Went shopping

Rob Allen

Rob Allen

Life of the Party
Because of past priorities almost all my fly rods are spey and steelhead rods. And my trout rods are short 4wts not so great for salmon flies or nymphing.
Today I went to to a couple shops to see what's what in fly rods today. I was looking for a 9 ft 5 or 6 wt to use primarily for salmon flies, hoppers and maybe a little nymphing. Also. I am very picky about fly rods but I'm not rich.

I went to Anglers Covey in Colorado Springs. First I tried the Sage Sonic 905-4. It's faster than I typically like but it's a very forgiving rod with exceptional casting charecteristics. It responded very well to both fast and slow casting strokes and would have done anything I asked it to had I had the casting room to really open her up. Their casting pond while nice enough are short so you can't punch out long casts. However the Sonic would have punched just fine and it was good in close too. At 650 bucks I think it's a great rod..

I wasn't sure I was ready to spend $650 so I tried the Sage Foundation. Not near as nice as the Sonic.. it cast just fine but the bottom end felt a little clunky. If I was going to get a Sage I'd get the Sonic all day over thr Foundation even at the higher price.

Next up was the Orvis Recon. Yeah ummm. Hell no.. soft tip clunky bottom end. Took one cast to know it wasn't for me at any price..

I left the Anglers Covey thinking I'd probably be back in a few days fir the Sonic. I bought some flies and leaders because of the time I took out of their day to cast rods without buying one.

I headed to the drift fly shop here in Pueblo knowing they have a different selection. I looked really hard at the Echo trout but I ended up casting the Scott Flex 906-4 it is smooth powerful and super easy to cast. It holds plenty of line in the air. Not quite as nice as the g series 5wt but a wt is a different animal from a 6wt. I am confident I could cast the whole line with ir and it cast very nicely in close at 475. It's the most I have ever spent on a rod but it's a screaming deal if you want performance but like a more relaxed action..

Sonic, thumbs up
Flex. Thumbs up. Major smiles at that price too.
Foundation thumbs down
Recon major thumbs down..

Next Saturday Gallup better have a Cortland DT 6 in stock. I don't want to drive all the way to West Yellowstone
 
Rob Allen said:
Because of past priorities almost all my fly rods are spey and steelhead rods. And my trout rods are short 4wts not so great for salmon flies or nymphing.
Today I went to to a couple shops to see what's what in fly rods today. I was looking for a 9 ft 5 or 6 wt to use primarily for salmon flies, hoppers and maybe a little nymphing. Also. I am very picky about fly rods but I'm not rich.

I went to Anglers Covey in Colorado Springs. First I tried the Sage Sonic 905-4. It's faster than I typically like but it's a very forgiving rod with exceptional casting charecteristics. It responded very well to both fast and slow casting strokes and would have done anything I asked it to had I had the casting room to really open her up. Their casting pond while nice enough are short so you can't punch out long casts. However the Sonic would have punched just fine and it was good in close too. At 650 bucks I think it's a great rod..

I wasn't sure I was ready to spend $650 so I tried the Sage Foundation. Not near as nice as the Sonic.. it cast just fine but the bottom end felt a little clunky. If I was going to get a Sage I'd get the Sonic all day over thr Foundation even at the higher price.

Next up was the Orvis Recon. Yeah ummm. Hell no.. soft tip clunky bottom end. Took one cast to know it wasn't for me at any price..

I left the Anglers Covey thinking I'd probably be back in a few days fir the Sonic. I bought some flies and leaders because of the time I took out of their day to cast rods without buying one.

I headed to the drift fly shop here in Pueblo knowing they have a different selection. I looked really hard at the Echo trout but I ended up casting the Scott Flex 906-4 it is smooth powerful and super easy to cast. It holds plenty of line in the air. Not quite as nice as the g series 5wt but a wt is a different animal from a 6wt. I am confident I could cast the whole line with ir and it cast very nicely in close at 475. It's the most I have ever spent on a rod but it's a screaming deal if you want performance but like a more relaxed action..

Sonic, thumbs up
Flex. Thumbs up. Major smiles at that price too.
Foundation thumbs down
Recon major thumbs down..

Next Saturday Gallup better have a Cortland DT 6 in stock. I don't want to drive all the way to West Yellowstone
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Enjoy your new rod and your upcoming trip! I’m headed in that general direction on the 10th my own self.
 
