Echo shadow PE series

[Reid Bacon]

My shadow came in the mail today, and although I won't get an onstream impression until Thursday after work I figured I'd explain a little about it at first glance.  After assembling the 4 pieces you will quickly realize the efforts of weight saving that have gone into the design.  The reel seat hardwear is black anodized aluminum with a woven graphite insert (ala winston BII series) The cork is nice also not overly pitted and filled.  There is no finish on the signature something uncommon with most flyrods made today, but again saves weight on the lower end.  It does have a nice little thread hossel almost like you might see on an old bamboo rod.  It also uses black single foot guides as opposed to snake guides used by most companies now.  The stripping guide is definately smaller than what you typically see on a rod of this length (10'6") but after static testing it keeps line away from the blank in a even fashion just another shaving of weight taken off.  The one drawback to the weight reduced design would be the absence of a hook keeper.  Some might see trouble with it, but to me it is not a big deal, you could put one on yourself with limited rod building experience or get an aftermarket hook keeper or just not care like me.  If there ever was a rod to fit its name this would be it. The shadow is uber stealth and non frilly.  The signature, guides, and unfinished look to the blank lend to the shadow name.  Once you get the cork dirty you might have a hard time finding it streamside after taking a leak.    I plan on using either a lamson radius 3 or a velocity 3 with it they both feel pretty good to me.  I have heard rods described as the ferarri or cadillac.  This would be like the A-team van or your uncle's scary '69 chevelle that was primer grey and your parents wouldn't let you ride in.  I love its bare bones look and down to business styling.  I can't wait to get this baby on the river to run it through the paces. 

[Dejon Hamann]

I have heard rods described as the ferarri or cadillac.  This would be like the A-team van or your uncle's scary '69 chevelle that was primer grey and your parents wouldn't let you ride in.  I love its bare bones look and down to business styling.

That's funny right there!  She performs just like she looks too: all the right power in all the right places without the flash.

[Dave Wiese]

After reading this review I'm even more excited about the rod. I ordered a 10 1/2' 3wt and I'm anxiously waiting for the brown truck to show up. I'll be putting a Nautilus FW 7 on mine.

[Chris Topmiller]

I used mine on Sunday for the first time.  Very nice rod.  I would say (with the disclaimer that I am merely an amateur ) that the weight is a 2 weight, the tip is a 3 weight, and the butt section is a 5 weight.   I was surprised at the stopping power given the weight of the rod.  Its a lot lighter than the loon. 

I plan on getting out tomorrow and giving it another run.  More to follow.

[Chris Puchniak]

Those look to be very interesting rods from what I've read and seen, and it might be my next purchase.  I've only had good experiences with Echo in the past - and the only time I've had a customer support issue (me breaking rod tip clumsily sliding it into rod case... ), they were outstanding to deal with.  An acquaintance of mine is a pro staffer for Rajeff and has only good things to say.

[IHPGFY]

Mine showed up yesterday, and she got fished hard yesterday afternoon.  Impressive rod that does what it was meant to do.  Great job Pete, equally impressive in it's ability to fight larger fish as I had 3 fish between 20-21 inches yesterday on the Farmington fishing French style and it whooped all 3 of them in no time.   Very happy with it......

[Pete Erickson]

thanks Rich!

Glad you like it...

[Dejon Hamann]

Rich, which one did you get?

[IHPGFY]

10.5   3 weight.   I will say it definitely is a method specific rod though, so for any of you out there looking for a multi use tool, this isn't the rod.  However it definitely hits the nail on the head for what it was designed for.  2 thumbs up in my book

[Chris Topmiller]

Used mine yesterday too.   10.5 3 weight.  I hesitate to say it, but its damn near perfect for what's designed for.   I was concerned that it wouldn't protect the tippet but it did great.  I really like the stiffer butt section and soft tip. 

[Bret Bishop]

10.5   3 weight.   I will say it definitely is a method specific rod though, so for any of you out there looking for a multi use tool, this isn't the rod.  However it definitely hits the nail on the head for what it was designed for.  2 thumbs up in my book

Interesting point. However, I am actually pleased at how well the Echo rods cast in all situations. They have an action that is comparable to a Z Axis but with a more supple tip. I can see myself on the "S" curves  of Silver Creek hunkered down in a float tube  back casting above the tall grassy banks with these long sticks downstream drifting tricos into pods of eager trout. I like the idea of keeping a low profile but casting above the bank.  And the line control with these rods is a snap. Let the long rod revolution begin!

[Chris Topmiller]

Well Bret. . .you know me.  I'm a whore for teh nymphing.   I can't ever forsee a situation where any actual flyline makes it out of the tip of the rod. 

[Paul Bourcq]

I just ordered three of the shadows........damn you peer pressure

"all your friends are doing it"

[Reid Bacon]

Damn Paul you aren't messing around.  You will have the bases well covered with that series, and you'll have 3 sick rods for under a k. 

