When fishing southern mountain streams you’ll find the best rod weight for Brook Trout is going to be anywhere from a 0wt to a 3wt. Those sizes are light enough that you can throw smaller flies with delicate precision and work well in close-quarter casting.
How do you know which size to use though? the differences between a 0wt and a 3wt are pretty significant.
What is Fly Rod Weight?
The weight of a fly rod is what’s used to measure the strength and size of the rod. The smaller the number the smaller and weaker it will be. Conversely, the larger the number the stronger it will be. Using a heavy rod with these small fish won’t be as much fun or effective.
The lighter the rod the easier it is to throw those smaller flies and work them properly. A heavy 7wt rod is going to have some trouble properly getting out a small dry fly or nymph to these Native Brook Trout.
Fly Rod Length
Most of the time you’re going to be fishing in tight quarters. So, your classic 9′ rod just isn’t going to cut it. The good news is that most of these lighter rods also come in shorter sizes.
Often a 7′ 6″ is going to be perfect. However, there are some rods as small as 6′, and if you do find yourself fishing a wider stream then there will be plenty of 9′ 3wts out there for you.
Keep in mind that a 6′ rod is not going to allow you to cast very far. Rods of that size are meant to be used in very special situations where the canopy is thick and you need every inch of room to get your fly to the fish.
Which Weight is Right for me?
When looking for the best weight rod for Brook Trout you should take into consideration exactly where you’re going to be fishing, how big the trout are, and how sporting do you want to be?
0wt-1wt
If you’re looking to minimize the amount of weight your hauling in and out of the trout stream then a 0-1wt is perfect for you. These are some of the smallest rods out there and allow you to throw the tiniest of flies. On top of that, you’re also going to feel every little run or head shake from anything that’s attached to the end of your hook.
This is a great sporting rod. Perfect for an angler looking to really play the fish. I wouldn’t recommend this for someone new to fly fishing. Instead, if you’re looking for a new challenge or something different then this is a great way to get your jollies.
2wt-3wt
These rods can handle the exact same flies that a 0-1wt can. You may feel a subtle difference, but throwing a size 22 adams isn’t going to be much different. What you can do is throw larger flies. Perfect for targeting the biggest fish in the stream.
These heavier rods are ideal for jigging or swimming streamer patterns. You can cast these further and with better accuracy than you could with something smaller.
The biggest drawback is that you won’t be able to feel every bat of the tail when fighting a fish. The extra power will let you pull in trout faster and can really help if you hook into a big one.
Conclusion
Using smaller rods to chase these trout can be loads of fun. The lighter weight allows for better fights and lets you throw perfectly sized flies to these fish.
So, next time you’re out in the mountains going after Brook Trout don’t be afraid to take that 1wt with you. You’ll be surprised at how fun it is.
