i just got a three weight and an 8 weight rods and reels setup for christmas. both were three forks brand and they work perfectly fine so far. i already got out to practice casting them and they both work AMAZING. all i can say is make sure youre attaching the reel correctly. on mine, part of the reel slides into the cork section of the rod, while on my previous fly rods, there was a slider on both ends of where the reel goes to lock it in. so thats all i can come up with that the problem may be.