[Bryan Redd]

I'm on the hunt for a 9'6" 4wt for stillwater fishing.  I have a 10' 6wt Thomas & Thomas Avantt with a downlocking reel seat that I use and really like, but I'm looking for a lighter weight companion.  Apparently, it is an odd configuration, at least here in the States.   I've checked all the major brands and none offer it.  There are multiple options in a 10' 4wt, but I want it shorter for this rod.  Possibly would do a 9'3'' but thinking I'd prefer a 9'6".

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

Cheers,

Bryan
Portland, Oregon

[Rob Brownfield]

Sage do/did one. The Sage One #496-4. Not made anymore but I did find this advert for a custom built one, may be of use.

https://www.coastalcreekoutfitters.com/products/sage-one-custom-96-4-weight-new-fly-rod-built-just-for-you-496-4-beautiful-1

Good luck!

[Derek Roxborough]

 wouldn't a 9ft do the same job? I use a 4wt a lot of the time( when I'm not using my 5wt(helps in the wind)I didn't find the 6in made that much difference, a9ft with the right line will give you what you want,
Derek Roxborough

[Bryan Redd]

Rob,:  Thank you for the link to the custom build option.  I never owned a Sage One, but have fished it a couple of times.  That is certainly an option.

Derek:  Much of my stillwater fishing is from my inflatable "kick raft".  So, I'm pretty low to the water.  I have a 9' 4wt (a Winston B2x)  that I have used, but the extra length of a longer rod is helpful when I'm sitting so low on the water.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Cheers,
Bryan

[Derek Roxborough]

Oh!   Derek Roxborough

[Rob Brownfield]

So, I'm pretty low to the water.

I went over to a 10 foot 4 weight for the situation you describe. I built two rods on the same blank, a 10 foot #4 PacBay Quickline and I have to say, it makes a pretty impressive rod....and for a very good price.

[Steven Sinclair]

I agree. My favourite rod for tubing is an old 9' 9" 4# Peregrine

Even with my lanky arms I still prefer the slightly longer rod in the tube.

Steven.

[Jeff Donovan]

Wychwood Drift XL is manufactured to the size/weight you require, ie 9' 6" in a #4... see link.  https://www.fishtec.co.uk/buy.cfm/fly-rods/wychwood-drift-xl-rod/40/yes/156553

[Bryan Redd]

Jeff,

Thank you for the link!

Cheers,
Bryan

[Rob Brownfield]

I agree. My favourite rod for tubing is an old 9' 9" 4# Peregrine

Even with my lanky arms I still prefer the slightly longer rod in the tube.

Steven.

A Peregrine, now that's a blast from the past. Just don't here about them these days although they seem to be on the go still.

Is it dark blue by any chance?

[Steven Sinclair]

A Peregrine, now that's a blast from the past. Just don't here about them these days although they seem to be on the go still.

Is it dark blue by any chance?

It is indeed Rob. Dad and I went through a phase of having nothing but Peregrine rods and I one point I think we had the entire range between us  . We still have them all in the garage. Dad had (I think) serial #2 of their first 15'. What an absolute beast of a thing that was. It could belt out a wet cell II for fun but by god was it a chore to use all day. Granted I think I must have been around 14/15 the last time I had a throw with it.

Come to think of it, I recall it having a nice deep through action. I really must dig it out and have a play around with Skagits on it 

 

Steven.

[Rob Brownfield]

It is indeed Rob. Dad and I went through a phase of having nothing but Peregrine rods and I one point I think we had the entire range between us  . We still have them all in the garage. Dad had (I think) serial #2 of their first 15'. What an absolute beast of a thing that was. It could belt out a wet cell II for fun but by god was it a chore to use all day. Granted I think I must have been around 14/15 the last time I had a throw with it.

Come to think of it, I recall it having a nice deep through action. I really must dig it out and have a play around with Skagits on it 

 

Steven.

And all built on a British blanks that 99% of fly anglers have never heard of

Unfortunately the blue is no longer available.

[Eddie Sinclair]

Rob,

Would those be mr Harrison’s blanks?

Eddie

[Rob Brownfield]

Rob,

Would those be mr Harrison’s blanks?

Eddie

Mostly. It was Richard Walker in King Street that stocked them up here.  I believe that some were built on standard Harrison blanks and others were specially rolled.

I am away to order some LOHRIC blanks and I have already built on their Ballista and Traditional blanks. The 4/5 4 piece traditional is really sweet. I built one for a friends dad in blue. Really bonnie looking rod with performance to match.

[Steven Sinclair]

Mostly. It was Richard Walker in King Street that stocked them up here.  I believe that some were built on standard Harrison blanks and others were specially rolled.

I am away to order some LOHRIC blanks and I have already built on their Ballista and Traditional blanks. The 4/5 4 piece traditional is really sweet. I built one for a friends dad in blue. Really bonnie looking rod with performance to match.

Richard Walker. Now that's another blast from the past!

