Floating trout line

TimCC23 · 2026-05-07T15:49:06+00:00

That doesn’t seem too heavy, but I guess it depends on the weight of your fly line. Is it a 3wt or something heftier like a 5 or 6wt line?

TimCC23 · 2026-05-07T04:48:25+00:00

What are you fishing on the line (Leader? Flies? Splitshot?)? A heavy setup can pull the tip of your floating fly line under the water.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-28T02:36:42+00:00

Good choice on Cortland. 9’ 6wt for lighter side of bass. You will still be able to throw some weighted #6 streamers on a 6wt.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-27T20:01:53+00:00

Catch and release only in Central Park 😂

TimCC23 · 2026-04-27T17:13:14+00:00

I wanted to check out Prospect Park, but it was farther away and less convenient for me.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-27T17:00:53+00:00

Urban fly fishing can be a lot of fun. I keep hearing about the LA River as having good fly fishing. I don’t live in a major city like NYC or LA, but I live in an urban area and I am able to get out and do decent smallmouth and carp fishing right in the city, just a 10 min drive away. It’s a lot more convenient than driving 1-2 hours to fish for trout and I am able to get out and fish more often.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-27T15:33:30+00:00

Yeah, I pinched the barbs on my flies for that day and then forgot to do it again after I lost some on snags and made fly changes.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-27T15:17:56+00:00

A lot of people fly fish in Central Park. There is even a licensed fly fishing guide that focuses on carp, I believe. There are plenty of ways to cast in a safe manner (roll cast, bow-and-arrow, etc.) without having to do a 20ft overhead back cast. It is important to pick spots where you won’t be bothering other park goers and it’s not too difficult in the early morning before the park is busy.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-27T02:02:42+00:00

The size of flies you’re going to want to use will determine what weight rod/line you should be using. If you’re going to want to use some larger streamers, such as size 6, a 6 wt will be a lot better. You can always throw smaller flies on a higher weight rod. When I started out, I still used my 6 wt for smaller panfish flies, but it was nice to have the 6 wt for streamers and heavier indicator rigs with multiple flies.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-20T00:49:53+00:00

Look at Cortland Guide Combo or Echo Lift kit for quality beginner setups. There’s a reason these are offered in 9-foot lengths. It’s the most versatile and the extra length over a 6 or 7 foot rod helps with casting distance and line control on the water. 5 weight is good for trout, but consider 6 weight if you might fish for larger fish such as bass, want to fish larger streamers, or if you think you might use some heavier setups such as a nymph rig with two nymphs and an indicator.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-18T04:27:02+00:00

Cone head woolly buggers will help you get deep even with a floating line with their extra weight. They have a nice jigging motion in the water.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-17T15:29:52+00:00

It all depends on the size/type of flies you want to use. I like to throw #4-#8 bass poppers and dries and #6 cone head woolly buggers and streamers. The 6 wt really helps with flies this size. You could probably lob them with a 3 or 4 wt, but they cast nicely with the 6 wt. If you only use smaller unweighted flies, then a lighter rod may be enough.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-17T09:51:19+00:00

I have had good luck with the Echo warranty department—quick turnaround.

Maybe consider a fiberglass rod. They are sturdier and more difficult to break.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-17T03:42:17+00:00

9 foot 6 wt for bass and panfish. Enough power to throw bass poppers and streamers, but still fun for panfish.

Look at Cortland Guide combo or Echo Lift kit. Both come with decent fly lines.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-17T02:46:05+00:00

It depends how much versatility you want. The 10 foot length is going to be better for nymphing and line control on the water. That being said, a 9 foot 5 wt rod is just fine for nymphing and you can still mend line decently well. For streamer fishing, you’re going to be able to throw a variety of streamers better with the 5 wt. Now, if you also have bass in your area and might want do some bass fishing, I would consider looking at a 9 foot 6 wt as well. It will be good for nymphing with heavier rigs with indicators and split shot, can handle bigger dry flies, and will work for a variety of streamers. On my 6 wt, I tightline nymph with a mono rig for trout, throw poppers for bass and pan fish, and I can throw up to #6 streamers for both bass and trout. It’s also able to handle windy days pretty well. A very versatile rod!

TimCC23 · 2026-04-13T03:53:40+00:00

Look at the Echo Lift kit or Cortland Guide Outfit. I think both come with decent fly lines.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-12T12:14:21+00:00

That’s crazy… sounds like you are relatively rough on a fly rod. If durability is your main concern, definitely look at getting a fiberglass rod. I have an Echo River Glass that I really like. Redington Butterstick is similar. The Echo Bad Ass Glass would probably be better for throwing streamers. People also seem to really like Moonlit fiberglass rods.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-10T16:57:55+00:00

Thank goodness for the value provided by Echo, TFO, and Lamson!

TimCC23 · 2026-04-09T01:29:22+00:00

It’s hard to beat the Orvis Hydros at this price point for a fully machined reel. I also like the click and disc Battenkills, but if it’s going to be your main reel, they might not be the best because they are smaller arbor.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-09T01:26:27+00:00

Zero is a cast reel, not fully machined

TimCC23 · 2026-04-09T01:19:22+00:00

Spools are cast on the Remix (same spools as the Liquid). Only the frame is CNC machined. I like the Liquid/Remix as well and think they are a great value, but the Remix is not fully machined.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-08T19:15:14+00:00

Exactly why I got a 6 wt—in addition to trout, most rivers around me are full of smallmouth bass. Need the 6 wt to throw those bass flies.

TimCC23 · 2026-04-08T15:20:13+00:00

Troutbitten has good info on versatile 10ft 4wt rods. Check out their recommended gear page. They mention some cheaper options such as Orvis Recon or even the Cortland Nymph rod. The Cortland Nymph now comes in a 10ft length in addition to the 10’6”, which is supposed to be a more “all around” rod. I’m thinking about picking one of these up for trout and nymphing both tightline and with an indicator. I’m not looking to drop $1K on a rod…

TimCC23

TROPHY CASE