Anyone with TFO Experience?

Dan360 · 07-29-2009, 11:39 PM

I'm looking at picking up a 7 or 8 weight one-handed rod for steelhead and light salmon fishing. I don't fish any really big water so I'm not quite ready to get into spey casting.

Anyway, I'm looking at the TFO Professional line with most of my interest in the 9'6 or 10 foot models in either weight. I've read some good things about the value of these rods. I'm wondering if anyone on here has anything they would be willing to share with me regarding these rods.

If not, maybe a suggestion of another brand that might fit the bill. My price range is probably no more than $350 for the rod. I'd use the rod mostly in rivers the size of the Kalama and in the sound for pinks. I've been using a Loomis GL3 5wt (for trout and pinks, not steelhead) and I feel a bit undergunned when casting a sink tip or after hooking a decent sized fish. I'm thinking of possibly going down one line weight because the rod seems to act a bit doggy compared to the standard WF5F that I use.

dubl_t · 07-29-2009, 11:51 PM

I don't know how old you are, but spey rods are easier on the joints, big water or small

Dan360 · 07-30-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubl_t

I don't know how old you are, but spey rods are easier on the joints, big water or small

I'm 26, but have had some elbow problems and a current shoulder problem in my casting arm. I probably should have taken better care of myself playing sports, but I didn't.

nookslayer · 07-30-2009, 06:53 AM

Dan,

I have several different TFO's. All are good rods but it depends on your personal prefferences. For steelhead I originally chose the 9" 8wt Teeney model which was a great smaller river rod, but I now prefer something in the 9'6" range. I would say to stay with the TiCR or the Teeney models though. The Pro is OK but wasn't great for me.

D3smartie · 07-30-2009, 07:04 AM

you couldnt give me a TFO. I think they are a poor rod that is clunky and not very pleasurable to fish. I have also seen 5 or 6 of them now break for no apparent reason.
I would suggest you take a look for a Redington CPS or RS4. Both discontinued recently, but good rods.

skaha · 07-30-2009, 07:28 AM

--for what you are using it for in that weight and length I'd go to a spey or switch rod model.
--You'll find you can spend much more time on the water especially on that second or third day in a row.
--spey and switch rods don't need big water to be fished effectively.

--my knowledge of TFO is a few years old, I used be a dealor (now retired). We carried TFO, Reddington,Sage,Loomis,Scott,St Croix,Amundson plus some house brands.

--TFO at the time was a good value rod and wholesaler allowed the dealor to accept warrenty replacement off the rack with a service charge. This reduced wait time on their unconditional warrenty as we sent the rod in for replacement on our next order rather than the customer having to wait like they do for other manufacturers.

--I know TFO has continued to improve the models available. My advice is always to get a rod that a dealor in your area carries, and continues to carry. They should have demo models available for serious customers so you can try and compare with other rods. This is the best way so select what is best for you. Each of us will have a favourite for an application. The dealor can help narrow it down to a selection based on what and how you like to fish but you are the best judge of what suites you.

etacada · 07-30-2009, 08:59 AM

I own several tfo 2 handers and have used them over the course of 4 years. I cant recomend them enough to people looking for a good affordable rod. I bought 2 as backup rods but they always find a way of getting fished more than my 800.00 sometimes because the action on them is really impressive. There warreny is one of the best in the buisness too.

cb

Stonedfish · 07-30-2009, 09:02 AM

I have a 9' 8 wt TFO Professional. I've caught a number of different types of fish with in in various locations. Bonefish, cudas, jacks, chums and silvers to name a few. It is a good medium fast action rod.
I also own a TiCR and a Deer Creek switch and have fished a TiCR-X and a Bluewater series.
I've only had to use their warranty service once for a broken guide, which was caused by user error. $25.00 and I had the rod back in 6 days.
TFO's aren't a Sage, Loomis or any of the other high end rods. The components and finish in my opinion aren't as good as other rods, but are improving yearly.
For the budget minded angler looking for a rod with an excellent warranty, they are a good choice.

