NEW EURO RODS

[Lance Egan]

Dejon,

Unfortunately there isn't a great answer for that question.  I don't "normally" fish any size tippet.  I think it's best to match the tippet size to the flies, fish and or river conditions.  I commonly use 3X-6X, but mix and match accordingly.

I was probably a bit hasty calling the streamflex a hunk of junk.  Obviously it is a decent tool, but it lacks a few core characteristics that make or break a "great" rod, at least for me.

The CZN 1004-4 is a touch lighter than the same Z-axis.  I've asked the guys at Cabelas Corporate office to add the physical weights of the CZN's.  They tell me they will send a request thru to add the weights.  Now we just have to wait until they show up online...

[Jason Hearle]

Has anyone had a chance to test/feel the Winston 10' 4wt BIIX?

[Josh Almond]

I will be ordering the b2x as soon as the funds allow.  Someone will probably review it before me but i'll still put up some thoughts

[Torrey Collins]

Lance-
Regarding the Streamflex, were you talking about the 10 #3 or 10' #4, 'cuz they are two totally different animals.  I agree that thhe #3 is very soft, even a bit noodley, while the #4 is a true medium fast rod and a very different stick.  The 4 weight is the big seller in our shop & by far the more versatile of the two, but the people that do nothing but Euro mostly seem to really like the #3, esp. for French/Spanish style long leader techniques & light tippets and/or light nymphs.

Are most of you comp guys switching rods when you change tactics, or does one rod generally do it all?  I know in my own fishing, if I was forced to pick one all-around rod for trout it would be hands-down a 10' #4.  I'm still fishing my trusty old Sage XP 4100-4 & I still love it.  Although of late my Hardy Marksman Drifter 11' #5 has become my go-to rod for all my nymph fishing (Euro and Indy) & wets too.    

[Nick Naclerio]

Although of late my Hardy Marksman Drifter 11' #5 has become my go-to rod for all my nymph fishing (Euro and Indy) & wets too.

Agreed

[Pete Erickson]

Hate to pile on Dejon,

But I used the Z-Axis 10ft 4wt exclusively at the Penn Nationals as well...It might be too stiff for some folks, but not for me...I tend to be in Lance's camp when it comes to quick, stiffer Euro-Rods...I want a 20 cm fish to come flying in to my net, I'm not worried about playing it or bouncing it off.  I also dont have a lot of patience for a "slower" rod when I'm competing...not to mention the tracking accuracy that is lost via a "noodly" rod.  The softness of the Loon Euro Nymph rod made me re-think some of these things...and I've settled in on more of a 3/4 flex rod that is quick and light.

all that said, If the fish are hot or larger in a particular comp, and I have no choice but to fight them, I have noticed the Z can be too stiff, and thus bounce off fish or pull the hook out...I will use the Loon or another slower mid-flex rod.  Or if I'm not competing, I actually enjoy Euro-nymphing with a softer, slower rod...

congrats Lancy! You ole' Rooster you!

  I'll give you a call

Pete

[Dejon Hamann]

Hate to pile on Dejon...

As my old shop manager Jim Guida used to say, pointing to his shoulders: "pile it on, I'm Atlas."  jk jk

This is exactly what I want out of this site:  Many different and often directly opposing viewpoints!  Our knowledge development is going to be quite limited if we all sit around saying: "oh yes, I agree with you, that's the best, your the best, and so and so,". Hopefully it goes without saying that we need to keep it in a civil/constructive tone though (read: mandatory administrator blab).  All right, I'm feeling insecure... would someone please agree with me  

[Mark Hanes]

Good point D! 

So you want to sell that Z-axis (that you hate so much)? 

[Nick Naclerio]

Its funny that Pete said he likes a more noodly rod while not competing. I was really wondering why you guys liked those stiff rods but because I'm not a comp guy I never thought of the fact that you'd want to send your little fish flying to the net. Makes sense to me now. I'll stick to the noodly rods. Although the Hardy has a real soft tip and then some serious back bone.

[Chris Smith]

I have a bit of crow to eat as well.  I'm surprised Baker hasn't served it up already.  He's slipping in his old age.

My list of rods "to buy" is now completely erased...hoping to play with the 10 ft Z, Grey's, and Marksman at the upcoming Fly Fishing show.  I wish there was a way to play with the CZN rods alongside the others.  

[Josh Almond]

Should we drive up to wheeling?

[Jason Baker]

I have a bit of crow to eat as well.  I'm surprised Baker hasn't served it up already.  He's slipping in his old age.

