Bamboozle captured my feelings on this. I really don't like fishing with a rod smaller than 7' and 7'9" is the smallest that I would start to consider as an all around rod.

However if you are in tight streams a 5' rod might be necessary, but it had better roll cast and cast with just the leader out. Just don't expect it to be fun when you are actually casting over 25 ft.

If you check out the recent pictures posted by Robert on the fishing forum, you will see a small enough creek that cries out for a very short rod. A 6ft Steffen fit the bill admirably.

If I could be bothered setting up a new photo hosting account I would post pictures of a few creeks I fish with my really short rods that border on the ridiculous. I call those streams 'tip wigglers" because ANY casting is impossible on 90% of the creek and that includes bow & arrow or roll casts.

The only way I have found to present line is to walk along the creek through the woods and peeking in occasionally looking for likely holding spots. When I find one (which has to be fished downstream) I poke the rod tip through the rhododendron till I know it is over the water and pull about 4 feet of line off the reel, (and of course the leader & fly) and hold it in my hand. Then I THROW it through the opening in the rhododendron on to the water.

After throwing, I immediately strip and wiggle to pay out line downstream. It works but as you can imagine, it can be an EXTREMELY frustrating way to fish for more than about a few hours but when you hike in a few miles only to find out you are on a "tip wiggler" creek, you either figure out a way or go home.

Funny thing though, a longer rod works better here too because it allows you to stand further from the edge of the bank even though walking through the woods with it totally sucks and you can't cast with it IF you find a place where you could with a 5' rod.

Go figure...

I built a 5'-6wt for my oldest son when he was five years old and he fished it about five years til his sister stepped on it, it was OK out to abut 25' of line. My shortest useful rod is 7'9" but I'd try a 7', any shorter would be going away from fun and into perversity, imo, I like 8' best as an all 'round and I have knelt in 6" of water and used just the tip half of my 8'er to flick a leader and fly under the willows to some 7" brookies; that has happened half dozen times in forty years so I wouldn't want to carry around a 4' rod for those odd times.

I think the problem with small rods is there is a lot of them out there that aren't worth a carp.Now if I can only find one under 6'.........aurelio
I'm with Roy the 6' 2/3 Steffen is awesome in the brush or open on a small stream.
I have had a 7' 2/3 a 8' 5/6 and still have a 7'6" 3/4 and I feel that the little 6 footer is the best designed rod I have had in my hands for what it can do.

I have a creek just a few yards out the front door, and a typical hour or two of fishing might result in one or two actual "casts" most of the time is just kind of a roll cast/ tip flip. I have a 7'9" Wonderod that I have been using on this crick the last couple years, when I have tried shorter rods I just end up PO at the spots I can't quite reach.

I remember how cute I thought those 5'3" Fenwicks were, man, I WANTED one, and how fast I sold it after I fished in once.....

the Japanese do short really well.

ARReflections,I think you had a F2 653 at one time and I really like the pack size of the Airrite but how is your new one in a little wind........aurelio

Thanks for the PM

I have used the A&F 44 Banty on farm ponds. They cast surprisingly well when used with the original Banty line which was a Gladding short taper #5 (front loaded) with a Dacron running line factory attached. The more modern front loaded lines designed for heavy flies or first time casters also work well.

Hello
This is a very interesting topic,a topic that has become controversial in the past.
Many of us have our set in stone ideas, limits that we set for no apparent reason other than possibly tradition or what are known guidelines set by someone else.

Unenlightened comments have been the norm rather than the exception when it comes to shorter small stream rods.
"No fly rod under 6' has any value or rods under a certain length are merely toys and have no real place".
The most ill informed comments are generalized comments about how short rods are no good for casts beyond 25' or some other ridiculously short distance.

When I hear these comments I know the people making them have never fished a top quality shorter small stream rod designed and made by a Master Rod Maker.
If They Had They Would Be Singing The Praises Of How Much Fun Little Shortie Rods Are To Fish.

This business of needing specialty fly lines is a bunch of hooey in my experiences as well,anyone cutting fly lines in half should fish the intended rod before cutting any lines as well.

My first encounter with little shorties was at a bamboo rod makers gathering when I was a teen back in the early 70's.
We were all chatting about the new lighter line weights as rods with lower line weights were becoming more popular,The Orvis 7' 3 Weight 1 Piece and the Farlows Wulff 6' 4 weight 1 Piece were gaining popularity.
One of the rods in the rack was a Sewell N. Dunton & Son Rod 6'6" 1 Piece with a early Skeleton reel and silk line.

