TOP FLY RODS OF 2017
Read about a few of our favorites.
Many new fly rods launched in 2016 at the IFTD dealer show. We cast
nearly all of them, and the problem is there are way too many good ones to
choose from. Since then, however, we have narrowed down the assortment
we have chosen to carry based on having a selection of price points and
different types of fishing styles available at our shops. Here is our crazy line
up of our favorites that land well under the $230 mark after having some
time fish and cast all of them.
a. Eagle Claw Crafted Glass Fly Rod “Sweetheart”
7’6”, 8’6”
Eagle Claw Sweetheart – New? Sort of. You can find these in antique
shops like we did HERE. However, the new version that Eagle Claw
just released comes with some updated hardware, better real seat, and
updated grips. Plus glass fly rods are trending again due to their classic
feel but most are $150+ and these are way less. If you want to try the
glass game this a great and classic starting point.
b. Echo Carbon XL Fly Rod
1350242, 1350245, 1350248
8’4” 4WT, 9’ 5WT, 9’ 6WT
Echo Carbon XL and Ion XL – unbelievable. I have never in my career
seen a fly rod company pass on the savings to the consumer like
Echo does for us. Tim Rajeff and his crew took both the Carbon and
Ion series and made them lighter, stronger, and… wait for it. Yep, less
expensive as well. Hats off Echo. This is hands down the best “value”
we carry and it will be very difficult to beat.
FRED TELLEEN
A long time service strategy is
“under promise, over deliver.” With
the Loop Q, the strategy is “under
price, over deliver.” I’m happy to
have this rod in my hands and
excited to sell it to anyone.
DILLON GIVEN
The Q is an incredible feather-light/fast
action rod built for speed, accuracy, and
punching flies into the wind. This rod will
throw 90 feet of fly line when held in the
right hands.
c. Loop Q-Series Fly Rod
9’ 4WT, 5WT, 6WT, 7WT, 8WT, 9WT
Loop Q - This rod wasn’t even in the booth at the IFTD dealer show this
year. After placing our orders we were on a Skype call with Loop HQ
over the pond in Sweden and SURPRISE… we have a new rod series.
The Loop Q samples were rushed in and we started fishing them right
away. See Fred’s blog HERE. These rods are designed perfectly by
Loop’s infamous design team, they fish much higher than their price
tag and we were very impressed. We also think it’s really cool that they
released a rod that more people can afford.
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