spey rods

hi guys, My friend Jerry John is big into two handed spey rods. When I last saw him I casted his 12ft Echo 5wt. Needless to say I was hooked, I liked the smooth, soft action and the fact that it was a light line. I'm considering buying one to play around with, I want a soft action and something like a four or five weight, and in the medium price range ($200-$300) just to play around with and get a feel for it. Any suggestions??

Thanks, kyle

Id suggest the an echo in that case they are nice rods and designed by a reel fishermen

TFO has recently introduced the Deer Creek series Switch Rods, I have the 4wt and it is very nice for line control when nymphing.

I also have a Sage 12ft 5wt in the older discontinued SLT color with Graphite IIIe construction, these can be found commonly on the used spey rod boards for $250-$300.

Jerry Jahn is an excellent two handed rod caster and teacher, I have also learned a lot of interesting casting techniques and custom line construction from him. He started me down the Skagit line path,,,, very usefull casting with heavy flys and sink tips.

Regards,
FK

FK,

yes Jerry has been a really good friend of mine for a few years now and I have learned a lot from him, he has also got me into bamboo (which was the greatest discovery of my lifetime). but I have tried out the SLT before in an 12foot five weight and it is indeed very nice. What is the action like on the Deer Creek series??

Go to Albright's web page and check out their line of two handed rods. They have a 50% off sale going right now. Yes, 50% off. :o You won't believe the deals and the rods are pretty good from reviews I've read.

yeah, the deals are great, but they are running out of stock fast. Buy em cheap while you can!

Kyle,

The Deer Creek is very light in weight, with flex in the upper 2/3 and plenty of strength in the lower 1/3. The rod is a great improvement over the earlier 11ft 5wt which I find rather tip heavy and klunky.

If you can find a two handed Albright in lighter line weight at 50% discount,,,, jump on it.

Regards,
FK

Thanks everybody for your suggestions, I'd love to get an albright because the prices are so great but they only have 9/10 and 10/11 weight rods. I think I'll end up with a TFO or a an Echo.

Thanks again, kyle

One other company to look at is beulah ,look at their switch rods ,they are sweet ,in 400 range nicer action then tfo .Id only suggest the 11' rod from them the professional . Otherwise Im not impressed with the deer creek series and the colors are hideous !
Do you realize that with the longer rod you will have to buy a larger reel for a 5wt you would have to go up to a 6 or 7 to compinsate for the length of the pole ?

nutman,

When you say compinsate for a longer rod do you mean in weight? as in to balance out the rod?
If so then yes I realize that, but what size reel would you suggest for an 11ft four weight??

-kyle