I also agree with D3 regarding the Redington rod. They are very nice rods. I use a 9'6" CPS 6 wt as my primary Puget Sound beach rod.

nookslayer · 07-30-2009, 10:33 AM

I'd also look at Echo.

stoneflyguy · 07-30-2009, 10:49 AM

TFO rods are great rods and also offer a great warranty. Don't get caught up in thinking that you have to spend lots of money to have a nice rod. I have TFO's and I know several people who have them and I have never, ever, ever, had anything negative said about TFO rods. I have owned a rod or two in the professional series and loved them. I don't think it matters what length or wt. rod you go with you will be happy.

Jeff

C-lice · 07-30-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan360

I'm 26, but have had some elbow problems and a current shoulder problem in my casting arm. I probably should have taken better care of myself playing sports, but I didn't.

PM sent.

neuronick · 07-30-2009, 12:19 PM

I have the TFO Professional 10' 8wt. I love the performance of the rod, but the cork handle is low quality. I sent it back for warranty after the cork loosened from the rod. To their credit, they had a new rod on my doorstep in less than a week, but it cost me about $50 all told ($25 warranty fee + shipping). Unfortunately, the replacement rod's cork also deteriorated quickly.

I believe the TiCR series has better handles and great blanks, and the Deer Creek models are high quality.

All this said, I have since purchased a Spey rod and will not go back. The 10' 8wt never gets used. As others noted, Spey rods are advantageous on almost all rivers, not just the big ones. You can buy several nice two-hand rods in your $350 budget.

Good luck.

clarkman23 · 07-30-2009, 03:05 PM

personally, I don't care for the TFO rods...I have an Echo at that pricepoint that I really like though. If you can, go cast some of those side by side to see what you like best...that's how I ended up with my echo. But then again, my buddy really likes his TFO.

Dan360 · 07-30-2009, 05:16 PM

What are the main differences between a spey rod and a switch rod?

nookslayer · 07-31-2009, 06:36 AM

Length and handle size. A switch rod is a longer single hand that you can throw with two if you want. Money

rollcast · 07-31-2009, 06:47 AM

Soliciting advice on a rod is difficult because it is such a personal choice. It is like asking which is the best beer - except of course we all know that it is Rogue's Dead Guy Ale

There are general feels to different rods, but ask 10 people and you will get 10 different answers probably with a bias in one direction or another. MY advice is to go cast every rod in your price range - and then cast a few rods in a higher price range. This will let you find the best rod for you and let you know what you are giving up by not spending more. If you do not feel much difference between the more expensive rods and your favorite in your price range then try less expensive rods. I think that the key is to figure out what performance feels good to you at what price. No one can tell you this because only you know.

Good luck!

skein · 07-31-2009, 06:58 AM

I use a 12wt TFO for tuna fishing. In fact, I have two of 'em, one for the wife and one for me. I give them pretty good marks, but then what I'm doing is not delicate stuff, it's all distance and heavy lines. They do seem to hold up well under the rigors of a tuna fight, which is what I would classify as extreme fishing.

I don't have any light TFO's because I use my Sage's, which I've had for years and years.

Skein

Read1t48 · 07-31-2009, 07:21 AM

I have several TFO's - they are an economical rod with good value for the price tag. Some of their models are better than others. I have casted many of them; I found the professional series to be a little nicer. For summer steelhead, large trout, or river fishing, the 12' 6" 6 wt.
(TFO 06 126 4 P) is ideal. Some use this as a switch rod and with the right balance on the reel, it can be casted 'easily' with one hand.

If you've had elbow / shoulder problems, I'd definitely look into the two-handers. Having spent several years doing 150+ days on the river, single rods took their toll. 2 shoulder surgeries later, I can tell you that 2 handed rods are much more efficient (and effective) on a long river day.

