Got a real nice Christmas bonus this year, some of which I’m planning to spend on myself…here’s the situation:
Looking at a 7 ft 6 in 3 wt rod for my small-stream brook trout excursions up here in the Adirondacks of northern NY…I can’t ? or haven’t been able to ? make that psychological leap to something extremely high-end like ($650-750 range), but am looking at a mid-range rod such as the Scott A3, Winston Vapor or perhaps a custom rod from New York-based JP Ross…However, the Winston deal where you can purchase a high-end rod and get an Ascent for $65 is attractive; I could buy an 8 wt Ascent for steelheading on the Salmon River or for pike and bass on Lake Champlain…
I’d be interested in your thoughts, and feel free to toss a couple other rodmakers into the mix just to get me thinking some more…
The Winston deal is a hard one to pass up and I know you will be pleased with both rods. My second choice would be a custom rod, you wouldn’t be giving up any quality in fact might even gain some. The two for is just too good to pass up.
I know you’re not wanting to go to the super high end, but if you can, please check out the 8’4" Scott G2 in 3 weight. It is a real sweetheart of a rod. Just a tadd longer than the 7’6" which allows you a little more reach when “high sticking” in the small pocket waters and plunge pools but still short enough to cast when there’s room.
Personally, I’ve found longer rods more versatile on the closed in streams than the short ones. If the overhangs and brush are too tight to cast, you’re not really going to cast with a 7’6" either, but the shorter rod can’t “dapple” a fly into a plunge pool as effectively as a little longer one.
If you’re looking into the Winston deal, which is a great deal, I really like my Winston BIIt 9’ 4wt. I know it’s too long and heavy for what you want, but if you can check out the BIIt series, there are some really nice rods there.
Not sure if you are looking for us to suggest new rods to buy or if you are looking to buy a used rod. For what you are looking at I would seriously suggest and heartily endorse the Cortland “Brook Series” rods. I know there may be some concern that I’m suggesting a “Wal Mart Special” but these rods are a sweet little tool! They are under $200, very light, well balanced, and have very good power as well. There are a nice range of sizes and wts. including I believe a 7’ 3wt. I have a 8’ 4wt that I absolutely love and it is my “go to” rod on smaller open streams. I am also about to purchase a 10’ 4 or 5 wt.
I see that you are considering the Ross rods, I have an 8’6" 3/4 weight. Nice rod, but never took it out of the case since I got the Cortland. I also have a 7’6" Loomis Experience in 4wt. Again a nice rod but usage has dropped since I got the Cortland.
There is no way you’ll regret the Winston…I’m totally in love with my 5 weight. I also have a 7’ something (9’’ maybe) TFO finess 3 weight that’s a sweet little rod , too! Small steam brookies and bluegills off a dock are great fun on that one.
Don’t over look the Scott F series. They are fiberglass rods that are designed for the close in work of small streams. In my opinion, they are as close to bamboo as you can get with regards to feel.
Hi Bendog. Welcome to FAOL from SoCal. You can check out the Albright A-5 on the FAOL sponsor page. I have a 7’6" 3 wt I use on small creeks. Here’s a link to a comparison of the A-5 against other rods. http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/default.asp Don’t let the price fool you. Jim
Hi Bendog and welcome to FAOL from SoCal.
If you want a good deal check out the A-5 7’6" 3 wt from Albright. http://www.albrightflyfish.com/ They are a sponsor here and have good products. Look at the rod comparisons. Don’t let the prices fool you. I fish with one and have no complaints.
Yeah, I gotta say, the thread is titled “Spend My Money, Please…” maybe that poster was a relative who thinks they might be in line for an inheritance…50 bucks? Personally, I like the posts that are serious about directing me toward some cash outlay…
I picked up a used Echo 3wgt, 7’6" 4 piece, with reel and line for under $200 a few years ago (got it here from FAOL actually). I really like it and I used it this past year when I was home in Nova Scotia for fishing brookies. I have no idea how much they are new, but I’m very happy with mine and would recommend it for what your looking to use it for and is probably in that middle range price wise that you’re mentioning.