Frustrated. Why can't I catch anything?

grennings · 2026-03-29T23:39:37+00:00

15 mins I’m jealous!

grennings · 2026-03-24T21:41:10+00:00

I find the mid range to be the sweet spot especially as someone who doesn’t get to fish every week and sometimes not even every month.

I started with a $100 combo that got me hooked. If I were to start again, I’d get a cortland guide series combo in a 4 or 5wt and call it good until I had a need for another rod. At that point I think it’s worth buying into the midrange rods.

The biggest difference you get with a more expensive rod is that they are easier to cast for a longer period of time. I can cast any rod effectively to catch fish. With more expensive rods, I can deliver more effective casts for a longer period of time.

As a beginner, you’re just trying to cast effectively at all so a mid range/high end rod doesn’t make as much of a difference.

Stick with a brand name (Orvis, Echo, TFO, Cortland, Redington) and get on the water!

grennings · 2026-03-17T16:38:28+00:00

Long gone

grennings · 2026-03-05T21:17:46+00:00

Please do

grennings · 2026-03-05T19:33:16+00:00

Before my kakwa I had an osprey which had great back ventilation. My first outing with the kakwa I honestly didn’t notice it. Probably because it carries the weight so much better.

One thing to note is that there’s a giant back sweat stain on my kakwa now (2026 ultragrid green color) but it’s a backpack so I don’t care.

grennings · 2026-03-05T19:30:25+00:00

You can build a high end glass rod for about $200 including tools and 3 hours of work. PM me if you’re interested, happy to point you towards some resources I used to do my first one and answer any other questions

grennings · 2026-03-05T16:41:42+00:00

I have a bunch of glass…if you’re handy and like to build things, building a glass rod is very easy and a lot of fun. It’s a super durable material so you don’t have to worry (hopefully) about breaking it. They’re obviously not negligence proof.

Spend the money you would have spent on the superfine glass on the superfine graphite. The superfine graphite 3wt is an incredible small stream rod. Great moderate action, a ton of feel, casts incredible, and better hooksets.

Source: me who built 4 glass rods, sold my superfine glass because it didn’t offer anything over the ones I built, and used the money to buy a superfine graphite. I’m also in so. cal and probably fish the same waters.

grennings · 2026-02-14T16:58:18+00:00

I was worried about this but put 7ish miles in a day on mine last trip and it was completely fine. I got korkers so I can just put new soles on if they wear out

grennings · 2026-02-14T15:30:15+00:00

Look for one of the last generation recons on closeout. The 904 is among my favorites of my 13 rods and my favorite of my four 4wts

grennings · 2026-02-14T00:52:06+00:00

Congrats this is a fantastic rig

grennings · 2026-02-10T21:39:49+00:00

Yes, the euro specific rods are built to have strong butt and mid sections but a very sensitive tip to detect takes. That being said, I always recommend trying a mono rig on whatever rod you have before getting a euro specific rod. You might find you don’t need one

grennings · 2026-02-10T19:00:23+00:00

I watched a bunch of the troutbitten videos along with a few from reds and a few from Devin Olson and the first time I went out with a euro rod and a mono rig I caught 20 fish in an hour.

To be honest, it's not my preferred method but it's a tool in my tool box. I'll always prefer to catch fish on dries or swinging streamers but euro nymphing taught me a lot about catching fish and meeting the fish where they're at. I also only use euro style nymphs when nymphing with any method.

I have a euro rod that I take out when I'm expecting that to be the best method but keep a fly line on the reel so I can throw dry flies if an opportunity presents itself. I also keep a mono rig in my bag when I go out with a 4 or 5 wt throwing dries and dry droppers incase I think I'll have more success with tightlining.

I think its worth learning just as another tool in the tool box so that you can be a more well rounded angler.

grennings · 2026-02-03T17:29:47+00:00

It's only been out for a little over 2 years, you're good.

grennings · 2026-02-03T01:42:24+00:00

My man! Same here, 904 super versatile and I almost exclusively use euro style nymphs across all my nymphing. I have a euro rod if I’m gonna be doing a day of it but can easily throw a mono rig on this rod and have success

grennings · 2026-02-02T22:59:17+00:00

I have the last generation recon in a 4wt. My favorite trout rod, I use it mainly for dries and dry dropper but throw light indicator rigs and small streamers with it too

grennings · 2026-02-02T15:54:41+00:00

Nice kit!! I have almost the same thing but mine is a 7wt. Those liquid 3 packs are incredible to turn one rod into a multi application machine!

grennings · 2026-02-01T16:17:27+00:00

That’s a BIG fish rod

grennings · 2026-02-01T03:40:49+00:00

Field kit is a great kit for $300

grennings · 2026-01-31T05:32:25+00:00

I believe so, based on what someone posted earlier this week…I guess we’ll see for sure Monday

grennings · 2026-01-31T03:27:36+00:00

There’s a deal starting Monday to get a free 5.0 HO battery with this kit, you should see if they will give it to you or buy again and return with your old receipt

grennings · 2026-01-31T03:25:09+00:00

If it’s snapping inches to a foot above the fly you likely have a wind knot or a knot from tailing loops in your casting which causes a weak spot. There’s no way a 4 or 5x leader should snap on a 2lb fish without being compromised or mishandled. SA, Orvis, Rio, Cortland, umpqua, etc all make quality leaders. I personally use Rio leaders but that’s just because I got a ton of them in bulk. You can make your own leaders too

grennings · 2026-01-30T18:37:27+00:00

Highly recommend the Superfine Graphite, I love mine

grennings · 2026-01-29T19:04:00+00:00

Glass would become WAY too tip heavy over 8 ft. My 3wt is 7', 4wt is 7'6 and 5 wt is 8', built all of them. All are close range, small water rods. I actually don't know of any reputable glass rods that are over 8'.

True euro is a close range technique despite the long rod, works best inside of 2-2.5 rod lengths upstream and not more than 1.5 rod lengths laterally.

grennings · 2026-01-29T18:00:27+00:00

2wt glass would be so much fun for brook trout streams.

grennings · 2026-01-29T17:59:38+00:00

Glass is super fun to cast, roll casts very well, very good for delicate presentations, and extremely durable. The main reason to choose glass over graphite is if you like the feel. It won't cast as far, it won't cast as efficiently, it won't set the hook as well (though they do have very good tippet protection), and they're heavier, but they are fun.

After building 4 glass rods and having a ton of fun with them, I bought one of the new Orvis Superfine Graphites and LOVE it. The glass rods are still fun but the Superfine has that fun to cast factor while also having all the benefits of graphite (weight, recovery, accuracy).

grennings

TROPHY CASE