Stillwater Trout Fly Rods
By Scott Clayton

A good balanced fly fishing outfit, one that matches the conditions you intend to use it in, allows you to focus on your primary fly fishing tasks: determining what and how fish are eating, and presenting a suitable imitation. If any piece of your outfit doesn't fit the conditions, it can be a distraction and anything that distracts you will decrease your odds of catching fish. Choosing the right fly rod for the conditions you fish is an important step towards a good balanced fly fishing outfit.

When choosing a fly rod, one of the first considerations to make is how and where are you going to use the rod, for example, a rod that works well on small streams is totally inadequate when fly fishing for Steelhead in Alaska. Stillwater trout fishing is an enjoyable type of fly fishing, especially from a float tube or kick boat. While you can probably catch fish on stillwater with any rod you own, there are several rod characteristics that enable the stillwater fly fisherman to focus on the fish and not on the rod. Denny Rickards, in his book "Fly-Fishing Stillwaters for Trophy Trout", suggests that "Selecting a rod for stillwater angling means a rod with some backbone, a long rod for power and distance, yet delicate enough to handle a big trout on light tippets."

Once you've determined where you're going to fish, you need to choose the line weight of the rod. Some people say the line weight of your rod should be matched to the location (or type of location) you are going to fish. Others suggest it is a personal preference. According to Denny Rickards, "Surprisingly many anglers make the mistake of matching the rod to the size of fish they hope to catch, rather than the size of tippet and fly which will balance the presentation." In my experience the woolly bugger and its variations are the most commonly used flies on stillwater. Sizes range from 6 to 10, and weighted buggers, at times, can be deadly. Dry flies, nymphs, and other streamers all have their place in stillwater fly fishing. Just be sure your rod can deliver all the flies commonly used where you've decided to fish. Also, while fly fishing stillwater, it is quite common to use a variety of lines - from floating or sink tip, to intermediate (slow sinking), to fast sinking. In order to throw a weighted size 6 woolly bugger (or sometimes two) while using a fast sinking line, a 5 or 6 weight rod is recommended. Even though I have heard of people using 4 weight rods on stillwater, I don't recommend it for those just starting out.

Next up in the selection process is choosing the length of the rod. Rods in the 9' to 10' range allow you to cast reasonably well from the sitting position, a requirement for those attacking stillwater via a float tube or kick boat. When using a rod shorter than 9' while in a float tube, it takes a fair amount of effort to keep your back cast off the water, even when casting short distances. In addition to ease of casting, you gain a significant amount of line control with a longer rod.

One more consideration is tip sensitivity. While hooking and playing a fish, a soft tip will act like a shock absorber. This in turn will protect lighter tippets and make it easier to land the fish faster. With rods that don't have a sensitive tip, you run the risk of either breaking off the fish or over playing them into complete exhaustion (a major factor leading to fish mortality). Related to tip sensitivity is the action of the rod. The action of a rod is probably the most personal choice you'll have to make. Your goal is to find a rod with the type of action that best fits your casting style; simply put, a rod that feels good to cast. This is the most difficult area of rod selection to compare with other people because each person has a different casting style. That's why it is so important to try a rod before you buy it.

I tried the following rods:
Orvis Trident TL 9'0" 5 weight 4 piece (Tip-Flex 9.5)
Thomas & Thomas Horizon 10'0" 5 weight 3 piece
G. Loomis GLX 10'0" 5 weight 2 piece
Sage SP 9'6" 5 weight 3 piece
Scott Eclipse 9'0" 5 weight 3 piece
Winston LT 9'0" 5 weight 3 piece
Redington Freshwater 9'0" 5 weight 4 piece
,/p>

I gave each rod a stillwater rating between one and five fish. One fish meaning the rod is not easy to use on stillwater and five fish meaning the rod is very easy to use on stillwater.

For the side by side casting comparison I used Scientific Anglers GPX (floating) line. I used the following method of measurement: I put marks on the line 30', 40', 50', and 60' from the tip of the line. So the measurements are from the tip top guide on the rod to the tip of the fly line (this does not include the leader or tippet).

While fishing I used Scientific Anglers GPX (floating) line, Scientific Anglers Stillwater (slow sinking) line and Scientific Anglers Wet Cel II (type II fast sinking) line. All of these were 5 weight.

I used the Orvis Rocky Mountain reel, size 5/6. This is a solid reel with a disc drag. The cassettes were great. While fishing two rods, I had a Rocky Mountain on each rod. So switching line to either rod was a cinch. The best part is this reel is very economical.

I was curious to know how accurate the manufacturer's rod weight numbers were. So I took all the rods down to the post office. They had a scale that was accurate to 1/10 of an ounce. I weighed the rods by placing each one, one at a time, in the Sage rod tube (minus the lid) and then standing it vertically on the scale. After writing down the result, I removed only the rod, not the sleeve, and then stood the rod tube back on the scale. I took the first number and subtracted the second number to get the final weight. It seems the final value is accurate plus or minus 0.1 ounce. The postal scale always seemed to round up. For reference, the plastic pen (bic like), including its lid, I used to record the numbers weighed 0.2 ounces. Also a postal Flat Rate Envelope used for Global Priority Mail (medium sized thin card board style) weighed 0.8 ounces.

For each of the rods listed below the first rod weight value came from the manufacturer, the second rod weight value, in parenthesis, is the result of my trip to the post office. I found it interesting that some of the manufacturer's numbers were right on my numbers, and some were way off.

Short range is less than 30'.
Medium range is 30' to 45'.
Long range is 45' to 60'.

Orvis Trident TL 9'0" 5 weight 4 piece (Tip-Flex 9.5)


Action            Fast
Rod Weight    3.25 oz. (3.3 oz.)
Price              $535

Introduction

Having heard so much about Orvis, both good and bad, I felt like I had to give them a try, to find out for myself. Orvis has many different rods to choose from. In addition to the normal rod characteristics (line weight, length, etc), they've added their flex index rating. This basically translates into the action of the rod, but it was semi-confusing, in the catalog, to see the exact same model twice differing only by the flex rating. I knew I wanted to try a 4 piece and felt that the 9.5 tip flex rating would help me achieve the distance I was looking for.

Line Weight/Action

Casting this rod side by side with the others, I was able to easily get out 40' of line. I did have a hard time establishing a good rhythm using the 5 weight line, especially in the short range. While I was able to punch 59' of line out using a double haul, I felt that this rod would balance much better with a 6 weight line, even in the long range. I put on a 6 weight line to validate this theory and the 6 weight line was a much better fit. On the water I used both 5 and 6 weight fast sinking line. Again casting with the 6 weight line felt much better than the 5 weight line; I kept trying to muscle the 5 weight which really tired out my arm. One day while fishing on Electric Lake, the wind started blowing and the fish stopped rising. I picked up the Orvis rod and was able to cast and continue to catch fish despite the windy conditions.

Rod Length/Sections

In general a 9'0" rod will work on stillwater as well as rivers; it is a more versatile length than some of the longer rods. However, because this is a fast action rod (tip flex 9.5), it is right at home on big water. Each of the 4 pieces is around 28 inches in length (give or take a 1/2 inch). The rod comes in a 30 1/2 inch rod tube. This is a great size. It makes packing the rod, in your vehicle or backpack, a snap.

Tip Sensitivity

I wouldn't say that tip sensitivity is one of this rod's biggest assets; however, while fishing with it I felt like it got the job done. While using this rod, I did break off one fish while trying to set the hook. However, I caught many others without a problem.

Appearance

This rod is dark green and is trimmed with 3 gold strands at the bottom of each section. This sample came with a gold uplocking reel seat and a nice wood insert. The grip is a reversed half-wells. The stripping guide is black as are the snake guides. The marks on each side of the ferrules make aligning the 4 pieces a no-brainer; especially because the butt piece doesn't have any guides on it. The fold down hook keeper is a nice thing. This rod comes in a 30 1/2 inch Cordura covered rod tube and a rod sleeve.

Warranty

This rod is guaranteed for 25 years against breakage of any cause, for the original owner only.

How I Would Use This Rod

I would use this rod in windy conditions and as a backup rod. Because it takes up so little space, I'd leave it in my truck. That way I'd be prepared should an emergency fishing situation arise.

Summary

If line speed is important to you then check this rod out. There's potential for some serious distance here. It is the fastest of the rods I tested. Since I prefer a rod that is a little softer, this wasn't my favorite. I'm guessing a rod with a mid-flex rating around 8.5 would better match my casting style. Orvis does make a Trident TL 9'0" 5 weight (Mid-Flex 8.5), but it is a 2 piece; I wish they made a 4 piece version. One thing is for sure, the Trident TL rods are quality rods.

