Looking for a new rod.......

[mikel]

so you have 500 bucks for the rod or for an outfit, inc reel, line, backing, etc?

New or used?

Do you happen to own a rod already?

What action or flex rod do you prefer?

Is there a fly shop within 1,000 miles of you?

Where do you live? If you live in the east you must buy Orvis. In the west, Sage. In the midwest I guess you're screwed.

I'm sure the definitive answer is only a few posts away. good luck in your quest.

[i suck at fishing]

Originally Posted by sbreech

That would be an easy question for me : Orvis Superfine Touch.

completely agree. Have one and it is great.

[fly_guy12955]

I know I'm wanting an Orvis Superfine Touch more than I did my first kid. It'll perform better I'm sure.

[chased]

Originally Posted by mikel

Where do you live? If you live in the east you must buy Orvis. In the west, Sage. In the midwest I guess you're screwed.

.

Got a kick out of that lol!

It's hard to recommend something without knowing some more information, but $500 will buy you pretty much any production rod that you desire if you do a little searching. I have a 9ft 5wt Z Axis that is seeing less and less use because I like my Steffen 5/6 better .

-Chase

[mcphoto]

Echo 3 and I'd buy a 6 weight too. Best deal in fly rods.

[stuie675]

Still loving my Flying Pig 5wt. 200 bucks, but has the quality of a 600 dollar rod.

[moucheur2003]

Originally Posted by mikel

Where do you live? If you live in the east you must buy Orvis. In the west, Sage. In the midwest I guess you're screwed.

Nonsense! In the midwest you must buy St. Croix, and fortunately their Legend Elite is another very fine rod. The 9x5 lists for $440, right in the strike zone but low and inside.

[derelict]

Ill throw this out there but Sage Flight. I have one in 5 weight. 8'6". I put Rio Grande line on there and I like it now. Was too stiff before I put a little heavier line on it. You can pick up the rod on clearance for $215 pretty easily. I got the rod, Rio line and backing, and a Greys reel for about $305. Great combo.

[sweetandsalt]

Are the Steffen Brothers in the mid-west? And if the Wisconsin-built(?) Legend Elite (with 3M mid-western technology) has the control to pitch low and inside consistently, it too is a worthy contender (the mid-western Cubs could use one). As is ECHO3 (I have the #6 also) even though it is west coast. We can nail this down when Pickle tells us where and how he hopes to fish his new rod.

[chi flyfisher]

Originally Posted by moucheur2003

Nonsense! In the midwest you must buy St. Croix, and fortunately their Legend Elite is another very fine rod. The 9x5 lists for $440, right in the strike zone but low and inside.

I've fished the Legend Elite last spring (my guides stick) in the 486 and didn't like it. Slower than my typical rod but adjusting the stroke rectified that. I just didn't feel that it had as much feel as I like - strange since it was slower than my 486 ZXL. Just goes to show you that slower doesn't equal "feel" and we all respond differently to different sticks. To each his own...

Cheers,
Mike.