Hey everyone, I am a new member, and I look forward to learning as much as I can from you all.
I have been fly fishing for almost two years, and am completely hooked. I live in the Jackson Mississippi area, so every chance I get I drive to Arkansas and fish.
I am still using the original rod I bought for my first trip. It is a 5wt bass pro special, and it has done me well (even got my first grandslam on the Norfork a couple months ago), but I feel it is time to upgrade. I am looking at a TFO because of price and the warranty and it is all I know. I want to get a 4 wt, and spend no more then $200.
Welcome to FAOL Bedlam, you’re going to like it here. Well, there are lots of great flyrods for $200 and under. The first thought i had was to ask if you’ve checked Cabela’s. Then of course there are some sponsors right here in FAOL that sell flyrods. Hard to go wrong. One that comes to mind is Hook & Hackle.
An option is to read all you can find in the rod building section and wrap your
own. This is a way to have a better (relative term) flyrod for the same $200 that you are willing to spend. Kits are available at the aforementioned Hook & Hackle and Ron will treat you well. Hope this helps !
TFO makes a decent rod. This day and age, most rods you get at a price point are very similar in terms of quality. Cast any rod before you buy it, if at all possible, and buy the one that sings to you.
TFO rods are very good rods and they make several 4wts under $200. I think the “Finesse” rods are the best small stream rods of the bunch.
Of course there are many other excellent rods for less than $200 and TyroneFly mentioned two. I really li,e St. Croix, Ross Worldwide and Redington models too. If you spend more than $75 its hard to get a bad rod these days and there are even a few gems less than that.
welcome from clinton mississippi! you have joined a fine group with some great members! i agree on the elkhorns also but also would add the wright and mcgill essentials. watch out for john scott his fishie pictures will have you drooling!
TFO and Elkhorn are fine rods. Also, from personal experience, both companies customer services are great.
I broke both my TFO Pro Series 7 wt. and my Elkhorn Traveler Series 2 wt. Sent them back for repair and both came back with new sections, good as new.