New Echo Rods

[sjkirkpa]

Has anyone tried any of the new Echo rods? I have always enjoyed their rods (and have several), and their reels are OK, too. Looks like they are offering a handful of new single-hand rods, including 2 10ft rods made for stillwater and another rod they call the Echo Trout. Echo says that trout series has different actions at different weights, which makes some sense, I guess. They also have a new higher-end saltwater/big freshwater rod called the Prime.

They also eliminated the Echo 3, which I really like as a fast trout rod. Anyone know why? I suppose it must not have been making them $$, why else eliminate a product line?

I'd be interested to hear about any experiences with their new single hand rods. I don'y pay much attention to 2-handed rods (did I just say that out loud??!!), so I don't know if they have new offerings in their 2-handed lineup.

Thanks.

 

[justahack]

I've not had the chance even to see any of these new rods, but am very interested in the stillwater models.

 

[possiebugger]

Interesting that Echo would come out with two different models at different price points in many of the same configurations that fill the same niche.

The Prime is a little unique, with 8'10" sizes and some 2 piece models offered.

I'm guessing the Echo 3 may just have been at the end of the product life cycle and phased out, yet they apparently aren't offering an all-water flagship sort of replacement. All the new rods seem designed for specific purposes.

The Echo Trout seems to take aesthetic cues from the NRX, with a gray blank accented by blue wraps. Blue reel seat too!

 

[sonicdeath]

ive casted their three new single handed rods. nothing really stuck out to me much if i can remember but they were fun to cast. i couldnt really give you detailed feedback on the rods cause im still relatively new to fly fishing. I did just buy a 6wt E3S-ti though, hopefully a good stick for carping and casting sinking lines in the harbor for spotted bay bass.

 

[sparsegraystubble]

I’m not sure what traits their Stillwater rods are based on. Looking at the specs and description they sound as if they would be a good all around rod for anyone who wants a medium fast longer rod.

I could see using their 10 foot 5 wt for all around fishing in Wyoming trout streams as well as wading our trout lakes. I seldom bother with the float tube anymore because I seem to do as well and enjoy it more by wading.

If I get around to it, I may send Echo an email asking what makes these rods such specialists for lakes.

Don

 

[justahack]

Don,

If you do contact them and hear back, please post. The website doesn't provide much detail.

 

[sparsegraystubble]

Don,

If you do contact them and hear back, please post. The website doesn't provide much detail.

I’m sure that James Lemon from Echo would have no problem with me sharing his reply with our forum. He emailed me immediately after I posed the question to him. My iPad is pretty limited so I have not been able to open the action chart he mentions, but here is his email from today:

Hi Don,
Thanks for reaching out to us about our new Stillwater fly rods. The new model is slated for release in Spring of 2020, so it will be a several months before any of our dealers will have those rods in stock.
The new Stillwater rods were designed by Tim and our Pro Team specifically to cast a wide range of sinking lines as far as possible when seated from a float tube or pontoon. They are lightweight, high-modulus, fast-action 10' rods with plenty of power in the bottom half. I attached our Action vs Power Comparison Chart for your reference. The Stillwater rod will fish great with lines that are true to weight/matched to the same line size.
These rods can easily double as a great indicator rod and with the fast action can definitely cast into the wind! Based on what you intend to use it for, I think it would be one of the best bets in our lineup.
The other rod that you may want to consider is the Echo Lago, which is our more affordable version of the Stillwater. It features a fast action tip but a more moderate power level that works well for a wider range of casting abilities. The Lago will be available in November, so you may want to take a look at that other new model before pulling the trigger on the Stillwater!
Hope this helps,

James Lemon
ECHO ~ Airflo ~ Fish Need Water
7500 NE 16th Ave Suite 1C
Vancouver, WA 98665

 

[justahack]

I’m sure that James Lemon from Echo would have no problem with me sharing his reply with our forum. He emailed me immediately after I posed the question to him. My iPad is pretty limited so I have not been able to open the action chart he mentions, but here is his email from today:

