Impressions and line rec for TFO 11' 5wt.

[manchu67]

Hey everyone,

Anybody have a line rec for this rod. Looking to use it for swinging for streamers and trout.

Also, impressions are welcome!

Thanks

[MJC]

I thought this rod single hand overhead cast a WF 5 just fine. For spey casting I liked more of a 7.

The very best way to find out if "you" will like this rod is to see your local dealer for a test drive. If you can't find a test drive locally I would be happy to send you one to try on your own waters. Then you can give us your opinion.

[manchu67]

Thanks Poppy, I'll give you a call soon and we can set something up. I was in a local shop and the rep was there but he didn't have this rod with him unfortunately.

Thanks!

[MJC]

I was in a local shop and the rep was there but he didn't have this rod with him unfortunately.

Hmmm, that's surprising. I talked with that guy at length during David's clave last year and that 11ftr was all he could talk about.

I believe that is the rod that John Breslin does his great single hand spey casting demo with.

[herl]

I have (had) this rod. I didn't get to do any actual fsihing with it b/c it was one of the 'bad seeds' with a loose butt-reel seat connection. It is currently at TFO for replacement. The little test casting I did do with it was focused on spey casts. I liked the rio outbound 7wt for most spey casts (I thought the outbound would work for a skagit type line but at 37+ feet it is too long for that rod). probably 5 would be best for overhead, as noted above - it has a very nice, soft tip. I will be trying to make an extra shorthead skagit line for it when I get it back (ala the recent thread on very short skagit heads for Mieser's 11'7" 5/6/7).

However, hearing that Mieser has joined up with TFO to produce a 12'6" 4/5 rod due in the spring makes me think I should have waited for that one..

Eric

[SpeyH20]

Originally Posted by manchu67

Hey everyone,

Anybody have a line rec for this rod. Looking to use it for swinging for streamers and trout.

Also, impressions are welcome!

Thanks

I love this rod it Spey cast either a 4/5 or a 5/6 Wind Cutter quite nicely, this by the way is Simon's recommendation for this rod and is right on the money.

[2HandTheSalt]

I like a 7-weight line for this rod for overhead casting with two-hands.

[SpeyH20]

Manchu,
I took my 11' 5 out again this weekend and put on both the 5/6 and the 4/5 WindCutter lines for a side by side comparison. After a couple of friends and I cast both lines for some time we came to the conclusion the 5/6 was just too heavy and unresponsive. the 4/5 was the line of choice for all three of us. We found the rod cast better if the majority of the power were to come from the upper hand, along with a nice smooth cast and this rod sings.

P.S. You will need a reel that weighs about 10oz to balance the rod for Spey casting

[manchu67]

Thanks.

I appreciate the info!

[sushiyummy]

I tried the tfo 11' 5 weight with a Orvis 7 weight Type 1 Short head line and 12' leader (about 450 grain, 45' head). It cast like a bomb- delivering around 80-90 feet after shooting line.

I then switched the tip with a 109 grain Type 8 sinking 15' and it still turned over well. However, I didn't have a fly and it was indoor casting in 2" of water (MidWest Fly fishing show over the weekend).

I am getting one as my summer trout/ smallmouth fishing.

Yes, the one I played with had a loose rear grip separating from the metal core. They need to improve the design to mechanically lock in the cork around the metal stem.

[doublespey]

Originally Posted by sushiyummy

I tried the tfo 11' 5 weight with a Orvis 7 weight Type 1 Short head line and 12' leader (about 450 grain, 45' head). It cast like a bomb- delivering around 80-90 feet after shooting line.

I then switched the tip with a 109 grain Type 8 sinking 15' and it still turned over well. However, I didn't have a fly and it was indoor casting in 2" of water (MidWest Fly fishing show over the weekend).

I am getting one as my summer trout/ smallmouth fishing.

Yes, the one I played with had a loose rear grip separating from the metal core. They need to improve the design to mechanically lock in the cork around the metal stem.

Just FYI - they've fixed the loose butt by using a longer, more robust screw and anchor. I tested it last month and it's a hugh improvement!

Also, another line that works really well with this rod is the 5/6 CND GravityPoint. Great dry/skater line - haven't tried it with tips yet.


Brian

[Undertaker]

What is the grip like on this rod (measurements, etc.)? Is it the same as the other TFO speys? Seems like a lot of cork for such a (relatively) small rod, but I can't seem to find any info that would suggest it's any different than the others...