I have a single-hand TFO (9'6" 8wt) that's collecting dust if you're still set on one of these. Send me a PM if you're interested. Rod is used but in great condition.

jaxflyfish · 07-31-2009, 07:31 AM

I really like mine and it is a brand I recommend to people asking me about good but inexpensive rods. I also like Redington.

nano83 · 07-31-2009, 12:51 PM

For $350 you might want to consider St Croix rods... their 9' 8wt legend ultra runs for $330 and $360 for 2pc and 4pc respectively. I bought two st croix avid spinning rods for my mom and she really likes it. I've never use their fly rod but have heard some good thing from other people who used them. Also St Croix rods, similiarly to Loomis offer good warranty.

richleblanc48 · 07-31-2009, 02:43 PM

You've heard enough about the brands...lots of great advice!

As for the 7 or 8wt, that's a perfect steelhead wt but hold on to you shorts if you hook into a chinook. On several occasions I used my 7wt last year for silvers and even they put some strain on that rod.

After chasing a couple big nooks up and down the Kalama in an effort not to loose my whole fly line (like I witnessed happen to two other guys) I would not recommend that light of a rod for salmon. I'm now going with a 9wt.

I know there's a budget we're all working with but that's just my experience. Let us know what you decide to go with!

FrozenFish · 07-31-2009, 04:06 PM

Bought a #8 last year to use as a back up on a trip, and now it is the first choice rod for anything lighter duty than Silvers. Liked it so much in fact that I bought a #6 to use this year on SE AK steelhead. I really like em both. I think its worth mentioning that I bought them both as blanks and added my own compoents as the factory choices leave a little to be desired. Good Luck
-FF

nano83 · 07-31-2009, 04:13 PM

I have 7wt for steelhead and 9wt for salmon using teeny T-series line, which I use same line for both rod. I bought my 7wt IMX for $110 on craigslist, sweet deal!

Dan360 · 08-02-2009, 10:54 PM

I think that I'm probably going to look more into switch rods. I'm hearing some good things about them and they seem fairly versatile. The rod will be used most of the time for summer steelhead and smaller salmon like pinks. I've caught a couple pinks with my 5wt and thoough its a lot of fun, I'm concerned with the strain that I'm putting on the fish because I don't keep everything I catch and I want the highest survival rate possible.

I'm looking at a 7/8 wt switch rod. I'm going to do some casting this week at various shops. I think it will be good for steelhead and even though I might be a bit overgunned for pinks, it might actually save my arm some. I get sore after throwing bigger flies for pinks with my one-handed 5wt. I've been running a pretty long leader because the fish seem kinda spooky with the bright sun and the clear/shallow water I'm fishing.

skaha · 08-05-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarkman23

personally, I don't care for the TFO rods...I have an Echo at that pricepoint that I really like though. If you can, go cast some of those side by side to see what you like best...that's how I ended up with my echo. But then again, my buddy really likes his TFO.

-echo is an excellent rod, designed in northwest. Not sure how your pricing works but TFO has a major distributor in Canada thus price point is much better than Echo here.
--If same price I would definately look into an Echo.

camA · 08-12-2009, 12:35 PM

an even better rod brand that will last you a life time is orvis. and they have more suitable rods for you.

SilverFly · 08-13-2009, 05:46 AM

I own 3 TFO Lefty Kreh Pro series in 7, 8, and 12wts. While these are definitely "value" rods, they cast well and hold up to abuse (ditto on what Skein said.) I got them last year as affordable travel rods (they're 4 pc.) My wife used the 7wt on our honeymoon in Belize and she caught 6 bonefish her first time ever flyfishing, - in spite of the brief casting lessons from a lousy instructor (me) beforehand. The 9'6" 8wt is normally what I use for steelhead and silvers since the extra length is helpful when mending line, or casting from a pontoon.

Depends on what you want, - fancy or functional. I've owned higher end rods like Loomis and a St. Croix I built (that was my favorite) but if you're on a budget, the quality difference from TFO isn't really enough to warrent the cost IMO.