14' vs 15'

[elwyman]

In his article in T&S on the Eden, Andy Murray says he now uses a 14' rod, rather than a 15' rod. I read a while back that Eion Fairgrieve also favours the 14' rod.

I used a 14' Norway for all of my fishing last season and found that it dealt with almost all fishing methods, and it was less tiring to use. I'd use my 15' rod for sunk line work ( which is v rare for me), but apart from that, I think a 14' rod is an excellent all round length for most of the season.

[macsalmo]

Don't be telling me this now Elwyman, I've only got a 13' and 15' rod, how do I explain this one to the missus ;D

Gary

[Fruin]

Depending on the design and action, a 14 foot rod can be more tiring than a fifteen foot rod. I have a 14 foot rod with a very tippy action, this is more tiring than some of the 15 foot and 16 foot rods that I use. With it's tippy action, it requires a bit more force and snap in the cast. It is also harder to roll fast sinking lines to the surface with a tippier/fast action rod.
Long belly lines will suit the longer rods better, but I find I have to concentrate hard when using short belly lines on anything over 14 foot. It is way to easy to skip the anchor. This is not always immediately noticeable, but look at the state of your fly after it's been hitting the rocks on the bank for a while

[elwyman]

macsalmo said:

Don't be telling me this now Elwyman, I've only got a 13' and 15' rod, how do I explain this one to the missus ;D

Gary

Well Gary, I've got 13' & 15' rods as well - I just make sure the 3 rods aren't lined up together side by side against the garage wall.

[elwyman]

Malcom and others reckon a 16'er or 18'er is what you really need for sunk line work. I think a 14 ' 10/11 might be hard work.

[altmor]

elwyman said:

Malcom and others reckon a 16'er or 18'er is what you really need for sunk line work. I think a 14 ' 10/11 might be hard work.

I would agree.

[Fruin]

altmor said:

elwyman said:

Malcom and others reckon a 16'er or 18'er is what you really need for sunk line work. I think a 14 ' 10/11 might be hard work.

I would agree.

Not with a shooting head!

[scotty]

"I just make sure the 3 rods aren't lined up together side by side against the garage wall."

macsalmo, im glad im not the only one with sneaky tricks

scotty. ;D ;D

[jkboy]

A 14ft Norway is all I use until the single hander comes out for the grilse ... It seems to do the job on the medium sized rivers I fish, managing the sunk line no bother.

[salmoseeker]

I use my 13 foot Aquarex (great rod) for grilse and small rivers but for spring work with my sunk lines I like the 15 foot rod I'm about to get. Saying that... Rod Laver played tennis with a frying pan