12 foot rod for grilse/sea trout on small rivers..

[JJ]

Hi

I have realised that my 14 footer wont cut it on small rivers and the d loop is too large when close bankside cover and deep margins prevail.

I emailed this request to a few rod manufacturers but thought I'd get good advice here too..

I am looking for a 12 foot rod good for summer grilse on small rivers where backcast/d loop is hampered by bankside trees, also for sea trout or even sea trout fishing off a boat lochstyle. I am looking for a rod that will take an aftm 8 spey line <51 foot head, max head weight about 36gramme.

My other rod is a b&w powerlight deluxe 10/11 14foot.

What do you recommend at this specification and where in northumberland could I try before I buy? I favour a snowbee 1d aftm 8/9 for this job but would you recommend a line for your suggested rod please? All advice much appreciated

What would you suggest regarding a rod/line combo of this type?

Any help much appreciated - best regards John

[dunbar]

I have got an Alltmor Spey 12' 2" which is rated for #6-8. I use an 8/9 on it, though it can handle a #7 equally well.

Discontinued, but worth a trial if you can source one.

[Bogyoch]

Ian Gordon 12' #7/8 with a Snowbee 1D #8/9 is a combination that's hard to beat.

[chasb]

Try a Hardy Gem mk2 12 foot 8 wt (there's a brand new one on ebay at present located in the north east) or a guideline lpxe 11 foot 8/9. Got both and like them very much. I take it you mean rivers the size of the coquet & Aln?

[turrifftackle]

Again go for the Ian Gordon- excellent for small river work.

Frank

[ceilidh]

If this is not to be your most used rod, the Daiwa 12' 8/9 whisker is a very adequate performer and can often be had on ebay for £30-40.
I am now using mine with a Monteith 10/11 multi line (using both the 10' or 15' tips) with good distance and turnover and very little effort.

[al44]

OK here we go for the odd ball reply.....

I use a fibreglass 12' B&W Silverstream (#6-8) with a DT7 for the low water and general floating line work. Then for the heavier water and sunk line a 12'4" B&W Hexagraph Grilse with a DT10.

Small rivers the size I fish (Rede, Whiteadder etc.) don't need long casting with spey lines, in fact most of the time your feet are on dry land so the D loop situation does not arise.

If I had to look about now I'd probably choose the second hand 12' B&W Bruce #7-9 for sale in a certain Lancaster tackle shop.

Modern rods wise I wouldn't really know, maybe a Sharpes Aquarex 13'.

Bear in mind though, the lighter the line rating, the bigger the problem when the wind starts a blowing.

[Sloggi]

This may be off the mark, but why not go for a single-hander? Greyflex 10' 6" will single spey well enough on small rivers and the presentation will be fine and delicate. It's a good sea-trout rod and I've landed salmon of 10lb on this rod.

When I started fishing, all the locals I fished beside got their single-handers out from June-Aug.

B&W do a similar sized rod for #8 lines

[turrifftackle]

Partridge do all rods from 9'6" with an additional fighting butt and an extension to convert the single hander to a double hander
if you want to go smaller- - I would suggest 10 or 11 foot perhaps!!

Frank