AO's fly rod shootout

[MtnGiant]

OK fly guys

We all know about the fly rod shootouts.

I would like to read your own personal experiences w/ any make or model and your personal reviews plse.

[SimonB]

I have a Scientific Angler 8'6'' 5/6WT Rod and reel that I bought 2 years ago for a big whole 17$...Im still using it and i have no complaints as far as a beginner rod goes !Ive landed many fish, from bass to big rainbows and its holding up better than i could imagine ! Would definately recommend to someone whos budget is low and just wants to try flyfishing.

[Taco]

Shootout? Old technology shootout maybe. My newest graphite rods are 15yrs old, the rods I've acquired lately were manufactured 40+ yrs ago.

[MtnGiant]

Originally Posted by Taco

Shootout? Old technology shootout maybe. My newest graphite rods are 15yrs old, the rods I've acquired lately were manufactured 40+ yrs ago.

No age limit....everything counts....even old bamboo rods.

Just want to gather as much info on as many different rods as possible.

Just seemed like an interesting topic to me.

[brown trout]

Greys XF2 9'6" 7 weight

Sage Z Axis 9' 5 weight Yes, the Z is gone now, but it's still one of the top Google searches that sends people to my site. You can check out a few other gear reviews on The Drag Free Drift (reels, lines, waders, etc).

[MtnGiant]

Originally Posted by brown trout

Greys XF2 9'6" 7 weight

Sage Z Axis 9' 5 weight Yes, the Z is gone now, but it's still one of the top Google searches that sends people to my site. You can check out a few other gear reviews on The Drag Free Drift (reels, lines, waders, etc).

The Z izz not gone... just discontinued....it can be found on many websites and sometimes cheap.

I didnt mean this thread to be a sales pitch for your site.....why dont you post some rod reviews of your own doing and add to this thread.

Or someone could ask questions about a certain rod that someone else may have a review on.

[MtnGiant]

Pieroway Element rods

Does anyone have experience with this newer product?

[Pikebreath]

I always take so called rod ratings with a grain of salt. We fly anglers tend to be pretty be passionate about our flyrods, so objectivity tends to take a backseat to our personal preferences. At the risk of being called sexist, it's much like our preferences in women,,,, some like Ginger,,, others prefer Marianne (Google up Gilligan if you are too young to understand!!!)

[NUK SOO KOW]

Tfo bvk 6wt 9' with bvk reel, tfo bvk 3wt 8'6 with okuma slv, Grey's xflite 5wt 9' with gx 500 reel, Grey's xflite2 salt 8wt with nuatilus fwx, amundson rockymountain 6wt 9' with amundson reel( low end set up, my beater rod always in truck), soon to add bvk 8wt, another 6wt for saltwater, and a 10 and 12 wt by the end of the year. I love all these setups, nothing bad to say about any of them.

[Taco]

Originally Posted by Pikebreath

I always take so called rod ratings with a grain of salt. We fly anglers tend to be pretty be passionate about our flyrods, so objectivity tends to take a backseat to our personal preferences. At the risk of being called sexist, it's much like our preferences in women,,,, some like Ginger,,, others prefer Marianne (Google up Gilligan if you are too young to understand!!!)

You've got it, I've always liked what Lefty Kreh had to say on line weights. Lefty

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by Taco

You've got it, I've always liked what Lefty Kreh had to say on line weights. Lefty

That link pretty much contradicts what every other so-called expert has to say.

One or two sizes up on a 4wt for small streams?

One or two sizes down when it is windy?

I will admit I never tried this but with every other company promoting fast rods and size + 1/2 lines, it makes no sense.

Have you tried this theory of his?

[Taco]

Originally Posted by MK2750

That link pretty much contradicts what every other so-called expert has to say.

One or two sizes up on a 4wt for small streams?

One or two sizes down when it is windy?

I will admit I never tried this but with every other company is promoting fast rods and size + 1/2 lines, it makes no sense.

