Deschutes River Trout Rod Advice

[DH Drifter]

I have been fishing the Deschutes for some time with an older IM6 Loomis in #6 weight. It has proved to me a good rod, but it is a little bullish and isn't really that fun to cast.

I have been looking at purchasing a new rod from Sage (specifically the ZAxis line).

Any thoughts or opinions regarding this choice? I am wondering if I should go down to a 5 wt for a nice all around rod or stick with the 6. I fish deep nymphs with shot/indicator for a lot of my fishing. I like the 6 for the wind as well, but the fast action 5 weight rods would likely get the job done.

Fire away,

DH

[Slow and Low]

Originally Posted by DH Drifter

I have been fishing the Deschutes for some time with an older IM6 Loomis in #6 weight. It has proved to me a good rod, but it is a little bullish and isn't really that fun to cast.

I have been looking at purchasing a new rod from Sage (specifically the ZAxis line).

Any thoughts or opinions regarding this choice? I am wondering if I should go down to a 5 wt for a nice all around rod or stick with the 6. I fish deep nymphs with shot/indicator for a lot of my fishing. I like the 6 for the wind as well, but the fast action 5 weight rods would likely get the job done.

Fire away,

DH

The Z-axis is a nice choice. I would go with the 596.

[clarkman23]

I could probably find a way to take that Loomis off your hands...especially if it's a 6wt and IM6...

I actually prefer throwing a 6wt on the D but that's more of a product of my love for slower action rods (mostly glass) and the 5wts just get blown around. My 5wt fast action graphite rod casts nicely when it's windy but in my hands just lacks the sensitivity I like when fighting fish and doesn't protect light tippets very well.

sound like you lean more to the fast action side of things in which a nice 5wt would work just fine for you...head over to your local fly shop on a windy day and cast a few rods.

[JD77]

The best of both worlds is to have a 6 and a 4 for dries. I have fished most of the time with a 4 and it is great for backeddys and small dries but not enough when the wind gets going and a pain for lobbing double nymphs. I think a modern 5 would probably work well. I don't know about the specific rod you mention but will throw out my own opinion for Scott rods. We've had Loomis and Sage and the 2 Scott rods our family owns are my favs. Of course you'll need to cast to see what feels best for you.

[King Fisher]

I am pretty new to fly fishing, but I have been in Bend twice asking all the fly shops what is the best rod for the Deschutes, they ALL said 5wt. Also can be used on the crooked which is putting out fish right now.

[rosstucker32]

I fish a 9 1/2' 6w, (fairly) fast action rod 90% of the time over there. I really find the exta half foot helps get those looooong dead drifts when I am using my bobber. It throws the salmons/stones well when that time of year hits. I usually bring out a 4 weight for small dries, but generally there is enough wind that it is pretty much useless.

It is also nice when you happen to hook a steelhead while nymphing for trout. I am not very familiar with sage rods so I can't help you there. I highly recommend the T&T HE966 though.

[onstep]

Deep nymphing and indicator fishing with steelhead around. I'd go Loomis Native Run GLX 10'/6. Killer bead, high stick nymphing rod.
All around a 9-9'6"/5 weight is pretty tough to beat. I like the added length for the mend and line control.

[the flyman]

Take a look at the R. L. Winston rods, I have two older IM 6, 9 footers, that are fantastic to cast, and to catch. The IM6 is a slower action rod, i use one for nymphs and the other for dry fly. I know you will have a fun searching for your new rod. Tight lines

[Wild Chrome]

I also, take a 4 and a 6 wt to the Deschutes for trout. 8.5 and 10 ft respectively. My 5 wt generally stays home. My 6 wt is my nymphing and part-time steelhead rod. My 4 wt is my calm day dry fly rod. If it's windy, the 6 is it. If calm, the 4 wt is a joy, though I would not consider it a good nymphing rod, especially if using soneflies. If you want to nymph with a lighter rod than your 6, a 5 is the lightest I'd go, especially considering the wind. 5 weight is a great all-around choice on the D, but you'll likely favor the 6 in the wind and might wish for a 4 when a good hatch is coming off on a calm day. If you're looking for a lighter nymphing rod that can also cast delicately into the backeddy's when a hatch is on, get a 5.

