Opinions wanted........

[Casey A. Wood]

I'm getting close to buying a 3 wt, maybe 4, but not ever having a good rod before, I was wondering what you folks thought about Sage, St. Croix, G Loomis, and Cabela's "Genesis" rods? I forgot to add TFO! My bad....
I realize that bashing a company probably won't be allowed in this thread, but am looking for some positive reaback. Thanks ahead of time!

[SIslandBrowns]

My lightest rod is a Sage SP 4-wt that I bought about 15 years ago. This is a medium action rod - I'm not sure what the current equivalent it, but it's a great dry fly rod and handles smaller nymphs equally well. I've caught some very big fish on it over the years and found it forgiving on my occasional over zealous hard strikes. It has served me very well over the years. I also have a Sage XP 7-wt, which I just love - fast, accurate, powerful.

One name I didn't see on your list was TFO. I have a TFO 5-wt and for the money, it's a gem.

Good luck!

[sbeausol]

i've always had good luck with the middle of the road orvis rods which i think right now is the TLS power matrix. I have a silver label 8'4" 3 wt and it is my goto rod for NH if i'm not throwing large weighted flies

[scoop39]

I was a SAGE man for life until Tom at Mountain Road trading post introduced me to TFO. They are just as good at 1/2 the price. They have a similar warranty and a great customer service! Stop his both at the Pelham show. I believe he's going to have a lot of TFO show specials!

[Kype+]

Casey

I have used both #3 & #4 rods here in our neck of the woods. Unless you are fishing small streams where the #3 will be fun you will find #3 wt lines and rods lacking. For example in the fall we get BWO's in numbers and the wind whips up the valley quite often especially in October. I couldn't make the casts I needed. I switched to a #4 rod. I use 9ft #5 most all season until after Labor day when I switch to the 8ft #4 and find I have a much better handle on things without being too light. If I were looking today for a light rod for fishing our water with small flies I would seriously look at the St Croix Avid 8 ½ ft #4. Other St Croix rods might suit you better and be a bit more expensive but the Avid is a bit softer and better suited to small fly fishing. It isn't a wimp rod however and it will handle a #12 stone fly or an Isonicia just fine. It will also play big fish. It is well suited to the needs you will have on local rivers. Make sure you get a newly produced rod as they now have ART & IPC technology in the Avid series. I would get a 2 piece but that is just my taste in rods. I fished several when I sold them and it was my favorite. I should have taken one for myself but I also had Hardy and I took Hardy rods instead.

I hope this is of some help. If you get an Avid 8 ½ 2 piece #4 and don't like it drop me a line! You will like the price as well as the rod!

Bobby

[Plow Jockey]

Casey,
I too am thinking of a 3wt. for this spring, my surviving winter gift to myself.
I agree with Kype about the St. Croix rods. I have a 5wt 9' and love it. The biggest advice I'll give you is try before you buy. I picked up a nice 7wt. at Clearwater Fly shop last summer, it wasn't the top of line,in fact it was a used rod. Of the 6 rods Stephen like me try it felt the best and I've been very happy with it.
Hope it helps

[Hoosier]

My oh my! Don't forget about Winston! Now there's a sweet rod! Boron IIx Series. Not on the inexpensive side though. WT Series is great too!

[petegas]

My oh my! Don't forget about Winston! Now there's a sweet rod! Boron IIx Series. Not on the inexpensive side though. WT Series is great too!
the WT 8'6" 3wt. a rod that casts so sweet it will give you cavaties.

[Lincoln Brook]

I have a Winston Ascent rod in a 4 wt. Fantastic rod. Use it for big ones and little ones.

[lowwall]

I just built the great Bay Isnglass 3wght, it is actually more like a 3 1/2 wght and likes a 4 wght line. These are nice rods

I just bought a 2 weight 4 Piece TFO Blank, Allot of rod building to do before the season kicks off!

[Casey A. Wood]

I went to Hanover Outdoors to check on their line of rods. Mostly Orvis. Not much in the way of 3 wts., little better on the 4's.
But there , off to one side is a rack for TFO. It is the "Finesse" rod in various wts and lengths. Only $180.00. The 3 wt was sold, so I tried out the 4 wt 7' 9" one. Took it out in the back packing lot, oh baby! You can only cast so far out there, but it is a beauty.
The only thing I feel weirded out was that the peices only go together so far when put together. The salesclerk says that is the way it is designed. He showed me a couple others in the Orvis line.
Sure wish a local dealer has some St Croix's. I'd like to try the "Avid" series for grunts.

[mer]

What kind of ferrules are they? Are they spigot ferrules like on a Winston IM6/WT? If so, then yes, they are designed with wear in mind. If you try and force them you will break the rod or never be able to get them apart.

[Solid]

I think most TFO's are like that (I know the TiCrX is). It seems weird at first, but you get used to it. Finesse series rods are very nice.

[Casey A. Wood]

I was mucking around on the internet to see if the TFO "Finesse" rod has spigot ferrules. I believe they do.
However, I was on a rod repair website. Someone mentioned the TFO Cri rods being made in Korea. Now, my brother has a pack rod from a different company made in Kores, and he has had some problems with it, some brought on by himself. Now, if the Finesse rod is made in Korea, should I be hearing alarm bells going off, or am I just being paranoid?

[logan]

Another vote for TFO here. I have 8'6 5-wt and 8' 2-wt professional series which i love. Since i got them, my Sage 6-wt has not left its bag. Can't recommend the TFOs highly enough.

I also saw one of the magazines did a review of a ton of 5 wts last fall and the TFO professional series scored very highly even when compared to the much more expensive rods.

Try to see Tom at Mountain Road. He has TFO and St. Croix for you to try.

[NH YOUNG GUN]

I also use all TFO rods now. I really like the 6' 2wt that I bought. I use it when ever I have the chance. I also have a 7'6 5wt TFO and use that for little larger rivers. I have had nothing but great experiences with them.

-NH YOUNG GUN