Here I go again !

[Abalone]

A little over a year ago I bought a flyrod.
Not unlike a lot of people I suppose, I picked the wrong one. Again !

I bought my 4 wt. at the sportsmans show. Not the big one but the smaller show that was fishing gear only.

I think this is a common mistake for newbies. OK I have been flyfishing for a long time but not as seriously as the last couple of years. I tried every rod in the place.

How was I to know that just because a flyrod can help you cast a long ways doesn't necessarily mean it's the right rod. When you see people casting rods at the fly casting station what are they casting for ? What are they looking for in a rod that casting would reveal ? I remember many of the Venders didn't even have the correct wieght line for the rod.

I bought a new brand: A Dalorin or Delorin or however you spell it. Doesn't matter cause I don't even know if they are in business ? I have landed a lot of trout with this rod But: I need to go shopping again. This 4 wt. is a heavy action rod. It feels more like a 5 wt. That's good for places like the Deschutes and the wind is up but I want a
Nymphing rod. A stiff butt but a light tip. I get the feeling this is going to get spendy.

I recently bought a 3 wt. Temple forks and it is short. I 'd like it to be another Ten inches long.

Trial and error gets really spendy after awhile...

I am learning it is best to blow a ton of money and get the right pole from the start.

[Steve L.]

I bought both my fly rods at Kaufmanns in Tigard. The guys are knowlegable and let you cast whatever catches your eye. I learned how to cast just by going by to look at stuff and ended up in the parking lot getting a couple hours free lessons over a couple weeks while shopping. I cast a lot of rods that I can't afford and they didn't seem to care. I ended up with a powell 5wt (back when powell made more than one model) and a winston 7 wt ibis. Love em both. They cast well and just plain feel good.
Good luck on your hunt for the next fly rod.