Author Topic: 1st Impressions: Cabela's CZN rod... (Read 2775 times)

Jason Hearle · « **Reply #25 on:** February 12, 2010, 02:42:28 PM »

Has anyone tried the b2x 10' 4wt yet? It's supposed to be a contender, but I have yet to see a dealer in my area with one.

Bret Bishop · « **Reply #26 on:** February 12, 2010, 08:26:39 PM »

Quote from: Paul Bourcq on February 12, 2010, 02:03:46 PM

Brett, Im not sure if it counts but Joe Roope at Castaway sells the Loop Opti Peak which is an 11 foot 3 or 4 weight.

Thanks Paul. Is that rod marketed specifically for nymphing by Loop? I will research it.

Paul Bourcq · « **Reply #27 on:** February 13, 2010, 07:03:58 AM »

Brett the rod was designed for Salmon fly Dry fly fishing. A guy that helped me with my polish nymphing( a polish guy from upstate NY named Emil Nynader) fished one with a danielsson reel. It is a long stick and not for everything but is a good tool for alot. Nobody, save people on the board, really now its euro nymph potential. Emil fished from his knees in alot of classic czech riffle water and railed fish. Its a good stick. If only they made a 10 footer. I asked Joe Roop if he could get a 10 footer and he said loop didnt make one.

I have thrown it with the camou french leader (24feet) a small mono sighter and a single micro mayfly fishing upstream french style and didnt feel overly heavy. Sensitivity was good and line mangement with 11 feet was solid. It made that first golden 3-4 seconds of drift very easy to keep instant contact with the flies. I like it but i want a 10 foot rod. Im gonna pull the trigger soon on something.

Bret Bishop · « **Reply #28 on:** February 15, 2010, 09:01:39 PM »

Thanks Paul for the info on the Loop. I am trying to identify companies that are specifically marketing to this niche. Can you think of any others? Also, if you can wait, the Echo 10 or 10 1/2 will suit your needs.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #29 on:** March 01, 2010, 09:17:58 AM »

Fished the 3wt CZN again yesterday. This is really just a "fun" rod to fish. It feels really light in the hand, yet is very responsive. Casts a light dry/dropper with great accuracy and holds little headshakers to the point. I would highly recommend this rod to anyone who is seeking a "light presentation" rod which could be anything from delivering small nymphs at distance on a french system without wind to heavy near distance polish nymphing to accurate presentation of light dry/dropper setup.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #30 on:** March 01, 2010, 09:21:07 AM »

This rod really sounds like the perfect small to medium stream nymphing stick. I know I liked the rod if that means anything.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #31 on:** March 31, 2010, 09:58:20 AM »

Got the CZN 10' 4wt yesterday. My first impression is that it is a sweet stick that is very light. Other than that I can't say much more until I fish it. Hopefully for an hour after work tonight. It really is a nice looking rod. I will post my full review after I get some more fishing done with it this weekend.

Allen Bole · « **Reply #32 on:** March 31, 2010, 10:51:47 AM »

I pick on up on Sunday after football pratice it looks great I will be putting to the test this Sat too.

Lance Egan · « **Reply #33 on:** April 02, 2010, 12:14:05 AM »

FYI,

Cabelas CZN's are back in stock and available to ship.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat604915_TGP&id=0079710321288a&navCount=1&podId=0079710&parentId=cat604915&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IA&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

Shameless plug...

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #34 on:** April 02, 2010, 08:42:14 AM »

It is a sweet stick and i will be posting a full review after I get some serious fishing in with it this weekend.

Kierran Broatch · « **Reply #35 on:** April 02, 2010, 09:39:55 PM »

I have the CZN 4 wgt. with two trips under the belt and third coming tomorrow. I have it matched with a RLS II reel. I've only used it for Euro methods so far, but bought it with yarn and football indicator methods in mind too. The rod is ligher in hand than what I'm used to and the price point was very attractive. I landed a few holdover fish in heavy current already too. Good fit for me.

Lance Egan · « **Reply #36 on:** April 03, 2010, 12:52:40 AM »

Great to hear the CZN's are treating you guys well! I hope they continue to help you find fish!

Mark, I look forward to your honest report.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #37 on:** April 13, 2010, 09:54:57 AM »

I received the rest of the CZN lineup yesterday: 10ft 4 and 5 weights.

My first impression is the 4wt is going to be the direct competitor for the Sage Z-Axis 4wt 10ft. It's a snappy light little rod with a fast action and relatively soft tip. The dampening is impressive. The 5wt initially feels like a much faster rod and may just be an excellent streamer or big river, big fish nympher. All first impressions.

The team will be putting the whole lineup through the paces this weekend.

One thing is for certain: the CZNs are certainly going to be hard to be beat at the current price point.

Kierran Broatch · « **Reply #38 on:** April 13, 2010, 10:20:46 PM »

I've had the 10' 4-wgt CZN for one month now. I've used it for Euro nymphing on three seperate outings; only positive experiences so far. I finally got to test it on a nice fish in fast water last Sunday and was impressed how she handled. The price just makes it sweeter IMO.

