I'm finally treating myself to a higher (for me) quality rod. I just ordered a new Echo Trout X and after 2 lawn casting sessions - decided I don't care for it. I want to LOVE it and notice a difference between that and my lower end rods. Obviously the trout x isn't high end, but it is supposed to be a pack leader for the mid level rods. But again, just wasn't impressing me like I hoped.
I did a lot of testing and comparisons with: (all 9' 5wts, each tested with three different 3 reels with 3 different lines, casting 2 different flies - a small dry and a big heavy streamer)
1) Martin Mohawk River 2pc - medium action, lowest budget rod of the group. Handled big and small fly just fine. Just had to slow my mechanics a bit and open the loops a bit. But reasonably close to the others. Not as sensitive, but not terrible. Fit and finish as you'd expect - nothing crazy, but again, not terrible. I tend to use this for one of my kids or guests to borrow when fishing with me. Best for smaller water and light wind.
2) Sage LE 4pc - medium action Sage budget rod. Probably the heaviest of the bunch. Casts similar to the Martin, but a little more backbone. Not very sensitive. Fine for small water and little wind. Fit and finish a step up from the martin, but still very basic.
3) TFO NXT black label - a budget friendly med/fast rod from TFO. Reasonably sensitive. Could delicately cast the small fly close and far. Could turn over the heavy streamer at decent distances. Tighter loops. Feels light in the hand and responsive. Decent backbone for punching into wind or going for distance. Probably the best fit and finish of the bunch. Nothing fancy, but definitely stood out.
3) Echo Trout X 4pc - I REALLY wanted this one to stand out. but at the end of the test, it just didn't out-perform the TFO. It is probably lighter, but that was about it. A solid all-around med-fast trout rod good in a variety of scenarios - but didn't stand out in any real way. Fit and finsih were nothing special. The coat was nice and components fine. Just nothing special. If I looked at my rods as I was heading out to the yak or my favorite lake, which would I grab? Probably the TFO.
So I'm returning the Trout X. Good plug for your local fly shop to try before you buy...
So, now I'm looking for a new rod again. I want something to that stands out from the others. A faster action than the TFO and one that I will have confidence in distance, accuracy, and wind scenarios. Sensitive and responsive. Steamers or dries. American made if possible.
Here are 3 I'm considering at the moment that are used (barely) and look like good options. But I'm kinda out of my element here and looking for input!!
1) Taylor Truth Z - not a lot of reviews, but sounds promising
2) Orvis Recon Gen 2 - not a lot of reviews on the gen 2, but sounds promising
3) Hardy Demon Smuggler (6pc travel rod with good reviews)
Thoughts on these? Others I should be considering? Budget is around $350 to $450 tops.
Oh, and anyone familiar with these Red Truck Diesel fly reels? Love the old school look and feel: https://redtruckflyfishing.com/product/red-truck-diesel-fly-reel-56-weight/
Would be nice on that Hardy I think
Thanks!!
I did a lot of testing and comparisons with: (all 9' 5wts, each tested with three different 3 reels with 3 different lines, casting 2 different flies - a small dry and a big heavy streamer)
1) Martin Mohawk River 2pc - medium action, lowest budget rod of the group. Handled big and small fly just fine. Just had to slow my mechanics a bit and open the loops a bit. But reasonably close to the others. Not as sensitive, but not terrible. Fit and finish as you'd expect - nothing crazy, but again, not terrible. I tend to use this for one of my kids or guests to borrow when fishing with me. Best for smaller water and light wind.
2) Sage LE 4pc - medium action Sage budget rod. Probably the heaviest of the bunch. Casts similar to the Martin, but a little more backbone. Not very sensitive. Fine for small water and little wind. Fit and finish a step up from the martin, but still very basic.
3) TFO NXT black label - a budget friendly med/fast rod from TFO. Reasonably sensitive. Could delicately cast the small fly close and far. Could turn over the heavy streamer at decent distances. Tighter loops. Feels light in the hand and responsive. Decent backbone for punching into wind or going for distance. Probably the best fit and finish of the bunch. Nothing fancy, but definitely stood out.
3) Echo Trout X 4pc - I REALLY wanted this one to stand out. but at the end of the test, it just didn't out-perform the TFO. It is probably lighter, but that was about it. A solid all-around med-fast trout rod good in a variety of scenarios - but didn't stand out in any real way. Fit and finsih were nothing special. The coat was nice and components fine. Just nothing special. If I looked at my rods as I was heading out to the yak or my favorite lake, which would I grab? Probably the TFO.
So I'm returning the Trout X. Good plug for your local fly shop to try before you buy...
So, now I'm looking for a new rod again. I want something to that stands out from the others. A faster action than the TFO and one that I will have confidence in distance, accuracy, and wind scenarios. Sensitive and responsive. Steamers or dries. American made if possible.
Here are 3 I'm considering at the moment that are used (barely) and look like good options. But I'm kinda out of my element here and looking for input!!
1) Taylor Truth Z - not a lot of reviews, but sounds promising
2) Orvis Recon Gen 2 - not a lot of reviews on the gen 2, but sounds promising
3) Hardy Demon Smuggler (6pc travel rod with good reviews)
Thoughts on these? Others I should be considering? Budget is around $350 to $450 tops.
Oh, and anyone familiar with these Red Truck Diesel fly reels? Love the old school look and feel: https://redtruckflyfishing.com/product/red-truck-diesel-fly-reel-56-weight/
Would be nice on that Hardy I think
Thanks!!
