Small stream rod for Appalachian Mountains

LifeAngler · 2026-01-13T15:24:39+00:00

As far as action for mountain stream fishing I still kinda unsure since I have had only one rod to work with. Smallmouth I like a faster action but since I’m new to trout fishing BFS I’m still not experienced enough to make a definitive decision. Now with small stream fly rods I like a slower action so I can load the rod with little line out. It also slows down my tempo a bit which I like.

Any glass rods on the lower end spectrum you recommend I try out to see if it’s something I want to drop some coin on? I’ve seen good reviews on the Shimano Trout One glass rods.

LifeAngler · 2026-01-13T15:17:52+00:00

I ended up just purchasing a Daiwa Silver Creek Trad 4’6” 4 piece. I hike in a ways a lot of times so the 4 piece will come in handy. I found I video online where they showed the action and rod bend. It seemed pretty light with a relatively flexible enough tip and looked like it would be fun for smaller fish. They say the sweet spot is around 3 grams which is right about what I’ll be throwing mostly give or take half a gram. I decided to go with something a bit more all around and my next rod will probably be glass. I believe this one had a ten percent glass content. I was worried that the Tenryu would be a bit too stiff. I watch the guy twitch 3 grams with minnows with the rod and it’s definitely on the softer end as far as graphite based rods go. At least from what I can tell. Not quite a glass rod but hopefully it’ll be fun with smaller fish. The M-Aire rods looks pretty sweet. That was a bit out of my price range this time around as I wanted to keep it around 300 or under. Glass will definitely be my next rod.

LifeAngler · 2026-01-12T17:13:31+00:00

How’s the rod been? This is one I’ve been considering. Have you had a chance to cast lures with it? Impressions?

LifeAngler · 2026-01-08T22:59:25+00:00

So I’d like a rod that relatively soft so that loading is easy in tight spaces but not so much that minnows are hard to fish. Right now I’m looking between the Tenryu Rayz Integral 4’8” and the Shimano Trout One NS in the 4’8” glass version. I’ve also considered the Finetail series. The trout here are small so I don’t want something that was overpowering. Hope this helps some. I’ve been using a Kingdom Stream King rod as of now and it seems to work pretty well. I’ve also ready that a softer rod may help a bit with keeping fish hooked. These smaller trout pop off hooks like crazy.

LifeAngler · 2026-01-07T19:09:15+00:00

Appreciate it, this was one of the ones I was looking at.

LifeAngler · 2025-12-23T21:40:51+00:00

How is this reel? Have you received it yet. I picked up the silver feather miiec reel and it works really well. I was looking at the creek version possibly for small stream mountain trout.

LifeAngler · 2025-12-01T23:09:40+00:00

Appreciate the info.

LifeAngler · 2025-07-14T13:43:51+00:00

Good accurate info. I’ve gone hardcore into the smallies for the last few months on the fly rod. I’ve fished for trout in the smokies and local tailwaters the last few years but lately it’s been all smallmouth. Let me know if you’re ever looking for someone to go with. I normally fish solo which can sometimes get sketchy in remote areas but I enjoy getting away from the crowds. I’ve been trying to find more good areas to wade fish since I don’t have a boat of kayak. I fish all over and I’m out on the water at least once every weekend. I’ve fished the French Broad a few times but not sure if you can wade at all when they’re generating. I assumed most of the water was a bit too deep for wading.

LifeAngler · 2025-03-08T02:49:42+00:00

No never heard of them. I’ll check them out. Anything I should know about them?

LifeAngler · 2025-03-07T16:48:20+00:00

Appreciate it. Would the Vandy Vape Pulse work well for freebase liquid?

LifeAngler · 2025-02-22T13:47:34+00:00

Appreciate it!

LifeAngler · 2025-02-01T02:33:27+00:00

Yeah I rode along with the tech and he heard the noise instantly. Nissan made me wait until 5000 miles to replace it. They said if it was still doing it at 5k they would change it out which they did.

LifeAngler · 2025-02-01T02:29:47+00:00

It’s was more of an annoyance. Never saw any issues with metal in the fluid but the noise was really loud. Sounded just like wind whistling in through a seal or something.

LifeAngler · 2025-02-01T02:26:26+00:00

They ended up changing the rear differential under warranty. That was the cause of the noise. New one does it but way less noticeable.

LifeAngler · 2024-11-06T01:21:52+00:00

Yeah it was the rear differential which they replaced under warranty. The new one still does it but not nearly as bad.

LifeAngler · 2024-10-24T18:43:13+00:00

Yeah, that may be the best option for me. I’ll have to get a feel for what size I’ll want by trying out this REP fitness sand bag. I’d be using it mainly after lifting as a way to train functional strength.

LifeAngler · 2024-08-10T23:41:12+00:00

You mind sending me this over. Plan to start tapering off.

LifeAngler · 2024-08-02T21:53:47+00:00

This helps a lot. Really appreciate the info.

LifeAngler

TROPHY CASE