I live in Central TX. I am considering upgrading a my low end Cabela's 5wt 8' 6' rod to something better. Not sure if i should get a better 5WT or a 6WT. I just bought a TFO Axiom II for bass and salt water. I also have a 3WT 7" 6" for small creeks.

For the 5/6WT I would be fishing San Marco River, Blanco River, etc. Definatley the Guad for trout this winter for the first time. Would also anticipate some trips to Colorado and Montana in the future.

So..should I just get a better 5WT or replace with a 6WT. Would probalby get another TFO Axiom II if that matters.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Never hurts to have an extra 9ft 5 wt on hand , especially if you are going to Colorado and Montana.

If you live in central Texas, I would bump up to at least a 6 wt. You have great opportunities at striper, carp, and buffalo, so having a bigger wt rod on hand is a benefit. I use a 6/7 wt on almost all of my freshwater fishing after destroying a few 5 wt and 6 wt rods.

I would not hesitate to look at the Sage Pulse. It is a rocket ship at a great price point. It is basically the old Sage X and I feel just as good. Great looking finish too in the lime green. 6 to 7 weight at Osborn said. I have that in an 8 weight. Also the Sage Foundation is very close to the X blank. You can buy that brand new. I have that in a 7 weight.

Both fantastic rods without going top of the line Sage.

4W

How about a complete unknown darkorse? This is a company I had mentioned awhile back and I have thrown their rods in 8wt. Check them out! https://nirvanaonthefly.com/ HERE - https://moonlitflyfishing.com/products/nirvana-moksha-fly-rod

I would also go cast the Orvis Clearwater. Fantastic rod for the price. I own 2 now.

You all will enjoy this video

https://youtu.be/42HZIwq5X4c

4W

My 2 cents is go with the 5wt especially with Colorado and Montana in mind. There are several TFO's & a couple of other brand fly rods on Sierra.com on clearance right now. A good deal on a fly rod might be the tie-breaker!

I have several Clearwaters. I've always said it was a whole lot of rod for the money. Most of the fly rods I use are Orvis or TFO.

https://www.tridentflyfishing.com/fly-rods/hardy-fly-rods.html

I'd really consider a 5wt Hardy Ultralite on sale above. $500 seems a lot, but you really can't go wrong at that price for a Hardy. I think they're on sale because they've been discontinued. The companies discontinue perfectly good lines just to get suckers (fly fishermen) to believe they need the new model. I bought the discontinued Hardy Zenith and the discontinued Sage TXL-F for a price about like that, and haven't regretted doing so, at all. They're sweeeet! That Hardy probably was actually $900 before it went on sale. The on-line store isn't making that up.

+1 HARDY! Although I am affiliated with SAGE, SAGE does not make a one piece rod and Hardy makes the Zane PRO 1, so there's no competition from SAGE in that configuration. Wish SAGE would compete with 1's though!! Doublecheck on the factory warranty when "too good to be true" online prices come along though.

I love my Hardy AND my Sage. Gosh they're nice. The Hardy Ultralite 4 and 5 wts at Trident are 4 piece, I think. I think I want him to buy it because I wanted one so bad. Was truly jonesing. But, I just don't need one. I have an Echo Shadow X 3wt (especially for Spillway Creek, Cardiac Hill), a Sage 4 wt, a Hardy 5 wt, and an Orvis 6wt, and some of them don't get enough exercise.

I just bought a TFO Blue Ribbon for my wife and she loves it. Great rod for less than $300! I bought her the 4wt but it comes in 5wt and 6wt too.

I guess all these comments scared Steve V away! So many opinions! Everybody's got one eh?

Look at moonshine rods I have two very nice for the money lifetime guarantee and comes with two tips.

So I asked ChatGPT to write a story about graphite fly rods this morning, and expected it to tell the history and how it's made. I got something quite a bit different. Have you ever heard of a rod called the, "River Whisperer?" Me neither. Pretty funny - be careful what you ask for from ChatGPT! Here is a piece of the story:
He handed the rod to Lily with a knowing smile and said, "This rod is called 'River Whisperer.' It has a special connection with the river, and I believe it will help you in your quest. But remember, Lily, it's not just about the rod; it's about your connection with the river and the patience and skill you bring to each cast."

And as Paul Harvey used to say, stay tuned for "the rest of the story" - https://texasflycaster.com/sunday-morning-chat/

I want one of THOSE rods!