Have you tried this theory of his?

Yup routinely, I have fast 3wts that I've fished with a light wf5 line and slow 6wts that I've fished with a heavy dt4. It all depends on what you want the rod to do and feel like in your hand. What is written on the rod by the manufacturer is not the only option.

[rycoma]

Echo Carbon 7'6" 3 weight. Redington Red fly2 4 weight 7'6" both outfitted with a redington rise reel. Tfo signature series 7 weight 9' outfitted with there large arbor reel. As for line all but the 4w are over lined by one size as most of my cast are under 20'. They have been really good rods so far and hope to pass them on down toy boys as some of there fist fly rods

[MtnGiant]

Originally Posted by Pikebreath

I always take so called rod ratings with a grain of salt. We fly anglers tend to be pretty be passionate about our flyrods, so objectivity tends to take a backseat to our personal preferences. At the risk of being called sexist, it's much like our preferences in women,,,, some like Ginger,,, others prefer Marianne (Google up Gilligan if you are too young to understand!!!)

Yes this is absolutely true.
But there are rod differances that can be conveyed to others.
And this my friend....is the point of this thread...

BTW.....I prefered Mary-Anne (humana humana )


Also....I posted b4...but will try again.
I have a chance to get a new (used 3 times) Pieroway Element 3wt for $120.
Does anyone have a review on this rod???

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by mtngiant

Yes this is absolutely true.
But there are rod differances that can be conveyed to others.
And this my friend....is the point of this thread...

BTW.....I prefered Mary-Anne (humana humana )


Also....I posted b4...but will try again.
I have a chance to get a new (used 3 times) Pieroway Element 3wt for $120.
Does anyone have a review on this rod???

And here lies the problem with shoot outs. Obviously the person that purchased this rod thought they were making a good choice and have now decided to sell after three uses. This does not mean you are not going to love this rod. Perhaps he would love it too had he experimented with different lines or fished an area where a 3wt was called for more often.

First day out on the water with a z-axis and I was fit to be tied. When I wasn't bull-whipping or tangled, I was ripping hooks out of fishes mouths before they had a chance to inhale. Now it is my absolute favorite.

Is the new Hardy Zenith really better than a z-axis or is it so similar that the testers cast it effortlessly?

Is the line choices used perfect for every rod in the shootout?

Does it really matter how well a 4 wt casts at 60-80 ft. ?

[MtnGiant]

[QUOTE=MK2750;1929727]And here lies the problem with shoot outs. Obviously the person that purchased this rod thought they were making a good choice and have now decided to sell after three uses. This does not mean you are not going to love this rod. Perhaps he would love it too had he experimented with different lines or fished an area where a 3wt was called for more often.

First day out on the water with a z-axis and I was fit to be tied. When I wasn't bull-whipping or tangled, I was ripping hooks out of fishes mouths before they had a chance to inhale. Now it is my absolute favorite.

Is the new Hardy Zenith really better than a z-axis or is it so similar that the testers cast it effortlessly?

Is the line choices used perfect for every rod in the shootout?


He said he doesnt fish smaller waters enough to keep it....so he said.
The Zenith out performed the Zaxis at close range within 40'...so they say.
And some say the Winston will out perform both...so they say.

Dont get too persnickity on this topic.......
Its just to gather and share "personal" information....soo says me

[Pikebreath]

Originally Posted by mtngiant

Yes this is absolutely true.
But there are rod differances that can be conveyed to others.
And this my friend....is the point of this thread...

BTW.....I prefered Mary-Anne (humana humana )


?

Let's not forget Skipper's "Little Buddy" Gilligan has his fans too!!!

[MtnGiant]

Not sure which fly fishing thread I was asked to say which setup I decided on.

But here it is....(it fits here too)

Winston 7'-6'' 2wt w/ vintage Hardy flyweight reel loaded w/ DT2 line.

