Euro curious... on a budget.

[ColinShots]

Howdy y'all. I'm thinking about treating myself to a euro setup for this winter on the Deschutes, and since you guys and gals are the best, I wanted your opinion. I'm looking at some sub $300 rods (Echo Carbon XL and Shadow II, and that Edge rod that @clarkman likes), and some cheaper options on the used market (I'm already on thin ice with the wife and my addication). I would love to know all your thoughts length (10', 10'6", 11') and weight. I hate mono-taskers, so I'm trying to find the most versatile bang for the buck I can. Also, if you have something that fits the bill and are looking to offload it, lets talk. Thanks as always for your collective wisdom.

 

[Tom Butler]

I got a 10' 3wt carbon xl, echo base reel, and 1/2 euro line that I got from Desutes Angler several years ago to start my euro journey that hasn't been fished in a year since I got the shadow ii and deneilson. Good shape but don't really know what it's worth. If you want to go that route I'd part with it.

 

[Zak]

I got a 10' 3wt carbon xl, echo base reel, and 1/2 euro line that I got from Desutes Angler several years ago to start my euro journey that hasn't been fished in a year since I got the shadow ii and deneilson. Good shape but don't really know what it's worth. If you want to go that route I'd part with it. Do some research first.

I have the same rod Tom has. I haven't fished euro lines or mono rigs with it, but it's a super versatile rod!

 

[Tom Butler]

I have the same rod Tom has. I haven't fished euro lines or mono rigs with it, but it's a super versatile rod!

It is, I got a 4wt line on an extra spool for that rig. Heck, it's fine for indicators in stillwater too. I just have too many toys and I'd be happy to pass it on.

 

[clarkman]

I'd take up Tom on his offer. I do really like the Edge, but at 11', it can take some creativity to land larger fish (or a buddy with a net). Plus, the Edge probably isn't as versatile either...but I do like the extra length for fishing.

I'd get @jaredoconnor to weigh in. I think he probably does it more than most.

 

[SurfnFish]

I have a new set-up that I used 2x, find being an old guy who wades shallow I prefer a 9' rod with an indicator.
The rod is a 10' 3 wt Echo Shadow 2 w/the competition kit which comes with extended butt and counter balance weights and two extra rod sections so the rod can be fished 10', 10'6 and 11'.
Reel is a new Cheeky Sighter 350 reel, full cage design for Euro, has a great drag, spooled with a premium 3 WT DT fly line, and would come with a spool of 20# chameleon and a spool of 3 color Sighter leader for making custom Euro leaders, and the one one already made for the rod per recommendations.
Ping me if interested, I'll save you some money.

 

[Tom Butler]

I have a new set-up that I used 2x, find being an old guy who wades shallow I prefer a 9' rod with an indicator.
The rod is a 10' 3 wt Echo Shadow 2 w/the competition kit which is an extended butt and counter balance weights.
Reel is a new Cheeky Sighter 350 reel, full cage design for Euro, spooled with a premium 3 WT DT fly line, and would come with a spool of 20# chameleon and a spool of 3 color Sighter leader for making custom Euro leaders, and the one one already made for the rod per recommendations.
Ping me if interested, I'll save you some money.

I do like the shadow 2!

 

[ColinShots]

Man, as always, you guys are the best. I'll reach out to to everyone later this afternoon.

 

[jaredoconnor]

Howdy y'all. I'm thinking about treating myself to a euro setup for this winter on the Deschutes, and since you guys and gals are the best, I wanted your opinion. I'm looking at some sub $300 rods (Echo Carbon XL and Shadow II, and that Edge rod that @clarkman likes), and some cheaper options on the used market (I'm already on thin ice with the wife and my addication). I would love to know all your thoughts length (10', 10'6", 11') and weight. I hate mono-taskers, so I'm trying to find the most versatile bang for the buck I can. Also, if you have something that fits the bill and are looking to offload it, lets talk. Thanks as always for your collective wisdom.

I think the first question is always whether you want a euro-only rod or something that can throw a regular fly line too.