[D3smartie]

for a do it all stick a Z-axis is tough to beat. I;d personally go with a 590 but I also carry a lot of rods with me and dont like nymphing all that much. A 690 or 596 would both be good all around rods that can handle all the conditions down there.

[nookslayer]

I would say the 596 is the right choice. I usually have 2 rods with me at all times on the D. 9' 4wt (custom rod by Meskel) and a 9' 5wt TFO TiCR. They both have some backbone for the wind and distance but are a blast with a fish. The extra 6" won't hurt either.

[River Borne]

I have the z-axis 596, I thought it would make an ideal nymph stick. I have to say though it is a little softer in the tip than I was hoping. I think the 590 may be a better stick, at least a little faster, and more versatile. For nymphing I would overline and use one of the new nymph lines with a long belly. That should compensate for the loss of length (IMO)

[neuronick]

Originally Posted by Mountain Borne

For nymphing I would overline and use one of the new nymph lines with a long belly.

I think this is a good point. A strategy that hasn't been discussed yet is that you can use different lines on the same rod to optimize fishing different ways. For nymphing and throwing the big stuff, my 5 wt feels really good with a 6 or even a 7 wt line. This setup is also great for fishing in tight quarters and using single-hand Spey type casts. The same rod with a 5 wt line is great for more delicate presentations. So, you could have one rod with a couple different spools of line and be set for most situations.

[Slow and Low]

You are right neuronick. Overlining a singlehander one size is very effective for nymph fishing. Single handed double speys upstream are much more effective and accurate than tension casting. The other thing it does is make it easier to load the rod at short range. Lets face it long smooth overhead casting is not the norm on the deschutes, rather crawling into tight spots, and being up against high banks is. Also speycasting your single handed rods will get you some pretty big distance.

[Newbs]

Spey cast a single handed rod ??? That is a trick I need to learn. Could you talk a little more about that ???

[Slow and Low]

Originally Posted by Newbs

Spey cast a single handed rod ??? That is a trick I need to learn. Could you talk a little more about that ???

Everything is exactly the same but with one hand. Lift, set your achor, come 180 with the loop and fire. I like to follow immediately with a big stack mend via a roll cast. Most casts are 40-60 feet. Super effective for getting your gear out in tight quarters. You can do it with a 3 weight and you can do it with a 9 weight. Indicators and weights tend to slide more and avoiding the terrible "L" becomes even more critical. I've been doing it for several years now and will rarely overhead cast a nymph rig.

Taken one step farther I also fish a 9.9 single hand 8 on smaller rivers with the new rio super compact and fast sink poly leaders, also single hand but skagit style. Not as efficient as using a short spey but you can keep your rod tip out of the tree branches. Off shoulder there is enough of a handle to use both hands but I rarely do.

Hope all this makes sense.

[Slow and Low]

I should also add when nymphing I usually do a double spey. Set your anchor down river and slightly in front. Form the loop down stream 45 degrees or so towards the bank. Fire away.

[FLGator]

Simon Gawesworth just wrote a new book Single Handed Spey Casting. I also noticed he is on the schedule for the Sandy Clave.

Been following this thread with interest as I have a need for a new trout rod.

[SandySlayer]

The Sage 5wt Z-axis is what I fish on the D. Aaaaamazing!!!

[clarkman23]

this is all you need


they don't call them "Wonderod" for nothin'...

[LunkerFish]

I personally have found for myself that a 9' 4 weight with a medium-fast action and a soft-ish tip, with lot of reserve power in the butt section, is perfect for the Deschutes. I have mine loaded with the 4 wt RIO Gold and I can single-hand spey, nymph, and dry fly fish, close in or bomb it out when needed. I don't care much for "fast" trout rods.

I do change up my leaders accordingly, but this is my go to set up.

[Slow and Low]

Originally Posted by LunkerFish

I personally have found for myself that a 9' 4 weight with a medium-fast action and a soft-ish tip, with lot of reserve power in the butt section, is perfect for the Deschutes. I have mine loaded with the 4 wt RIO Gold and I can single-hand spey, nymph, and dry fly fish, close in or bomb it out when needed. I don't care much for "fast" trout rods.

I do change up my leaders accordingly, but this is my go to set up.

