Colorado River Monsters (fishing)

Maybe for the newer models, as I think they will just give you a new section, but pretty sure mine would need to be sent back to them regardless.

Also doesn't do me much good when that store is 3 hours away anyways.

 

I think they keep current line Recon and Helios in the store. You have to send off for others. I had them fix my clearwater last year and they had to mail the whole rod to the factory.

 

What is it that you're wanting to test out, the leader style or having a longer rod? 10 footers are the standard for dedicated euro rods, but all that really does is give you an extra 3 feet of reach at optimum angles. If you want to give euro nymphing a go all you need is a standard 9ft 5wt. I've got more maxima/amnesia/and sighter material than I'll use in 5 years....can definitely tie you up a leader.

 

10-10’6” 2-3wt rod

i have a shorty euro line with sighter but I always feel my 9ft isnt sensitive enough or long enough (story of my life)

 

So, far from an expert but 2-3wt is for small streams so not likely to find that weight in a 10 foot rod. Minimum Rod weight I have seen in Euro is 4wt (which is also the Ideal CO size as well)

 

yeah thats the textbook mindset but i have been discussing the topic with many anglers on the US fly fishing team and they all use 2-3wt. Reason being is sensitivity. If you tie 5x to a broom stick then the 5x will break. If you tie 7x on a 5wt, chances are high itll break.

The more bend your rod has the less likely your tippet with break because the rod is absorbing that energy and acting like a spring.

In the euro nymphing case, think about using 7x and a 2wt 10’6”. The concept is that the more flex the rod has the smaller everything you can go and that will increase your sensitivity. You have to know how to play a fish as well.

Larger tackle offsets technique.

I subscribe to the idea that 5wt are too heavy for most fishing people do in CO and that most people are missing 50% or more hook sets because they dont even know the subtle takes are happening. I also dont use split-shot because logically it does nothing but put you at a disadvantage for feeling and identifying takes.

 

I use a 10ft 3wt and 6x exclusively for the euro setup. I use 6x for sink rate, but the truth is the flies are so heavy that the difference between 6 and 7 shouldn't matter as far as sensitivity is concerned. The 1lb test strength difference is enough that I stay away from 7x on Colorado rivers. I hooked up with that 28" brown I posted a few weeks back on the 3wt/6x combo in fast water...had to chase it about 100 yards down stream to a slower bank or I would have snapped it off. 7x would have failed me for sure.

That said, the euro rig game is super nuanced. It's a specialty tool. I've changed my rig and leader setup 10+ times over the last couple years finding the combo that was right for me. It's all good.

 

Yeah exactly water conditions also play a big role in tippet size. There is not a one-size fits all. BUT if you went to a 2wt, do you think 7x would be more effective?

 

I use an 11 foot 3wt for my euro rod. True euro rods got a stiff butt section so 3 wt will keep up with a 5wt no problem. My little tenkara rod will land a 20 inches without too much troubles.

 

Nope. The way I see it, when you factor in different currents on a river the physics-based difference between a 2wt and 3wt is probably just a few micro newton-meters of torque. We're basically just splitting hairs as far as tip performance goes (assuming we're using the same brand and same price point of rod). Strike detection will have no discernible difference...3.2mm bead will affect the leader the same on 6x and 7x.

So, when you ask what's more effective, I think I'd have to defer to what kind of rivers you're fishing. If I was on a PA spring creek primarily fishing for 16 inch browns, I go with a 2wt for extra feel. In Colorado I have a better than average chance of hooking up with fish that are 20+ inches. I'd rather have a little heavier rod. As my Grandpa said, everyone has their own damn stupid opinion.

Simply put, if you buy a 2wt I don't think there's any reason your should consider adding in a 3wt. If you have a 3, you'll never need a 2.

 

This is what I'd be using if my rod vault wasn't 10.5 feet.

 

“Simply put, if you buy a 2wt I don't think there's any reason your should consider adding in a 3wt. If you have a 3, you'll never need a 2.”

i agree with all of this. Thats why i was curious the wts of the rods someone has when they say they have 5-6 rods

skipping wts is what my plan is. 2(euro), 4 (nymph), 6(streamer)

 

I'm guilty of this.

3x6(tiny eastern streams), 3x10(euro), 5(hopper dropper/dries/deep nymphing), 6(nymphing or hopper dropper big water from the boat, wading streamers), 7 (boat streamers w full sink line)

I'll be picking up either a 4 or a new 5 for next season at the fly fishing show. I like options

 

I broke my Encounter rod in the same spot last month. Dealing with Orvis to warrenty a rid failure is a pain in the ass.

 

Andrew, I use a 2wt Syndicate rod for Euro/Czech nymphing. I've fished the Gunnison, Arkansas, S. Platte, Colorado and Blue as well as some smaller streams/creeks with it. Tailwaters or freestone, it does fine . When you catch larger fish, say 16"-20" it requires some finesse and a little more time to land them, but man is it fun! I don't think I've ever caught a fish over 20" on it though. I use 5x or 6x tippet to my 1st fly-6x tippet to my second. My first Syndicate rod was 10', I now have another in 11'. The added reach with a longer rod isn't huge, but it's good to have. I can't compare sensitivity to a 3wt as I went from 5wt to 2wt. I don't think there is any difference that I've noticed between the 10' to 11' other than reach. Blue Quill sell Syndicate.

 

siccc! Exactly aligns with my thoughts. I talked to a US fly fishing team member on the taylor that loves syndicate rods. I saw this guy pull out 10 fish out of a small pocket that i wouldnt dare to throw a bobber.

when done right, the effectiveness of euro nymphing is insane! I have never heard of a bobber having a 100+ fish day but i have heard multiple first-hand accounts of euro peeps doing it. But maybe they were telling fishing fibs.. either way it has gotten my curiosity and interest.

 

Let's just talk about how much more fun euro dorking is because off all the fish you catch! I think I euro nymph all the time unless there are fish actively rising. Pocket water is fun

 

Please convince me to spend $600+ on a new setup lmao

 

Helios is 4wt 9’ Recon 5wt 10’ Power Matrix TLS 6wt 10’ all Orvis
Sage X in 3wt 9’ , X 5wt 10’ Stiff, custom X blank made in 3wt flex with a foundation style butt.
Trout 8’6 4wt.
It is after all an addiction. I fish every week end to escape work. Hunt birds in the winter.

 

If you're in it for a good time vs. trophy hunting, you cant go wrong. I absolutely love my 2wt. And then there's a bonus. Tenkara is a pretty easy transition from the 2/3wt....