Author Topic: Euro Nymphing Rods (Read 4711 times)

Dejon Hamann · « **on:** August 27, 2009, 01:21:14 PM »

Continuing on the Long Leader subject let's take a look at the best rods on the market for these techniques.

1 year ago I was using the Sage Z-Axis 10ft 4wt and my good olde Winston Vapor 9ft 4wt. The Sage was always too stiff and the Winston too short. Problem solved. Since I've acquired the Grey's Streamflex 10ft 4wt the Sage doesn't even hit the water anymore and the Winston only gets play when the 10footer won't fit a small stream situation.

Reports are Loop has a fantastic 11ft light line rod that is ideal for these techniques, but repair turn around is so horrible that it's hardly worth owning it in the States at this time. It's quite costly too 6/7bill range.

At 300 off the shelf I'd say the Sreamflex in the 3-5wt range are the best deals going right now. The 3wt being a more exclusively suited Euro Nymphing rod. The 4wt being a more versatile dry and euro nymphing river rod. And the 5wt being a soft yet hardy stick that can snap line on lakes and coerce bit bigger fish.

If you guys have any other intel, preferences, or experience in this rod range please feel free to chime in.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #1 on:** August 27, 2009, 04:35:31 PM »

I use a Loon not Loop 10ft 4wt. This rod was made specificly for Euro nymphing and designed by Pete Erickson. The action is in my opion perfect for this style of fishing which is to say its very slow. The rod its self is the heaviest rod you've ever held I promise (gives my shoulder a hell of a workout). The rod is unfortunately no longer available but did sell quite cheap. The quality of the rod is I'd say a little less than a TFO pro but gets the job done. Oh yeah I think Flyfisher had the last one made until...

I don't own but have used the Greys Streamflex 10ft 3wt and as Dejon said its outstanding for Euro nymphing and for $300 its an awsome deal. The quality is very good and it has a nice light in the hand feal. For someone looking to learn to Euro nymph I'd go with this rod.

In a few weeks time I'll have the Hardy Marksman Drifter 11ft 5wt. When I get it and use it a bit I'll review it further. I've used my friends Aaron's and loved the feel of it. At $700 it pricey and unless this is the way you plan to fish most of the time probally not worth the money since it really not the rod for alot of situations.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2009, 04:44:16 PM »

7bills!!!! That better be one freaking DELICIOUS milk shake. jk. I'm sure you're gonna love it. Then we're going to fish together and I'll love it. And then I'll hate you because I'll have to buy one:)

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2009, 05:08:25 PM »

From what I've seen and been told its a very good long line rod (not great, the loop is great) , a very good wet fly rod and being a 5wt it can throw some indie rigs. As soon as I get it I'll be using it hard. I think I'll break it in on the 'sink.

Jay Looper · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2009, 07:16:14 PM »

I love the threads when someone mentions a certain piece of gear and then everyone wants it. It's hilarious to see it transpire because I have that purchasing problem as well with fishing and hunting equipment. If I think its good and somone fires me up - I'll buy it the next day.

Dejon, you are the quitessential gear hog

I am not criticizing, in fact is it plays into my favor becasue some of your used stuff has done quite well by me.

But friends know when to say when so the next time you want to make an impulsive purchase of 7 bills, read the story that YOU wrote on the front page titled best piece of gear you own

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2009, 08:19:24 PM »

Hey, don't use my words against me! That's such a teacher move

Paul Bourcq · « **Reply #6 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:46:49 PM »

I have recently taken up spey casting. Here in NC i fish smaller stuff so i have gravitated towards switch(shorter, lighter) rods. With that said the guy that is my mentor has an Andersson 11 foot 6 inch 3 weight switch rod. The extra bottom handle gives you a rest when your holding your arm out euro nymphing all day. I was skeptical of the sensitivity. Its a slow rod but i was able to catch 7 to 10 inch wild rainbows last weekend on it with no problem. With 12 foot of rod and 3 foot of arm reach we picked apart the Cullasaja River. I really believe the extra length allowed us to catch more fish than the trusty 9 footer would have. As a side note fishing is tough right now, its hot and water is low so i can only imagine the rod when the fishing is better lol.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2009, 11:05:22 AM »

BL- I did buy one of the last ones and it broke the first time out but the replacement 10' 3wt Loon is a much nicer fishing tool. It really is more of a true 4wt than the 4wt was and it weighs about half as much when fishing. It is a nice rod and I think loon could have sold a lot of them if they would have marketed them better. I really want a Greys but I think my next rod will be more for just wet flies so I am not sure what I want yet.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #8 on:** August 28, 2009, 11:12:52 AM »

pb, thanx for the headsup on the Anderson. They weren't on my radar. Most light speys I've seen thus far we're still rather heavy for long lining.

Paul Bourcq · « **Reply #9 on:** August 28, 2009, 07:35:15 PM »

Yeah the rod was a little heavy. With the switch handle you can rest it on your forearm while longlining for some relief. Also loop makes the Opti Peak in 11 foot 3 weight and 4 weight. This rod would be ideal but its pricey. I get a pro deal on loop gear but its only certain rods and the opti peak isnt one of them.

