Mono rig rod?

SurfnFish

SurfnFish

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Now that lake season is over, would like to try something new in my river fishing which is usually on the Fall River, 15 mins from house, as well as the occasional trip to the Metolius, mid D during season, etc.
Having read the Troutbitten treatise on mono rigs and their preference for a 10' 4 wt, would ask the forum who are using mono rigs what is their fave rod and why?
thnx
 
Echo shadow ii 10’ 6” 3wt. I do t want to spend to much on a euro/mono rod and this thing is perfect enough. I don’t find the need to fish a 4wt and I’m fishing the same waters.
 
mcswny said:
Echo shadow ii 10’ 6” 3wt. I do t want to spend to much on a euro/mono rod and this thing is perfect enough. I don’t find the need to fish a 4wt and I’m fishing the same waters.
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This is the answer. 3 or 4 wt Echo Shadow (depending on the fish you're chasing).

Sure, there are other fine nymphing rods out there, but the value to performance ratio with Echo is solid. Plus, they are a PNW company that is run by guys who fish.
 
Echo here also, just a damn fun rod to fish.
 

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J Watrous said:
26’ — 5lb Maxima Chameleon

Tippet Ring

20” — 4x SA/Rio/Cortland Two Tone Tippet Tippet Material

Tippet Ring

48-64” — 5x or 6x fluoro tippet.
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if you're successfully casting 5#, vs the 15-20 I've been reading about, you have obviously reached sensei level casting.
 
god damn Jake, that's crazy! I tried 8lb for a bit and while I DID eventually get used to it for throwing little beads (like under 3.3mm), I just like throwing the larger stuff (3.8mm-4.6mm) with an unweighted dropper, so have settled on 15lb as my primary mono for all around versatility.

re: rods, I've only had 3 to get any sort of frame of reference. 10'6" 3wt Redington Strike, that I broke doing something stupid (still haven't sent it in), but a really versatile rod but not the most sensitive in the world. 11' 2wt Edge Archetype. I really like this rod as it's pretty light, and super sensitive. Fishes more like a 3wt. 11' 3wt unknown blank (possibly Rodmaker247) built up by Shane at Graywolf (got a great deal on it and love the work this builder does). This isn't the most sensitive, but has backbone for days. Shoot, I fell on it, scraped up part of the butt section's paint job (hopefully didn't ruin the integrity of the blank) and it's still kickin'.

If I really wanted a Euro-specific rod that may not be quite as versatile though, I'd probably start by looking at the T&T and Diamondback (the new ones designed by Joe Goodspeed).
 
SurfnFish said:
if you're successfully casting 5#, vs the 15-20 I've been reading about, you have obviously reached sensei level casting.
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Oval cast, water load helps. Maybe good to about 20-25’. Also helps that my kid could only tightline from 2/3 yo to about 5 yo (couldn’t wade, couldn’t cast for shit) so we hit that scene pretty hard. Now that he’s 9 we’ve been doing more skagit and saltwater casting. Still has a fairly shallow wading depth, though and can’t wade in fast/heavy flow.

My T&T 2wt throws the micro a little better than the 4wt and I’ve an 11’ 0wt that is being custom built. Am curious to know if that will do even better.

It’s crazy how much less drag the 5lb has compared to the thicker stuff.
 
Greys GR80 10' 3 weight at Sierra. A $400 rod for $200 with free shipping. Trout & Co has a three weight shootout that covers
this and other rods.I really like mine.
 
appreciate the feedback - just ordered a Shadow 2 10/3 which came with a bonus Echo competition kit w/fighting butt, extra blank lengths and weights.
 
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was researching fly lines for the Shadow 2 and ran across this from the rod's designer, Pete Erickson, others might find it interesting as well:

"Just bouncing around through some interesting threads here and I came across your question about line size/type for your new rod . Just to clarify, I'm not posting to promote Shadow rods, but, since you've already ordered it I assume it is ok for me to give you some line advise for the new Shadow II 10ft 3wt.

Before you go out and purchase a "nymph" line for this rod, a couple of things to consider--unlike the old Shadow PE's, the new Shadow 2's are more accurately matched up with the rod's listed line designation.

The Shadow II, 10ft 3wt matches up well with a standard 3wt WT or DT line...it lists as a 3.5 designation, whereas the old Shadow PE 10ft 3wt designated out more towards 4.9, meaning that it was better suited for casting a 5wt line at 30 feet.

Choosing a line for a particular rod is always very subjective and even situational. The Shadow II's are what I call a "hybrid" rod, meaning they are designed to throw a dry fly, Euro nymph rig, and even cast a team of wet flies. I prefer to load mine up with standard WF or DT line that matches the rod's designation--in this case a 3wt; that way I can take advantage of the fact that this rod throws a nice loop for dries but also I can immediately switch over to making lob casts with a Euro-Nymphing rig all with the same standard wf or dt line.

as far as line manufactures go--they all make solid standard wf/dt's ...so find one you like

have fun---it is a fun rod

cheers
 
I fish mine with a Cortland DT braid core Euro line. Unless the wind is blowing good I can cast 22' of 20# Camelion and 20-30 feet of line with crap on the end without issue. I've been playing with 15# but really don't like it as well. 5# amazes me.
The Daniellson Dry Fly pairs well with that rod and the fighting butt in your kit.
 
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