The Two Best Rods to Fly-Fish Northwest Lakes

Building a rod quiver to effectively fish Northwest stillwaters can be mildly confusing.  Many accomplished anglers have very specific ideas on rod performance, which is understandable considering the variety of techniques to catch fish in lakes and reservoirs.

Generally, we experience two trains of thought. First, we want the most diverse tool for the job, the “Do-All” theory. Second, we want the specific tool needed to make the most of a situation, which is the “Specialist” theory. Following, I have suggested to sticks that would suffice in either of these categories. And, armed with any of these, your stillwater success should be grand.

For the “Do-All” camp, the choice was difficult because so many rod manufactures build a similar profile rod and spec. After all why wouldn’t they? It’s a “Do-All” rod; the same reason Winchester, Browning, and Thompson Center all make butt-kicking .270 rifles.

We don’t have the time to discuss every good 9’ 6-weight in our North 40 Omak shop, but for an all-around standout in function, form and price the Sage 9’ 6-weight Pulse stands out. A great 9’ 6-weight stillwater rod must pick up line well, generate line speed, yet have enough tip sensitivity to detect the subtle subsurface takes of finicky fish that have all day to evaluate their food. The Sage Pulse is superb in all criteria—it’s fast enough to pick up line quickly and efficiently even with heavy-sinking lines; it generates the line speed needed to keep line off the water when fishing from a pontoon or float-tube; and because of its high-modulus graphite, unique taper, and weight, it is a very perceptive when it comes to strike detection.

This rod stands out in its ability to detect strikes and allow you to make a good hooks, which is one of the major challenges to the stillwater game. For instance, it is hard to get hook-sets on fish at depth while fishing a sinking line, especially with a soft, slow action rod. By the time the rod loads to the point a hook set is possible the fish has already experienced a slow sting, which causes fly drop. However, if the rod is too fast the subtle sip of a trout won’t be felt.  The Pulse has the appropriate tip so when fishing with a quality braided-core line the advantage is to the angler—those cunning stealthy veterans won’t have time to spit a hook before their lips are welded shut.

The Pulse’s action allows a caster to easily keep line speed up and deliver laser-tight loops. The action isn’t so fast your elbow will ache, but provides a smooth, progressive power-curve, which can really sail the line even when you’re seated at water level. The Pulse 690-4 is a beauty to behold especially when you consider her mid-level price point.

When talking with most lake fly fishers who champion the “Specialist” rod theory, the first qualification is length. Rods need to be in excess of 9’ feet long with 9’6” to 10” being ideal. Some people even prefer long rods. The added length is a nice attribute and helps pick up line and keep it off the water during the cast. Building a longer rod, that achieves balance and fish-ability can be tough. It requires the use of the most high-grade components, carbon fiber, nano coatings, and guides to help reduce swing weight, and increase strike detection and hook-set. Generally, the less expensive rods in this category don’t possess those attributes to the point a true “Specialist” would accept.

World champion fly caster and world-class angler Tim Rajeff, of Echo Fly Fishing, is acutely aware of how materials and physics collide to impact the specifics of rod performance. Out of this diligence arose the Echo3 10’ 5-weight, a rod that is a spectacular tool for most stillwater situations. The only thing this rod doesn’t excel at is picking up the heaviest sinking lines. But then again that’s why Rajeff created its big brother the Echo 3 10’ 6-weight.

The reason I am focusing on the 5-weight is that it is so much more unique. It is hard to find a 10’ rod that is as refined as the Echo3, particularly in a 5-weight. Most every manufacturer has a 9’ 5-weight, some a 9’6” 5-weight, but a 10-footer is rare. Especially one that fishes well. This is what makes the Echo3 5100-4 a hidden treasure with value far beyond its modest price. The added length on this rod allows for a slowing casting stoke while still generating line speed. I will spare you the discussion on pythagoras, but the longer the rod, the faster the tip travels at the same casting stroke. It allows for more line pickup since the arc of rod travel is greater. When fishing midge- tip lines at distance to spooky fish, there can’t be a greater advantage than being able to pick and deliver long casts quickly to sippers.

Another strategy long, lightweight rods are ideal for is chironomid fishing under and indicator. The added length allows you to move all the junk up and away, and the more moderate action permits more open loops to avoid casting collisions and tangles. Often when exploring the idea of adding a 10-foot rod to the arsenal there is the worry of a perceived loss of feel. The loss of feel with any rod is attributed more to weight and the inability to transmit tip sensitivity due to poor blank construction. The Echo3 is exceptionally “feely” because of technology crafted into such a light, balanced and responsive blank. This “feelyness” makes the Echo3 10’ 5-weight a remarkable tool for dealing with smart fish that are masters at slipping the hook. When a chironomid is dangling at the end of a 20-foot long leader, a more sensitive rod increases your odds of a hookset.

Together, these rods pair well for targeting different parts of the water column. An angler is fortunate if they have both of these rods in their quiver. No matter the angle, whether “Do-All” or a situation specific “Specialty” rod, N40 Omak has the rod for you. So come in and give each a test.