I lean toward the latter. I like having a 3wt fly line on my spool and being able to put on a regular leader, so I can do some swinging or dry fly. There’s no free lunch, though; a versatile euro rod is going to be less accurate, less sensitive and probably slightly harder to cast (particularly at distance).

If you want a versatile euro rod, a 10ft 3wt Echo Carbon XL, Echo Shadow II or Orvis Recon would be a good choice. These are all relatively old rod designs, before the euro game got really specialized. That’s why they can tolerate a fly line.

If you want a euro-only rod, there’s many good options. 10ft 6in-ish 3wt Moonshine Epiphany, Cortland Nymph Series or Diamondback Ideal Nymph would be my recommendations. If you want a really cheap setup to try it out, the Greys Fin combo is very good value.

Make sure you get a proper “euro” reel. I can’t be bothered explaining why, but don’t listen to folks that just tell you to use a Lamson Liquid or something like that. Below are some good options, in order of price. Note that there’s a lot of expensive “euro” reels out there, from high end brands, that are poorly designed; the companies don’t actually know what they’re doing and are just trying to get their cut of the euro hype. If it isn’t in the list below, it’s probably poorly designed, too expensive or I haven’t heard of it.

1. Greys Fin
2. Danielsson DryFly
3. Vision Hero Nymph & Dry
4. Diamondback Ideal Nymph
5. Sage ESN

Lastly, don’t use a euro line. Look up the Troutbitten mono rig.

 

[Zak]

I think the first question is always whether you want a euro-only rod or something that can throw a regular fly line too.

I lean toward the latter. I like having a 3wt fly line on my spool and being able to put on a regular leader, so I can do some swinging or dry fly. There’s no free lunch, though; a versatile euro rod is going to be less accurate, less sensitive and probably slightly harder to cast (particularly at distance).

If you want a versatile euro rod, a 10ft 3wt Echo Carbon XL, Echo Shadow II or Orvis Recon would be a good choice. These are all relatively old rod designs, before the euro game got really specialized. That’s why they can tolerate a fly line.

If you want a euro-only rod, there’s many good options. 10ft 6in-ish 3wt Moonshine Epiphany, Cortland Nymph Series or Diamondback Ideal Nymph would be my recommendations. If you want a really cheap setup to try it out, the Greys Fin combo is very good value.

Make sure you get a proper “euro” reel. I can’t be bothered explaining why, but don’t listen to folks that just tell you to use a Lamson Liquid or something like that. Below are some good options, in order of price. Note that there’s a lot of expensive “euro” reels out there, from high end brands, that are poorly designed; the companies don’t actually know what they’re doing and are just trying to get their cut of the euro hype. If it isn’t in the list below, it’s probably poorly designed, too expensive or I haven’t heard of it.

1. Greys Fin
2. Danielsson DryFly
3. Vision Hero Nymph & Dry
4. Diamondback Ideal Nymph
5. Sage ESN

Lastly, don’t use a euro line. Look up the Troutbitten mono rig.

That Danielson DryFly reel looks really nice and seems like a bargin at $152:

DryFly

Short presentation of Original-seriesHandling of Original-series

danielsson-flyreels.se

@jaredoconnor (or anyone) have you used it as general purpose reel and is it as good a deal as it seems?

 

[clarkman]

Zak, I use the DryFly for euro, and general trout. I absolutely love the Originals. I use the next two sizes up for carp (on occasion), steelhead, bass and tiger muskies. They only have enough friction to prevent over-runs, so keep that in mind if you want one for faster running fish.

 

[Zak]

Zak, I use the DryFly for euro, and general trout. I absolutely love the Originals. I use the next two sizes up for carp (on occasion), steelhead, bass and tiger muskies. They only have enough friction to prevent over-runs, so keep that in mind if you want one for faster running fish.

Thanks! I have a Sage Click and it does not have enough drag/friction for me, is the DryFly going to be very similar?

 

[ColinShots]

I think the first question is always whether you want a euro-only rod or something that can throw a regular fly line too.

I lean toward the latter. I like having a 3wt fly line on my spool and being able to put on a regular leader, so I can do some swinging or dry fly. There’s no free lunch, though; a versatile euro rod is going to be less accurate, less sensitive and probably slightly harder to cast (particularly at distance).

