[overefined]

I was wondering if anyone had spent enough time with these two 4 weight 2 pc. rods to give an accurate comparrison. My wife would like to try fly fishing this summer and it seems like a good way for me to get a 4wt.
I have casted the fli and I think its a good rod, priced at 275.00
Ive never casted a TFO and am not sure about the different models
but on the fly shop site the finesse at 179.00 would be a great buy
any thoughts.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi overefined,

I have not cast either one of these rods so keep that in mind. The Fli is probably a faster rod than the Finesse. The slower action of the Finesse may be easier for you wife to learn with. If I was buying for my self I would pick the Fli but I don't care for slow action rods. Give your wife a couple of lessons and let her try the Fli.

Frank

[overefined]

thanks Frank for the response.
I have no experience with TFO rods. Do they make a model thats closer to the Fli? Just wondering

[Frank Whiton]

Hi overefined,

Take a look at the TFO Pro. It is a faster rod than the Finesse. I don't know how it compares to the Fli. The TFO Pro is a very good rod for the money. Several of the forum members use them. But that can be said for the Fli also. If I wanted a new rod I would pick the Fli over the TFO Pro. If I wanted to save some money and still get a good casting rod, I would pick the Pro.

Frank

[FlyRichardFly]

I have a FLi and I simply love it! I also like a fast rod, like Frank, and the FLi is a quality fast rod for a modest price.
The TFO's are great, but they seemed a bit tip heavy to me when I tried them...... and a med-fast action rod.

[racine]

Overfined,
I haven't cast the Sage Fli but have cast the Finesse. The TFO is a fine rod with a medium-med/fast action which is a good learning rod. I almost bought that rod but I was looking for a Sage SLT(similar action). I have to share info about rod I bought a month ago that was highly recommended. It is an Albright A-5. It has a medium fast action and just a hoot to cast and fish. I think it is a better rod than the Finesse, comes with a sock and tube and is currently selling for $137 + shipping! I've got the 4wt 5pc which fishes very identically to my Sage SLT($550+ rod) and has an unbelievable casting range. I like it so much I may get another at that price.
Racine

[tie one on]

I own a Sage FLi 9' 4wt 4 piece & absolutely love casting
this rod. Of all (5) five of my fly rods I feel that this is the
easiest casting that I own. I did a close comparison between
this Sage & the Scott A2 before picking the Sage. I have
never casted a TFO, but I've read allot about them & that
many enjoy them throughly. As we have discussed many times
on this forum picking a fly rod is an individual/personal
preference. My best advice is to cast each rod & see how
they feel, then make your choice. I may tend to lean on buying
a less expensive rod to begin learning fly fishing. Many rod
manufacturers are making more affordable rods. Maybe once
you really "got the bug", like many of us, you can upgrade,
but again that choice is totally up to you. If you do end up
with a Sage you won't be disappointed.

Tie One On

[BlueDun]

Everyone has their own personal preferences with fly rods. One of mine is to have a rod that has limited (or no) bounciness in the tip after you cast. A lot of people love the TFO rods. I think the tips on TFO rods are too bouncy and slow to recover after a cast. The FLi is a great rod and has a much faster recovery. than the TFOs. IMHO, I think that the more limited the bounce in the tip, the easier it will be for a beginner to control and learn to cast.