TFO Spey Rods?!

[Jason Decker]

I have 2 TFO one handers, a 7wt Teeny and a 8wt TiCR, anyways, I've been very happy with both of these rods.

I've been looking at Spey Rods and wonder what your thoughts are on the TFO Spey Rods. I hope to go to the Spey Clave this weekend and cast them, but i wanted to see if anyone has them and/or cast them.

Jason

[Red Shed]

I love them! I am some biased because I sell them but I have sold close to 100 TFO two handers in the last two years and no one has ever called me up and said I sold them a piece of junk. My customers seem to love them. I believe you will be very happy if you buy one. They cast very well when matched with the proper line weight, they are priced right and have TFO's "NO BS" no fault fast turn around warranty. Kristin at "All About the Fly" in Monroe has them.

[Battenkill Bill]

I have an 8 wt 12'6" that I love. I have it rigged with a Rio belly and Vision shooting head on John Hazel's advice.

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Jason,

I have two, a 12'6" 6 wgt and a 14' 9 wgt. Love them both. Nice casting rods when matched up with the right lines. My wife liked my 9 wgt so much she got one of her own.

Incidently, we both got our TFO's from Mike, AKA RED SHED.

REE

[pcknshvl]

There is indeed a TFO rep in Carnation this weekend... I forgot his name already, though. Eric, maybe?

He has the new 11' 5wt with him, which I can't wait to try....

Tom

[miyawaki]

His name is Dick Sagara. Look up Brian Lencho there. He has been working with Dick on the two-handers.

Leland.

[Davy]

Jason- get one, I did, now I have 5, two for the boat,, no issues

[bconrad]

I have the 14' 9, and I like it. However, as my casting has started to improve a little, I've noticed that it doesn't recover as well as I'd like. You probably won't ever regret getting one, but you might outgrow it. You're welcome to try mine if you don't get to cast one at the speyclave this weekend.

[Red Shed]

I have the 14' 9, and I like it. However, as my casting has started to improve a little, I've noticed that it doesn't recover as well as I'd like. You probably won't ever regret getting one, but you might outgrow it. You're welcome to try mine if

bconrad, I am curious to know what line you are casting?

[greyghost]

Great rod for a great price, with outstanding customer service. You won't regret it ...well, after you learn to cast of course. I have a Ross CLA 5 on my 12.5' 8wt with the windcutter 8/9/10 and would also recommend picking up a skagit line as well for throwing heavy tips with big bunny leeches.

Pete

[John Hicks]

Mike,

I cast the TFO 14' 9wt with a windcutter and it was a great rod. For the money you can't go wrong with it. Mike (red shed) will set you up if you need.

John

[bconrad]

bconrad, I am curious to know what line you are casting?
I'm using a 9/10/11 Windcutter. I've noticed that when using a type 8 tip and a Intruder style fly, the rod doesn't have nearly the pop as when using a lighter tip. This is mostly on single spey type casts. Who knows though, maybe my technique just sucks!

[TallFlyGuy]

Bconrad,

Your type 8 tip and your type three tip are the same weight (grains), but sink at different rates. So if you are having problems casting your type 8 then you maybe need to do a few roll casts to get it up out of the water etc.

Also, that line might be one line to high for that rod. Not sure, I don't have that one.

Tall

[doublespey]

Hey BConrad,

I spent a bit of time this last Saturday testing the 14' 9wt TFO. It handles both the 8-9-10 and 9-10-11 WindCutters well. Which you prefer depends on your casting style.

Another thing to consider is that, as TFG mentioned, when you change a sinktip density or put on a lead-eyed fly, your "pickup" on casts like the single spey or spiral roll will suffer. There are ways to deal with the added weight and "stick" you encounter. He had a good suggestion of roll-casting to get your line nearer the surface before beginning your Single Spey. Another is to use a different cast, like a Snap-T or Perry Poke.

Speaking of the Perry Poke - you're encountered one of the reason Ed Ward came up with Skagit Casting system. With heavier tips and weighted Intruder-style flies, traditional casting becomes a bit more cumbersome. Casts like the Perry Poke take advantage of this added weight and "stick" and use it to load the rod.