Domenick Swentosky · « **Reply #39 on:** April 14, 2010, 11:55:57 AM »

Quote from: Dejon Hamann on April 13, 2010, 09:54:57 AM

My first impression is the 4wt is going to be the direct competitor for the Sage Z-Axis 4wt 10ft.

Dejon -- or anyone else who has cast both of these rods -- are you saying that you think the CZN and the Z-Axis have a similar action?

I know very little about rods and I've been fishing the same 8'6" Avid for a bunch of years now. However, I've been euro nymphing now long enough to feel the need for a longer rod, and a faster action. I find myself constantly extending my arm to full length and stretching the rod almost flat to reach where I want to be. Also, I feel that I'm having to push through my cast too much and always waiting for the rod to load, so I'm ready for a faster rod.

There's just no way I'm buying a Sage anytime soon so I'm looking for options. The slower action rods used for euro nymphing don't interest me. That's why I'm curious about your statement on the CZN.

Enjoy the day.
Domenick

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #40 on:** April 14, 2010, 12:02:05 PM »

Dom it is a faster action. Not as fast as a Z-axis but close. It will work great for you. If you are interested I am thinking of stoping at Spring Creek tomorrow for a little bit if you want to meet up and give it a try.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #41 on:** April 14, 2010, 12:25:04 PM »

Quote from: Mark Hanes on April 14, 2010, 12:02:05 PM

Dom it is a faster action. Not as fast as a Z-axis but close. It will work great for you. If you are interested I am thinking of stoping at Spring Creek tomorrow for a little bit if you want to meet up and give it a try.

That being true. If you're looking exclusively for a Euro Nymphing rod I'd spend a little more and go with the PE Shadow. It's nice and fast and longer then the CZN so you'll feel like you have "go-go gadget arms" after wielding an 8'6"

Domenick Swentosky · « **Reply #42 on:** April 14, 2010, 01:52:00 PM »

Quote from: Dejon Hamann on April 14, 2010, 12:25:04 PM

It's nice and fast and longer then the CZN so you'll feel like you have "go-go gadget arms" after wielding an 8'6"

That's funny. I'm looking for a more all around rod though. I've enjoyed fishing the same rod for most everything through the years and making it work. Also, I fish Spring Creek and Fishing Creek a lot and I'm already concerned that the 10' will be a little long for me. It'll certainly take some adjustment.

Mark, thanks for the offer. Check PM.

Thanks for the input guys.

Fish on.

Enjoy the day.
Domenick

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #43 on:** April 14, 2010, 02:09:04 PM »

Domn, thus far the only thing I don't like to use the Shadow for is throwing streamers.

Domenick Swentosky · « **Reply #44 on:** April 28, 2010, 09:41:17 AM »

I picked up a CZN ten footer and after fishing it pretty solid for a few days and landing some fish, I've gotta say that I have a different opinion than most here. I straight nymphed, fished dry dropper and threw a pair of streamers, rotating through these techniques and even going back and forth with a couple rods that I am familiar with to compare and contrast.

Two things. First it just doesn't have that sweet, nimble, crisp feeling that I enjoy so much. Second, I don't care for the transition from stiff butt to softer tip. Not that the tip is super soft or anything, and actually I like the idea of a bit softer tip, I just don't like the way it's put together. It feels especially odd to me when fighting fish.

Overall, it just doesn't have that feeling that I'm looking for, but I DO agree that at this price point, it may be impossible to find a better 10 foot four weight.

I'm sending it back in exchange for the 9'6". That may be more of what I'm looking for, although I'm concerned that with it being a three weight, it's not gonna be enough of an all-around rod for me.

These are just my experiences with the rod. I'm no expert, and not much of a gear hound, but I do know what I like.

What's up with the single foot snake guides? I had two of them bend when disassembling the rod. The rod was wet from the rain and my hand slipped back over the guides, they bent way too easily. I've never had that happen before.

Enjoy the day.
Domenick

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #45 on:** April 28, 2010, 09:49:57 AM »

If you are used to a shorter rod it does take some getting used to the different feel of a longer rod. I hated how 10' lor longer rods felt at first. It took some getting used to. The 9'6" 3wt is a little bit softer action rod and I think you will like it better.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #46 on:** April 28, 2010, 01:37:18 PM »

See for me the Greys feels awkward. It is just too soft for me. We all have our own preference. If you get a chance stack the CZN up against a Z-axis and you would be surprised how similar those rods feel. The Z is a little smother but both are nice rods.

Pete Erickson · « **Reply #47 on:** April 28, 2010, 02:16:46 PM »

Mark you'll find that the Echo Shadows are also very much like a Z-Axis action...except for the tip section which is actually a different type of graphite(slower) than the rest of the rod...

tells you something about what a winner the Z-Axis series of rods were! emulation is the highest form of compliment...