Matt B said:
Enjoy your new rod and your upcoming trip! I’m headed in that general direction on the 10th my own self.
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I'll be camped at Reynolds pass bridge if we get their early enough to get a spot.. red Ford focus colorado plates stop by and say hi. We'll probably be there the 9 and 10th at least.. depends on crowds and fishing..
 
Rob Allen said:
I'll be camped at Reynolds pass bridge if we get their early enough to get a spot.. red Ford focus colorado plates stop by and say hi. We'll probably be there the 9 and 10th at least.. depends on crowds and fishing..
Click to expand...
I’m not sure we will make it that far east. Or south. I hope you find good hatches and undisturbed risers.
 
Rob Allen said:
Because of past priorities almost all my fly rods are spey and steelhead rods. And my trout rods are short 4wts not so great for salmon flies or nymphing.
Today I went to to a couple shops to see what's what in fly rods today. I was looking for a 9 ft 5 or 6 wt to use primarily for salmon flies, hoppers and maybe a little nymphing. Also. I am very picky about fly rods but I'm not rich.

I went to Anglers Covey in Colorado Springs. First I tried the Sage Sonic 905-4. It's faster than I typically like but it's a very forgiving rod with exceptional casting charecteristics. It responded very well to both fast and slow casting strokes and would have done anything I asked it to had I had the casting room to really open her up. Their casting pond while nice enough are short so you can't punch out long casts. However the Sonic would have punched just fine and it was good in close too. At 650 bucks I think it's a great rod..

I wasn't sure I was ready to spend $650 so I tried the Sage Foundation. Not near as nice as the Sonic.. it cast just fine but the bottom end felt a little clunky. If I was going to get a Sage I'd get the Sonic all day over thr Foundation even at the higher price.

Next up was the Orvis Recon. Yeah ummm. Hell no.. soft tip clunky bottom end. Took one cast to know it wasn't for me at any price..

I left the Anglers Covey thinking I'd probably be back in a few days fir the Sonic. I bought some flies and leaders because of the time I took out of their day to cast rods without buying one.

I headed to the drift fly shop here in Pueblo knowing they have a different selection. I looked really hard at the Echo trout but I ended up casting the Scott Flex 906-4 it is smooth powerful and super easy to cast. It holds plenty of line in the air. Not quite as nice as the g series 5wt but a wt is a different animal from a 6wt. I am confident I could cast the whole line with ir and it cast very nicely in close at 475. It's the most I have ever spent on a rod but it's a screaming deal if you want performance but like a more relaxed action..

Sonic, thumbs up
Flex. Thumbs up. Major smiles at that price too.
Foundation thumbs down
Recon major thumbs down..

Next Saturday Gallup better have a Cortland DT 6 in stock. I don't want to drive all the way to West Yellowstone
Click to expand...
Wait, Rob. Which rod did you buy ?
 
I was thinking err hoping you went to buy our recommended shorts.

Congrats on the new rod though. Use it to stick a pig then take a victory lap down at the Grizzly.
 
I have the same rod, good choice and indeed a great rod at a better price!
 
Good story and report Rob! I didn't know much about Scott fly rods and had never cast one until a year ago in Ennis at MRFF. They either didn't have or didn't show me the Flex, but I cast a G Series and a Centric and ended up buying the G Series in 6 wt. I know what you mean about price sticker shock. That was far and away the most I've ever paid for a rod made out of plastic! But I've been happy with it.
 
Really appreciate this review.
I really dig Scott rods, but won’t buy them new. I keep an eye out on the used market and try to find combos with reels, then sell the reel so the rods get even cheaper!
 
mcswny said:
Really appreciate this review.
I really dig Scott rods, but won’t buy them new. I keep an eye out on the used market and try to find combos with reels, then sell the reel so the rods get even cheaper!
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I'd love to do in depth reviews of rods for a living.. I love casting, even rods I think suck I still love casting.
 
Salmo_g said:
Good story and report Rob! I didn't know much about Scott fly rods and had never cast one until a year ago in Ennis at MRFF. They either didn't have or didn't show me the Flex, but I cast a G Series and a Centric and ended up buying the G Series in 6 wt. I know what you mean about price sticker shock. That was far and away the most I've ever paid for a rod made out of plastic! But I've been happy with it.
Click to expand...
I cast the g series a couple years ago and loved it.. it is better than the flex but I just couldn't bring myself to spend 900 bucks.
If I could I definitely would. The people in the industry making these things are worth every penny.
 
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