What you have been waiting for.......

[briansII]

.......don't act like you weren't!

Yellowstone Anglers FOUR WEIGHT Shootout.

http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/4weigh ... errods.asp

I know, I know. Biased. Just wanna sell rods. I still read them for what pertinent info I can get, and just for the entertainment value. I like em'. Hope they do a 9wt Shootout.

briansII

[WanderingBlues]

I had read that and was shocked to see the TXL-F finished 2nd. I enjoy their reviews

[Waterborne]

I do like reading about the various rods, but these shootouts seem to be mostly splitting hairs and dissecting minutia. But, I'm guilty of that when it comes to gear.

They already did TWO 5 wt shootouts. I wish they would have just skipped the 4 weights and did a 3 wt shootout. Is 120 grains of fly line so much different than 140 grains of fly line that they had to do another shootout? Seems like just a THIRD 5 wt shootout with 10' less distance.

Fly rods selection is so personal with individual preferences, priorities, and needs. There's no such thing as a universal "best all around 4 weight".

[RichardCullip]

Interesting read. Of course none of my 4wts (TFO Jim Teeny, Sage Z-Axis, Winston BIIt) even made the shootout list. I do agree with their opinion on SA's Sharkskin line which I tried a few years ago and hated every moment it was spooled up on my reel.

Why didn’t we test with the SA Sharkskin or Textured lines? Well, we still don’t like them. We’ve proven to ourselves in casting here on the lawn that they don’t cast any farther than the standard Trout or GPX. They may lift off the water a little more easily, but they are rough and when I’m using a hand retrieve, it feels like I’ve got sand or dirt on my hands. They are noisy going through the guides and will cut your fingers if you grab them when a fish is running fast. Some people rave about them, but I’d rather use the old standards that cast beautifully and with a lot less noise. Fly-fishing is supposed to be a quiet sport.

[Artin]

I've also read their reviews and like reading them. I will check this one out as well. From a good and trustible source, they are a bit bias. But hey it can't hurt to read and compare what you've read to actual casting and testing while buying a rod.
Also the shark skin lines are a bit annoying. I have a 5 and 4 wt. they are no different than others. Pick up a bit more easily but they won't cast any further. If you'er a good caster you can probably get a 100' of wool line out... My lines are worn out and I will change back soon. Oh, and the noise, it's like a zipper... I live with it for now though.

Artin

[Flatsix]

..........Whew!, I read the subject line and I was kind of worried there for a minute.

I thought that Sage had come out with the One.1 just when I had managed to save up for the One.

Gotta stay up the technology! It makes all the difference in the world.

[briansII]

I got a chance to read 75% of the test. I realize it's not something everyone will appreciate, but I think this one is the best to date. The actual rankings mean very little to me. What I like is the individual comments on each rod, and they have some excellent photos of each rod. Not just the stock, factory pics, but nice closeups. How about that Tom Morgan, and Burkheimer.





Anyway, I doubt I'll read every word, because at some point, it ceases to be entertaining/enlightening, and I have a short attention span.

briansII