The guys were all passing the rod around while we chatted,the rod really was one of those "Wow Factor Rods".
You know the rods that really stand out from the rest.
One of the guys pulled out a tip section from one of his rod tubes and lines it up with the reel in his pocket it was maybe a 4'6" tip from a 9' rod.
We all cast it as well and it was kinda close to the Dunton.

Next a guy started just casting line with no rod just his hand and we all changed the topic for a round or 2 to line dynamics,we had a few aerospace guys on hand and wow could those guys go on about the importance of cutting the atmosphere and stuff that absolutely can change your perspectives on fly rod efficiency's and such.

When we got back to little shorties or banty rods the realization was that a short rod does everything a long rod does only sooner because it's naturally shorter .
SOONER NOT FASTER.
Sorry for the caps but that's the big misconception that everyone makes when they transition to a shorter rod.
The reason most people can not get a short rod to cast beyond 25' is because of this misconception.

With a short rod everyone naturally tends to speed up their casting stroke because they think they need to go faster to make up for the lack of length.
It's just the opposite you need to slow down because everything is happening sooner.
When you slow down and stop forcing the rod the rod will perform at it's optimal dynamics.
At that point the only limitations the rod has is the skill of the operator to handle it properly.

I have been making small stream rods for many years and have show cased my little shortie rods at countless gatherings,Truly I couldn't begin to count how many times I've put a 5' 4 weight into someones hands only to watch them fumble around and declare the rod was junk.
Take the rod from them and with a few false casts lay out 50' of line effortlessly.
Hand them back the rod coach them for maybe 5 minuets, sometimes less,watch the yes light up with amazement when they cast the little rod effortlessly at great distance, most importantly at every distance in between as well.
"Wow" or "Holly Crap" is the most common reaction.

Can't begin to tell you how many little shortie 5' or 6' rods I've made for guys whom said they would never fish a rod under 7'.

Shortest Practical Fly Rod ???
Depends On The Fisherman And The Fishing Conditions.

Most Practical Short Fly Rods
In my opinion are from 4' to 7' and for small streams 5' to 6' rods are best suited.
My Little 5'4" 3/4WT BROOKIE is lined up in my Van ready to go constantly, the rod is just so much fun it will load with just the leader and will throw 50' of line with such delicacy most would be astonished.

The short fly rod is not for everyone,for those whom don't have an appreciation I feel sorry,because you are missing out on allot of fun,missing challenges you would or possibly could never expect or apparently appreciate.
Next time you are on your way to your favorite fishing spot as you pass that little brook or creek you passed a 1000 times before dismissing and never stopping because it's so small.

STOP !!!!

Just think that with a open mind a little shortie rod and the right fly you may have just found your new ultimate challenge.A Challenge that may bring you renewed interest in our never ending quests for sport as Fly Fisherman or Women.

Tight Lines And Sooner Not Faster Little Shortie Loops
Andy M

Hello
The Sign Of A True Artist Is They Will Never Blame Their Tools For Obvious Shortcomings .
Tight Lines And Short Fiberglass Rods Rock Loops.
Andy M

Hello
Sir I Find Your Comments To Be Offensive And Quite Honestly In Very Poor Taste.
If You Have Such A Distaste For Short Fly Rods Why Would You Join This Conversation To Begin With ?
Obviously For No Other Reason Than To Derail The Conversation,Insult The Folks Whom Enjoy The Challenges That Small Fly Rods And Small Stream Fishing Avails Us.

Speaking Of Your Fishing Tools, I've actually seen Them First Hand,I have one on my bench right now in fact ,I'd have to say that honestly your fishing rods are among the worst taken care of rods I've ever seen during my nearly 5 decade run.
If your junk fishing rods are any indication I'd gather just about everything you touch has the same funk going on.
Seriously doubt you would know a quality tool if it hit you in the face and knocked you out !!!
I'd even be willing to bet that your so special that even with my Expert Coaching you would still be a pitiful little shortie caster and less than proficient small stream angler.

Recently you sent me messages asking how I was doing,you stated that the site was boring without me because there were few people worthy of arguing with.

I never participated here to argue with people only to share my passion for everything about fiberglass fly rodding.
Honest,True,Straightforward,Helpful,Generous,Kind,Innovative,Open Minded,Tough,Educational.
These are the terms I hope come to mind when people remember me.

Tight Lines And Who's The Jerk Loops
Andy M