Need to put together the Christmas list and am looking for suggestions as I'm relatively new (spent the summer spin fishing). Mostly fish smaller Colorado creeks and rivers, with the max being 30-40feet wide. Shooting to get something in 7-8' 4wt as a do-it-all rod. I've got a buddy's Hardy Sirrus in 3/4 that I like a lot. Tried the Scott G2 and found it too noodly. Budget is roughly $400. Considering Echo, a Butterstick, and anything else you all suggest, but don't have a ton of spare time to go hit shops, so I'm hoping to target things a little. Many thanks!

I totally agree with tiptop and fortunately an Orvis encounter should be easy to find. Good luck.

Noob error-i think the Scott was a F2, not a G2. It was their fiberglass rod. Thinking seriously about building an epic, but my 10yo son and i are both getting rods so it's be fun to get finished rods together. Totally willing to wrap my own.

I'd be open to used. I like buying my own presents. I fish a ton of tight, overgrown stuff. The friend I fish with often brings his 4' 1wt.

If you can find a Barclay 70p within your budget, jump on it. It's a phenomenal 4wt that will do just about anything you ask.

An Epic 476 is a great fast (for glass) rod. The 480 is what everyone raves about, tho. A little slower but very smooth. You don't see many 480s for sale, tho.

Also, you'll see the occasional Steffen pop up, and should be strongly considered.

I like buying my own stuff too -- that way I get what I really want. Given that you're open to used, then I would just watch the classifieds section pretty closely. You should be able to find a very high quality used rod for $400 or less. Some suggestions....

You mentioned you want an all around rod, and you don't want something too slow. For me, all around rods are longer. I know you fish some tight waters, but if you think an 8' rod is not too long (and from your original post it sounds like it wouldn't be), then I would look for a Steffen 8' 3/4 (or even a 4/5). Another good choice would be the Epic 476--the 480 mentioned above is very nice, but it is slower and personally I think of it of more as dry fly specialty stick, though when I had mine I did nymph with it and even throw streamers (but I also have a Steffen 8' 3/4 and opted to keep it over the Epic 480 because I thought the Steffen was a better all-around rod). I can't compare the Orvis mentioned above to the Steffen or Epic as I've never cast one (I won't buy Orvis rods and so don't bother to test cast them), but they do get very good reviews here and would probably be the easiest to try/cast before you buy.

If you decide to go really short, then I would look at the Barclay 70p that JoeFriday mentioned, or even a 64p (6'4"). They are really special rods. I generally prefer faster glass, but have a 64p and absolutely love it.

Great suggestions! Please keep them coming. An 8' rod is an option. I've got a 3wt 6ish' cabelas CGR for really tight stuff.

Keep an eye on the classifieds. Nice rods come up there. At that price, you can buy a very nice lightly used rod, get a custom built rod or build one out yourself.

I would question anything shorter than 7'6" for that type of fishing. You want a bit of length for mending and getting the line out of the water to get a drag free drift. Especially out west where you don't have the same tight spaces as the east coast tree covered streams. Most creeks out west allow a good steeple cast if nothing else.

As far as used rods:
If a used McFarland or Paddock 7'9" 4wt comes up, snag it. Fred made a few in that length and there was a a Seele in that length. Or a Steffen 3/4 or 4/5. A Barclay 75p. is also a decent choice, but it is a parabolic rod which you may or may not like.

Also you can't go wrong with a slightly heavier weight vintage rod such as a Fenwick FF755, FF756-4, FF75 (2 or 4pc) or Phillipson Epoxite 7'6" rod (royal wand, or master). These are just fantastic rods.

For new rods:
The Orvis superfine 4wt is just above the $400 mark and whatever Cabela's is selling on sale at the sub $100 mark. Or Japanese glass at Blue Dunn

For your son, I would recommend a Reddington Classic Trout 480-4 graphite rod (or even a 486-4). Moderate action, affordable, Heavier than the expensive graphite rods, but also more sturdy and more forgiving. It is halfway between glass and top end graphite, but cheaper and a real bargain.

If you are looking for a do-it-all rod as you mention, I would not get a 4 wt, get a 5 wt at least. There are lots of nice ones and you would be protected from high winds, be able to throw heavier flies and sling weight if needed, and you would have enough rod for some warm water fishing.

For me a do-it-all rod wold be a 7 1/2 - 8 ft, 6 w rod, preferably in 4 pieces.

I know that the movement to lighter rods is the trend but I think they make them too fast and hence have bumped the line weights up so the rods can load. A nice slow 6 wt solves many problems and has a very wide, forgiving, band of utility for me.

Best of luck in your hunt!

just so - I have fished NC and CO. NC has tunnel fishing, where the trees, rhododendrons etc, cover the stream. CO has canyon fishing, like this..



fished that with a 7'6" FF756 and it didn't overpower the little brookies, had quite enough fun with it.. would not have wanted anything shorter.

my desired rod for an all-round small stream is the Steffen 8' 3/4 but budget isn't up to it. I do have a 8' 4wt no-name blank that the Glassmaster cleared out of his stock, will build this winter, DV and the rivers don't rise..

For a budget-minded, short rod I'd go with the Fenglass 704...a wonderful rod with a #5 line that will get under the brush and not balk when the wind comes up.