New Fly Rod Suggestions?

[BarroomHero]

So, i'm willing to spend about $150-$200 on a new fly rod and I really liked the Redington CPS. But after feeling it a few times I am starting to doubt my original feelings. Do you guys have any suggestions of a good 4 or 5wt rod in that range? I do quite a bit of fly fishing on the Mckenzie and Wilson, but also some lake fishing. ANy feedback on the CPS, or other suggestions? Thanks fellas.:flowered:

[neuronick]

I have a St. Croix Avid series 5wt and love it. It costs a little more, at about $230. I used to work at a Sportsman's Warehouse and think I have cast/felt most fly rods in your price bracket. My vote is the Avid with the Temple Fork TiCr a close 2nd. The TiCr is faster action, but I think the Avid is smoother and easier to cast. Maybe that helps...

[BarroomHero]

I have a St. Croix Avid series 5wt and love it. It costs a little more, at about $230. I used to work at a Sportsman's Warehouse and think I have cast/felt most fly rods in your price bracket. My vote is the Avid with the Temple Fork TiCr a close 2nd. The TiCr is faster action, but I think the Avid is smoother and easier to cast. Maybe that helps...

Great I'll have to check those out! Thanks!:applause:

[358norma]

Can't go wrong with the old school Orvis clearwater either. I've caught untold numbers of redsides on my 9' 4wt.

[Skunked]

I like my echo classic 5wt a lot- MSRP $149.95

[JRV]

Sage is doing away with the Fli series, you can get a pretty good deal on them right now. go to Kaufmans and cast one if you like it do a internet search and you can find them for 200 or less.

[sherretb]

I have a reddington cps 4 and really like it. It is light but seems to have plenty power for a #4. However, I have not cast many other rods in its price range.

I got a good deal on this rod and if you are in similar situation, I dont think you'll be let down. Also, the lifetime warranty is nice!

[Catch 22]

You're in that funny price range. You're willing to spend enough to get at the higher end of the Temple Fork or Redington etc. Or you could go with a entry to mid level Sage or similar brand.

I would personally look into the second choice. The Sage is an awesome rod. They stand behind their product and I can't recall ever hearing about an unhappy customer. If you could find the right rod for your budget, I know you'd be happy.

That being said, I fish a Thomas and Thomas and LOVE it. But for half the price, I'd be proud to fish a Sage any day of the week. You would have to give me a Redington. Orvis bought them and discontinued anything decent. They don't want a Redington product to compete with an Orvis product. Kinda like Honda/Acura or Toyota/Lexus type thing.

Jason

[Bighorn12]

I'd take a look at the Echos. Good rods that are in the price range you're talking about. Go to a good fly shop and cast a handful. Good luck.

[Catch 22]

The Echo rods do look like a nice rod for the money. The Carbon model would fit the bill for sure.

[BarroomHero]

Got the PM thanks! So I think I will be checking out the Sage Fli series. Curious why they discontinued it? Anyone have any comments on this rod?

[D3smartie]

Fli is a good rod in a less than oustanding color. Discontinued as Sage progresses in their graphite technology.
My brother has the 6wt and loves it.

[Aitutakiflyfish]

I vote for a TFO. I use a 9wt here on Aitutaki for bonefish and trevally and think they are great. I also have a few for rentals here. My brother uses them for trout and steelhead in Eastern Oregon and loves them also. They cast like a dream and have plenty of backbone for big fish. The price is right and have a great guarantee. For the money you just can't beat it. At least that is my opinion.

[D3smartie]

unless supporting an American product means something to you...
Funny the difference between the hunting and fishing demographics in who supports american made products.

[leadeyedbugger]

There are tons of choices on the market in that price range. But here are a few of my personal favorites...

TFO Proffessional
Echo Classic
Orvis Clearwater
St Croix Avid

Personally i think the avid is the best rod in that price range. If you can find a scott V2 hanging around somewhere that is a great rod also.

[Djflyfish]

Tfo's are the way to go for the money

[shawn k]

river city was selling some (gary borger)targus rods at the show for $150.00 . That rod normally sells for $300.00 I cast them and was really impressed. Reminded me of a Glx rod.They are also last years model.

