OK, so I've decided that I need a short rod(7' or less) for my soon to be native small streams of NM and a 9' 5 or 6wt for bigger rivers/streams. I like the sound of the TQR rods, and already have a 7'6" 3wt, so I was thinking of something between a 6 and 7' 2wt or 4wt. Any suggestions for a shortie?? LL Bean, Orvis, TQR, etc? 'Preciate the coming input.

You might wander on down to a Cabela's and try one of these.

The 5'9" 3wt will be in my arsenal soon.

a short rod can do the same job as a long rod, just ask my wife






























you had to know this was coming

The TFO Finesse 6'9" 1wt will serve you well on meadows or higher elevation streams in NM it likes the Rio Trout LT lines, but if you're throwing heavier junk go ahead and overline it with DT2 and you'll be "in business".
Here's a comprehensive review:
http://ultralightflyfishing.yuku.com/topic/4198/TFO-6-9-1-wt-Finesse-4-pc-Review-and-Comparison

Les

That blood you see pouring down my chin? That's just me biting all the way through my tongue.

That's just what she says when she doesn't want to hurt your feelings.

I dig the hell out of my little 6' 2wt on the small streams and small fishes.

I looked high and low for the same thing and wanted a 4pc under $150. Not much turned up but I went with a custom Forecast rx6 6'6" 4pc 2wt. Its probably more like a 2.5wt but still feels super light. Can cast a 3wt line OK too. Got it for my wife with the agreement that it can be on loan to me for backpacking trips. So far so good--as long as it remains very clear that it is HER rod.

Oh and it casts pretty nice too...

I got a sage flight 7ft 3wt back at Christmas. Light, casts nicely and looks purdy. Now, from talking to a fellow down here in Roswell, he suggested nothing less than a 4wt on the little streams in case you hook into something decent sized. Rumor has it that some of these creeks have good browns. Of course I haven't fished the area b/c I keep having to work when I'm here. That and theres zero water....

Scooter,
In January while fishing dries on the Guad, I tagged an 18" bow with A redington CT 2wt rod and had no difficulty fighting or landing this fish. Unfortunately, I think the folks who claim anything under a 4wt is an undermatch haven't fished UL and have bought into the myth that UL kills fish. For those of us who do go under 4wt, we have come to understand that most modern 2wt or 3wt rods can handle good sized fish in most creek conditions.

Les

I have a echo 3wt that has landed a bunch of ray Bob carp with out issue

Les, as one of our light rod experts, I would certainly defer to you here. The perspective I received was related to turning fish so they didn't break off in thick vegetation on one of the very few creeks in Southern NM. Then again, he's probably never tried to fish that creek with a 2wt, I dunno. I love my 3wt, and have landed a few nice bass without problems.

Hey scooter, I'll be living in Las Cruces starting sometime in July...so whenever you are out there and get a day or two off, we'll have to get together and chase some fish.

I built a little 6'6" 2wt on a Cabela's FT blank a few years ago. It was their "full flex" blank. I don't know if they still sell those or not. It is my favorite fly rod ever, and I like a fast action rod best usually. But for fishing the Cimarron, the Costilla, the Red and other small and brushy streams, it is freakin' awesome. Perfect size, and perfect action and line weight to make delicate dry fly presentations in tight quarters. Playing trout up to 20-24" in those waters is a joy. It flexes all the way down into the cork grip. 5X and 6X tippets are nicely protected, and you feel every wiggle of the fish. Great fun.

Here it is in action on a bigger river....headwaters of the Rio Grande in CO.



Here it is in action in Texas at Lost Maples State Natural Area.