Hi all,

I need a bit of guidance from those in the know:

I'm looking for a rod that will help with delicate presentation of dries/terrestrials/emergers. Obviously I'm aware that it has a lot to do with the idiot waving the stick and the line, but certain blanks lend themselves more or less to different presentations.

The catch here is that I need a fair bit of backbone as I'll be targeting large but damn spooky fish- think carp that love dries. It would be great to be able to throw some streamers when needed, but the emphasis here is on presentation and ability to subdue some pretty large fish.

Anyone have any ideas/suggestions, or am I smoking my socks with this one?

TIA!

I know little about the newer glass rods mentioned but do have some odd vintage glass that are designated as "dry fly" action or similar.A finer tip with back bone.I occasionally hook up with a big carp,over 10lbs+,pursuing panfish with dries nymphs foam bugs etc.I could have landed these fish with the right reel.My point is the rods,mostly 5/6wts held up fine but the click pawl reels i like had no stopping power and not enough backing.The choice was break em off or lose a fly line.

You can make damn near any rod present delicately (that part is up to you), but you can't add backbone to a rod that has none.

Personally, if what you describe is your normal, I'd be looking at a 7wt of some sort. There are loads of vintage rods that will work, plus a decent number of modern stuff available too. Shoot, my little Berkley Gowdy P/M 6/7wt (I have the 7'6") would work great for that because it'll handle a standard 6wt line super easily, drops little dries with extreme delicacy, yet can deal with steelhead and tank smallmouth (I've used it for both) easily. On the more "modern" side, my Echo BAG 7wt could do the same thing. That's just two examples. Most 7wt glass rods will also throw a 6wt floating line super easily, so you're also good there.

I think that sums it up perfectly.

I think a fiberglass 6wt would work well.

Best bang for $=ff806, ff807
Big$= cts or epic

The Steffen 6/7 would be nice for the task you described. It’s a progressive taper that allows delicate casts when needed, but it has a ton of power in the butt for turning large fish. It also makes a great streamer rod.

@giogio, that's actual an interesting idea, I think I need to look into that, thank for the suggestion.

@El Duderino, the issue is trying to get a blank to RSA. I had a look at their website and it doesn't seem to be up and running?

@Phil-a-Flex, absolutely right. Fiberglass rods aren't popular here just yet. We've only recently had our first local supplier that offers a small range of glass offerings, so access is a problem. As such, I'm most likely going to have to go with something a little more "current".

@picketpin52, thank you. I'm leaning heavily toward the CTS option.

@Upstreeam, I like the ********* idea. Any idea if I can order a blank from the company? It seems like I can only get hold of built rods? Again, I'd love the other options, but there's just no access to more "vintage" models locally.

@desmobob, thank you!

@Hellmtflies, appreciated.

@clarkman23, noted. I'm considering the Echo as well, but do you have an opinion on the 2 7wt offerings from Mcfarland?

@Upstreeam, thank you. I'll look for a more "modern" alternative as I suspect finding that exact offering would be difficult.

@the hersh, noted, thanks. Shilton reels are locally made and have a great reputation, I'll probably invest in another as I currently have one on a 9wt and it's outstanding.

@Little kern golden, brilliant, thank you. Do you have a personal favourite?