Author Topic: 1st Look: Echo PE "Shadow" 10.5ft 3wt (Read 600 times)

Dejon Hamann · « **on:** February 12, 2010, 10:26:15 AM »

Just received the new Echo Pete Erickson "Shadow" in a 10'6" 3wt last night. [ECHO Shadow PE 3106 10'6" #3 Line]

I know fellow USA teammates Pete Erickson and Bret Bishop have been pretty excited about these rods and for good reason. Right out of the box this stick looks mean, lean, and ready to do business. With a dark matte black/powder gray finish, black guides, no fancy accentuating wraps, dark real seat, and dark real rings the only thing that might reflect a bit of light is the cork handle... if you could call cork reflective. The overall effect says: "I'm a competitive tool, not a fly shop magnet." The looks carry over into the action. With almost all rods over 10ft it balances a little tip heavy solo, so you're going to want match it with an appropriate reel. But I weighed it out at a minuscule 98grams w/ plastic wrap still on the handle. Coincidentally the exact same weight of the much heralded Sage Z-Axis 10ft 4wt. Balancing the Shadow across your finger at the bare pivot point which lands about 5inches short of the first ferule you start to experience how light this long rod is. Now the good stuff. The action is fast. "But wait a second Dejon. Did you say the action of this new Euro Nymphing rod is fast?!" Indeed. Again, much like the Z-Axis this rod has a very crisp fast action through ¾ of the length, but then tapers quickly into a soft, but not sloppy tip. These attributes will definitely result in very accurate tracking and lightening fast recovery.

Will this be the “funnest” rod in the genre to play fish on? Probably not. And is it a sexy looking conversation piece to impress your friends with? Definitely not. But then again that’s not what this tool was obviously built for. This rod seems to have one purpose in mind: to provide the competitive angler with a rod that will respond when called upon.

Of course, these are all observations gleaned from the safety of my living room. I’ll reserve my full review for how it more importantly performs streamside.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2010, 10:31:54 AM »

I can't wait to see how this rod is on the stream!

Todd Oishi · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2010, 10:32:20 AM »

Thanks for posting this review Dejon. Can't wait to hear how it performs on the water!

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2010, 10:38:30 AM »

Thanx guys. Can't wait myself.

Mark, shooting for the 21st to test them all down your way conditions dependent. We'll string up your loon, the z, czn, streamflex, shadow, and a winnie and tfo for reference.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2010, 10:47:08 AM »

Sounds Like a plan!

Pete Erickson · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2010, 11:13:44 AM »

cool Dej,

I'm glad you like the simple looks of the Shadow...Ironically the first prototypes were much more "jazzy" they were pretty rods...but all of that extra bling added 10 extra grams! so we did away with it.

I weighed my 3106 today and it came in at 97.4 grams...so the 3106 is about a gram heavier than the factory told us they would be...but hell who cares...they are still crazy light for that long of a rod...

your preliminary review is right on with what we were trying to do with these rods...hope it fishes well for you...and dont be afraid to cast a wet fly rig with it...I think you will be surprised at how well the 3106 cast a full fly line...

Loren Williams · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2010, 11:40:04 AM »

Where did you get it??? Echo told me they would not be available until next month!

Bret Bishop · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2010, 11:44:31 AM »

Dejon- I think Nymph Man is pretty sexy.

I look forward to your next review.

Pete Erickson · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2010, 12:01:40 PM »

Loren,

There were a few final prototypes sent out to internet site owners that might do a review...I'm pretty sure Tim and his Echo design guys have "tested" (or shattered!)the remaining final prototypes by now. The initial product release worldwide is sometime in March I believe...I have a funny feeling that they are going to sell out the first run and have a back order pretty quickly...I hope not, but that is the unfortunate buzz coming out of ECHO...we'll see

Bret Bishop · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:09:16 PM »

Pete...that is a good thing.

Pete Erickson · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:12:22 PM »

True...Bret

get back to work! young minds need your clandestine lessons....

Bret Bishop · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:13:52 PM »

Look who is talking...Kettle

Pete Erickson · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:15:12 PM »

touche'

Reid Bacon · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2010, 02:04:37 PM »

I like the sound of it already. The rods that I have built have all been simple in looks, but I have added some bling to some and when you add bling you no doubt add weight like you guys said. I always said if I was gonna build a rod for these intentional purposes it would be like an SR-71 super stealth no b.s. no frilly stuff. I just hope I can get my hands on the first run of these.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2010, 03:15:04 PM »

Just a few notes guys:

1) It's a minor thing, but I just love the tiny white alignment dots on this rod.

2) My prototype is probably ever so slightly different then the rod that will be shipped. The picture in the catalog seems to have a dual tone "half wells extended cork handle with composite pressure zone"... whatever that is

And an upgraded "light weight carbon fiber skeleton reel seat."

Pete Erickson · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2010, 03:21:59 PM »

Dej,

those are some of the changes that happened...we got rid of the composite grip and the nicer reel seat...they were too heavy...

I like the dots too...it's amazing that more companies dont do this!