Jackson Hoose · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2009, 08:40:39 PM »

i just commented in the wet fly section about the grey's 3wt 10ft streamflex. a friend of mine uses this rod almost exclusively for nymphing and he has 16+ rods. it seems he cant praise it enough. its at a pretty reasonable price point as well. I'm planning on getting one of those for myself maybe this spring. Ive also heard great things about the Hardy's and the Loop rods but theyre both in a completely different price range that i'll never be able to afford.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2009, 08:55:35 PM »

I have the 4wt 10ft Streamflex. It's by far my favorite rod for all river techniques except throwing big streamers on sunken lines. If someone stole it I'd buy the 3wt though.

Jeremy Allan · « **Reply #12 on:** October 15, 2009, 09:50:14 PM »

I had the chance to checkout the new 9' 9" 4wt z sage is coming out with next year and I was sold. I'm ordering it this month and will give a review but I got to cast it and know it's going to be my go to euro rod. I also got to cast the streamflex 10 4 a while back and I really like it but feel it's to soft all the way through for my Polish/high stick nymph style. Very good for Czeching where tip sensitivity is crucial. I heard that it's best to use their line that is a half size heavier to get it to load properly.

juice · « **Reply #13 on:** October 15, 2009, 09:58:56 PM »

I know that Aaron had the chance to try that rod and his comment was... " I lined it up... flexed it... and put it back in the car." His comment was that SAGE wasted time and resources and should have spend the money on adding a longer 4 weight rod to the X AXIS series. I know that he always says that if they made the Z in an 11 foot 4 weight that the action would soften up the rod enough that it would be perfect, given the extra foot in length. It's pretty hard to beat the 10 foot Greys 3 weight for sensitivity. If you want a rod that is very sensitive and flexible for short line nymphing go with a 9 foot 3 weight. If you are short leader/close range nymphing there is no need for a longer rod. He has discussed this on TPO numerous times. I think that he also says that hands down, the LOOP 11 foot 3 weight is the best by far. He also mentioned the Greys is adding an 11 foot rod for this style of fishing in the not too distant future.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #14 on:** October 15, 2009, 10:11:04 PM »

I agree, adding 1, maybe even 2 feet to the 10ft 4wt Zaxis might make it a really decent rod, but as is it's just too stiff for these techniques. Same for every other Sage rod I've wiggled. I'm really surprised you didn't favor the Grey's 4wt Riverdaze? I would have thought that would jump right into your arsenal.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #15 on:** October 16, 2009, 10:57:42 AM »

It is nice to see some other companies put some choices out there. In a couple of years we will have a lot more options for Euro Nymphing Rods. Atleast Sage is trying.

Chris Michels · « **Reply #16 on:** October 16, 2009, 12:04:52 PM »

Modern flies rods out of italy. Their maxia series is supposed to be the tits.

juice · « **Reply #17 on:** October 16, 2009, 12:27:35 PM »

The Italians are very good fishermen. A company called Vision makes, which is a French company makes rods for this. Does that mean that they are the best? I think that you guys are wasting your time on rods, lines, flies etc. Get better at the actual fishing and you won't have to think that that rod is a life or death situation.

SAGE did not make those rods for EURO applications. They were designed for indie fishing. SAGE could care less about Euro nymphing... I hate to break it to you guys! The amount of customers that want that type of rod will not even make up for the money needed to design and produce the rods.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #18 on:** October 16, 2009, 12:54:08 PM »

Quote from: juice on October 16, 2009, 12:27:35 PM

I think that you guys are wasting your time on rods,

True. But what else are we going to talk about

Tough pill to swallow, but a good reminder that the rod doesn't make the man, the... Oh you know.

However, I'll bet it's not coincidence AJ has 3 3wts (Streamflex,Loop)

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #19 on:** October 16, 2009, 12:58:19 PM »

I'm in the market for a new 10ft after mine had a run in with the foot of a small child. I'll probally get the Greys but I'm looking around for something else. I don't like having what everyone else has.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #20 on:** October 16, 2009, 01:26:35 PM »

Its fall approaching winter and the new rods are making there way into the market place. Besides we are gear junkies. I will give sage one thing it is american made and to some people that is still nice to see. Even if you got to give up your first born to afford one.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #21 on:** October 16, 2009, 01:37:45 PM »

Its nice to see these made in this country. All though looking at my gear probally the only thing I have made in the US is my Simms waders and not even my Simms boots. However I feel like almost all new rods have the same action which is fast. Its also sad that some companies market a 10ft 4wt. a czech nymph rod without doing any research. Look at the Orvis 10ft 4wt Helios, fast action. Fast action is nice for casting dry flies but for casting "flinging" light weighted nymphs.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #22 on:** October 16, 2009, 01:45:13 PM »

yeah the high end companies for the most part seem to favor the fast action. I think you are going to see Winston come out with the first US made Euro rod. There action is not as fast as sage or orvis. I know Cortland has a 10 4wt in there Brook Series has anyone tried that? I think it is assembled in Korea so its not exactly American Made!

For now I am happy with My 10' 3wt Loon LT its really a great rod for what I paid for it.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #23 on:** October 16, 2009, 01:51:03 PM »

I've heard decent things about the Cortland rod but I've never even seen one in person.

I loved my Loon rod. I went through two of them. Alot of people don't like them and they are extemely heavy for some reason but I loved the action of that rod.