Author Topic: TFO BVK czech rods... (Read 2863 times)

Ben Vandevender · « **on:** October 25, 2011, 08:18:07 AM »

I have both the 10ft 3wt and the 10ft 4wt. Exceptional rods, and the Rumble really boosted my confidence especially with the 3wt. It handled several fish in the 18-20 inch range no problem. They are both very light rods, and the sensitivity is unmatched imo. I really have a lot of confidence in these now and just wanted to put some info out on what a great rod they are.

Pat Brechbill · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2011, 01:21:55 PM »

I'll second on how good of rod the 3wt BVK is. I wasn't sure it would handle big fish, but after hearing from Ben on how well it performed, it will be my primary rod for all water.

Chris Grose · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2011, 12:37:26 PM »

How about some comments on the 4-weight. Is it too heavy for long leader nymphing?

Mark Adams · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2011, 12:57:54 PM »

I got the 10' 4wt BVK last week and used it at the Gold Cup this past weekend. I absolutely love it. Very light and balances well with my Battenkill Large Arbor. Very, very accurate rod, nice sensitivity and plenty of butt for larger fish. I would give it a ringing endorsement.
Mark Adams

Chris Grose · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2011, 12:32:36 AM »

What would be the disadvantage of the 4wt versus the 3wt?

Pat Brechbill · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2011, 09:02:57 AM »

Quote from: Chris Grose on November 16, 2011, 12:32:36 AM

What would be the disadvantage of the 4wt versus the 3wt?

Chris, let me share something that Ben showed me at the Gold Cup. If you have both the 3 wt. and the 4 wt. you can then make an 11 foot 4 wt as well. So basically you get 3 rods for the price of 2. I really like the 3 wt. It handles big fish fine and will throw just about anything. I haven't tried the 4 on the water yet but it is faster then the 3 wt in the tip section. Hope this helps.

Ben Vandevender · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2011, 09:48:34 AM »

yes! By sheer accident I discovered that the conversion piece for the 3wt also fits on the 4wt, turning it into a VERY light 11ft 4wt rod, with an action Very similar to the 3wt! The 10ft 4wt is definitely faster but a VERY sweet rod. The 3wt handled 47+ cm fish fine at the GOLD CUP. The 4wt was breeze to bring in fish with as well, but imo the SOFTER tip of the 3wt lends itself to "my" style of fishing much better.

Chris Grose · « **Reply #7 on:** November 18, 2011, 10:25:13 AM »

So is the 4-weight tip "faster" as in might not protect 7x tippets very well or as in different fishing style? I know these are subjective. As background, I have been using a Pro 10ft 5wt and I thought the rod just seemed too "boingy". I don't know how else to describe it. It is pretty heavy too. I think I would like to try one with a little more snap. It seems like 3 wts are more popular overall though.

I really appreciate all the input. There are just not a lot of reviews about these rods yet. And don't worry, I won't blame anyone for rod choices based on their input until I have to tell my wife that I need another one.

Mark Adams · « **Reply #8 on:** November 18, 2011, 10:47:49 AM »

Chris, I have not fished the 3 wt. to be able to make a comparison in the 2 rods. I liked the 4wt a lot. We used 6X quite a bit this past weekend and I thought the rod tip protected the tippet well. I did pop a couple off on the hookset but I have to admit operator error on those. I was just a tad juiced up

Mark

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2011, 11:03:21 AM »

All this talk I am going to have to get a BVK as my next rod now.

Pat Brechbill · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2011, 11:59:27 AM »

Quote from: Chris Grose on November 18, 2011, 10:25:13 AM

So is the 4-weight tip "faster" as in might not protect 7x tippets very well or as in different fishing style? I know these are subjective. As background, I have been using a Pro 10ft 5wt and I thought the rod just seemed too "boingy". I don't know how else to describe it. It is pretty heavy too. I think I would like to try one with a little more snap. It seems like 3 wts are more popular overall though.

I really appreciate all the input. There are just not a lot of reviews about these rods yet. And don't worry, I won't blame anyone for rod choices based on their input until I have to tell my wife that I need another one.

Chris, there is no comparison between the TFO professonal and the BVK. I would state that the 10 foot BVK is designed for Euro nymphing. If you plan on using 7X, then I would go with the 3 wt. It has a slower tip than the 4 and you can really set the hook hard. I've yet to break tippet on a hook set with this rod and I am very aggressive with my hook set.

Ben Vandevender · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2011, 12:40:28 PM »

Yes...very true, the PRO 10ft 5wt is a decent rod to get buy euronymphing, but excels as a lake rod or wetfly rod. The BVK's were designed for this style of fishing and the 3wt is a my personal perference. The 4wt is a great rod when I know I will be chasing bigger average fish, but it will not protect 7x, and the 3wt version EXCELS at tippett protection and I have landed fish up to 21 inches on it without much issue. I think you should get both

the 11ft 4wt version mixed between the two rods, makes the 4wt much more on par with the 3wt and I would have all the confidence in the world using 7 and 6x with it.

