Jerry I have over lined mine once with a Cortland 444 Peach WF4F, and yes it cast very well with that line. I do feel though that the rod is a 3wt, and according to CCS numbers, it is a light 3wt (I did the CCS #'s myself). I use a Hook & Hackle DT3F on mine and I'm very happy with it's performance in the 10-50 foot range. I've used an Orvis Wonderline WF3F and didn't care for the way it cast that line as the rod seems to prefer very supple lines, at least in my opinion it does, and the Orvis line is stiffer than the Cortland's.

Dave Lewis at Performance Fly Rods builds these rods too, and labels them as 3/4wt's. In the end it's all about what you feel best using. If you like it better with the 4wt line, then by all means use it. The rod will handle that line no problem.

J.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Initially I thought it was just the Silver Label DT3 line which seems to be a little clingy on both the rods I fished with it, but when the TT3 arrived and felt the same way I was very surprised. If I come across another 3 wt line for cheap then maybe I'll give it a shot, or perhaps if Les and I meet up to fish I can try his 3 wt line.

I have nothing at all against 4 wt's--I just happen to have two of them already, and if it comes down to a choice between fishing the 7' Lami or my 6'9" Sage LL, I think the Sage will always win out :-)

Nice...using a DT5F on a 3wt? How does it feel for you?

I think Richard brings up a very valid point that is often overlooked when matching lines to rods, and rod weights to line weights; CASTING METHODS; I don't think we consider this integral part of a complex relationship of things relating to how a rod casts; what line is best, etc. I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination, but if you watch four or 5 guys cast at the same time you realize that, like pitchers and hitters in baseball, there's many different ways to cast a fly. Richard mentioned the ritz method; we've all seen the majestic casting of Joan Wulff; the unorthadox style of lefty kreh, etc., etc. I think this is one of the important and overlooked components of matching rod and line to get a fly to the fish. I have been fly casting all my life, but just in the last few years have I began to try to reason out these factors and how they influence my ability to get a fly to the fish. Richard likes a rod that is crisp, easy to load, therefore i would say that knowing where he fishes(from earlier posts) his evaluation of rods versus lines would be different to mine, since i primarily fish large open bodies of water, where casts of 35-60 feet are more prevelant that 10-20 yard casts that have to have pinpoint accuracy. Hope you get my drift. This topic could be several chapters in a book-p-

I am with J on this. I like to feel fish more than I enjoy to cast. When I hook a 14" crappie, I want to feel the fish fight me, and when I hooked a crappie like that on a faster, heavier rod it deadened the sensation of the fight.

Jerry, I guess I went off on tangent there. Sorry about that. It's odd (at least to me) that your rod feels dead out to 30 feet. For me it's the opposite. I can feel mine load up just fine with less than 30 feet out. The rod seems to cast it's self. That's just me though. Certainly a WF4F loads the rod much quicker and the rod handles it just fine.

J.

I think we all fish light tackle because we really enjoy the thrill of the chase. I know I release everything trout that isnt injured. The panfish, some of the bass and injured trout come home for dinner. I like to feel my rod load, doesn't matter what the mfg says it is, if I can't feel it load them I really dont feel Im in control. On the other had while I might be overlined, I still enjoy seeing and hearing those fish run with a light tippet until I can turn them and bring them to net. Sometimes a nice crappie can keep me busy for quite a while. We have some nice crappie here too, many over 2 pounds. In very early spring, lets say March/April here there are a number of spots along the old river course of the lake (my side just below the house) that light up with Crappie activity. Early spring doesn't bring the winds off the deserts so I can still fish with my UL tackle. Im not casting far either, less than 30 feet usually from the shoreline. Its the playing of the fish thats the real fun. While it might be a one or two weight, I generally have a one pound or two pound short tippet on. Makes for some lively action. Occasionally a nice LMB will sneak into the action, however alas Ive not brought anything over two pounds to net with such light tippets yet. One of the major problems is that the tippet itself is so short it has no ability in itself to absorb shock when the big fish takes the fly. Unlike a spinning outfit with all mono or using one of the new braided lines with a substantual mono leader that will streach at the strike and run. One reason Im sort of a fanatic about UL fly reels being set with no real drag while fishing with such light tippets. With plenty of backing I can pretty well turn a decent fish with just the added drag the rod itself generates at 11 oclock.
As to Jdub, hes spoiled with his Sage's I know, Im spoiled the same way. They have consistantly preformed outstanding for me for many years. The LL 7ft 2wt and the XLT 00wt have left me with a jaded opinion on ultra light peformance.
The Lami's are great rods for the investment. I built up two sets of four rods each for my four grandsons a year ago. The Lami 3wt and 5wts for each of them. The kids are getting into fishing more each year and soon the oldest will be the first to spend his summers with us. Hes already getting addicted to fly fishing.
Richard

You speak the truth Richard I have really enjoyed every Sage I've had! The 6'9" LL 4 wt is what got me hooked on short/light rods, and then the 7'9" 2 wt just sank the hook in a little deeper.

I have to admit though that the Orvis Superfine 1 wt is my current favorite. It's just too much fun with a fish on. As for casting though, I'll take the 2 wt LL over any of my other UL rods. This spring, when I start getting into bigger fish and casting slightly bigger poppers again, I'll probably start using the 2 wt LL as much as the 1 wt.

PM on the way

Jerry, try your two weight line on your one weight Orvis you will still feel the fish just like you do when fishing a 1wt line, but with the 2wt line the Orvis will load like a cannon. Ive given up fishing one weight line on mine, I like it so well with two weight lines and it loads for some decent distance casting. I have a little Wulff TT2wt Intermediate that is absolutely fantastic on that little rod.
Richard