What’s the Best Fly-Rod Action for Small-Stream Trout Fishing?

Field & Stream editor at large John Merwin says the answer to the question “What rod is best for small-stream fishing?” is not as straightforward as it seems.  The type of small stream and the casting style of the angler are just as important as any formula.

“So there’s the conundrum in which conventional wisdom isn’t necessarily the best choice. One solution is to use the same rod with two different line weights. Using a line one size lighter than the rod rating should effectively speed up the rod by requiring a faster, more forceful casting stroke to work the rod–throwing tighter loops as a result. “