Post by Robert Burton on Jun 8, 2006 10:04:25 GMT -6
Over the past month or so I have been able to cast and fish a number of TFO rods.
James' Series 1
My Own Pro Series
Matt and Tims (TV show guys) TiCr and TiCr X
Series 1 (now called signature series)
$89.00-$99.00 USD
Casting this rod after a day of casting my 18y ear old Fenwick was a real eye opener for me. This rod was lighter and faster by a country mile. Comes in 2-10 wt I think James was a 9wt. I suspect that might not perform well in the lower weights but one never knows. But it lead me to buy a....
Professional Series
$139-$199 USD
Comes in 3-6 pc and 2-12 wt
Also comes in 2 handers for $250 USD in 6-10wt spey
I am very happy with this rod (9'6" 8wt) it handles pike flies I just stopped throwing with my old rod. Deer hair and water logged flies n/p. Ever read those ads where they claim your casting will improve when you buy their rod? Well the secret is to hang onto a rod for nearly 20 years then cast a new one like this ;D
As James saw on this rods 1st outing; casts and line shooting into the wind were no big deal. I had to get used to having more line outside of the reel for shooting and very often over shot my targets (that will change with getting used to the rod).
TiCr
$199-$229USD comes in 4pc models 4-12wt with a 2 handed surf 14wt $249 and a 12wt spey for $299.
I tried the 9' 4pc 5wt a very nice casting machine that was soft enough to handle fish in its class. In this point of the TFO line the extras show up like nice reel seats better rod finish etc
TiCrX
$224-$249USD comes in 4pc 5-12wts.
For casting alone this thing is insane the 5wt I tried takes all the casting points I have made on my new rod and cranks it up a bit. It 'seemed to be fine on playing and landing fish but I liked the way the TiCr handled better (lucky for me I caught fish on both their rods).
The down side
The extremes of the line (series one and TiCrX) come in un cool colours a funky green for the series 1 and a good for a Chevy blue for the TiCrX. In the lower end models (like James and my rods) the finish and seats are not pretty and make them look as cheap as you paid but they cast 10x better than you paid ...so what is important to you? In all the models the cork is not great but this is an industry wide issue I have the same prob with my Reddington spey rods and my newer Fenwicks but not my Loomis. (heck I had a great bottle of wine over the weekend that had a screw top!!) but at the price of these rods I am not complaining.
I also got to look at (but not cast or fish) a Finesse series rod and it very pretty so they can make that as well. They claim it is a more 'traditional' feeling rod for softer presentations
All TFOs come with a lifetime warranty and a rod sock
I know the Fishin' Hole has some TFOs and they can order more but I think they are in a state of flux fly dept wise.
Cabela's has most of the TFO line.
I also got to try the TFO Large arbor reels a little bit. What little I experienced I am not sure I like particularly at $224 with spare spools at $119
James' Series 1
My Own Pro Series
Matt and Tims (TV show guys) TiCr and TiCr X
Series 1 (now called signature series)
$89.00-$99.00 USD
Casting this rod after a day of casting my 18y ear old Fenwick was a real eye opener for me. This rod was lighter and faster by a country mile. Comes in 2-10 wt I think James was a 9wt. I suspect that might not perform well in the lower weights but one never knows. But it lead me to buy a....
Professional Series
$139-$199 USD
Comes in 3-6 pc and 2-12 wt
Also comes in 2 handers for $250 USD in 6-10wt spey
I am very happy with this rod (9'6" 8wt) it handles pike flies I just stopped throwing with my old rod. Deer hair and water logged flies n/p. Ever read those ads where they claim your casting will improve when you buy their rod? Well the secret is to hang onto a rod for nearly 20 years then cast a new one like this ;D
As James saw on this rods 1st outing; casts and line shooting into the wind were no big deal. I had to get used to having more line outside of the reel for shooting and very often over shot my targets (that will change with getting used to the rod).
TiCr
$199-$229USD comes in 4pc models 4-12wt with a 2 handed surf 14wt $249 and a 12wt spey for $299.
I tried the 9' 4pc 5wt a very nice casting machine that was soft enough to handle fish in its class. In this point of the TFO line the extras show up like nice reel seats better rod finish etc
TiCrX
$224-$249USD comes in 4pc 5-12wts.
For casting alone this thing is insane the 5wt I tried takes all the casting points I have made on my new rod and cranks it up a bit. It 'seemed to be fine on playing and landing fish but I liked the way the TiCr handled better (lucky for me I caught fish on both their rods).
The down side
The extremes of the line (series one and TiCrX) come in un cool colours a funky green for the series 1 and a good for a Chevy blue for the TiCrX. In the lower end models (like James and my rods) the finish and seats are not pretty and make them look as cheap as you paid but they cast 10x better than you paid ...so what is important to you? In all the models the cork is not great but this is an industry wide issue I have the same prob with my Reddington spey rods and my newer Fenwicks but not my Loomis. (heck I had a great bottle of wine over the weekend that had a screw top!!) but at the price of these rods I am not complaining.
I also got to look at (but not cast or fish) a Finesse series rod and it very pretty so they can make that as well. They claim it is a more 'traditional' feeling rod for softer presentations
All TFOs come with a lifetime warranty and a rod sock
I know the Fishin' Hole has some TFOs and they can order more but I think they are in a state of flux fly dept wise.
Cabela's has most of the TFO line.
I also got to try the TFO Large arbor reels a little bit. What little I experienced I am not sure I like particularly at $224 with spare spools at $119