CND Spey Rod

[Dave Westburg]

Took my new CND 14'4" Steelhead Specialist and a Rio Midspey line out for a test run yesterday. Have been speycasting for five years and consider myself reasonably proficient. My previous rod was a "brown" Sage 7136 13'6". It worked reasonably well with a Triangle Taper spey line and 8 and 9 weight sinktips. I told myself I fished it in the winter because it was light and not too hard on the back for a day's fishing. Am going to confine the Sage to the closet for summer and fall fishing. The CND rod casts more line with much less effort.

Some people say its not the rod, it's the fly caster. I have to disagree. It's both.

[willieboat]

I had the same experience with my Sage 9140-4. It was a great rod with dry line. But when I used a type 6 sink tip, the slow action frequently caused the line land in a tumble.
I find that fast action rods work much better with sink tips, and or weighted flies.

Don

[numbbutt]

hey Dave,

I have the same Sage rod you're talking about. It is a slow action rod...big time. I found when I swiched to a different rod, I too could cast further. I think it has a lot to do with the action of the rod.

Though, let's not neglect the sweetness of a CND. After all they are the only rod MFG, that makes nothing but double-handers. They probably have something figured out.

What CND rod did you get?

[KerryS]

I use a cnd from time to time. I find the cnd rods to be a bit slow actually.

I think it is a combination of caster, rod , line and even water conditions. I can cast my 9140 just as well as I can cast my 8124. Two completely different action rods. I have an 8/9 cnd custom that I struggled with until I put the same line I use on my 9140 on it and dropped down the weight of the sink tips. I can now cast the rod quite well. Different lines, different casting stroke even the speed of the water your casting from all play into how well any particular rod casts. Certain combinations will work very well in slow, sluggish water and not well in faster water. The direction at which the water flows into the caster or away from a caster has an effect on the cast. I am not even going to get into wind and how it will change the casting stroke or affect any given rod. And yes I think some rods cast better in windy conditions then others. A 6126 is a great rod for windy conditions. I could go on and on and on and on.............................................

[Dave Westburg]

Numb Butt,

The 7136 is a great rod for fall fishing on the Cowlitz. It's light enough where a searun can be fun but has the backbone to handle a steelhead. I use a 7 weight Triangle taper spey with this rod for dry fly and greased line fishing.

I bought a 14'4" steelhead specialist from CND. It's their high end rod. The retail price is $635. A fair amount of money but quite a buy compared to the high end rods from Sage, Thomas and Thomas or Bruce and Walker. Am amazed at how much more efficient my casting stroke is when fishing a Type 6 or Type 8 sinking tip.

[Mattisb]

I have a 9/10 Rio Midspey and am looking to purchase a CND rod. What do you think is the best complement to this line? I want something that casts heavy sink tips as well as floating lines. Any input would be great Thanks.

[Old Man]

Well if you are in the Seattle area,go to Aaron's spey casting clnic. He holds it every Saturday morning on the Snoqualmie river where the Tolt runs in. You could take your line and try it on many different rods. Doesn't cost a thing but your time. Runs from 0900 till everybody gets their fill. And you have some of the area's best casters to help you.

Jim

[Dave Westburg]

mattisb, I fish a Rio Midspey 9/10 with my CND Steelhead Specialist 14'4" rod and it works like a dream. If you have any time this week or next Saturday and want to try out the Rod on the Skykomish let me know.

Like old man says, you can also head to McDonald Park where the Tolt River hits the Snoqualmie on most Saturday mornings and cast some of Aaron's rods.