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Good example. Instead of a 10# weight, try say a 1# weight with a (for example) 7wt rod in 6 and 9 foot lengths. You'll see the smaller rod is easier to lift the weight with.

I get the feeling you are missing the importance of the vector... The highly fusiform fish follows his nose when the force is directed there. Especially in the small creek scenario being discussed, the longer rod lets you change the fish's angle of attack instantly.

Changing vector? I've fished in narrow spring step-acrpss creeks with short (7.5') rods and long (9')rods and never had too many unusual problems bringing a fish to hand with either. The more pressure you put on a fish, the more you can change his direction, and I think you can do that to a greater extent with a shorter rod. However, you can protect your tippet better with a long rod for the same reason which require inverse thinking: you don't put as much load on a fish. A long rod increases your casting distance, which is also irrelvant in a small stream.

Good thing is, there is room for short rods and long rods. I am not a super-short guy myself, 7.5' is my minimum , but the short ones do have an advantage is some situations.

When 'horsing' largemouth bass out of heavy cover give me a 7' two grip rod over a 5 1/2' pistol grip any day.....dramatic difference with the longer rod.

In addition to having two hands to horse the rod, you're also moving the fulcrum forward with the two-grip rod. So yeah, most any two grip rod is better than a one grip rod regardless of length.

Gene
Pretty obvious you are fixated on the wrong answer. Have to believe you will see the difference the first time you get a big fish on a long rod...
art

But, after horsing fish out of debris with a longer rod the fish is fighting the rod and all that flex, with a short rod the fish is fighting the angler (less flex).

Taken to the extreme, I'd rather play a large fish with a 10' rod, not a 3' rod.

Playing a fish and horsing a fish are two different actions. If you're interested in putting a fish in the boat or on the shore, you're better off with a short rod. If you're interested in using a light line or tippet, you're better off with a long rod.

Most bass rods are 6' or so, IIRC. Never seen a 10' bass rod. I think 8' is the maximum length for tournament fishing.

A 5' 2wt. with a 3wt. WF would be a NICE little rig. I think I shall have to look at that, considering some of the rather tight little mountain streams 'round home.

Thanks for the head's up!

I say; "What ever floats your boat". No sense agruing over long vs. short. The whole object to fishing IMHO is to get out and enjoy the outdoors the Good Lord has given us. Fly-fishing in my opinion is the most satisfying way to fish-long or short rod doesn't matter all that much as long as YOU are enjoying the experience. Long and short both have their place according to conditions and needs.

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!

Sean, many moons ago I built a 5' 3 wt. on a fenwick blank for creek fishing...Big Fun!!! A 12 incher was a regular rodeo!
Nowadays I use the "big stuff"...6 ft. 3 wts...


Ingwe

I've never been a fan of overlining a rod, but if that's your thing, go for it. Overlining slows a rod down considerably and doesn't give a lot in return, IMO.

I've got a 3wt older St. Croix Legend that will chunk a size 14 fly all day. I've got a Teeny 2-3wt line that does a great job, and a 3wt line from LL Bean (goes to show you how much I use it) that is also great.

I built a 6ft 2wt rod from H&H that's great for about 25-30 feet and #16 and higher flies with the Teeny line, which slightly overlines the rod. But I don't use it nearly as often as the 3wt rods I have. Thing about a 2wt is it's not nearly as versitile as a 3 or a 4. You've got to use small flies or you overpower the rod.

When it comes to rod weights, I believe it's not the size of the water but the size of the fly you intend to cast.

Overlining, for short, confined spaces makes very good sense. Load faster, shorter; roll casts easier.

Can't differ with you on fly size being a dictator of size within reason.

But, for natives in tight streams, fly size is normally FAR from the deciding factor. Getting the damned thing there in the first place, however...

Not trying to convert you, but if you're thorwing a 3wt line, why not a 3wt rod?

BTW, I've fished brookies (Natives, where I come from) all my life. They're not particulary hard to fool in my experience, but do require stealth.

Yep, stealth and a delivery to where they are (and not in the damned laurel and azaleas and ironwood and other stuff where they ain't).

Different approaches to the same result.

Figured in GA that brookies were the target in Nawth Gawja.

Not a "smart fish", but a helluva lot of fun and fine eatin'.

I've got a "short" rod but ya gotta see me werk my fly and spinner.

True. Not the smartest trout but one over 12" inches requires some stealth when presenting the fly. I love catching brookies. Nothing better than a brookie fried in butter for breakfast. I only keep 1 out of 20 or so to eat. Great little fish

I've got a 13' 7/8 spey rod that will chunk a size 2 articulated 6 inch streamer all day.



Small spaces=roll cast...

Yep.

Good to see you back around, Riley.

How's basketball treating you?

Hey TOM, sounds like a fun rig! What reel and line are you going to run?
I'm currently looking at 3wt 7 footers for upper Rogue/Applegate and some of the small feeders.
I want the very lightest reel to hold minimal or no backing and a wt forward line.
Almost that time now, too!