Why You Need A Longer Fly Rod: A Case for 10 Foot Fly Rod

If you are an angler looking for a new weapon for the quiver or simply looking for your first rod, but don't want a tool that forces you to tote multiple rods around it can be difficult to find an option that provides the same amount of enjoyment as a medium action dry fly rod or extra fast heavyweight meat slinger. The 9ft 5 wt is a pretty generic choice when it comes to fly rod offerings for beginners or anglers looking for a multipurpose fly rod but it is lacking in several respects.

It can feel clunky when casting small dries on smaller rivers, it can struggle to perform large mends or stack mend on long drifts on the big rivers, and throwing larger streamers is sometimes a dangerous endeavor. The 9ft 5wt isn't particularly amazing in many respects but it is serviceable for a variety of techniques. Which makes it my one of my least used rods out of my entire collection.

Longer rods can give anglers the edge to fish better and enjoy the process. Not all manufacturers will have these exactt lengths and designs but these rods in the list are common weights and lengths that are usually comparable from brand to brand and seek to serve a similar purpose. Rather than compromising every application of the rod, try to optimize the forms of fishing you are interested in, are most applied in your home waters, or are most productive.

Mattias with his 10ft 4wt utilized as a euro nymphing setup.

Finesse and Stealth: 10ft 3wt Fly Rod

The 10ft 3wt is a rod geared towards the angler who values finesse and delicacy in their fishing. This rod is geared towards European nymphing as a primary use for most rod manufacturers but can also function as a dry fly rod. The extra length helps anglers reach pockets and pools while tight line nymphing and increases the mending ability of the line while fishing dries during the hatch.

This single rod helps cover your bases no matter the fish activity. Throw a euro leader on the front of the fly line in the morning to nymph then take it off once the PMDs start hatching in the afternoon.

The Deschutes is a great river longer rods.

The New 9ft 5wt: The 10ft 4wt Fly Rod

If an angler loves dry fly fishing but also wants a secondary option to euro nymph a 10ft 4wt provides a better compromise than a 9ft 5wt. It does not have the stiffness of a 5wt but still has plenty of butt sections to fight big fish. The extra length allows longer mends and the ability to cast above grass and brush for dry fly fishing, as well as provides the length needed to properly reach holding water while tight line nymphing.

This rod would be a top contender for a do-it-all rod on my local waters, the Deschutes River and Crooked River. The rod is stout enough for the hard-pulling redbands and strong current, while also having a soft enough tip to properly play and land fish. The soft tip section also helps protect light tippet while fishing small drys or 6x on the Crooked River. A 10ft 4wt combines the best aspects of a niche dry fly rod and the handy length of a true euro nymphing rod to make a well-blended tool that allows an angler to alternate between their favored method of fishing.

This rod can handle just about any dry fly in your box, whether it's fishing midges on a tailwater or slapping salmonflies on the bank.

While it may not have the best build to roll cast heavy indicator rigs with lots of lead, it makes a perfectly acceptable indicator nymphing rod for shallower streams and rivers that call for lighter presentation. By specifying the approach to a few options it allows the user to use a specialty tool for the job and elevate the level of fishing they can accomplish.

Nymphing and Hopper-Dropper Machine: 10ft 5wt Fly rod

This rod is my all-around indicator nymphing rod, especially for mid to large-sized rivers that require long drifts and lots of roll casting. Roll casting is imperative when indicator nymphing a 10-foot rod simply does it better than a 9-footer. By adding an extra foot of length to the rod the angler can lift more line off the water for a more optimal cast.

No matter if you fish from a drift boat or wade, the 10-foot rod helps anglers lift more line to quickly get it back into the juice where the hopper dropper or bacon and eggs belong. Reaching for that far bank with a funky current, no problem with 10 foot 5 weight because the extra length gives you a little more distance and a big upstream mend to let that fly marinate in the strike zone a few seconds longer to get the eat.

This wild Deschutes steelhead was landed on a 10ft 5wt.

The rod can also do double duty as a light streamer rod, especially if you fish lakes and like to fish leech patterns on an intermediate line. The 5wt is easy to cast all day and can handle lighter tippet for wary fish while not letting you down when it comes to power and distance. Whether you are on the bank, in a float tube, or standing on a casting deck the extra length of the rod keeps the line from slapping the water on long casts and gets the bugs where they need to go.

Medium to large dries are a breeze for the rod and it can handle a long dropper as well. The added reach allows the angler to reset quickly and slap it back under the overhanging brush. Use the extra length to dap dries in pocket water. The soft tip and sturdy mid-butt section make for rock-solid hooksets as well.

Big Indicator Rigs For Trout and Steelhead: The 9.5-10ft 6wt

The 6wt is now breaking into light anadromous fish tackle territory for those who like to fish more intimate or close quarters for steelhead or small salmon species. Or if two-handed rods are not your thing these rods have the backbone and length for superior line control for long casts and big mends.

The six-weight is still a great trout rod for heavy indicator nymphing dry dropping from a boat or getting long drifts while wading. Better mending capabilities and line control are leading factors in choosing a longer-than-typical rod.

Optimal Steelhead and Streamer Tool: The 10ft 7wt Fly Rod

The 10ft 7wt is the go-to nymphing rod for summer steelhead for many anglers. But there are many applications, it makes a great bass or light pike rod if you spend your time on the lakes in search of warm water species. Throw bigger streamers on lakes or rivers for trout as well with extra lift and distance.

Single-hand steelhead swingers will also find this rod better suited to single-hand spey utilities when backed up against the brush bank and needing to reach a seam. The extra length allows for finesse when putting big mends for drag-free drifts.

9.5-10ft 7wt make great lake streamer rods for aggressive species such as this bull trout.

Big Flies, Big Water, and Long Casts: 10ft 8 weight Fly Rod

This 10-footer is for when power and line speed are a must. Whereas the 7wt makes a great nymphing rod this rod will be more at home throwing big flies for distance. The extra foot helps saltwater anglers keep their line and fly off the beach. It is right at home throwing multi-density sink tips and heavy flies. This length and line weight is an ideal rod for fresh coho when long casts, line control, and fighting power are needed.

Additionally, steelhead and warm water species are on the menu when it calls for heavy flies and long casts.

Not so fresh Alaskan Coho ont he 8wt

Final Thoughts on Fly Rod Choice

Many folks who are not yet involved in the sport of fly fishing hesitate to jump into a more niche product from the very start but in this case, going against the standard can help anglers see results quicker and advance in their skill. As a guide, I used exclusively 9ft rods for indicator and hopper dropper fishing on the Deschutes and the Mckenzie but noticed my beginner clients consistently struggled with efficiently casting and working runs, especially with heavier rigs. I switched to longer rods and immediately noticed a huge difference in performance. They controlled their line, mended better, and connected with more fish with the help from the extra length.

The longer rod is an added advantage for the angler, from hook setting to roll casting, the length can pay dividends for an angler looking to optimize their time on the water. Fly fishing is about the process: the cast, the mend, the set, and the repetition of trying to feed a fish, which can be disrupted if anglers are constantly tangling or not able to hit their target. People have a better time when they cast well and anglers enjoying themselves on the water fish better, buy gear that works for you.

There is a place for 9ft rods in the arsenal but when I hike a mile into a canyon or want to have a light day on the river with limited gear, it is reassuring to have a tool I know can excel in two techniques that covers my bases while still enjoyable to fish. Ditch the 9ft 5wt for a rod purpose made for catching fish how you want.