If you want a versatile euro rod, a 10ft 3wt Echo Carbon XL, Echo Shadow II or Orvis Recon would be a good choice. These are all relatively old rod designs, before the euro game got really specialized. That’s why they can tolerate a fly line.

If you want a euro-only rod, there’s many good options. 10ft 6in-ish 3wt Moonshine Epiphany, Cortland Nymph Series or Diamondback Ideal Nymph would be my recommendations. If you want a really cheap setup to try it out, the Greys Fin combo is very good value.

Make sure you get a proper “euro” reel. I can’t be bothered explaining why, but don’t listen to folks that just tell you to use a Lamson Liquid or something like that. Below are some good options, in order of price. Note that there’s a lot of expensive “euro” reels out there, from high end brands, that are poorly designed; the companies don’t actually know what they’re doing and are just trying to get their cut of the euro hype. If it isn’t in the list below, it’s probably poorly designed, too expensive or I haven’t heard of it.

1. Greys Fin
2. Danielsson DryFly
3. Vision Hero Nymph & Dry
4. Diamondback Ideal Nymph
5. Sage ESN

Lastly, don’t use a euro line. Look up the Troutbitten mono rig.

Thanks for this. Super informative. I think I’m already sold on a Danielsson, but wondering if you (or @clarkman) have thoughts on the DryFly vs the F3W 2six or 4seven for euro duty.

 

[mcswny]

Thanks for this. Super informative. I think I’m already sold on a Danielsson, but wondering if you (or @clarkman) have thoughts on the DryFly vs the F3W 2six or 4seven for euro duty.

I think I'm a bit of anomaly on this one. I like to fight Deschutes euro'd fish on the reel (mostly because I don't like stripping mono). So I like a little drag. I don't use a euro specific reel because I can't be bothered to buy a specific reel so I use my Galvan Rush 6 and it has tight enough tolerances that the mono doesn't slip. I also don't care if I lose a few fish.

 

[clarkman]

Thanks! I have a Sage Click and it does not have enough drag/friction for me, is the DryFly going to be very similar?

it's got a little bit more....but not a ton. The Danielsson F3W does have a drag.....but doesn't look nearly as cool as the Original.

 

[clarkman]

Thanks for this. Super informative. I think I’m already sold on a Danielsson, but wondering if you (or @clarkman) have thoughts on the DryFly vs the F3W 2six or 4seven for euro duty.

Personally, I really like the Original for FW fishing. But not everyone likes minimal drag (if you can call it that) and no sound. I actually enjoy palming the spool on faster fish like some steelhead and carp. But the F3W's are really nice too. I also use that for carp and a lot of lighter saltwater.

 

[mcswny]

Personally, I really like the Original for FW fishing. But not everyone likes minimal drag (if you can call it that) and no sound. I actually enjoy palming the spool on faster fish like some steelhead and carp. But the F3W's are really nice too. I also use that for carp and a lot of lighter saltwater.

Is it actually silent, or the same as the other drag'd Danielsson's?

 

[clarkman]

Is it actually silent, or the same as the other drag'd Danielsson's?

The only sounds you can hear on the Original's are the bearings. All of the other Danielsson models have a light click.

 

[jaredoconnor]

I should have not been lazy and elaborated about euro reels. Here’s the short version.

Full frame = minimizes line slipping through the frame
Narrow spool = minimizes line crossing knots
Huge arbor = minimizes line memory

Line memory is the thing I care about the most. Having a ridiculously large arbor makes a big difference.

Danielsson DryFly aren’t actually euro reels. The design predates “euro nymphing” by a couple of decades. They were the first ever large arbor reel and they were sold by Loop. They just happen to be designed a lot like modern euro reels.

 

[jaredoconnor]

Thanks! I have a Sage Click and it does not have enough drag/friction for me, is the DryFly going to be very similar?

You can clamp down on an Original as hard as you want, just understand that the “drag” applies in both directions.

They are cool reels, but I don’t use them on any of my non-euro rods. I’d use an F3W or some other conventional reel instead.