Author Topic: Rod Suggestions (Read 1238 times)

Daniel Vuono · « **on:** February 09, 2011, 02:51:40 PM »

I am ready to replace my 5wt. It was my first rod ever purchased and I'm glad it got me into the sport, but I really dislike it now (Sage Fli 8'6" 5wt). It's too stiff, too short, and it just doesn't jive well with my casting style. I think I can actually cast flies further with my 7'6" Echo Carbon 3wt (love that rod). I am looking to improve my nymphing skills and start to develop long line techniques. However when the hatch is on, dry fly fishing still remains my favorite part of the sport.

I am ideally searching for a dual purpose rod. Should I man up and get situation specific rods? Or can this be accomplished satisfactorily with one? I am really interested in the 3wt Echo Shadow as a replacement because I love my other Echo. Unfortunately there are not any shops locally that deal them, so I haven't gotten to cast one. Would the 3wt be an appropriate replacement for the 5wt ?(from what I gather they have the power for big fish). Would the 10' shadow cast dries better than the 10'6"? Are there any other long rods I should be considering that cast dries well? Thanks in advance.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2011, 03:30:58 PM »

Is there one rod that's going to be perfect for all situations? You all ready know the answer is no. Is there one rod that might be "satisfactorily" accomplish many goals? Depends on how picky you are, but I'd say yes based on your personality.

My 10'6" 3wt Shadow is the first rod I grab for any time I hit a river. It's a very versatile rod that excels at nymphing, but can throw dries when called upon. Is it exceptional for throwing dries? No. I don't think any rod 10 feet and over will accomplish this for those who haven't been using them for a few years though. You need to change your casting stroke to accommodate longer rods and it's an unnatural feeling for the 9ft and under crowd.

Another rod to consider is the 9'6" 3wt Cabelas CZN. The price point is just too tasty to pass up what this rod offers. I think it's the standout in the lineup. It's a fun, light rod that does well nymphing and casting dries. However, it's not for landing excessively big fish or punching through wind.

just a couple cents...

Daniel Vuono · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2011, 01:03:02 PM »

I know satisfying everything I want at the same time is unrealistic, but I can still dream cant I?. Not being a competitive fisherman I spend most of my time using traditional rigs like dry droppers ect. It may be beneficial for me to get nice quality 5wt that will be a timeless go to rod for me. And pick up something like the cheaper CZN on the side to dive into the world of long line. Its more money up front but it will likely be a better option. I love learning about new techniques on the board but I think at heart, I'm an "old man" who enjoys nothing more than matching the hatch and fool risers on the surface. Maybe all that will change once I have success with a long rod though? Who knows?

Thanks for the opinion.

James Berzsenyi · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2011, 02:08:50 AM »

Daniel,
I'm of the opinion that a man can never own too many fly rods (as long as his wife doesn't know what they cost...)
That being said, it's just a lot harder to accomplish these days, financially speaking; unless you're just loaded, unlike the majority of us I'd guess, but kudos if you are.
I currently have 10 or 11 rods now, with only 2 being purchased new, but both on sale. The others I all bought used either at my local flyshops, from guides, or via trade with the shop or the guides, etc.
The ONE rod I got brand spanking new, that will remain my favorite until further notice, was a 8'-6" 5 wt Winston BII-x. Walnut reel seet, added a Lamson Velocity 2 HardAlox, topped it off with Sharkskin. Not only gorgeous, but could throw the entire line with ease, and just felt like a magician with it in my hands. Could make any cast I wanted, just felt like master of the river, lord of the fishes. That rod just made fishing almost effortless, almost too easy.
For about 6 months.........then, got caught on the river in a late summer pm thunderstorm, got out soaking wet head to toe, got to my suburban, laid rod, gently, across the roof rack like I always did... opened the rear hatch, got all the wet stuff off, just chunked it in the back, got in the car, drove off. It took me about 5 minutes or so, not 3 miles away from the river before I realized my rod tip wasn't up near the dash like it usually was when I laid it across the top of the seats for the drive home. Turned around, searched for hours......gone....heartbroken. And, to top it off, my 8 yr old gets home and instantly tells my wife "daddy lost his $1000 fly rod today".......which elicited a response of "I didn't know Daddy HAD a $1000 fly rod". Went over real well. And know that she knows what R L Winston means in terms of $, I may never own another. Still hurts to tell that story........

