First post, been reading for a short while. Need some advice. I want to get a 3 wt. for small trout streams and small texas rivers like the llano and the frio. Here are my thoughts on rods.
Sage Launch
Cabela’s LST
Reels:
Orvis Battenkill BBS
Cabela’s LSR
Teton Tioga
Ross Cimarron (little to pricey)
I have also heard about the TFO rods, but I heard from some the fit and finish wasn’t great. My thought on the CAbela’s rod is that maybe it is a higher quality blank since it is not a high dollar brand. My buddies keep telling me to order a Dan Craft blank and make a rod, but I think I would be terrible at that.
I know the Cabela’s reel gets bad reviews from some, but seeing how it is on a 3 wt rod, I’m not sure I’d need a lot of drag. Also, if I get the LST/LSR combo, you get free line and like $100 off that reel. That’s tempting.
I also need waders and boots. I only use them maybe 3x per year so I think I’ll go with the Cabela’s premium dry plus cabelas light weight wading boots. I thought about the other brands but I think I’ll be okay with the affordable Cabela’s brand.
I don’t know what length you’re looking for but the Cabela’s Three Forks 3 wt is 7 1/2’ 3 pc. They have a combo on sale right now for $80.
I can tell you the rod is a true bargain. The best buy in flyfishing IMO. Casts like a rod casting many times more than it does.
Those prestige plus reels are a great bargain. I may think about those. I like the idea that the combos come with fly line. I have a medalist on my 6 wt and like it. Anyone have issues with the Prestige plus?
The TFO rods have a lifetime guarantee. Pretty tough to beat and definitely not available from Cabelas. I have a TFO and have no issues with the finish. I do know that if I did have an issue, finish or otherwise, that I can get it fixed no questions asked.
As for reels, I have a preference for the tetons. Here is the thing with a reel for a 3wt though…it just holds your line (like you mentioned). Given a choice, I would spend less on a reel and more on a rod for a 3wt. If you do consider a Cabelas combo, I would also account for new line. The stuff that came with the cabelas combo a few years back was terrible. This may have changed though…
Waders. I think your spot on. If you are only getting out a few times a year its just not worth the cash.
I had a Sage Launch 5wt and really liked it. Replaced it with an FLI but only because of a defect in that particular Launch (the glue was coming lose adn it would have taken them 6-10 weeks to replace). I would go for the Sage; great rods and you simply cannot beat the lifetime unlimited warranty (it even covers little kids stepping on your fly rod when you are too daft to know not to leave it laying on the ground in a path).
I also have the Orvis Battenkill BBS. So far it has performed without a hitch.
I bought my daughter a Cortland 3 wt and it is a dandy little rod as well. I think I paid about $110 for it and have never regretted the purchase.
Are you going to get over to Beaver’s Bend in the Great State of Oklahoma? You should give it a shot when you get set up.
Cabela’s rods, reels and lines are decent values that wil give you years of service, maybe lifetimes at only few uses per year.
As far as that whole ‘gurantee’ things goes, Cabela’s unconditionaly guarantees ALL of their merchandise, if you are not satisfied with it.
The major reason that Sage charges $600 for a rod is that ‘no fault, regardless of how stupid you were, we’ll always replace it’ guarantee. I also believe they DO charge for the ‘service’ when you return a rod.
Great to have if you fish a lot or are hard on rods. Not so great if you take care of your tackle or only fish infrequently.
Thanks for all the great replies. I am really wanting a 4 piece and something shorter than 9’. TFO doesn’t offer what I am after. I guess that St. Croix Avid gets good reviews too. I think I may save some money on the reel and go with a medalist or a prestige plus.
Does anybody know the action difference between the Cabela’s LST rod and the Sage Launch?
That would be helpful.
Also, the cabela’s outfits come with SA MAstery Line. Is that junk or is that a decent line?
Thanks for that link. Some great stuff there. I really think I’m leaning toward an LST with a Prestige Plus. Makes too much sense economically, and it sounds like people enjoy the rod. I think I may really like that Launch rod but I don’t want to shell out for a reel and line on top of that. Unless of course that SA line is junk that comes with the combo.
I own a Ross Cimmaron, and I love it. The one complaint I have is that there is a small spring loaded pin in the spool that engages the drag. In cold (cold by Ohio standards) weather, that pin can freeze up inside the spool and leave you with a free spooling reel. I own two ross reels and love them both. Worth the money in my opinion.
You gotta love this site for all the good advice. While I don’t own a St Croix 3wt, I do own a 9’ 6wt Avid and they are nice rods. You can’t go wrong with them. I have never fished or cast for that matter a Cabelas rod, but they have a large following. Don’t let the finish of a TFO turn you off. Great rod for the money and I hear their customer service is better than most.
When it comes to reels, I am an Orvis fan. I think their BBS are great reels. That’s what I have on my 3wt. I also own two older Battenkills.
In my humble opinion, SA Mastey Series line is a good quality line. I have their Headstart on a 5wt that I use for panfishing and their Trout in a 5wt on my Scott G. I just picked up some new GPX in a 4.
TFO and Scientific Anglers are sponsors here. Orvis and Cabelas aren’t, but deep down inside wish they were. :lol:
Hmmm interesting…having fished in MT in temps around 5 to 10 degrees with that same reel, I have never experienced that. I really love my Cimarron (and my Dad has had no complaints with his either). A very nice reel if yor willing to spend a bit of extra money
As for the original post…I really like my Teton Tioga. I am pretty hard on gear and my Tioga has taken everything I have been able to throw at it. I cant say that I like it over my Cimmaron, but the Tioga was a “cheaper” reel that has performed very well for me personally.
I am in the process of buying my brother a fly rod and reel and and this thread has been interesting. I have a few ideas and need to sit down and look into things a bit closer myself.
All I will say about the Cabelas waders, is that I went through 2 pairs in less than two years. On one pair, the gravel guard started coming unstitched. The second pair started to leak around the gravel guard. Both were the Dry Plus GII, which I believe are being discontinued. :?:
After that, I bought a pair of Simms about a month and half ago, and which fate has conspired to keep me from using so far. :roll:
To Cabela’s credit, they were great about returning both pairs for a full credit, and the product specialist even helped me pick out the Simms. Really good customer service!
I also had a pair of Bass Pro waders, but I prefer not to discuss those things or the experience of trying to return them. :evil:
Wow I guess I was wrong on the line comment. I bought a combo for a friend about five years ago and the line that came along with the combo was pretty disappointing. Glad to hear they stepped it up in that department.
I have the Cabelas LST combo with the CSR reel and the GPX line in both the 3wt and 5wt and like them very much. I have not used the Prestige plus but have several of the standard Prestige reels and they work fine, but for the $20 difference I think you would like the CSR and it is a lot quiter and holds drag settings better. The tolerances must be a little tighter because the line or leader won’t slip between the spool and frame like once in a while happens with the standard Prestige. I don’t think you could complain at all about the GPX line and now I understand that they put a high floating end loop on them.
Both were the Dry Plus GII, which I believe are being discontinued. :?: