For many rod inquiries I'm a pretty active voice, trying my best to provide accurate personal experience casting and/or fishing most rods I comment on.
As some of you know, I have spent the last 3+ years thinning down my lifetime rod collection toward downsizing and retirement coming (hopefully) in the next couple years. I've relegated myself to keeping only 2wt-6wt gear, for solely trout only fishing, to cover anywhere I may fish my remaining days in AZ,CO,WY,MT,ID,NM,UT.
I have made great progress in this goal, and although painfully parlaying many great rods, and the associated many memories, passing my collection on to others to enjoy has been overall rewarding. When I guided as a young guy, I spent all of my weekly tip money on either rods or beer. As I ventured into the business world, I spent most of my discretionary income on gear, with years of high acquisition and other years of little if any acquisition. The outcome, to scale this somewhat, resulted in an accumulation of slightly over 250 rods and a large storage room of gear, I'm now down to about 70 rods, 1/4 of the gear, and continuing to thin. I think I have made a lot of anglers happy with some pretty rare pieces that are newly in their possession.
I'm obviously well on my way to my downsizing goal. And I have focused not only on downsizing but updating a few categories and pieces along the way.
I am now entering a category to fill that I have less familiarity with than most others, a high-stick, Euro Nymph, Float Tube arena, the usage will be primarily Small to Medium Tailwaters and maybe a step up larger water or two, obviously nymph primarily, but would appreciate the ability to throw a dry with confidence if need be, potentially float tube but far less likely than walk and wade. I have cast both of the rods in the title, but fished neither. I have cast most other 10'/4wts as well, I am looking for 4wt exclusively, I prefer the lighter swing weight and feel of these two rods, especially in this 10' length config.
What I am seeking is feedback from people that own and have hopefully, extensively fished one or both of these rods. As I have yet to FISH either of them. I realize there are numerous other rod options in this category, I have explored some of them, but I have comfortably wound down to specifically these two, and am particularly interested in the intricate differences of each ones capabilities and real usage variances, what each does well, not so well, and not at all. Really the nitty gritty down and dirty details, not the high level, both similar roles, scenario. I have my own thoughts from the casting sessions, but I'm looking for real world on water confirmations. Thanks.
As some of you know, I have spent the last 3+ years thinning down my lifetime rod collection toward downsizing and retirement coming (hopefully) in the next couple years. I've relegated myself to keeping only 2wt-6wt gear, for solely trout only fishing, to cover anywhere I may fish my remaining days in AZ,CO,WY,MT,ID,NM,UT.
I have made great progress in this goal, and although painfully parlaying many great rods, and the associated many memories, passing my collection on to others to enjoy has been overall rewarding. When I guided as a young guy, I spent all of my weekly tip money on either rods or beer. As I ventured into the business world, I spent most of my discretionary income on gear, with years of high acquisition and other years of little if any acquisition. The outcome, to scale this somewhat, resulted in an accumulation of slightly over 250 rods and a large storage room of gear, I'm now down to about 70 rods, 1/4 of the gear, and continuing to thin. I think I have made a lot of anglers happy with some pretty rare pieces that are newly in their possession.
I'm obviously well on my way to my downsizing goal. And I have focused not only on downsizing but updating a few categories and pieces along the way.
I am now entering a category to fill that I have less familiarity with than most others, a high-stick, Euro Nymph, Float Tube arena, the usage will be primarily Small to Medium Tailwaters and maybe a step up larger water or two, obviously nymph primarily, but would appreciate the ability to throw a dry with confidence if need be, potentially float tube but far less likely than walk and wade. I have cast both of the rods in the title, but fished neither. I have cast most other 10'/4wts as well, I am looking for 4wt exclusively, I prefer the lighter swing weight and feel of these two rods, especially in this 10' length config.
What I am seeking is feedback from people that own and have hopefully, extensively fished one or both of these rods. As I have yet to FISH either of them. I realize there are numerous other rod options in this category, I have explored some of them, but I have comfortably wound down to specifically these two, and am particularly interested in the intricate differences of each ones capabilities and real usage variances, what each does well, not so well, and not at all. Really the nitty gritty down and dirty details, not the high level, both similar roles, scenario. I have my own thoughts from the casting sessions, but I'm looking for real world on water confirmations. Thanks.
