Euro curious... on a budget.

ColinShots said:
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.
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F3W isn’t good for euro. I have one. It’s just a normal reel. They are great reels though.

For saltwater use, I rate them higher than any Lamson or Sage reel. Lamson and Sage, among other brands, use one O-ring to seal the drag and also keep the spool on. As the spool wiggles around, that seal will inevitably get compromised. Danielsson use a screw on cap, instead. It’s a much more robust design.
 
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jaredoconnor said:
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.
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Thanks. I don't want a drag that's equal in both directions!
 
I have the carbon xl. I use a mono rig on the end of a 4 wt line. I can pop the mono rig off and put on a tapered leader in a couple of minutes, and then you have a ten ft 4 wt line
 
jaredoconnor said:
F3W isn’t good for euro. I have one. It’s just a normal reel. They are great reels though.
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too large of a gap? I only use mine for my 7-10wts (only size I have)
 
Porter2 said:
www.feather-craft.com

Greys Fin Euro Nymph Combo

A fantastic combo specifically designed for the challenges of modern Euro nymph fishing. This combo features a light flexable tip action rod that is balanced with Greys all new Fin fly reel and fitted with a purposefully designed level Euro nymph line.
www.feather-craft.com www.feather-craft.com
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This past year I decided to try euro nymphing...and really enjoy it. I built a 10' 4 wt, threw a lamson liquid on it... and found out pretty quickly why they say to use a full cage reel, as the thin line found its way in behind the spool. In researching full cage reels, I came across the Greys Finn reel. I almost overlooked it because it was so inexpensive (How good could it be?), but the more I read, the more boxes it ticked regarding what a euro nymph reel should be: full cage (hybrid), large arbor (less coiling of mono line), good drag. Also, being cast aluminum, its heavy ( 5/6 wt = 6.28 oz, 7/8 wt = 6.8 oz). IMO, this is a good thing because it helps counterweight the longer rods, keeping the tip up without having to fight it. When I built the rod, I hung weights on the (downlock) reel seat to determine which weight I would need. Based on that, I originally tried the 5/6 wt, found it still a bit light, so went with the 7/8, and have been very happy with it. Yes, the numbers don't match (7/8 for a 4 wt), but, functionally, IMO, it works well for a euro nymphing setup.

greys finn reel.jpg
 
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PhilR said:
I have the carbon xl. I use a mono rig on the end of a 4 wt line. I can pop the mono rig off and put on a tapered leader in a couple of minutes, and then you have a ten ft 4 wt line
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Do you ever do this? When I started, this is how I rigged up thinking I liked the idea of being versatile. But then I realized I like fishing specialized rods and just carried a 4wt glass rod as well.
 
Tom Butler said:
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.
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On it's way, enjoy and good luck.
 
clarkman said:
too large of a gap? I only use mine for my 7-10wts (only size I have)
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They give you a full frame, but that's it. The arbor isn't large enough and the spool isn't narrow enough. If you go up to one of the larger sizes, the arbor will be large enough to not cause memory issues with your leader. However, then the reels are too heavy and the spools are even less narrow.

My 2six was the first reel I used for euro nymphing, because I thought (like many beginners) that a full frame is all you need. That reel put an insane amount of memory into my leader. The benefit of a super large arbor became immediately apparent to me.
 
check out the Cheeky Sighter series, designed for Euro with full cage, solid construction, excellent drag, comes in four sizes
 
mcswny said:
Do you ever do this? When I started, this is how I rigged up thinking I liked the idea of being versatile. But then I realized I like fishing specialized rods and just carried a 4wt glass rod as well.
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I did, but now I usually just carry two rods
 
ColinShots said:
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.
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I had a 4wt Echo Shadow II, and that was my first step into Euro nymphing. In my opinion, the four weight model was too heavy. I had to use the older style lampson liquid 5 weight to balance it out somewhat, and even that didn't do the trick until I bought the competition kit that had the extra weights and extension.

I haven't tried any other Euro rods, but I imagine that shadow II in a 3-weight would have been a lot more pleasant. I've been looking into getting a different Euro rod later on, and I would likely go with the echo carbon XL or TFO nymphing rod in a 3wt.

I haven't owned an edge rod like you were talking about, but I would be cautious if you want it immediately. A retired friend of mine who doesn't have a lot of money bought in edge rod since they are budget friendly, and he has been waiting since October for his 10 ft 7 weight. I hope this information helps!
 
Yeah, pretty sure a tenkara wouldn't have landed several of my by-catch fish this last year.
 
How did a thread called ‘euro curious’ end up talking about the merits of tenkara? I did a deep dive into both techniques for a while and at the end of the day I like watching a reel spin on a hot fish. BUT, I can shove a tenkara rod into my work bag when I have to hit the road and sneak off for half hour mid day along a small creek somewhere hidden and catch fish on a day that would otherwise be just a normal work day. Maybe all I’m saying is apples to oranges IMHO.

I should also add that my 3wt 10’6” cortland nymph rod is primarily used as a SH trout spey rig for soft hackles anymore and is most fun in this configuration.

Cheers
 
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Fish the way that brings you joy, but if tenkara rods were superior for euro nymphing, you'd see the hardcore euro guys using them, and they don't.
 
SovDog said:
How did a thread called ‘euro curious’ end up talking about the merits of tenkara?
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tryin' to figure that one out as well....

ah well, hopefully the OP got what they were after!
 
@Brian Miller , I can't believe you've somehow gotten me defending euro-dorks.... :LOL:



🍻
 
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