The point of my long-winded story is....buying a used rod from a reliable source, preferably one you know, is a great way to get a great rod at a great price.
In my opinion, find that great 5 wt, if it feels good to you, ya know, just feels "right", go ahead and spend that little extra if you have to. Then, just keep your eyes peeled, post "wanted: used CZN" all over, spread the word, and you'll find a nice used rod for a steal. I'd be willing to bet there's more than a few folks out there that got all excited about the new euro/czech nymphing style only to find out it maybe it's just not for them, and there you go....A brand new rod, reel and line that someone used maybe 4 times for 1/2 price.
I'm like you, pretty much a traditional fisherman in terms of technique. But, but my buddy, Tim Fisk (who introduced me to this site) started czech/euro nymphing last summer, and we've had days where he outfished me 3 to 1 with that setup. So, it didn't take me long before I knew this was something I had to at least try to get into, or else keep having to buy all the beers after fishing.

So.....hope this helps in some way, good luck in your search, and let me know as well if you run across a really good deal. And sorry for the length and rambling......a few too many beers tying flies tonight.......good night all

James

Aaron Laing · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2011, 08:53:33 PM »

Quote from: James Berzsenyi on February 13, 2011, 02:08:50 AM

And sorry for the length and rambling......a few too many beers tying flies tonight.......good night all

I guess that would be a PUI? LOL!

Daniel Vuono · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2011, 12:02:44 PM »

James,

I'm not loaded, but I don't have a wife or kids so no one can yell at me for spending too much money. Except of course all the banks holding my student loans. After 6 years of student poverty I have been treating myself to some new gear this year waders, boots ect. The rods are the final piece.

James Berzsenyi · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2011, 05:20:15 PM »

Well, Daniel, sounds like you're set. I would cast as many different rods as you can get your hands on, and try to ignore everything but how it feels to you. Go to the flyshop and cast em all. Cast your friends rods. Don't think about the brand, the color, the price, or what all your friends are telling you to buy. Just simply buy what feels best to you.
When I bought my Winston, it was only because I went out fishing with a friend and noticed he had a new rod. So I said "let me cast that thing".....and that was it. It just felt perfect to me. Went to the flyshop the next day and bought one, even though my jaw hit the floor when I saw the price tag. But, I'd bet I didn't use another rod once while I had that one.

Good luck rod hunting

Rob Twombly · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2011, 11:08:17 PM »

George Anderson's shop did a 5 weight shootout and gives a pretty good rundown of pretty much all the major rods out there at all price points. They give a really high score to the Winston Passports...@$199. They beat out many more expensive rods so that may be a model to try. They are light and have very good performance at all distances.

FYI I wiggled some Orvis rods at the local Orvis shop here in Denver and I have to say both the Access and Hydros had an almost identical feel to the Helios which is a really nice rod(@$795 it should be). The main difference being the components on the Hydros are really nice but not quite at the Helios level. They use a different albeit really high quality reel seat than the Helios and regular guides vs. the recoils on the Helios. The Access uses standard components vs. almost any other rod and a standardized graphite and a new makeup of epoxy with a thermoplaster in it to allow them to get the same strength and almost as light a weight as their Helios and Hydros which use an all new thermoplaster resin that is not epoxy based. I know two guides who are fishing the Access regularly on the Dream Stream and they think you will see most guys going to the mid-range of the price spectrum of rods, they are getting that good. Access is still made in Vermont.

Daniel Vuono · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2011, 05:31:54 PM »

So I casted a ton of different rods which was a lot of fun to do. Especially casting them side by side with my old 5wt I was replacing. Made me appreciate my old rod more, it will be repurposed for bass fishing. I decided on the 9' Temple Fork BVK and I cant wait to pound the TN tailwaters with it. It just felt like butter and was a no frills casting machine. Outside of the dark green blank its pretty ugly, but Im not going to be looking at it when I'm fishing. The advise on personal opinion was spot on, most of the time I didn't know what rod I was casting, I just narrowed them down until there was a clear winner, turned out to be the BVK over a few more expensive rods.

Rob, I cast those Orvis models you mentioned but they didn't do it for me. Nice that the Access is still made in vermont. Can't say that about the TFO unfortunately.

And Dejon, once that tax return comes in I will be looking for a long rod to expand those horizons. I'll join the club soon.

Patrick Brady · « **Reply #9 on:** June 07, 2011, 02:35:35 PM »

I have used a lot of rods but none really suit my needs better than sage. I know they are a little bit more expensive, but believe me you get what you pay for. My 10' 4wt Z-axis is a multi purpose machine. I can throw anything from large heavy articulated streamers to size 20 drys with ease. And on the flip side I can rig it to suit my nymphing game. Its really a great rod and can do just about anything

Rob Twombly · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2011, 06:49:05 PM »

I have an Albright thats kind of the same for me it does it all nymphing streamers drys..its comfortable and I know what it can do. There is little it cant do...I bought it as a replacement of a broken higher cost rod and kinda started to like it...I like it alot now...rods(except bamboo) are tools to me. If it works and works well I dont care much about the rest. I have a ton of rods some really $$ some not so much.