Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Hey guys,
I spent last weekend on a new river in Central Oregon. It was very high and deep, and the first day only got two fish with a thingamabobber, my poorest day of trout fishing in like a year. The next day, I decided to ditch the thingamabobber, and spent the day high sticking. Totally uncharted terrain for me, but managed to get 10 fish. It was a complete "Eureka!" moment for me, and I'm really excited to stay off my bobber addiction and start learning some Euro Nymphing methods.
I found this forum yesterday, and my god, what a wealth of great information!
Anyways, I'm thinking about picking up a Rod for Czech/Euro nymphing, something in the 10-10.5ft range, and I'm looking for suggestions. I as originally looking at the 5100 z-axis and the 5100 Scott S4, until I found this forum, and realized that most people are using 3-4wts. The Winston BIIX 4100 sounds like it could be nice too, and I typically really like the action on Winston rods. The echo Shadow also sounds like a really good bet, but, I have a pretty large store credit with a Fly Shop, and they don't carry echo. In other words, I could get a Sage or Winston for free, but if I get an Echo, I'm gonna have to pony up $330 out of pocket.
What are your suggestions? Typically, I'm not a huge fan of Sage for freshwater, as I find most of them to be overly powerful and fast for trout fishing. Like I said, I'm a big winston fan, so am curious if any of you have tried the new 4100 BIIx.
Or, should I just pony up the $330 and get the Echo? It sounds like a great Rod, and I am a big fan of Echo rods.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
Spencer
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Here are the rods that I own and can recommend:
SAGE 10 foot 4 weight Z AXIS
Greys Streamflex 10 foot 3 and 4 weights
Shadow PE 3106 10 ft 6" 3 weight
Hardy Marksman 10 foot 4 weight
All above are the rods that I own currently or have owned.
I would also add the LOOP Opti, but at 11 feet it is very specialized.
If I had to narrow the field to three, they would be the following:
Hardy Marksman 10' 4 weight
Greys Streamflex 10' 4 weight
SAGE Z AXIS 10' 4 weight
all of the above rods will also be great for fishing with indicators or wet flies in addition to the EU methods. If you want a rod for this type of fishing only I would add the 10'6" Shadow PE to the list.
I hope this helps you out!
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Thanks Aaron, that's really helpful!
I think I'm kind of leaning towards the 4100 Z-axis. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like it's probably a bit more versatile than the 3100/3106 Shadow? I'd like to czech nymph as much as possible, but realistically there will be days when I need a bit of extra reach and have to reach for that indicator, or a hatch is going off and I want to fish dries. Sounds like faster tip on the Z will better facilitate the different styles of fishing?
Spencer
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
[quote author=AaronJasper link=topic=4319.msg34014#msg34014 date=1271177014]
Here are the rods that I own and can recommend:
SAGE 10 foot 4 weight Z AXIS
Greys Streamflex 10 foot 3 and 4 weights
Shadow PE 3106 10 ft 6" 3 weight
Hardy Marksman 10 foot 4 weight
All above are the rods that I own currently or have owned.
I would also add the LOOP Opti, but at 11 feet it is very specialized.
If I had to narrow the field to three, they would be the following:
Hardy Marksman 10' 4 weight
Greys Streamflex 10' 4 weight
SAGE Z AXIS 10' 4 weight
I hope this helps you out!
[/quote]
Holy that is alot of rods.
I have a little three or four weight cortland thats like 50 years old,
and I have a tfo signature series thats a 6 weight.
I need to save up and get a job.
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
I'm in the process of getting a Grey's Streamflex 10' 4wt for this exact purpose... an all around river rod for EU, indicator, and occasional dry fishing. Gonna pair it with a black Nautilus FW 5 with an Airflo Ridge Line Supple Tactical Taper DT4.
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
I have the Greys 10 ft 4 wt. and I think it is an excellent all around rod. I have been using it for Euro, Indi's and just the other day dry / droppers. It is one rod that does it all. I have it set up with the Litespeed reel and it's pretty well balanced.