I'm amazed that anybody could find anything in that shop through the clouds of smoke  I recall being in their when I was single digits with Dad and his trusty pipe bellowing reek everywhere   

I'm almost certain that it was through Richard that Dad was introduced to Peregrine's, as Dad tied flies for the shop for years.

 

Steven.

[Rob Brownfield]

Richard Walker. Now that's another blast from the past!

I'm amazed that anybody could find anything in that shop through the clouds of smoke  I recall being in their when I was single digits with Dad and his trusty pipe bellowing reek everywhere   

I'm almost certain that it was through Richard that Dad was introduced to Peregrine's, as Dad tied flies for the shop for years.

 

Steven.

I can't remember Richard smoking...am I losing it?..lol

I wonder if he is still living out in Inch?

[Eddie Sinclair]

Rob,

the pipe was mine, and yes Richard gave me his first Peregrine in the shop to try, it was the Blue 9ft 3" 6 weight and it was and suppose still is a lovely thing to fish with, it is in my garage along with 2 x 9ft 9 4 weights an 8ft 6 4 weight a 9ft 5 weight a 10ft 6 6/7 weight a 9ft 8 weight and the 15ft 10/11 weight.

One of these days I need to dig through all the old stuff in the garage and take it out for a play.

I really liked the original Peregrine rods, I spoke to Roger from Peregrine recently, he will still repair the old fly rods but is not interested in manufacturing anymore as he stated that the market and margins in carp rods are a more viable business model down his way.

Eddie

[Rob Brownfield]

I really liked the original Peregrine rods, I spoke to Roger from Peregrine recently, he will still repair the old fly rods but is not interested in manufacturing anymore as he stated that the market and margins in carp rods are a more viable business model down his way.

I would agree with him there. I can build a carp rod far quicker than a fly rod, charge less and make more. The fact that most commissions are 2 or 3 rods at a time means a bit more profit.

[Hamish Young]

..... and the 15ft 10/11 weight.

One of these days I need to dig through all the old stuff in the garage and take it out for a play.

You absolutely do  I remember those rods and unless my memory is playing games with me that 15' was more than a match for anything on the market when it was released. Unfortunately, they never sold in big numbers 

H

[Euan Innes]

Rob,

the pipe was mine, and yes Richard gave me his first Peregrine in the shop to try, it was the Blue 9ft 3" 6 weight and it was and suppose still is a lovely thing to fish with, it is in my garage along with 2 x 9ft 9 4 weights an 8ft 6 4 weight a 9ft 5 weight a 10ft 6 6/7 weight a 9ft 8 weight and the 15ft 10/11 weight.

One of these days I need to dig through all the old stuff in the garage and take it out for a play.

I really liked the original Peregrine rods, I spoke to Roger from Peregrine recently, he will still repair the old fly rods but is not interested in manufacturing anymore as he stated that the market and margins in carp rods are a more viable business model down his way.

Eddie

I am pretty sure that I must have met you in that shop at some point Eddie. When I worked in Nelson Street I was always in for coffee at Richards shop. I never did get a Peregrine but he did get me in to Loomis so not all bad!
If you want to sell any of them I could be interested
A man ahead of his time 

Euan

[Steven Sinclair]

You absolutely do  I remember those rods and unless my memory is playing games with me that 15' was more than a match for anything on the market when it was released. Unfortunately, they never sold in big numbers 

H

I was saying to Dad not all that long ago that we really need to get "the beast" out of retirement and have a throw with some modern lines on it. I think it's the only dh that he hasn't managed to break during casting 😂. I've got three days on the Dee in August I need to get my hands on the Gael force extended spey I think it would be a scary combination.

Cheers,

Steven.

[Steven Sinclair]

I am pretty sure that I must have met you in that shop at some point Eddie. When I worked in Nelson Street I was always in for coffee at Richards shop. I never did get a Peregrine but he did get me in to Loomis so not all bad!
If you want to sell any of them I could be interested
A man ahead of his time 

Euan

Euan, I could maybe be persuaded to part with the 8' 6" 4# but i'll be taking the 9' 9'' 4# to my grave 

 

Steven.

[Rob Brownfield]

but he did get me in to Loomis so not all bad!

He got me into Norborons as I could not afford the Loomis. Having said that, he did lend me a few to "convert" me lol. The 10 foot 7 weight IMX was awesome.

[Rob Brownfield]

You absolutely do  I remember those rods and unless my memory is playing games with me that 15' was more than a match for anything on the market when it was released. Unfortunately, they never sold in big numbers 

The 15 foot LOHRIC is an update to that rod. There are several models now, 12 8/9, 13 8/9, 14 9/10, 15 10/11 and 16 10/11


The original is also still available and is sold as a "classic spey" and the" HP spey". Both are 10/11 and 15 foot.  The LOHRICS are sold as "Fast and light modern design".

[Euan Innes]

Euan, I could maybe be persuaded to part with the 8' 6" 4# but i'll be taking the 9' 9'' 4# to my grave 

 

Steven.

Steven,
I have more #4 than i know what to do with but the 10'6" #6 sounds interesting...

Euan