You should consider visiting Aaron's Speycasting claves on a convenient Saturday morning. You'd get a chance to try other lines with your rod as well as some techniques for dealing with the heavier heads and flies.

Tight Lines!

Brian

[bconrad]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I don't have too many problems when using a snap-t or snake roll type of cast, but when doing a change of direction cast like the single spey, it feels like the TFO doesn't want to recover fast enough after forming the d-loop. This results in my overpowering the forward stroke, and the rod tends to fold up.

My only other point of reference for spey casting is my Sage 6126, but I've noticed that this rod is much more tolerant of overpowering that forward stroke, without totally ruining the cast. It just seems to have a lot more "pop".

Of course I could always just slow down that forward stroke, but that's always been a challenge for me, especially in windy conditions.

Maybe I'll get out to Aaron's in the next couple weeks and try some different rods, and maybe an 8/9/10 windcutter on my TFO. Again, thanks for the advice!

[Steelie Mike]

Bconrad, it sounds like you need to step up in grain weight for that rod. I started fishing the TFO 8wt with a Windcutter 6/7/8 and it was just not enough to load the rod. When I switched to a Windcutter 7/8/9 I saw a total difference and I no longer needed to work to get the fly out. I went from having a sore shoulder at the end of the day to not.

I love the TFO rods and have both the #6 and #8 wt 12"6' version. The Windcutter 6/7/8 works great with the #6. Although I do have a 14 ft Winston I like to use on Big rivers, I prefer to use the TFO rods instead. The length only has minor advantages with the Windcutter line and I can cast just as far with the TFO 12"6' rod. Also it handles well with big fish. I lucked into a few Chinook last year and it handled well despite trying to put the hurt on the fish.

I recommend this rod for the beginner and anyone that just likes to collect a few extra rods. They are the bang for the buck and I plan on getting their 5wt 11" rod next year. That has to be the perfect rod for bulls, dollies and pinks.

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/505/medium/Oct_27th_06_2_.jpg

[TallFlyGuy]

Hehe,

nothing like a few TFO glamour shots!!

I got lots!!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j281/justinte/21septh.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j281/justinte/firstfish2.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j281/justinte/21septe.jpg

[James Mello]

Bconrad, it sounds like you need to step up in grain weight for that rod. I started fishing the TFO 8wt with a Windcutter 6/7/8 and it was just not enough to load the rod. When I switched to a Windcutter 7/8/9 I saw a total difference and I no longer needed to work to get the fly out. I went from having a sore shoulder at the end of the day to not.

I love the TFO rods and have both the #6 and #8 wt 12"6' version. The Windcutter 6/7/8 works great with the #6. Although I do have a 14 ft Winston I like to use on Big rivers, I prefer to use the TFO rods instead. The length only has minor advantages with the Windcutter line and I can cast just as far with the TFO 12"6' rod. Also it handles well with big fish. I lucked into a few Chinook last year and it handled well despite trying to put the hurt on the fish.

I recommend this rod for the beginner and anyone that just likes to collect a few extra rods. They are the bang for the buck and I plan on getting their 5wt 11" rod next year. That has to be the perfect rod for bulls, dollies and pinks.

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/505/medium/Oct_27th_06_2_.jpg

Dude an 11" rod is kinda short? Is that mostly for skinny steel water or do you just club them in the head with it? :)

[Steelie Mike]

Dude an 11" rod is kinda short? Is that mostly for skinny steel water or do you just club them in the head with it? :)

Size queen perhaps? :p It is all about the challenge my friend. An expereinced fisherman should be able to land a summer steelhead within a few mintues on a 5/6 weight.

[FlyShopKristin]

Hey Mike - Brian Lencho was casting that 11' TFO rod at Aaron's last weekend with the 5/6 CND line. I didn't get a chance to try it out, but he said it was a sweet combination.

[John Hicks]

Mike watch out for that James guy he is a real rod whore. I clammered after my sage our whole trip to Canada.