ikilledflipper

Cheers, because it is difficult sensing a take, would you think a constant figure of 8 retrieve varying in speed would be the best for beginners? I mean, would the constant tension on the line be enough to set the hook? I guess it would be quite easy watching the floating line lying on the water for takes, I cast too far out to be able to see a leader indicator. A very long leader would be needed I guess if I was using a floating line!

I really haven't taken a lot to do with nymph fishing, in fact, putting on a wet fly is sometimes a last resort. I'd like to change this though, and try fishing the nymph. Could any of you explain the method for nymph fishing small still waters? Any tips would be appreciated. Is it just the same as wet fly fishing? I bought a book - quite an expensive one titled "tying and fishing the nymph", however, the book is more of a nymph pattern library - which is quite disappointing. I was hoping to recieve some tips and practical advice but instead, a few chapters on entomology were all I was given followed by truckloads of patterns.

Right ok, I think I can clear things up! I went fishing the other day and tried a few things. I dumped the reel and tried casting without any additional weight. There was no great difference while casting - in feel or result. In my opinion balancing the rod is not vital if you have a light one, if you have a medium or heavy rod I think it is essential. This is not due to the required balance while casting - of course this is impossible anyway. This is actually down to holding the rod while you retrieve! Retrieval accounts for the longest period of time while you're fishing, and holding a rod which is very top heavy becomes extremely tiring. The muscles in your forearm constantly have to work to prevent the rod tip hitting the water. This is why it is essential to balance your rod. I added some weight to the butt end of my rod - I found the correct thread size and inserted a bolt and then wrapped lead wire round about until the rod was perfectly balanced. What a difference! Again however, there was no real difference when casting, but it was a pleasure holding the rod while retrieving! This relaxed my arm and hand muscles so that when it came to casting, my arm was not fatigued, this made casting a lot easier thoughout the day. I didn't need to force the line out due to tired muscles. Thanks everyone anyway!

I'm pretty sure my Uncle will give me a lend of a few higher aftm rated lines, I'll test it out to see if it helps make the casting less work. Thanks

Thank you both for your advice. My reasoning behind wanting to apply more weight to the reel end of the rod is it would balance it a bit better. With the reel attached & the line not fed throught the eyelets, I found it takes a little effort to hold the rod horizontally as it is that tip heavy it tips over straight away. I was always told, when the reel is attached to the rod, you should be able to balance the rod on one finger - just before the cork handle starts. I have no chance of doing this with my current setup. My uncle gave my dad this rod as it was giving him a bad back, my father tried to use it a few times - but it was too heavy for him to use. I enjoy using the rod, but I fatigue quite quickly - which didn't happen with my shakespeare and bob church rods - which I no longer have. I guess the idea behind this balancing is it counterbalances the top of the rod. Okay - when you start casting the rod will obviously become more and more top-heavy because of the airborne line. However, the light reel seems to be adding to the top-heavyness - If you know what I mean. The rod weighs in at around 165g, however, it's 10.5 feet long. I love the very fast tip action of the rod, but I can only use it for a short time- and I'm no weakling!

Right okay, I've done a little weighing & the like & have managed to find the correct weight to balance my rod. Now, the rod does not have a butt - so I think that may be adding to the problem, nonetheless, I've found that a total of 450g would perfectly balance the rod where I hold it. My LC 100 reel with line & backing only weighs around 190g - so as you can see - I have good reason to tire quickly when using the rod. I have a few more focused questions which might be easier to answer than the ones in my first post. *Am I correct in wanting to perfectly balance my rod - or have I got the wrong end of the stick? *If not, am I correct in looking at counter balancing at around 450g - or is this overkill? *Would the addition of a butt make any real difference & are they easy to fit? *Are there any inexpensive reels with swappable spools weighing around 400g? *Will correct balancing make life easier, or have I been lumped with a rod I shouldn't be trying to use? Thanks

This is my first post, so to begin I'd first like to say hello to everyone. I have a slight problem, I currently have a Shimano Power loop rod & it's very heavy to use. Although it is a naturally heavy rod to start with, I matched it up with a very light weight reel - a Leeda LC 100. This means the rod is extremely top-heavy & I tire very quickly. I live nowhere near a tackle shop & would have brought my rod around to try with some inexpensive reels if I could. Could any of you advise of an inexpensive reel to perfectly match the weight of the rod? Is there anything else I can do? I've even thought of weighing the reel down in some way - perhaps adding some lead wire beneath the backing. I'm not a power-fisherman, so do not have the excuse (or the means) to spend big on a reel! All your help is greatly appreciated, thanks! PS, I have an inclination toward double taper #7 line.