Hey All,
I went and tried a TFO Ticr 8’ 3 weight rod yesterday and the only reason I didn’t buy it was due to the made in Korea sticker on it. It was so nice though for So little. Anybody own these and what have you all got to say about them? Dealer said they are taking over the low to medium priced rod catagory and are excellent rods. The one I tried was a 3 peice. I’m compairing to a Sage Launch 8’3 weight that I’m also considering. Any advice would be apprieciated.
Sorry, it was the Professional Series. not the other.
I’ve got the TFO Pro Series 3 wt and I have to admit it has become my favoite small line size rod.
I’ve got a ticrx for freshwater. It’s a 5wt 9’ and i love it. Very fast action, lots of backbone, and you can really feel it load. TFO is a my favorite dealer
I own a TFO 7 wgt I use primarily for largemouth. I think this rod really gives the most bang for the buck.
I have 2 TFO’s… both 9’ 4 piece. One is a 6 weight that casts like a dream that I use as my main rod for now and I have a 9 weight also for pike, muskie and some striper fishing. I plan on at least 2 more of them. One will be the 7’6" 3WT for sure. I haven’t decided on the other one yet. Possibly a 7WT. IMHO… can’t beat them for the price and the warranties.
Mike
There is no greater fan of flyfishing than the worm.
Patrick McManus
Great rods for the $$$. I own 3 of them.
Fishing the Ozarks
I just bought a Professional 5wt 4pc and love it. The thing is dead accurate and casts with no effort at all. I gave it a good breaking in this weekend on the trout, panfish and walley. I would recommend this rod to anyone.
Seege
I have them for my guiding rods. I own about 5 (or is it 6) of them, main reason, decent rod, good price, but the warranty and the fact that they have a dealer right here in Calgary so when (not if, when) they break I can just go in there and be back in an hour with a new rod if I have to.
Brian 
[url=http://bowcrow.tripod.com:54832]Bowcrow Fishing Adventures[/url:54832]
I own Thomas & Thomas Horizon 9’ 6# .
Compared to that rod the TFO’s are not hmm lets say not very exciting
I don’t live in USA but I prefer rods made in USA. In my opinion they are simple the best. I own to Diamondback rods and one T&T.
You guys live there and prefer rods made in Korea!!
I actually agree with your sentiment. The company is definitely service oriented and they stand by their product. But I don’t see the magic in my TFO Pro Series, that I see in some of my other rods. I really like my St. Croix LU, the rod feels much lighter in my hands and it has the action that I like.
At the last local TU chapter meeting I went to, the speaker was from a U.S. rod company (not an FAOL sponsor), and was supposed to talk about Adirondack fishing.
However, a few comments about the “Asian problem” slipped into the conversation, with specific mention of Temple Fork. Anything goes if it gives you an edge over the competition, I guess.
It sort of worked, too. Because the same guys that were wearing shirts made in China and who raved about their Korean built Sage reels were suddenly talking about the crummy quality of overseas manufacturing.
The hypocrisy in that ought to be apparent to all. The bottom line, though, is that if you’re going to compete with TFO, you need to build a better product, offer a better warranty, or provide better service – because that’s the only thing that’s going to work in the long run.
As for me, I’m going to fish my TFO proudly, and the rest of you hypocritical snobs can stick it.
I think it is difficult to know what is American made these days–labels can be very misleading. Many companies that manufacture here are not American-owned, and many corportations are held by parent companies. Parts come from one place and are assembled in another. Adapt and survive.
I think we should change our mantra from “Buy American” to “Shop Locally”. If we have a good local source for material, we will benefit much more in the long run by supporting thoses stores rather than mass merchandizers. I love Cabela’s, LLBean, etc… but I try to buy what I can from the local shop. And I try to apply that logic to other parts of my life, when I can. My local economy is better for it, I think.
BTW, I like my TFO and I like my T&T. I am sure I am not a good enough caster to get the most from the T&T, and it would be hard to justify the extra $$$ on my casting. But then, I don’t fly fish for logical reasons.
Russ
First, I have to say I like my TFO rod, and I like my T&T.
I don’t think I’m a hypocritical snob, I just don’t like my TFO too much. The rod that I cast best with and I fish with the most is a 3 weight from Cabela’s. I have no idea where it was built.
BigFlatBrok you can fish your TFO as proudly as you want, but you would enjoy it even more if you would use rod from T&T, Sage ore Scott
The TFO line-up offers some very nice action rods for the money. I consider them a very good value. For many, that’s what is important. For some folks there are other considerations: American made, higher quality components (may be more expensive), or the difference in actions, etc.
Go with what suits your needs best.
Hey lets get the Globalization question out of the way and then lets talk about the TFO rod.
I like to say everybody likes globalization (lower prices) until it affects them. At one time the USA was the low cost producer for the world. I did not see anybody here complain about that. We killed the Europeans with lower raw materials and labor,
Now we are paying the price it just goes round and round.
Now to the Rods. I have two TFO rods. I like them very much the price, performance and warranty are perfect for me. As like to say the best of anything is that which I like. Each indiviual is different and seeks things that are particular to that individual. Marketing is designed to make us all think the same way. Be an individual. Find what is best for you.
This can actually be summed up pretty easily. You use what you want and I’ll use what I want. I won’t tell you you’re wrong for the choice you made. I use what I want and what I feel suits me the best. You don’t want to use TFO, then don’t. It’s a choice I made to use them. Maybe my feelings will change later, but I doubt it. I use TFO because I want to. Period.
Mike
There is no greater fan of flyfishing than the worm.
Patrick McManus
How about this:
Being relatively new to the sport, because of the price/performance package that TFO presents, I’ve been able to buy 3 rods that allow me to fish everything from trout to tarpon for a price equal to or less than one high end Sage or Scott. The beautiful thing is that I’m not really giving up much compared to those rods. It puts me out on the water catching fise with quality, reliable equipment that is backed with a great warranty.
Yes, I tried one at a fly show and Lefty Kreh took me out on the casting pool,
it was so sweet, I bought it right then and there.
I understand they make a travel rod too, does anyone have any experience with them.