My list of rods "to buy" is now completely erased...hoping to play with the 10 ft Z, Grey's, and Marksman at the upcoming Fly Fishing show.  I wish there was a way to play with the CZN rods alongside the others.  

LOL :-)

[Chris Smith]

Should we drive up to wheeling?

Oooh...sounds like a road trip, with good fishing along the way.

[Mark Hanes]

Heck I can meet you guys there its only 3hrs from me.

[Paul Bourcq]

Hell Ill go to WV let me know.  I fish a z-axis and like it alot.  One rod i really liked and plan to get once i recover from Xmas is the Loop Opti Peak.  Any thoughts on it?  A polish friend of mine from upstated NY fishes it and was the first one to turn me onto it.  Its a little long for smaller streams though.

[Lance Egan]

Nympho,

I was referring to both, but the 3 is definitely softer than the 4.  I agree with you that the 4 is a better all around tool, but both are too slow for me.  Specifically the recovery speed.  The action of the 4 is Ok but just a bit slow on the dampening.  The 3 is too soft/noodly all around for my lack of taste.....  I do as little rod switching as possible during a comp.  I loved the 1004-4 XP as well......at least until I fished a Z.  Sold my XP to a local guy getting into Euro style stuff.

Paul, Mark and Chris,

Before you guys drive 3 plus hours to Wheeling call and make sure they have CZN's in stock.  I can't tell you how many times customers come in to my Cabelas store assuming the retail location has everything available through the catalog only to find out the item they are after is not in the store.  I wish we could fit everything in all locations, but the reality is that somwhere around 40% will fit.  At least in the Utah store (170,000 sq. feet)....  You could also do an in store pickup to assure the CZN's don't sell out before you arrive.  Let me know if I can help you with this.

[Lance Egan]

Petey,

I look forward to your Echo designs.  Sounds like some cool stuff! 

You hit it on the head.  The tracking loss with a rod that is too soft can really make your drift efficiency suffer.  Give me a shout when your not warping the minds of Boise's youth

For me, the 1004-4 Zaxis is my fav rod for landing fish 22'' or less.  In fact wednesday my Z helped land my first winter double of the year!  If I'm going to consistently take fish over 20'' I'll opt for a 5 or 6 wt. 10 footer.

[Nick Naclerio]

Just a note here guys I was in the Hamburg PA store the other day and they don't have the rods in that store, yet. I wasn't there for the rod.

[Dejon Hamann]

Lance, Pete, & whomever,

Could you help define and elaborate some of these terms:

"Tracking Accuracy(Loss)"

"Recovery Speed"

"Slow on the Dampening"

[Jason Baker]

What do you boys think of the 10 foot GLX sticks in the 5,6 weights?

[Jason Baker]

bump

[Lance Egan]

Jason,

Sorry, I don't have much for you on the GLX rods.  I had a chat with Steve Rajeff a couple of years ago about the tapers preferable for Euro style rods, and he told me he'd send a prototype to get some feedback.  I never saw any prototypes, so I have nada...

More recently, I contacted my sales rep to see if he had samples of the rods so I could fish them a bit before purchasing.  I was assured I would see some demo rods as soon as he had them, but that was months ago, so I quit holding my breath....

If I get my hands on one I'll let you know how it performs.

[Mark Hanes]

I am glad i am looking for a new euro rod this year.  Looks like there are some decent options.

[Bret Bishop]

Lance and Pete's observations on the advantages of a faster action rod while competing are right on target. In addition to tracking accuracy and tip recovery I will add that the faster rods allow one to set the hook with more speed and economy. With softer rods (like the loon) it seems you need to be in the butt of the rod before the hook sets. With a Z- Axis the fish is already in the net. While I like my 10/4 Z, for my home waters I prefer the lighter 9 1/2 4wt.  But for those in the market, wait for the Echo rods. I believe the 10/3 may be the answer to all our prayers.

[Chris Smith]

Great thread guys...many thanks.

I've been Euro fishing with an XP since I started competing.  The incredulous looks I received from other anglers, however, always made me wonder if I had the right rod for the task at hand.  

My experiences told me that I wasn't dropping any more fish than the next guy, however, and like Randy I believed most of the drops to be poor technique.  

A bit more experience and a move to hooks designed to be barbless (no more flattening barbs)...and I rarely drop a fish now.

I do need a longer rod, but I think I'll be sticking with the fast action.  The Z seems  to be the ticket.