I haven’t fished much for trout in Georgia this summer. Although that hasn’t meant that my flies have stayed dry; there have been a couple camping trips to NC, and a few bass day trips. But the mountains were getting some cooler, wet weather, and I decided it was time to visit a favorite stream.
Some months ago, I picked up an FF60 and and FF605. Why both? Purely in the interest of science. Although I haven’t been really scientific in my use and comparisons. I tried them both out when I got them, and have fished the FF60 a time or two, but hadn’t given the FF605 a good session. This stream can be a little tight in spots, and it seemed a good place to give it some time.
Although the stream can also get pretty open. Historically, hemlocks have been a big part of the streamside vegetation, but the woolly adelgid parasite has put a hurting on them. These dead ones are still standing, but they’ll come down, clog the creek, and back up a pool, until blown out by a high water event.
I was really happy with the FF605; it’s light and lively, good at the little flick aerial mends small streams need, and an excellent roll caster.
Maybe the cork seat adds to that lively feeling; I haven’t weighed it, but Mr. Fenwick says 2 ounces (“L” serial number).
That said, the limited reach is apparent, and on this section of stream, I’ll usually an FF70, or even a 7’6” rod. But a mile or so up, you’re above a tributary or two, and the FF605 would work nicely there. Most trout were the 6-7” rainbows that are usual in GA wild waters, like this one from the lower portion of this pool.
A few places, the stream opened up and I’d wish I had a 8 footer, such as this run where hemlocks had come down some years ago, and gotten blown out sometime in the last year or two.
But, the FF605 was game; had the pleasure of seeing this guy leave the lie and head downstream a couple of feet to hit the fly.
This stream has a good population of browns, but I think that’s the first one this year I’ve caught there that was over the ten-inch mark. With luck, there might be some more as the fall progresses.
Glad I’ve added the FF605 to the stable, since I still crawl through the rhododendrons for the small streams a good bit.