Thomas & Thomas Horizon 10'0" 5 weight 3 piece


Action            Fast
Rod Weight    3.78 oz. (4.0 oz. including a permanent fighting butt)
Price              $490

Introduction

I can't remember seeing a Thomas & Thomas rod in any of the local fly shops I've been to. However I've done quite a bit of reading, especially on the Internet, and found there were many people who recommended Thomas & Thomas rods. Because of this, I felt like I had to give them a try. In talking with the folks at Thomas & Thomas, we decided the Horizon 10'0" was the best 5 weight choice for float tubing.

Line Weight/Action

Casting this rod side by side with the others, I was able to easily get out 45' of line. I was able to consistently cast over 50'. It was easy to establish a nice casting rhythm with this rod, but it did feel a bit awkward in the short range. This rod was easier to adjust to than some of the more flexible rods. For consistently casting less than 30' a 6 weight line may be in order.

On the water I used both 5 and 6 weight fast sinking line. While it cast both lines just fine, I preferred using it with the 5 weight line. After casting for a while I was able to approach the 60' range but not consistently. I was fishing on Huntington Reservoir when the wind picked up and the fish stopped rising. Using this rod, despite the windy conditions, I had a ball catching small Tiger Trout. That's one thing I really like about this rod: it's sensitive enough to enjoy catching a 10" fish.

Rod Length/Sections

The Horizon 10'0" is tailor-made for float tubing. While casting longer distances, it is easier to keep line off the water with that extra 6 to 12 inches. The 10'0" length does take a little adjusting to. The length was most noticeable when changing immediately from a 9' rod to this 10' rod; it took several casts to adjust. However, starting with the 10' rod it wasn't as much of an issue. This rod handles line very well. The fact that this 10'0" rod is a 3 piece is a real advantage. Each of the 3 pieces is around 41 inches in length (give or take a 1/2 inch). This makes loading the rod into a vehicle, even in a cramped garage, a simple task.

Tip Sensitivity

For a fast action rod it has plenty of sensitivity. Even though I didn't catch any large fish, I really enjoyed the feel it had while catching smaller fish; this is an extra bonus on a fast action rod. I'm sure it will do a good job protecting tippets.

Appearance

This rod is deep blue. It has the serial number written at the base of each section. This sample came with a black uplocking real seat with a nice wood insert. It comes with a western grip and a permanent fighting butt; for me, a fighting butt on a 5 weight rod is overkill. The stripping guide is black while the snake guides are silver. The tip guide is oversized which is supposed to shoot the line better. It comes with a nice sized hook keeper. This rod comes in a metal rod tube with a rod sleeve.

Warranty

The Thomas & Thomas warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials for the lifetime of the original owner. While it may cover accidental damage it does not cover intentional damage.

How I Would Use This Rod

I would use this rod in my pontoon boat along with the Sage. I'd rig this one up with the fastest sinking line I'd expect to use. I would also use it when I need to get the line out over 30'. If the weather turned windy, I'd reach for this one. If I ever fish an area that has guaranteed big fish, I'd be sure to bring this one along as a solid big-fish rod.

Summary

I was pleasantly surprised by this rod. The Thomas & Thomas Horizon I tested is a nice, solid rod. I really enjoy the feel of it. Compared to the other rods I tested, it is a bit bulky; but on the water that never crossed my mind. It is one of the easiest to establish a good casting rhythm with. I'm glad I was able to try it, because before this I knew nothing about Thomas & Thomas rods. I couldn't choose between this rod and the G. Loomis GLX for my second favorite, so it ended in a tie. If you are looking for a solid float tube rod, be sure to cast this one.

G. Loomis GLX 10'0" 5 weight 2 piece


Action            Fast
Rod Weight    3.15 oz. (3.4 oz.)
Price              $565

Introduction

I've heard about and seen G. Loomis rods, and to be honest I had mixed feelings about them. I was originally looking at their more moderate action rods. The fast action classification of the GLX had me thinking, stiff, stiff, stiff. But while talking with the folks at G. Loomis, we decided, for float tubing, the quality and rod weight of the GLX could not be matched by any other rod.

Line Weight/Action

Casting this rod side by side with the others, I was able to easily get out 30' of line. I was able to cast 50', but that was it. This rod performed very smoothly in the short and medium range. In fact, this doesn't feel like a fast action rod; this rod has feeling. I really like the flexibility. I think because of the flexibility, and because it is 10' long, I couldn't get past 50'; it requires a more disciplined casting rhythm, in the long range, than I have. I'll sure enjoy working on solving this problem.

On the water I used 6 weight fast sinking line. Even though it did a fine job with this line, I prefer how it balances with 5 weight line. When I fished this rod on a windy day, it took some adjusting to develop a good casting rhythm, but I finally got the hang of it. I was rewarded with 3 14"-15" Cutthroats. I especially enjoyed the feel of the rod while pulling in the fish. Of all the rods I tested, I was the most pleasantly surprised by the feel of this one, mainly because it is classified as a fast action rod.

Rod Length/Sections

The GLX 10'0" was specifically designed for float tubing. It casts very nicely from short to medium range. However, casting the 10'0" length does take a little time to adjust to. This rod handles line very well. The fact that this 10'0" rod is a 2 piece is convenient only when putting the rod together. Each of the pieces are 61 inches long. The rod comes in a 63 1/2 inch rod tube. Loading it into your vehicle can be a real chore, especially in tight quarters. As painful as it was, it should be noted that I was able to fit the rod tube diagonally across the back seat of my '92 Ford Ranger extended cab (no windows open).

Tip Sensitivity

This rod is very sensitive, especially for a fast action rod. I'm confident it will do a great job protecting tippets. I really enjoyed the feel of the rod while playing the fish; even smaller fish. It is one of the nicest feeling rods I tested.

Appearance

This rod has a buffed grey non-glare finish, which gives it a metallic, space age look. Each of the wraps contains a blue collar in it; the collar sparkles in the sun. This sample came with a black uplocking reel seat with a nice dark wood insert. The grip is a reversed half-wells. The rod has 2 stripping guides and black single foot guides. Two reasons for single foot guides: they are supposed to tangle less than snake guides; and since each guide requires only one wrap, a weight savings of the second wrap and the epoxy finish is recognized for each of the single foot guides. It has a hook keeper. This rod comes in a 63 1/2 Cordura covered rod tube and a nice rod sleeve. This rod is one of the nicest looking I tested.

Warranty

G. Loomis offers a limited lifetime warranty on every rod they make. That means for as long as you own the rod, they'll repair or replace it free of charge should a defect in workmanship or materials be discovered. In cases due to accidents, neglect, misuse, or wear over time, they will repair or replace the rod for a nominal fee.

They also have a new program aimed at fly fishermen who encounter problems while on a trip and require immediate action. If you break a rod and want a fast replacement, simply call the G. Loomis service center and give them the rod model and your credit card number. For $45 they will ship you a brand new rod 2^nd day air. In addition to the new rod, you'll receive packing and pre-paid shipping materials to return your damaged rod.

The thing I like most about the G. Loomis warranty is that it is not exclusively for the original owner. The warranty is on the rod, regardless of the owner.

How I Would Use This Rod

I would use this rod in my pontoon boat along with the Sage. Depending on the day, I'd either use intermediate or type II sinking line (or faster). I'd use floating or intermediate on the Sage to begin the day. I'd have no problem using the slower sinking line on this one. I'd also be happy to use it in situations where I probably wouldn't catch anything bigger than 18 inches. I think it would work great with big fish, too.

Summary

This rod was a bigger surprise than the Thomas & Thomas. I never expected a fast action rod to feel so nice. And the cosmetics make it one of the nicest looking too. This rod is one of the lightest, but to be honest, I have a hard time discerning weight differences of three or four tenths of an ounce with my hand. If this were a 3 or 4 piece it would challenge the Sage for my #1 favorite. After speaking with the folks at G. Loomis and using this rod for over a month, my opinion of G. Loomis has changed for the better. As I said above, I couldn't choose between this rod and the Thomas & Thomas Horizon for my second favorite, so I left it a tie. If you are in the market for a float tube/stillwater rod it's tough to beat the beauty and feel of this rod.

Sage SP 9'6" 5 weight 3 piece


Action            Medium-Fast
Rod Weight    3.56 oz. (3.7 oz.)
Price              $590

Introduction

Sage has so many rods to choose from, the difficult part was deciding upon just one. I own a fast action Sage (9'0" 6 weight). I tried for a year and a half to love that rod, mainly because I spent so much money on it. Now it is collecting dust in my closet. My mistake was in not trying it before I bought it; it is a good rod, but the best thing I learned from that experience is the kind of action I don't like. I found I prefer moderate over fast action. The SP 9'6" 5 weight matched exactly what I was looking for in a stillwater trout rod, but I wasn't about to buy this one without trying it out.

Line Weight/Action

Casting this rod side by side with the others, I was able to easily get out 40' of line. Using a double haul I was able to chuck 60' of line. This was the only rod I could do that with; however, I had a difficult time duplicating that feat. For me, around 55' was easier to obtain on a consistent basis. The surprising thing about this rod is it adjusted to me, not the other way around. I really had a hard time articulating this until I read Sage's description of the SP and that just fit; the SP rods "don't dictate how you have to cast them. You can push them for more power, or you can back off and achieve great delicacy." This is exactly how I felt while casting this rod. This rod performs well from short to long range.

On the water I used 6 weight intermediate sinking line and 6 weight floating line. Both were great to cast. However, I prefer to cast this rod with 5 weight line. I was able to cast far enough to catch several gulpers; one was a nice 17" cutthroat. The broad casting range and the sensitive feel make this rod a real joy to fish with.

Rod Length/Sections

The SP 9'6" is the perfect stillwater rod. I think the 9'6" length is easier to cast in the short range than the 10'0" rods and at the same time has plenty of umph when going for distance. I had no problem establishing a good rhythm, no matter what the distance, unlike the 10'0" rods which took some adjusting. After testing these rods I believe that 3 pieces is a minimum. Each of the 3 pieces is 39 inches (give or take a 1/2 inch). The rod comes in a 40 3/4 inch rod tube; you'll really appreciate this come time to load up for the big trip.

Tip Sensitivity

No problems here, this rod is very sensitive. It does a great job protecting tippets. The feel of this rod while playing a fish is very sweet; one of the best I tested.

Appearance

This rod is dark green and is trimmed with 2 gold stripes at the bottom of each of the upper two sections as well as surrounding the logo and hook keeper. This sample came with a silver uplocking reel seat and a nice wood insert. The grip is a reversed half-wells. The stripping guide and all of the snake guides are silver. A nice touch is the marks used to make aligning the 3 pieces less of a hassle. This rod comes in a 40 3/4 inch aluminum rod tube with a rod sleeve. This rod is one of the nicest looking I tested.

Warranty

Sage's Unconditional Original Owner Guarantee gives anglers absolute assurance that their investment in a Sage rod is safe. Regardless of the cause, Sage will promptly repair or replace any rod, reel or blank that is defective or damaged, free of charge. In addition, each rod is inscribed with its own serial number for easy identification and registration.

How I Would Use This Rod

If I could only own one stillwater rod this would be it. However I would prefer to use it with a floating or slow sinking line in conjunction with the G. Loomis GLX or the Thomas & Thomas Horizon because I don't really like to change lines while on the water.

Summary

This is the only 9'6" rod I received but I can't hesitate to declare it my #1 favorite for stillwater fly fishing. This rod is the easiest to establish a casting rhythm with. It casts effortlessly from short to long range. It has a sweet sensitivity while playing fish. And, it is one of the nicest looking rods I tested. All this combined, nudges the SP 9'6" past the others as my personal favorite. Even though it is one of the heaviest rods in this review, if you are looking for a stillwater rod it needs to be on your short list. You have to cast this one for sure. If you are interested in a more versatile rod, for use on stillwater or rivers, Sage makes a 9'0" version of the 5 weight 3 piece SP that will fill your requirements nicely.

Scott Eclipse 9'0" 5 weight 3 piece


Action            Medium-Fast
Rod Weight    3.2 oz. (3.6 oz.)
Price              $560

Introduction

The first (and only) rod I built was a Scott PowrPly 8'6" 4 weight. I love this rod, but like my first experience with Sage, I got this rod for the wrong reasons: I thought I'd fish rivers more, and someone told me it was good (you'd think I'd have learned to try the rod first). So while I used this rod for a season, I ended up using it mostly on stillwater. This experience helped me understand that I needed a heavier rod with more length. The Eclipse seemed to be the logical next step, in between moderate and fast action, 5 weight, and 9'0" in length.

Line Weight/Action

Casting this rod side by side with the others, I was able to easily get out 35' of line. I was able to cast it 50' without a problem; 52' was the best I did. It excels in the short to medium range. One thing I really enjoyed was that (especially after casting a faster action rod) this rod really encourages, in fact demands, that you slow down your casting stroke and let the rod do the work. Every time I tried to muscle the rod, it resisted. This is a rod that, with enough practice, will improve your casting rhythm. I did find it a chore trying to get a lot of line out; but this is another rod that would be a pleasure to practice with in order to more comfortably cast it longer distances.

On the water I used 5 weight slow sinking line. It cast fine in the short to medium range but had some problems when wind came up or my arm got tired. I noticed while fishing this rod and the Orvis (switching off after a couple of hours) it took several casts to get my rhythm in tune with this rod. However, there isn't a rod I'd rather catch a fish with, it's silky smooth flex made landing the fish a real pleasure.

Rod Length/Sections

This 9'0" rod will work on stillwater as well as on rivers; it is a more versatile length than the longer rods. There is not a rod in this review that casts better in the short to medium range. This rod meets my minimum requirement of 3 sections Each of the 3 pieces is 37 inches (give or take a 1/4 inch). The rod comes in a 38 inch rod tube. Where ever you go, you'll appreciate this size.

Tip Sensitivity

This rod is very sensitive, one of the best I tested. It does a great job protecting tippets. None of the rods I tested has a better feel while playing a fish.

Appearance

This rod is deep green and is trimmed with 2 gold strands at the bottom and top of each section as well as around the logo area. It has the serial number written at the base of each section. It uses internal ferrules. This sample came with a silver uplocking reel seat and a nice wood insert. The grip is a modified wells. The stripping guide is silver while the snake guides are gold; the gold guides are my personal favorite. A nice touch is the marks used to make aligning the 3 pieces less of a hassle. It has a hook keeper. This rod comes in a 38 inch aluminum rod tube with a rod sleeve. One minor issue: the top rod section didn't seem to fit very well in the rod tube; it was crammed against the lid. This rod is the nicest looking of the rods I tested.

Warranty

Scott's Unconditional Lifetime Warranty covers this rod against breakage of any kind, for the original owner only.

How I Would Use This Rod

If I wanted not so much a stillwater speciality rod but a rod that could be used on stillwater as well as rivers this would be a good choice. As a stillwater only rod, I'd use it mainly with floating line but wouldn't have a problem using an intermediate line as well. I'd use it in conjunction with one of the longer rods (Sage, Thomas & Thomas or G. Loomis). Or maybe on an occasional pack trip.

Extra

Scott uses an environmentally-friendly coating process on this rod. They use ultra violet light to cure the rod. This means they use a photo-reactive cure rather than a chemical-reactive cure. This allows them to use a zero-solvent based paint, and as a result there are no chemical by-products in the coating process (because there are no solvents there is no waste to cleanup or dispose of). This is just one of the many steps Scott is taking in their rod production to help reduce their impact on the environment.

Summary

The feel of this rod cannot be beat by any of the rods I tested. I also think the cosmetics are the nicest. In addition, as Scott says, it does "cast effortlessly at short and medium distances". I had a little difficulty when trying to push it for distance. In the long range, this rod requires a slower casting rhythm. For stillwater only, this rod will work, but its strength is its versatility; I'd really like to see a 9'6" version. If you can only afford a single rod for stillwaters and rivers, this is a great rod. Either way, this one needs to be cast in order to really appreciate it.

Winston LT 9'0" 5 weight 3 piece

Action            Medium-Fast
Rod Weight    3.0 oz. (3.7 oz.)
Price              $565

Introduction

I've had my eye on Winston rods for 2 years now. In a couple of the local fly shops the Winston feel is almost a legend. It's funny, but having heard so much about their rods, I expected a Winston rod to pack my truck, drive me to the lake, set up my gear, get me out on the water, find, hook, play, net the fish, and finally, gently release the fish. I guess you could say I had pretty high expectations. Anyway, as with the other rods I tested, I just had to find out for myself. I chose the LT because it is a medium-fast action rod, hoping it would give me the distance I was looking for; in addition, the 9'0" 3 piece fits nicely into my stillwater requirements.

Line Weight/Action

Casting this rod side by side with the others, I was able to easily get out 35' of line.

I was able to cast it 50' with some effort, but that was it. This is one of the most pleasantly smooth rods of the bunch. The feel is very similar to the Scott; in fact, just based on feel, I couldn't make a decision between these two rods. It excels in the short to medium range. This rod, like the Scott, encourages you to slow down your casting stroke and let the rod do the work.

On the water I used 5 weight fast sinking line. I don't remember needing to cast further than 40', it did that job well. One thing that really stood out in my mind was how nice the rod felt while hooking and playing the fish. I was able to catch and release a beautiful 18" Cutthroat. One minor note, it is probably specific to the sample I received, but I had problems with the ferrules sticking on this rod.

Rod Length/Sections

Like the Scott, this 9'0" rod will work in stillwater as well as rivers; it is a more versatile length than the longer rods. It is especially nice when casting short to medium range. This rod meets my minimum requirement of 3 sections. Each of the 3 pieces is 37 inches long. The rod comes in a 38 1/2 inch rod tube. After using 3 piece rods, 2 piece rods seem so awkward.

Tip Sensitivity

This rod is very sensitive, one of the best I tested. It does a great job protecting tippets. As with the Scott none of the rods I tested has a better feel while playing a fish.

Appearance

This rod is dark green. It has the serial number written at the base of each section. It uses internal ferrules. This sample came with a silver uplocking reel seat and a nice wood insert. The grip is a reversed half-wells. It has 2 silver stripping guides as well as silver snake guides. A nice touch is the marks used to make aligning the 3 pieces less of a hassle. One thing I didn't like is that it didn't come with a hook keeper; it should. This rod comes in a 38 1/2 inch aluminum rod tube with a rod sleeve.

Warranty

Winston's Unconditional Lifetime Warranty covers this rod against damage of any kind, for the original owner only. Regardless of the cause, the rod will be repaired free of charge. The only thing not covered by this warranty is lost rods or lost rod sections.

How I Would Use This Rod

If I wanted not so much a stillwater speciality rod but a rod that could be used on stillwater as well as rivers, this would be a good choice. As a stillwater only rod, I'd use this mainly with floating line but wouldn't have a problem using an intermediate line as well. I'd use it in conjunction with one of the longer rods (Sage, Thomas & Thomas or G. Loomis). Or maybe on an occasional pack trip.

Extra

As of September 15, 1998 Winston is discontinuing all 3 piece LT rods. This may be a good time to go out and get one, possibly at a discounted price.

Summary

Even though this rod didn't drive me to the lake, I did enjoy fishing with it once I drove there myself. This rod is especially nice in the short to medium range. The feel of this rod is very similar to the Scott Eclipse. However the cosmetics on this rod are simple in comparison. And since the price is within 5 dollars I'd probably tip the scales in favor of the Scott, mainly because of cosmetics. For stillwater only, this rod will work, but its strength is its versatility; I'd really like to see a 9'6" version. If you want a single rod for stillwaters and rivers, this is a great rod. As with all the rods though, be sure to cast it to see if it fits your style.

Redington Freshwater 9'0" 5 weight 4 piece


Action            Moderate
Rod Weight    3.38 oz. (3.4 oz.)
Price              $295

Introduction

After reading about Redington, on their web site and a few bulletin boards, I thought, I have to get one of these rods for this review. The price is significantly cheaper than the other rods on my list, and it is a 4 piece with a moderate action. Most importantly, it fits my requirements for a stillwater rod.

Line Weight/Action

Casting this rod side by side with the others, I was able to easily get out 35' of line. Using a double haul I was able to cast 56' of line. While I did that more than once, when going for distance, my average was around 51'. Except for the Orvis, that is slightly better than the other 9' rods. It is definitely the softest rod I tested. It does require a slower casting stroke; however, it was very easy to cast in the short to medium range. I enjoyed casting it.

On the water I used 5 weight slow sinking line. One day while fishing with this rod I only needed around 30' of line on the water in order to catch fish. This rod is great at casting that distance. I used woolly buggers and caught several fish 1'~2' below the surface. The moderate action has a nice feel especially while playing the fish.

Rod Length/Sections

This 9'0" rod will work in stillwater as well as rivers; it is a more versatile length than some of the longer rods. It works great in the short to medium range. Each of the 4 pieces is around 28 inches in length (give or take a 5/8 of an inch). The rod comes in a 30 1/2 inch rod tube. Because of its price and size, this would make a great backpacking rod.

Tip Sensitivity

This rod is very sensitive, it does a great job protecting tippets. I enjoyed the feel of the rod while playing the fish; no matter what size of fish.

Appearance

This rod is dark grey. This sample came with an uplocking black reel seat with a basic wood insert. The wood insert has a groove on the side where the reel is placed. The grip is a reversed half-wells. The stripping guide is black and the snake guides are silver. It has no hook keeper and the epoxy finish on a couple of the wraps have blemishes. I wish this rod had marks, like some of the other rods, used to make aligning the pieces less of a hassle. This would be a big help because the butt section doesn't have any guides on it. This rod comes in a 30 1/2 inch Cordura covered rod tube. There is no rod sleeve; however, the rod tube is divided into 4 sections. A nice touch is the company's service 800 number clipped to the lid of the rod tube.

Warranty

Redington offers an unconditional guarantee against breakage for the life of the owner. Whether the rod is broken on the river, by a ceiling fan or car door you can get immediate replacement no questions asked. They do not repair the rods so there is no delay.

How I Would Use This Rod

Right off the bat, this would be my number one pack rod. If I wanted not so much a stillwater speciality rod but a rod that could be used on stillwater as well as rivers, especially if packing were common, this would be a good choice. As a stillwater only rod, I'd use this with floating line or intermediate line, especially on pack trips. I think I'd put this rod in my truck and just leave it there, just in case I happened to come upon a fishing situation.

Summary

This rod works well in the short to medium range. The action is moderate, which means it is a little slower than the other rods I tested. In all fairness I don't think this rod was designed with stillwater in mind; however, it is a versatile rod that will perform on stillwater. The cosmetics are much simpler than the other rods I tested. If price is a major factor in your decision, then check this rod out. For stillwater only this rod will work, but its strength is its versatility; I'd really like to see a 9'6" version. If you want a single rod for stillwaters and rivers, this is a great rod, especially for backpacking. You need to cast this side by side with your other choices before making a purchase.

Wrap-up

Given the number of great fly rod manufacturers in the market today and the number of different models they each produce, choosing the right fly rod for you can be a difficult, nearly overwhelming, task. Once you've decided, how and where you are going to use your new rod, and you've determined what line weight and rod length best matches your intended use, you're ready to cast some rods. If you are looking for a stillwater rod, you'll be lucky if just one of the rods, reviewed above, feels good to you; because if you're like me, several may appeal to you, and then you have to make a tough decision, among several rods you like.

After each day on the water I always ended up liking the rod I fished that day. I caught fish with all of them; they are all good rods and would make a nice addition to a stillwater fly fisher's arsenal. It wasn't until I got them all out and cast them side by side that I was able to pick up some of the subtle differences (personal preferences). Each of these rods has their own strengths and weaknesses.

I can't emphasize enough the importance of casting a rod before you buy it. Each person has their own personal preference with regard to the action and look of a fly rod. If you're not sure what action you prefer, be sure to try rods that differ in action.

While each of the manufacturers states their warranty a little differently, it was clear to me from talking to them that they are all interested in covering defects or accidental damage. However, intentional damage will probably not be, nor should it be, covered.

For pure stillwater rods the 9'6" to 10' rods (Sage SP, G. Loomis GLX, and Thomas & Thomas Horizon) are tough to beat. If you are looking for a more versatile rod, one that works on stillwater and can still be used on the stream, the 9' rods should be considered (Scott Eclipse, Winston LT, Redington Freshwater, and Orvis Trident TL). If you like fast action rods with a stiffer feel, the Orvis Trident TL and Thomas & Thomas Horizon are nice. If you prefer more flexibility, be sure to try the Sage SP, G. Loomis GLX, Scott Eclipse, Winston LT, or Redington Freshwater. While I wouldn't consider any of these rods cheap, the most economical is the Redington Freshwater at $295 and the Thomas & Thomas Horizon at $490. All the others are over $500.

To me distance and line speed are secondary to the overall feel of the rod while casting, and especially while playing the fish. My biggest reason for disliking the fast action Sage rod I own is the fact that while playing fish smaller than 18 inches the rod barley flexes at all. Besides watching a fish swim away after a nice fight, there are few things better than a rod that matches your casting rhythm so well it feels like an extension of your arm.

On my pontoon boat I have 2 rod holders. So rather than switching line on a single rod, which is not the easiest thing to do while on the water, I like to carry 2 rods. >From the rods I tested my dream setup would be:

Sage SP 9'6" 5 weight 3 piece (I'd start the day with intermediate sinking or floating line) It is the easiest to cast from short to long range, plus I really like how it feels and how it looks.
AND
G. Loomis GLX 10'0" 5 weight 2 piece (I'd start the day with Type II sinking line) I really like how it feels and how it looks.
OR
Thomas & Thomas Horizon 10'0" 5 weight 3 piece (I'd start with Type II sinking line) Three pieces are much more convenient. It has a nice solid feel. It is easier to establish a casting rhythm and it does a little better in the wind.

Scott Clayton is Fly Fishing Editor for GearReview.com, an Internet-based, independent source for gear reviews. Visit the Gear Review Web site at www.gearreview.com for reviews and more.