Dragontail Small Stream Hybrid Glass Rod

[T-stillwater (Karl Klavon)]

Hi Daniel. I have a Traveler 39 and I fish it with dry flies all the time. In fishing Stillwaters, I fish it with a PVC Coated Floating T-line about the same length as the rod is long, plus a tapered leader about half again as long as the line is long, with a 3 foot 5X tippet, which works well for me with both wet and dry flies.

For stream fishing, I like Level Fluorocarbon Lines to maximize holding the line up and off of the water for the longest drag free drifts possible, so I usually fish a #3 line, although a size 3.5 would probably cast a little better. Contrary to what most T-fishers do, I almost fish nothing but dry flies on streams, consisting of ants, terrestrial spiders, beetles and Hopper patterns, on both lakes and streams. I agree 100% with what Kris said above, there is no reason why a T-39 would be harder to cast dry flies with than any other rod. If anything, it’s faster than average T-action will handle casting dry flies Better than most T-rods do. And it sure casts big and heavily weighted wet flies and bead heads better than most T-rods will for lake and river fishing as well.

Where the softer actions of glass rods really shine is in the shorter rod lengths. Glass is much heavier than graphite, so it will add inertia to a rod that helps to load a rod in casting. And in the shorter rod lengths, the extra weight glass adds is not enough to be objectionable, and can really smooth out a rod’s casting action. It also provides more protection for light tippets.

[Kris.Franqui (Tenkara on the Trail)]

@T-stillwater

I agree 100% with what Kris said above, there is no reason why a T-39 would be harder to cast dry flies with than any other rod. If anything, it’s faster than average T-action will handle casting dry flies Better than most T-rods do.

Well said Karl. I think the action/flex is very conducive to throwing dries. I find it to be a very versatile rod.

[Epicuretenkara (Daniel)]

Thanks for the replies Karl and Kris. I think I’m convinced and will be buying a traveler 39. Unless there’s any other zoom rods you’d recommend above. I think the Tenryu TF39a will have to wait until a used one pops up on the market somewhere. But you both have me even more excited about the Traveler 39

[Kris.Franqui (Tenkara on the Trail)]

The tenryu 39TA is a fantastic rod IMO, but you will not be disappointed in the Traveler 39. I used both of them today. Very different rods and I enjoy both of them very much.

[Gressak]

Daniel,

For really small water and small fish i feel a rod over 3.2m is not as effiecient and could be limiting. The 2.8 rod at the head of this thread is more appropriate.

Great zoom rods at the smaller size is the rhodo or mizuchi. I have had my rhodo now for 7 seasons or so and i love that thing…and i have owned the whole gamut of rods.

The traveler 39 is a great rod too but it would not be my choice as an all round big and small water rod.