[Dave Wiese]

I just got back from a 4 day trip to Oak Orchard River. The water was low so I decided to try out my 10 1/2' 3wt. I landed quite a few Browns  in 4-6lb range, a Steelhead about 8lbs and my first Atlantic, about 6lbs. This rod is a pleasure to fish- plenty of power, light, and responsive. I fished 4 & 6lb Invizx for tippet. I had 2 fisherman ask me what "noodle rod" I was fishing. If the water was up I likely wouldn't have used this rod, but it was a blast to fish in these conditions. I'll be going back next week and will fish the 11' 4wt I just ordered (I was promised Fri delivery).

[Arron Varga]

I got all three models this summer and I can say these are some of the best nymphing/competition rods I have used and I have tried a lot of different rods including some high end nymphing rods from Europe.

The 10' 3wt is a great all round rod and suprised me on how good it was for dry fly as well as for nymphing.  There was not much this rod could not do well and it excelled at short line nymphing.  I was pleased at the weight, as well, which was according to my scale around 92 grams.

The 10' 6" 3wt is the ultimate nymphing rod and my favourite out of the three.  It was great for short line nymphing and french nymphing techniques.  I had no problem with french leaders up to 30's with this rod.  It also did well for wet techniques and swinging streamers.   This rod tipped the scales at around 98 grams.

The 11' 4wt is a roll casting machine and great for short lining techniques.  I found it a little heavy for my tastes for french nymphing prefering the 3wt rods.  But it is great for those situations where you need the extra reach when using czech nymphing techniques. This rod tipped the scales at around 106 grams.

You would be hard pressed to find better rods for the money or find rods that were designed specfically for nymphing techniques versus getting a rod were the manufacturer just added a foot to one of their rod models.

[Aaron Laing]

Okay. I'm sold. I've been using the 10' Grey's Streamflex virtually non-stop this season and while I really like the action for the dry and wet fly presentations, I can't help but get the feeling that it comes up a bit short on the sensitivity side of the equation. I'm finding that as I get deeper into the various nymphing techniques, the ability to feel the fly is increasingly important to the way I fish.

The next time I have the cake I'll pick up the 10' 6" 3wt.

Aaron

[Anita Coulton]

Sounds like they may be worth a good look.  I have the Greys Streamflex and really like it.  Want to pick up another nymphing rod.  Wanting an 11' 3 wt.  Does Echo have a website?  I googled and didn't find one.  Can someone post a link? 

[Dejon Hamann]

http://www.rajeffsports.com/echo_pe.php

[IHPGFY]

What Aaron wrote is spot on, I agree with him 100%.  Try these rods out the 10' 6" is an animal and the nicest of the three.  I read on another forum somewhere that the rod is a small fish rod, and not suitable for larger fish.  Completely nonsense, as from what me and my fishing buddy have found it performs flawlessly with fish up to and over 24 inches.   Try them out they are great and get my highest recommendation for a reasonably priced nymph rod......

[Arron Varga]

Thanks Richard.  I would agree these rods are not just for small fish.  My local waters have browns up to 26"+ and these rods handle small fish and large fish with equal balance.

The soft tip is great for holding small fish and avoiding the dreaded bounce you get with stiffer rods.  While the soft tip protects light tippet on the initial take and hook set with larger fish.  The soft tip quickly gives way to a progressive taper which has a lot of backbone to fight and handle big fish.

I had no problem fighting and landing fish of any size with these rods.  This summer, I hooked and landed @8lb carp with the 10' 6" 3wt.  The fight lasted about 3 minutes with the carp safely released back into the water.

That 10' 6" 3wt is hard to beat for the money.

I have tried a lot of different nymphing rods from Greys to Hardys to Sage to Modern Flies to Guideline and these rank among the some of the best rods I have used.

[Jim Frazier]

browns over 26 " on your local waters ...um where might that be ? i just ordered the orvis access (their new line ) 10' 5 wt , more report later when i get done test driving it.

[Arron Varga]

Grand River in Southern Ontario.

[Chris Puchniak]

I'm finding that as I get deeper into the various nymphing techniques, the ability to feel the fly is increasingly important to the way I fish.

You are so right Aaron.  Using visual cues is very important, but being able to feel that fly either on the bottom or on the fish is so vital for me on the nymphing.

I've been thinking of trying out one of those rods too.  Aaron Goodis over at M&Y is an Echo rods pro staffer, and I see him 'usually' once a month at one of the meetings, and I've been meaning to go see him downtown to check out the rod.  I now they've had the 3 wts in stock before.

I like the 52 special I'm using now, but I wouldn't mind a second rod (either as a back up, or as a new primary rod).

[Dejon Hamann]

The Shadow got a nice review in FF&FT: