thoughts on Echo fly rods?

[reelynew]

Was curious if anyone had thoughts or experience with Echo fly rods?  I'm looking to add some fly fishing into the mix when I'm out on the rivers.  Sometimes I get really lucky floating a fly on my spinning rod that I thought I would invest in some basic fly gear.  I'm hoping not to go down too deeply down this rabbit hole, but does anyone have any experience with Echo fly gear?  They have a starter kit that pretty much gets you going.  I just know nothing about them or have much experience with this type of fishing either.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Matt

[pjstevko]

Echo is a good brand. I'm sure it'll be just fine for your intended use

[reelynew]

Thank you, PJ.

[jurelometer]

The good news is that just about any known brand is going to be plenty good enough performance wise for that size.  Durability and warranty are going to be the differentiator in starter kits.

What kind of fish are you targeting?

An 8 foot 4wt is generally considered a small stream trout rod.  Also maybe pond panfish.  The limiting factor for that size is going to be the shorter casting distance potential and smaller fly size.

A 9 foot 6 weight is considered an all around freshwater rod size - a bit big for some stuff stuff, and a bit small for others, but good enough to tackle most everything. 

Also 4 weights are a bit small to learn how to cast properly if you want to eventually advance beyond small stream stuff.

For starting out, any of the kits from any of the reputable brands will work well enough.  The warranty is a valuable feature - some sort of no-fault free or discount replacement is valuable. It is easy to break a fly rod.  If you can put your hands on the rod, just check to see that that ferrule fit is not janky.  Inexpensive rods are more likely to have a ferrule loosen, and that will cause them to break while casting. But it happens on expensive rods too. First thing to do after you buy the rod is to put a little paraffin/candle wax on the ferrules. Check ferrules for tightness now and then when using the rod.

Re Echo rods: The brand has a decent warranty and a pretty good reputation for performance bang for the buck.  I just bought my first Echo, a 10wt Boost Blue. I think it casts as well or better better than many competing rods costing three to four times as much.  No idea yet on durability.

Other brands to consider that should have a similar starter packages are Temple Fork Outfitters and Redington.  Don't overlook some of the cheaper options like Fenwick, Cortland, and Cabelas/White River. Just try to put your hands on one of those before pulling the trigger.  The vast majority of the small line class carbon fiber rods do pretty well performance-wise nowadays.

Reel performance doesn't really matter in that size.  The reel is mostly for storing the line that you are not currently casting.

-J

[Benni3]

Echo is a good rod I was looking in to them last month,,,, but orvis has a Clearwater combo for around $350 and there's a 15% off,,,,,

[reelynew]

Thanks Benni and Jurelometer,

The fish I have been catching in the rivers and lakes I have been using my spinning rod on have been mostly rainbows and brooks in the 6-14inch range.  The fly casting instructor had recommended this size for that area and was what we were learning on.  From what I am reading, 4 is on the low side too.  My Dad gave me a new in box Orvis Battenkill BBS II reel, he received from someone in his fishing club.  It's rated 3-5 weight, but when I had researched this reel, most folks are using it with 3 wt rods and lines.

I had been thinking of buying just the rod, but I would still need line, leader and backing, which these Echo kits come with.

Maybe it would be best to just look for a rod only for now and grab some line and leader. 

Thank you.

I'm very open to opinions and suggestions,

Matt

[foakes]

Hi Matt —-

Without breaking the bank, if you are interested —-

Here is a new, never used Harnell glass rod, 654R.

8', with a Martin 65 reel I will toss in.

Original correctly marked sock.

These are of top quality and were manufactured in Venice, California.

$75 for the package.

Best, Fred

[jtwill98]

Here is a new, never used Harnell glass rod, 654R.

8', with a Martin 65 reel I will toss in.

Original correctly marked sock.

These are of top quality and were manufactured in Venice, California.

$75 for the package.

A nice package and a better deal ...

[jurelometer]

Thanks Benni and Jurelometer,

The fish I have been catching in the rivers and lakes I have been using my spinning rod on have been mostly rainbows and brooks in the 6-14inch range.  The fly casting instructor had recommended this size for that area and was what we were learning on.  From what I am reading, 4 is on the low side too.  My Dad gave me a new in box Orvis Battenkill BBS II reel, he received from someone in his fishing club.  It's rated 3-5 weight, but when I had researched this reel, most folks are using it with 3 wt rods and lines.

I had been thinking of buying just the rod, but I would still need line, leader and backing, which these Echo kits come with.

Maybe it would be best to just look for a rod only for now and grab some line and leader. 

Thank you.

I'm very open to opinions and suggestions,

Matt

The line class determines how big a fly you can cast, and until you get up to an 8wt or so, how far you can cast easily, especially in wind.  A higher line class can always cast a smaller fly a shorter distance but not vice-versa.  If you intend to cast mostly dries,wets, and smaller streamers/nymphs mostly 30 or 40 feet, a 4wt will get the job done and can make it a bit eaiser to get a more delicate presentation, and is preferred by many folk for that work.  For me... meh.

A 6wt  will catch you just about as many small stream trout as the 4wt, but will also throw flies suitable for smallmouth, largemouth and carp, and will cover more distance when working lakes for trout- which should be useful. A 5wt splits the difference. 

The size of the fish doesn't figure much into the line class choice below 8wt.

I wouldn't let  backing or leader affect my choice.  You will need a backup leader and some tippet anyways.  Just pick up a tapered leader or two and some tippet in whatever size they recommend when you buy some flies.  For backing- you wil probably never see it on a 4 wt.  Any braid that you have handy will do.  20 lb dacron is typical, but any spectra between 20 and 65 will work just fine.  Just better to have backing stronger than the fly line- but it won't matter much here.

If you are going the 4 weight 8 foot route, and don't mind a two piece, here is a deal on one of my favorite brands for $50:

https://www.sierra.com/temple-fork-outfitters-signature-2-freshwater-fly-rod-4wt-8-2-piece~p~4huwp/?filterString=fly-fishing-rods~d~6866%2F

If you toss in another $50, there are choices in four piece 5 and 6 weights as well. 


And the right line can be more important than the rod.  A popular all around trout line from a top manufacturer: $38- pick up a couple leaders and you are probably into free shiiping range.

https://www.avidmax.com/scientific-anglers-frequency-trout-fly-line-with-loop/


THat works out to be somewhere around $100 leveraging the reel that you already have.  Or you could (secretly ) sell the Orvis reel and buy that Echo package in a 5 or 6wt and spend next to nothing. Those BBS reels are popular.

-J

[reelynew]

Fred,

I really appreciate the time and thoughtfulness of putting that set together.  That is a really good looking rod and I'm going to have to think about it.  I had been narrowing my search to a 4 piece graphite rod to make packing it both in the car and on my back easier.  Yours might end-up on the wall.

Matt

[R46chevy]

Echo makes a rod for every type of fishing. I have 6 or 7 of their rods, from a 6'6" 2wt River Glass to a 10 wt Bad #### glass rod for boat fishing saltwater. They build a great product at a great price and stand behind it. Their reels are pretty good, but they are better at the same price point; when it comes to reels, they are an expensive line holder till you get past 7 feet or fish a bunch of open water.
If you want a review on different rods, I will see what I can do; I know many people who fish them.
Ed