What rod? If you don't mind me asking.

[LunkerFish]

Its a Mystic M-series rod. They are a small company out of Michigan. I came across them at a fly shop in Colorado when I was on business and wasn't in the market for a rod, but one of those moments where I couldn't walk away from it once I cast it. The only place I know that carries them in this region is Camp Sherman.

[Wingdam]

I'm also a fan of medium action trout rods. Although my go-to rod has been a 9' #4 RPL, it's not nearly as fast as later Sage models. I really love my 8.5' #3 SLT for mid summer dry fly fishing, but it has to be a relatively windless day. I also use a 9' #5 SP for nymphing anything from stones to #18 pupa's. I have a 6 weight but only use it for the largest of stone dry's.

I always carry both the #4 and #5. Mid season I bring along the #3. Stonefly time I add the #6.

[chiasson]

Originally Posted by Slow and Low

Everything is exactly the same but with one hand. Lift, set your achor, come 180 with the loop and fire. I like to follow immediately with a big stack mend via a roll cast. Most casts are 40-60 feet. Super effective for getting your gear out in tight quarters. You can do it with a 3 weight and you can do it with a 9 weight. Indicators and weights tend to slide more and avoiding the terrible "L" becomes even more critical. I've been doing it for several years now and will rarely overhead cast a nymph rig.

Taken one step farther I also fish a 9.9 single hand 8 on smaller rivers with the new rio super compact and fast sink poly leaders, also single hand but skagit style. Not as efficient as using a short spey but you can keep your rod tip out of the tree branches. Off shoulder there is enough of a handle to use both hands but I rarely do.

Hope all this makes sense.

Sam,

Could you describe the terrible L, I'm a nypmhing technique junkie.

[rosstucker32]

I think we are talking about the "Bloody L", which is when your anchor is not placed properly for a spey cast. Basically, when you form your D Loop, your entire line, leader, tippet and fly should be pointed at your target. The "Bloody L" is when the last portion of the set up is still facing up/down river, perpendicular to your target line, thereby forming an "L" at the point where your (properly positioned) D loop line meets the line that was never repositioned properly. Now when you come forward much of the energy of your cast is wasted in straightenning out your line as opposed to shooting it toward the target.

For me, I get the L when I set my anchor too far upriver. I generally set my anchor too far up river when I do not complete the "snap" part of the Snap T fully, or when my initial lift during a Double is not elongated enough.

[Switch]

Been fishing Sage 10 ft 6 wts for the last 8 years for trout. Had the XP for about 4 years switched to the Z axis when it came out. For nymphing a 10ft rod is the only way to go. I think a lot of people are used to 9ft rods and so they think they want a 9'6" and they are a little afraid to go up to a 10fter. Once you fish it though it truly is the tool for the job.
Some have said the Z-axis doesnt throw shot and mend as well as the XP did. the thing I noticed going to the Z axis was that it was quite a bit lighter (weight wise) in the tip and when I was throwing long stack type mends I had to force it a little more to load up with just the weight of the line. I do fish an 8 weight rio steelhead taper which handles shot and indicator beautifully. It also has a 66ft belly that allows you to mend the line when its way out on the water. The other rod I would look at is the 99 series of rods that Sage came out with in the last year. They are very similar to the Z-axis rods but have been tuned to handle indicators and shot. They are 9'9" and if I was going to replace my current setup i think thats what I'd go with.

[chiasson]

Originally Posted by Switch

Been fishing Sage 10 ft 6 wts for the last 8 years for trout. Had the XP for about 4 years switched to the Z axis when it came out. For nymphing a 10ft rod is the only way to go. I think a lot of people are used to 9ft rods and so they think they want a 9'6" and they are a little afraid to go up to a 10fter. Once you fish it though it truly is the tool for the job.
Some have said the Z-axis doesnt throw shot and mend as well as the XP did. the thing I noticed going to the Z axis was that it was quite a bit lighter (weight wise) in the tip and when I was throwing long stack type mends I had to force it a little more to load up with just the weight of the line. I do fish an 8 weight rio steelhead taper which handles shot and indicator beautifully. It also has a 66ft belly that allows you to mend the line when its way out on the water. The other rod I would look at is the 99 series of rods that Sage came out with in the last year. They are very similar to the Z-axis rods but have been tuned to handle indicators and shot. They are 9'9" and if I was going to replace my current setup i think thats what I'd go with.