Its freakin beautiful and casts like a dream (its an older Winston so not so sloppy as some other makes).
The vintage Hardy (click) is my new fave reel....now I want more Hardy's.

I tried rods from 6ft to 8-6 (2-3wt) and this lenght was just perfect for casting up to 40ft.

Out of respect to the gentleman who sold it to me....I won't say the price I payed.

[MtnGiant]

Redington Pursuit series....How would you rate them?

They are at a pretty good point for sure but what about their quality?

[rycoma]

I have a red fly 2 which is now the purist. it is a good rod for the price and have been told by a few different fly shops if you are in for a new rod it is one of the better ones at that price point. I love mine and it has a lifetime warranty

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by mtngiant

Redington Pursuit series....How would you rate them?

They are at a pretty good point for sure but what about their quality?

They are an OK rod for the price, but the quality of components in the older series is nicer IMO. You should be able to get a lot more rod for a little more or even less money.

The discontinued Classic Trout is medium by today's standards but is still considered by many to be one of the best values in a dry fly rod. A Google search will give you lots of info.

The CPS is another classic rod that is very well rated but I never got a chance to try one.

There are still plenty of RS4s around and these are my favorite Redington rod. There is one on Kijiji right now for $100 in a 5wt. They retailed around $200 and were a great deal at full price. Components are top notch and the action is med fast to fast with very nice feel.

Last year's top of the line Redington, the CPX is a beautiful rod. They were $350ish retail and I see many for $200 and change on clearance. They are very fast action with lots of fish fighting back bone. I also have the new version (Redington Link) and although it does have a nicer action, the components and look of the CPX are nicer. The CPX is not for everyone as it is border line stiff and some find it lacks any feel. I am keeping mine as a back up for my Z-Axis and wouldn't loose a lot of sleep if it was the only rod I had.

I consider any of these rods much nicer that the Pursuit and if you shop around you can find them at a good deal.

The discontinued Sage Flight are a great deal at most retailers if you like fast and the Vantage if you like medium. You should check them out as well.

[rycoma]

echo make some nice rods around 200$ the carbon and the ion. Both are way nicer than my red fly

[MtnGiant]

Let me get to the point....

What is a good/great rod for fishing 20lb+ steelies???

What weight and length would you recommend?

There have been a few comments but I would like more please.

[Jayhad]

Originally Posted by mtngiant

Let me get to the point....

What is a good/great rod for fishing 20lb+ steelies???

What weight and length would you recommend?

There have been a few comments but I would like more please.

Sage one 8126

8wt 12'6". or 9wt 12'6"

Great rod for the lower fraser valley rivers

[MtnGiant]

Just got a Hardy "Uniqua" 9'-6", 8wt for less than half the retail price for my Steelheadn in BC and to cut thru this dogarn wind that prevails in AB.

Now I just need a reel to suit the setup....any suggestions???
(Thinking new Sage or vintage Hardy "Sunbeam" at this point)

[lannie]

Originally Posted by mtngiant

Just got a Hardy "Uniqua" 9'-6", 8wt for less than half the retail price for my Steelheadn in BC and to cut thru this dogarn wind that prevails in AB.

Now I just need a reel to suit the setup....any suggestions???
(Thinking new Sage or vintage Hardy "Sunbeam" at this point)

Going to BC Steelheading, that's Islanders home turf.
Islander for sure.

[MtnGiant]

Originally Posted by lannie

Going to BC Steelheading, that's Islanders home turf.
Islander for sure.

Yes, thanks for reminding me Lannie...I have been keeping my eye on the Islanders....I'll check into them further.

I actually use a BC made "Kingfisher" centerpin on a Sage 9'-6" river rod when in BC. It's a top notch reel as well.

[Taco]

Islander IRs rock, been lookin' for a IR1 on ebay

[lannie]

Originally Posted by Taco

Islander IRs rock, been lookin' for a IR1 on ebay

You should visit Vic in the Pass Taco, he is an Islander dealer and very fair.