Good Luck
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
The greys 10 ft 3wt is my personal favorite for euro nymphing as per Aaron's advise. The all around rod which I have is the TFO pro 10 ft 5 wt. It does wets, casts dries, french long line nymphing,. Streamers, chucks an indicator rig a mile and dry dropper. Its 210 bucks. Great life time warranty. My only complaint is I have lost a number of large fish with this rod. I blame it on the rod because it can't be me..When using the Greys streamflex I have not had that problem. Dollar for Dollar it is has no peer in my humble opinion.
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Bob,
What reel do you use with the TFO to balance it out? I'm thinking of adding the same rod to my arsenal. Davy likes it and recommends it for wets also.
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Hey frank,
Davy is partial to that rod because he designed it for TFO. Ofcouurse he's going to like it. Lol. I use a ross evolution #3 (old style) on it
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Spencer,
Definitely go with the Shadow! ;D
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Pete the Shadow is aptly named.It is nowhere to be found! Ha ha!
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Tell me about it Magnet!
Good one btw!
The damn rods were supposed to be out a month ago...I'm "optimistic" that the Echo boys will produce the rods on the latest promised delivery date--April 19. fingers crossed.
Bret and I are sharing one prototype for each model between the two of us...it is getting old!
cheers
Pete
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Just kidding Pete. I have recently tried out one of your prototype demo rods and it was fantastic for the short time I used it. Good job!
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
He didn't break it in his usual fashion! He usually likes to give the rod a "door test." He hasn't found a rod that can pass it!
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Oops! The cats out of the bag! I pestered him for weeks to let me try it and look what happens. I fell in love with it imediatly although it was a short romance. I want to tell the guys that Sunday I hooked a 20 inch brown at the head of a pool in some riffle water. The situation didn't alow me to move down stream when he made a run south. That rod was strong enough and flexible enough to bring that fish back up to me and eventually into the net. Very impressive. It snaps a Euro French leader around with authority and has a quick response when a hook set is called for. Ok, is that enough testimonial to get me off the hook here? Pete? Aaron?
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
I just ordered a 10-1/2' Shadow PE from Bob Marriott's Flyfishing Store, and asked them to check with Rajeff sports for the latest story on when they would arrive in the US. They were told "by the end of April" -- which is the same thing Rajeff told me late last week. I hope it's one of those under-promise and over-deliver deals, because I sure would like to have that rod in my hands by Michigan trout opener on April 24th!
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Bio,
Last I head the rods would be in Vancouver by April 18th...so I'm not sure when they reach the dealers...
I hope soon...
Mag, I love fighting fish on that 3106...the combination of a stiff butt, soft tip and long reach is something that one notices withing seconds of having their first fish on with that rod....
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Spencer, pony up! It is worth it for this rod. Its probably not the best rod to take when you are at a high gradient small river with heavy brush boulders and over hanging trees like I did. Its not the best senario for that beautiful hybrid euro nymphing rod. I did catch 5 nice trout before it met its demise however. I felt bad when Pete said he and Bret were sharing one rod and now I have two. At Petes suggestion I emailed Jaime at Rajeff sports. He was very nice about it. He said mail it in and we will either fit a new tip or send a brand new one out. He said the new rods will be there next week. Can't ask for better than that. I wonder when it comes in if Aaron will let me hang onto it for another week or so cuz to tell you the truth, I just didn't get enough time with it.
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Come on guys yall are making me want the Echo! I just ordered a Streamflex! Haha I swear this could be classified as a clinical disease.
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
Loupe, you will love the streamflex too.Its just that the extra 6 inches really matters. I'm using my Greys Streamflex 10 ft 3 wt Friday morning. Ill post some fish pictures.Hopefully!
Re: Which Czech Nymphing rod to get?
I ended up ordering the Zaxis 4100. Seems like a good bet as far as versatility goes, with a slightly stiffer tip section.
Don't get me wrong, I really want one of the Shadows as well. If I really get into the euro nymphing thing, I'll probably end up with a 3106 shadow as well. Turns out the shop that I contract for can in fact order me an Echo, and I have some more shop credit coming my way :)
Thanks for all the info guys. Unfortunately I won't have the new rod in time for a float on the McKenzie (oregon) tomorrow, but should have it in time for whatever I get myself into next weekend.
spencer
