Loon Light Touch Rod - Pete Erickson Pro Model 10ft 4wt

[alanb_ct]

I just bought one of these at an affordable close-out price. I thought I should mention this little-known option, as this rod was designed specifically for European nymphing techniques. The rod action is quite similar to the Temple Fork Professional Series 10ft 5wt that I also own. This is not a rod designed (at all) for tight loops and distance casting, but it possesses a super soft action perfect for strike detection needed when Euro-nymphing. The rod is truly a full flexing one in that it bends way into the butt section, especially when fighting a fish. I had no problems protecting light 5X tippet when fighting a 3lb recently stocked Farmington two-year old brown. The rod I bought is called the "LLT 10' 4# 4pc."

It's nice to have and a great value, but day-in/day-out I still prefer my Z-Axis rods! I can extend my arm all day with the 9.5ft 4wt and never get tired. Both the TFO and the Loon rod have more mass towards the tip, so they require a heavier reel to achieve the right feel.

[jhouseman]

Good review. I've been thinking of grabbing one of those for quite some time, but I all ready have too many rods in the quiver. Another great rod that is emerging as a standard for European Nymphing techniques is Grey's Streamflex - I think they have 3,4,&5 wts in 10 footers.

[alanb_ct]

You're welcome. Technology always moves forward, so since I got this rod, I am really keen on the new Hardy rods. Aaron and Torrey are raving about the new Hardy Marksman 11ft 5wt and I can't wait to see this rod. I have also read many favorable UK reviews about the Grey's Streamflex rods, mostly in the 10ft 4wt, and I believe this rod is also affordable.

[jhouseman]

I hear ya! I was salivating over my new Z-axis rods for months and months - 9.6/6wt & 10/4wt. No sooner did I get them in the mail and I was off dreaming of another rod. Rods are definitely an important tool, but I'm not really lusting after them like I used to. I definitely need to add a longer soft action nymphing rod or 2 to the arsenal and then a 3rd bench backup lake rod, but that's about it. Funny, one of my favorite rods is a 9/3wt Winston Vapor - by all means a piece of garbage chinese build, but it just works for me. I've learned, especially over the last year, that I can get way too caught up on gear changes and not concentrate on technique. Maybe left over from my days working as a musician thinking that the next guitar or pedal would be the key to unlocking my innate sound! However, I will say that switching over to KNapek hooks recently has been money WELL spent!

[alanb_ct]

I actually saw one of the new Hardy rods today, an 11ft, 6wt Marksman and it is gorgeous and really well-made. I did not have time to cast it.

I love the Z-Axis also and am lucky to have two, a 9.5ft/4wt and 10ft/5wt. Both awesome rods! The longer one is the best indicator rod I have fished.

This season for most of my Euro-nymphing, I have used the smaller Z-Axis and my TFO Pro 10ft/5wt.

[jhouseman]

I can see how an 11ft rod with the appropriate action would be very beneficial for Euro nymphing. The one thing I can't see is paying over 200 bucks US for the rod. I mean seriously, aren't we just talking about a light weight noodle here? There's basically no casting associated with a fly rod at this length and weight. Too bad TFO hasn't come around to offering some decent rods in this arena - I'd scoop them up asap and reccommend them to my clients regularly. Unfortunately all I see on the map right now are the discontinued Loon rods and Greys priced appropriately.

[Nymphmeister]

Yeah, the Grey's Streamflex series has 10 footers all the way down to a #3, and they are priced at only $300. I haven't cast or held the 10' models in hand yet, but the 9' ones I cast were excellent. I understand from a Scottoish friend that in the UK, Grey's are the best selling fly rods. I guess they are the "TFO rods" of Europe. We will have them in the store by late October, I'm excited. Finally, and affordable 10' 4 weight rod.

Longer rods have been popular in Europe for a long, long time, it took a while to catch on in the USA. I was lucky, I did a brief stint as a Steelhead guide in the Salmon River area in NY right after college, and my "mentors" turned me onto longer rods & I've been fishing them ever since.

Modern rods just keep getting better. About the only big improvement left would be to make them more durable, the tip sections on rods are still pretty darn vulnerable to breakage.

[alanb_ct]

"Tips are vulnerable to breakage"

Torrey, boy do you have that right! I broke the tip on my Z Axis 10ft and have been without it for almost a month! Sage is (finally) sending it back next week.

Earlier this season, I broke the tip of my TFO. TFO's return service took only a week.

[jhouseman]

Oh jeeeebus! I broke my 10ft/4wt Z last week in Canada and have to send it in. Or rather I should say - I was an idiot while stringing up my rod and putting on the ground for someone to step on with studded wading boots. Just minutes before I was starting my 1st river beat too! Almost made me cry So, 5 weeks is the turnaround now? Oh well, at least steelhead season is upon us.

[alanb_ct]

One good thing about this forum is that I can go back and look when I filed a report. I looked back and found that I broke the rod on August 30. I mailed it for Sage receipt on September 3. The return shipping date is September 30, so it required a four week turnaround. Sage is good at communicating with its customers and a $50 repair fee seems reasonable for a ~$700 rod. Wish it was a little faster, but overall, I am happy with Sage so far.