (8″ or so long) with rings. It seems now in my searches most new spinning rods have an enourmously huge long handle that extends past the preset reel seats. I’m not sure what made designers go this way, but it isn’t balanced in the slightest. I’m kind of bummed that I no longer have a cabelas in my town to go browse their line of rods. With all this cold weather i’m starting to get jumpy. Ice fishing isn’t footing the bill anymore. I just need to get out and go hiking/camping and fishing.

Doug

[Ghostcat78]

Also, I noticed there are 3 sizes to the adjust-a-bubble brand bobbers. What size is the best one to use?

Doug

[Brian Curtis]

I’m with you on the long handles. Sometimes they go with them so they can be turned around for fly fishing on combo rods. I made a spinning rod once and it had a nice short cork handle. Sadly, I broke it.

Still can’t whip those tiny jigs anywhere. I use 3/16-1/4 oz lures 95% of the time I’m casting lures.

I can’t remember exactly how those bubbles are sized, but if memory serves I like the medium size.

[Brian Curtis]

I got a chance to look at a Griggs spinning rod at the TB meeting last night. Sportsmans Warehouse very kindly donated a rod for an upcoming fundraiser. It looks like a nice pack rod. Very light. I’d chose it over any of the other spinning rods I’ve seen.

[Ghostcat78]

I haven’t seen the griggs spinning rods. My local sportsmans only has the fly rods. Funny thing is, griggs must be a sportsmans only type rod since you can’t seem to find any information on it, or purchase it anywhere besides sportsmans. Internet searches are fruitless. It would be nice to see a picture of it and have its specs.

Doug

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