Time for a new fly rod. Whaddya like?

[Tim K]

I'm in my 33rd year of fly fishing here in Colorado. My current rod is the same one I've had for the last 30 of those years, a G Loomis IMX 9' 4wt. It's been great up until yesterday. Was fishing some extremely flat water for really big fish. Couldn't get a delicate enough presentation to not spook every fish in the neighborhood. Didn't help I was chucking a huge hopper and a dropper, but that's beside the point. I've talked myself into wanting a new rod, so facts and data are irrelevant.

I've been fishing that Loomis so long I have no idea what's hot and what's bullshrimp. I fish 75% dual nymphs with an indicator, and 25% either dry only or dry with a dropper in little streams. I'm a fairly aggressive caster, so medium-fast to fast is probably what's right for me.

I waved an Echo Trout X around in a fly shop yesterday. The sales guy was (of course) enthusiastic about it, and the $400ish pricetag was appealing. I can spend top dollar if necessary, but I'm suspicious that many of the top top brands are way overpriced.

Any of you fine fellows have recent experience buying a rod?

I'll also need a reel. I rarely play fish off the reel, but I don't want to break off a monster because I spent too little on a reel.

[eddiememphis]

I have been lugging an old #5 Orvis around for years and it has served me well, but like you, I haven't looked a anything new in over a decade.

[hollohas]

I've been fishing the same White River and Redington rods for 20-25 years, so I can't help.

Rods may last forever, but, it turns out 20 year old breathable waders don't. I busted out an old pair of my waders last Friday that I thought were in good shape. No holes, looked great. But, they weren't waterproof at all anymore. Water literally soaked right through.

[Baetis]

I?m a Sage guy when it comes to rods though I have a Scott and an Elkhorn, local to Loveland. The Scott is a good rod but do not have a ton of experience with newer models, it?s 20+ yrs old. I like the Elkhorn, have built one for my brother and have a blank to build for the kiddos. My Elkhorn broke on me and they didn?t make the model anymore so I got a different model of blank to build. The last rod I bought was ~15 years ago but have looked at and cast the newer Sage models and they are pretty sweet. I really liked the R8 Core but have a hard time swallowing a 1k rod. As far as reels go, I like Ross, Lamson, Galvan, Orvis, etc. I have 7 different rods and do not have the same reel on any of them.


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[XJ]

Is the state prison still making handmade rods to custom order?


I only fly fish with tenkara rods.

[kidicarus13]

Is the state prison still making handmade rods to custom order?


I only fly fish with tenkara rods.I don't think so. No more custom motorcycles either.
https://coloradoci.com/

[colorider]

Been tossing flies for 30 yrs. I go 3-4 morning or afternoons a week. I?ve never had a ?high end? rod. Nothing over $200. Mainly because I don?t think a more expensive rod will make me any better. Currently I?m liking Temple Forks Outfitters rods. Got a 4wt for fishing a secret spot on South Boulder Creek, and a 3wt for fishing bear creek. My 5wt and 6wt are both St. Croix rods I?ve had for 30 yrs. Still work great. Have outfitted all the rods with Lamson reels. Really like the quality and price point. I fish every configuration of nymph rigs, dry droppers, hopper droppers, double dry, etc. Had an absolute blast last Monday on South Boulder creek. 2:30pm an amazing hatch of mayflies happened and every cast with a PMD or BWO caught a fish.

[hollohas]

Is the state prison still making handmade rods to custom order?


I only fly fish with tenkara rods.I picked up a tenkara rod in Dec. Fished it a few times and landed a few. I love the idea of minimal gear. Rod and fly box under my truck seat, can fish anytime, anywhere.

[ChadAmberg]

I'm building another rod now from https://www.epicflyrods.com/collections/fly-rod-building-kits

Just finished all the wraps and will do the epoxy this weekend. I did a fiberglass one a couple years ago, this one is a carbon fiber.

[colorider]

I'm building another rod now from https://www.epicflyrods.com/collections/fly-rod-building-kits

Just finished all the wraps and will do the epoxy this weekend. I did a fiberglass one a couple years ago, this one is a carbon fiber.

I've always wanted to build my own rod, but don't need another rabbit hole to crawl down. The fly fishing and fly tying is enough to my list of hobbies right now. However, the Epic Fly Rod kits I'm looking at look very tempting!

[hatidua]

I I'm a fairly aggressive caster, so medium-fast to fast is probably what's right for me.

I was as skeptical as anyone when Loomis came out with the Asquith rods. I didn't even cast one for the first three years they were out as I thought the price was a gimmick. I now have seven of them, they are that good. The 4wt is the most well-rounded 4wt rod I've ever owned and I have a LOT of fly rods.

For flat calm days at short distance the Winston rods have a special place in the lineup and for fast pocket-water the Sage Dart rods are extremely effective but for "I don't know what the conditions will be but I have a rod that will do great no matter what" -Asquith. The 4 & 5 are remarkably similar but if I could only have one, it'd be the 4wt.

As to reels, I've owned them ALL (Charlton/Abel/Hatch/Sage/Ross/Islander/Tibor/Pate/and a dozen brands I can't recall), if someone wants a good fly reel there are a lot of choices but none are better than Galvan. Some may cost more, but none do more.

94400

[ChadAmberg]

I've always wanted to build my own rod, but don't need another rabbit hole to crawl down. The fly fishing and fly tying is enough to my list of hobbies right now. However, the Epic Fly Rod kits I'm looking at look very tempting!

It's a lot of fun honestly. My first rod I attacked in a week or two and got it done. Multi color thread wraps, everything, just got really creative. This one I've been slowly working on over the last couple months since I had room in the garage to set it up and not need to move things. The only thing not in the kit is a rod dryer motor, which is either something you just borrow or pick one up cheap.

There is definitely something really cool about fishing with a rod you built yourself...

[daemon]

Check out Taylor Fly Rods: https://www.taylorflyfishing.com/

I've got the Dynamix and Phenom MII rods from them along with two of their reels. They build some fantastic products. The Phenom rod and their Series 1 reel in the picture.

http://www.catusgroup.com/fishing/places/2023/phenom001.jpg

[William]

If you're an aggressive caster would not recommend the Cabela's brand fly rods even though they feel pretty nice for the price. I have had 2 break in the same spot and they are not lifetime guarantee.

For nymphing I love my Orvis Helios 2 9' 4 weight. I also use a St. Croix pro graphite 5 weight for streamers. Both have mid arbor Sage reels which can be had a lot cheaper than larger reels.