Michael's Question:

Mark, what do you feel is the shortest effective fly rod? I am looking for a rod to use on small brushy streams and have gotten conflicting advice. Some say 7'6" is the shortest I should go and others say that a 6'will still work well. All are 3weights. What do you think? Thanks in advance.

Michael Strohm

Mark's Answer:

Michael,

A 3weight we can agree on.

But I have gone through phases over the years where I would swear a shorter 6foot rod is more efficient on the small stream and then back to the idea that the 7½ to 8foot rod works better.

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I'm in my 7½ foot stage right now.

The added length I get on dapping, on picking up line easier (especially on those inevitable beaver ponds I'm bound to run into), and the ability to unfurl a better rollcast have me using the longer rods these days.

But you will feel spoiled if you cast a sweet little 6footer on a tiny creek all day—and may never want to go back to the long, heavy rods (even a 3ouncer seems heavy after fishing a sixfooter).

So I'm afraid I can't definitively answer your question, Michael. You really ought to visit your favorite fly shop and ask to take each out to try them for the day.

Or buy both.