Funny you should mention the Rio steelhead taper on a 6 weight Z-axis. I've been thinking of trying the 7 wt Rio steelhead/salmon, I happen to have one already that I bought for a switch rod, on my 690 z-axis for single hand spey casting dry dropper rigs and nymph rigs, maybe small streamers, for trout but was thinking that it would be way too long and heavy of a line, especially if I happened to overhand it on occasion. Am I wrong?

[chiasson]

Originally Posted by rosstucker32

I think we are talking about the "Bloody L", which is when your anchor is not placed properly for a spey cast. Basically, when you form your D Loop, your entire line, leader, tippet and fly should be pointed at your target. The "Bloody L" is when the last portion of the set up is still facing up/down river, perpendicular to your target line, thereby forming an "L" at the point where your (properly positioned) D loop line meets the line that was never repositioned properly. Now when you come forward much of the energy of your cast is wasted in straightenning out your line as opposed to shooting it toward the target.

For me, I get the L when I set my anchor too far upriver. I generally set my anchor too far up river when I do not complete the "snap" part of the Snap T fully, or when my initial lift during a Double is not elongated enough.

Thanks for the clarification on that. I know exactly what you mean; I've just never heard the term before.

[rob allen]

just my opinion here but Z-axis rods are ok.. wouldn't be my choice.

I personally would keep your 6 wt and use it for nymphing then purchase an 8'6" 4wt for doing your dry fly fishing.. a 5 would be good too I just prefer a 4wt.

[chiasson]

Originally Posted by rob allen

just my opinion here but Z-axis rods are ok.. wouldn't be my choice.

I personally would keep your 6 wt and use it for nymphing then purchase an 8'6" 4wt for doing your dry fly fishing.. a 5 would be good too I just prefer a 4wt.

I got a nice dry fly rod for the trout streams, ZXL-386, but it's useless in the wind. My other single hander is an XP-490 but I haven't fished it much in awhile, I really need to get a dedicated reel for it and take it out more.

[Newbs]

I love my 9ft 4 wt Sage for dries. I have covered a lot of Deschutes water with it. But I also have two 9ft 5wt Lamniglass rods that are great. They're little stiffer but I can still make a nice presentation with them...and I can through something heavier if I want to.

But then I also like my 8.5 ft 6 wt Orvise. That was my first fly rod and I have fished with it for so long I can through it at just about anything.

I think I spend too much time pondering length, weight, speed, loading etc... and what ever. Finally I just tell myself to grab a stick and get out there.

[Switch]

like I said I fish an 8wt steelhead taper on my 10 ft 6wt. I think the 7 wt would be fine on your 9 ft rod. The rod will have enough power to handle the line. It will nymph great it certainly wont accel at light presentations if you do throw dries but it can throw dries if need be. Honestly how much dry fly fishing do we get in Oregon anyway.

[rockaway]

Originally Posted by Newbs

I love my 9ft 4 wt Sage for dries. I have covered a lot of Deschutes water with it. But I also have two 9ft 5wt Lamniglass rods that are great. They're little stiffer but I can still make a nice presentation with them...and I can through something heavier if I want to.

But then I also like my 8.5 ft 6 wt Orvise. That was my first fly rod and I have fished with it for so long I can through it at just about anything.

I think I spend too much time pondering length, weight, speed, loading etc... and what ever. Finally I just tell myself to grab a stick and get out there.

I totally agree.

[Slow and Low]

Originally Posted by LunkerFish

Its a Mystic M-series rod. They are a small company out of Michigan. I came across them at a fly shop in Colorado when I was on business and wasn't in the market for a rod, but one of those moments where I couldn't walk away from it once I cast it. The only place I know that carries them in this region is Camp Sherman.

I have been fishing this rod the last several weeks (thanks Lance). Highly recommend this 9'3" 5 wt. Radical stick, bends deep, recovers fast, and rips tight loops into the wind.

[LunkerFish]

Glad to share and get the word out on a great set of rods. Thanks for putting it through its paces. Mind if I use that photo I mentioned? (with due credit of course)

[Slow and Low]

no sir.