[BarroomHero]

I went to River City Fly Shop and purchased the Echo Classic. 4 piece 9ft 5 wt. Very pleased with it, it's a solid fast action. Got a great deal on it, always enjoy supporting the River City Fly Shop, the guys there are great!
Can't wait to get out and break it in on some water now...my lawn is fun to cast in for awhile but doesn't hold many fish!:D

[Newbs]

I went to River City Fly Shop and purchased the Echo Classic. 4 piece 9ft 5 wt. Very pleased with it, it's a solid fast action. Got a great deal on it, always enjoy supporting the River City Fly Shop, the guys there are great!
Can't wait to get out and break it in on some water now...my lawn is fun to cast in for awhile but doesn't hold many fish!:D

Sounds like you hit it right. Hard to go wrong if you followed Don's advice. I think I live pretty close to you. Drop me a PM if you want to hit the MO.

Jim

[float2ber]

Echo.

[Fly Junkie]

I like the NorthXNorthwest rods at Joe's they are $99.99 with a lifetime warrantee. They are very sensisitive and limp, but they do have a strong backbone. I have 2 and I am very happy with them because they cast so easy.

[greenbuttskunk]

try colton fly rods and reels. you can look them up online. They also make some great stuff, a reel bargain.

[salembassin]

Sportsmans warehouse in Salem has half price on the Redington CPS rods, regularly $300. I bought the 8 wt and it seems like a great rod.

[Breck]

I have a 9', 5-weight in the Sage Launch series. Great trout rod for the Deschutes. I think I paid around $180 for it at the Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop. Casts both nymphs & dries very well.

[Stonedfish]

You're in that funny price range. You're willing to spend enough to get at the higher end of the Temple Fork or Redington etc. Or you could go with a entry to mid level Sage or similar brand.

I would personally look into the second choice. The Sage is an awesome rod. They stand behind their product and I can't recall ever hearing about an unhappy customer. If you could find the right rod for your budget, I know you'd be happy.

That being said, I fish a Thomas and Thomas and LOVE it. But for half the price, I'd be proud to fish a Sage any day of the week. You would have to give me a Redington. Orvis bought them and discontinued anything decent. They don't want a Redington product to compete with an Orvis product. Kinda like Honda/Acura or Toyota/Lexus type thing.

Jason

You'll been out of the loop for awhile. Orvis hasn't owned Redington for a number of years. Sage and Redington are both owned by the same company, Far Bank Enterprises. They also own Rio lines.

The CPS is a great rod for the money, especially at the close out prices. Many folks refer to the CPS as the poor mans Sage XP.
Redington has a great warranty as well if needed.
The replacement is the CPX model, which starts at around $299.00.

[nookslayer]

I am a big fan of the TFO Finessee series. GREAT rods and I have them in 3 thru 5 wt

[Catch 22]

You'll been out of the loop for awhile. Orvis hasn't owned Redington for a number of years. Sage and Redington are both owned by the same company, Far Bank Enterprises. They also own Rio lines.

The CPS is a great rod for the money, especially at the close out prices. Many folks refer to the CPS as the poor mans Sage XP.
Redington has a great warranty as well if needed.
The replacement is the CPX model, which starts at around $299.00.


Yes, I have been out of the Redington loop for a while. But the fact remains that Orvis did buy them and discontinued everything that was upper end as it competed with Orvis. I actually did know that they were somehow merged with Sage now but forgot about it. Never really knew the details or cared that much to.

All that aside, when Redington was getting out of the boot business I had a pair of felt soles that had lost a felt completely. I called Redington and they bent over backwards to get me a new pair and even upgraded to the studded boots since they didn't have any felt soles in my size nor were they ever going to again. They were a great company.

Maybe now they are putting out mid to upper level stuff. I don't know. I personally would take a TFO or a entry level Sage any day of the week. I still have a TFO single hander that they gave me for working the Sportsmans show years back. It's a great rod. I'm not sure how you could beat it for the money.

I would never spend $300 on a Redington. But that's just me. They may be great too. But there's alot of options at that price point. Echo, Orvis, Sage, etc.

[D3smartie]

This is why the internet is so great. someone with admitedly zero knowledge of the current situation spouting off their opinion based on 10 year old info and biases... I love it!!!

The CPS or RS4 have both been discontinued recently and there have been great deals on both at fly shops and online. either of these rods will kick the crap out of a TFO any day. The CPS was a lot of rod for the money at the $299 retail point. Very fast and responsive. All these lower end rods lack the touch and feel of the winston,sage,t&t high end rods, but can still be nice rods to fish. Like Stonedfish said, the CPS is an XP type rod. The 5wt is a great streamer rod but probably not one i would use to throw dries. The RS4 is a little slower action and if you are looking for a nice dry fly rod, a 4wt RS4 could probably be had for a low price. I just found one for $125 on e-bay