Hi Don,
Thanks for reaching out to us about our new Stillwater fly rods. The new model is slated for release in Spring of 2020, so it will be a several months before any of our dealers will have those rods in stock.
The new Stillwater rods were designed by Tim and our Pro Team specifically to cast a wide range of sinking lines as far as possible when seated from a float tube or pontoon. They are lightweight, high-modulus, fast-action 10' rods with plenty of power in the bottom half. I attached our Action vs Power Comparison Chart for your reference. The Stillwater rod will fish great with lines that are true to weight/matched to the same line size.
These rods can easily double as a great indicator rod and with the fast action can definitely cast into the wind! Based on what you intend to use it for, I think it would be one of the best bets in our lineup.
The other rod that you may want to consider is the Echo Lago, which is our more affordable version of the Stillwater. It features a fast action tip but a more moderate power level that works well for a wider range of casting abilities. The Lago will be available in November, so you may want to take a look at that other new model before pulling the trigger on the Stillwater!
Hope this helps,

James Lemon
ECHO ~ Airflo ~ Fish Need Water
7500 NE 16th Ave Suite 1C
Vancouver, WA 98665

Thanks Don. I’ve also sent an email asking about the weight of the rods and the action with respect to hooking and fighting fish rather than casting. Apologies to sjkirkpa in that I only asked about the Stillwater rods.

 

[sparsegraystubble]

Thanks Don. I’ve also sent an email asking about the weight of the rods and the action with respect to hooking and fighting fish rather than casting. Apologies to sjkirkpa in that I only asked about the Stillwater rods.

Please share whatever you get. These sound like intriguing rods even if they might not be the best fit for me personally. They sound almost more fast than medium fast so they may be too much rod for what I need. If I wanted a real gun, I would probably go Sage, T&T or Radian. I’m thinking something more like Orvis Helios F
Or Scott G Series.

Thanks,

Don

 

[possiebugger]

yeah, thanks for sharing that response!

Is this the action vs. power chart?

from the Echo website.

Also, that Stillwater in a 10'6" 6wt is an intriguing size.

I like the practical advantages of a longer rod, though just about every 10+ footer I've cast seems like the added swing weight just isn't worth it.

 

[sparsegraystubble]

yeah, thanks for sharing that response!

Is this the action vs. power chart?

from the Echo website.

Also, that Stillwater in a 10'6" 6wt is an intriguing size.

I like the practical advantages of a longer rod, though just about every 10+ footer I've cast seems like the added swing weight just isn't worth it.

My longest rod in current use is the Hardy Zephrus Ultralite at 9’ 9” 4 wt. I think it weighs all of 2.6 ounces. Try one if you can. It might be a bit slower in action than you want, but it is light and really quite responsive. I use it for dries, nymphs and small streamers. Not the best wind rod though.

Don

 

[justahack]

Please share whatever you get. These sound like intriguing rods even if they might not be the best fit for me personally. They sound almost more fast than medium fast so they may be too much rod for what I need. If I wanted a real gun, I would probably go Sage, T&T or Radian. I’m thinking something more like Orvis Helios F
Or Scott G Series.

Thanks,

Don

Here's more info from James:

Hi Mike,
Thanks for reaching out to us. The new Stillwater rods are slated to be in your local fly shop in Spring of 2020.
I have attached our Action vs Power chart to give you an idea of the rod's action and power. The Stillwater is designed for casting a full array of floating and sinking lines as far as possible while sitting in a float tube or pontoon. They are lightweight, high-modulus rods with a fast tip and plenty of power in the bottom half. I do not know the weight of each model, unfortunately. These rods are still being tweaked to meet the criteria of our engineers and rod design team.
They will definitely be one of the lighter weight rods that we produce at 10' long.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,

James Lemon
ECHO ~ Airflo ~ Fish Need Water
7500 NE 16th Ave Suite 1C
Vancouver, WA 98665

Maybe these rods will be a bit softer toward the tip than standard fast-action rods. Fast action is great for casting, when we control the bend, but when the rod bends because of a take, that same stiff flex can bounce the hookset. Especially if the take comes when not much fly line is out, like toward the end of a retrieve, or on the hang.

 

[sjkirkpa]

Thanks for following up with Echo. I've been offline for a few days and haven't had a chance to check this thread. The rods sound interesting and I look forward to trying them. - Sean

 

[clouserguyky]

I love longer rods. I think that 10' 6 weight would be a really nice streamer rod for some of our big reservoirs here in the southeast. The 10'6" 6 weight is an intriguing rod for sure, as mentioned. I know it's labeled "Stillwater," but sounds like a fun choice for light steelhead to me.