Fly rod recommendations

[w748]

Hey all ! Going to get back into fly fishing after almost 10 years away due to blown out shoulder. Most likely areas would be Deckers , maybe Fairplay and 11 mile canyon. All are reasonably close. I favor drys.
Not asking for brands , but would like suggestions on length , action, and line wt.
Thanks!!

[hatidua]

9' 5wt if just fishing CO in general, and a 4wt would be a close second (disclaimer: I primarily fish a 4 and 3 in CO but bump it up a notch in WY and MT). Action is entirely dependent on the angler: one likes a really fast rod, another prefers a more parabolic taper. Go to a shop that stocks a LOT of rods from various brands and cast every single rod you can get your hands on. This is NOT a situation in which the most costly brand is right for every person: your casting style might do better with a rod that costs half what the most expensive rod in the shop does.

Do not be swayed by brand prestige, pick the rod that casts best for you.

[Big Wall]

I love my 4 weight Sage. But definately cast every rod you consider before purchasing.

[newracer]

I use a 9' 4wt almost exclusively.

[smchop]

9' 5wt for me. Same areas as well

[TriggerHappy]

9' 5wt here too. Also have a 1wt and 4 pc 8wt. The 1 wt is awesome for smaller streams, I have used it all over the northwest, mostly in Alaska, since I grew up there...

[GilpinGuy]

9' 5wt here too.

[Tim K]

9' 4wt on a fast rod is plenty for even windy days. I've not tried a 3wt in the wind, but for a primarily dry fly rod that's the direction I'd lean. I'd probably run a double taper line for calm days and have another spool with a weight forward or rocket taper for wind.

[Trout Hunter]

Best weight if your sticking strictly to drys would be a 4 wt and go with 9'. Personally I would by a 5wt so when you decide to start nymphing more you're set up for it. Something to take into account is what line is going on it. A higher end line can make a lower end rod cast better than a high end rod with crap line. Favorite right now is Rio's Gold series. Didn't mention reel but if you're needing one a good bang for the buck is the okuma slv series. Large arbor with fairly good cork drags on them.

[Dryfli]

I would suggest going to BPS and talk to bill or Blaine both have 20+ years experience. Bill used to own alpine anglers and Blaine has been guiding for ever. Both are super nice and won't try and sell you things you don't need or up sale you and you can go out back and test cast on the "pond" out back.