Chris Grose · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2011, 11:34:00 PM »

To be honest, I have never used 7x but y'all are rubbing off on me.

Justin Pickett · « **Reply #13 on:** November 20, 2011, 07:52:58 AM »

The 3wt all the way! I fished Ben's 3wt bvk one day this month and bought my own the next week. It really is an awesome rod. In addition to being an awesome nymph rod, it casts dry/dropper rigs like a dream. I started off with a TFO professional 5wt myself. After fishing this 3wt, it will most likely not see the water very often anymore. I fished this rod yesterday on some of our local trophy water and it handled several 20+ inch hogs with no problem. This is a go-to rod for sure.
I personally didn't like the 10' 4wt bvk near as much. However, I might entertain buying one for the option of having an 11' 4wt in the arsenal. Like Pat said, it's faster tip won't allow for 7x. And if you have the tendancy to set the hook hard, I might steer towards the 3wt for sure.

Justin Pickett · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2011, 07:28:49 AM »

This weekend I fished two sections of trophy water known for huge rainbows with the intent of testing the 10' 3wt BVK's backbone. Needless to say it really impressed me. I landed a 23" rainbow and it handled it like a champ. I also hooked into a 25 plus inch bow that came unbuttoned about 30 seconds into the fight

but the rod was doing its job very well. I also caught several 16-20" healthy and fiesty trout with ease. This rod can really handle bigger fish. I am very pleased with my purchase

Roy Greenway Jr · « **Reply #15 on:** November 30, 2011, 10:20:33 AM »

I know it is hard to say but how would you compare it to the older streamflex, I'm asking because I think the warranty is way better with tfo

Bret Nelson · « **Reply #16 on:** November 30, 2011, 01:36:14 PM »

Quote from: Mark Adams on November 18, 2011, 10:47:49 AM

Chris, I have not fished the 3 wt. to be able to make a comparison in the 2 rods. I liked the 4wt a lot. We used 6X quite a bit this past weekend and I thought the rod tip protected the tippet well. I did pop a couple off on the hookset but I have to admit operator error on those. I was just a tad juiced up
Mark

Mark:

You were using my Echo 10.5' 3 wt when you were doing that and yes, You were just a Tad Juiced up. I've used the BVK 10'4wt and can't see it being a problem with 7x, but then again I use 7x on my Echo. I'm not trying to sound like a $%^& here, but all the rods I fish with are different so I have to adjust my technique for each rod, all the way from casting to hookset. That being said, I still can't see how the 10' BVK 4wt shouldn't be able to protect 7x.

Matt Beam · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2011, 04:01:59 PM »

I have been using a Greys Streamflex 10' 3wt for around 6 months now, and its a great rod. I recently picked up the TFO BVK in a 10' 4wt also a great rod. The tip sensitivity of the TFO is much better than the Greys when using straight sighters and euro nymphing. I do still like the Greys though for throwing dry/dropper rigs. Both rods handle light tippet setups and both handle big fish with ease. Would be extremely hard for me to choose just one of these rods. So now I have the best of both worlds. Really what it all comes down to is your choice and your feel that goes along with your style of fishing with these rods.

Frank Muscente · « **Reply #18 on:** January 27, 2012, 11:00:18 AM »

Can anyone comment how the 3 wt BVK is when it's in the 8ft. size? I fish alot of small streams with tight cover and wondering how this rod would be for turning over nymph rigs in tight quarters?

Matt Michel · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2012, 09:34:22 PM »

The 8ft model is my go to rod on small streams. It does a good job with nymph rigs but I think it really shines as a dry fly rod. I have no problem controlling casts at 50ft with it, starts to get iffy after that (at least for me

)

Frank Muscente · « **Reply #20 on:** January 27, 2012, 09:54:28 PM »

Then with the 8 ft model there's an extension that makes it into the 10 footer? Is stored in the handle like the streamflex?

Matt Beam · « **Reply #21 on:** January 27, 2012, 10:02:17 PM »

The extension for the BVK is actually two seperate pieces bought seperately from the rod. I think TFO calls it the conversion kit.

Alain Barthelemy · « **Reply #22 on:** January 28, 2012, 08:35:49 AM »

Until Jan. 31, 2012, EZFLYFISH is selling the pre-2012 8' 3-wt Temple Fork BVKs for $179.96. If you enter promo code "brownie" you will save another 15% making your final cost $152.97. I don't really need/want one, but maybe you do! Please tell Walt I sent you.

I don't think the rod changed much or at all from 2011 to 2012.

The conversion kit to make your rod a 10' 3-weight is available elsewhere and costs about $99.

Alex Steczka · « **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2012, 09:10:33 PM »

Thanks for the info Alain; i just ordered the 8" 3wt BVK (from Ezflyfish.com) and the conversion kit (from Feathercraft.com). I am not sure I want the 10' 4wt yet, since I have two 11' 4wt rods (CZN and Echo; I am trying to decide which one to keep

).
How would the 11' BVK compare to either one of my 11 footers? Anyone of you fished them side by side?
Thanx, Alex