Grant Michaels, over at Fly Lords, put together a good overview of some of the best beginner, intermediate, and advanced Euro nymphing rods on the market. Brook Trout have to be one of the most beautiful fish you can catch on a fly. But when it comes to nymph fishing, it’s the last factor overall rod sensitivity that’s most important. We've been doing it since 2003! How to Fly Fish for Brook Trout, Tie up your own fly fishing leaders in this article. There are affordable and expert options here ranging from 10' to 11'6" in length. Generally speaking, it is best to choose the power of your nymphing rod according to the type of fishing that you enjoy the most. Generally speaking, a rod’s line weight rating affects four main factors when fly fishing: As a rule of thumb, the heavier the line, the larger the fly you can use, the further you can cast, the larger the fish you can land, and the less sensitive the rod is overall. Overall, 9-foot rods work Okay for the majority of nymphing techniques we’ll cover, but for the nymph-centric angler, there are some compelling reasons to go with a longer rod anywhere from 10 to 11 feet. The water tends to get a bit murky when discussing rod actions, so let’s keep things simple by walking through an ideal flex profile of a nymphing rod: These days, there are many rod options available that check the boxes of what makes a great nymph fishing rod as we’ve described. You do, however, need the most sensitivity out of your rod as possible to detect the notoriously subtle bites of nymph-eating trout. This may seem obvious, however, a lot of rod companies that make 10 ft 2 wt and 3wt rods have made them with casting in mind. A 9’ rod will work just fine when you are getting started, but a 10’ to 11′ length is the rod of choice for most rivers and streams. Best Euro Nymphing Rods. As we don't cast with this fishing style, these rods are not suitable. Of course, the longer the rod the more line and leader you can get out there while “high sticking” and keep a direct connection to the fly, so shorter rods will limit you somewhat in that respect. So, for 95-percent of the nymph fishing you’ll do, a weight-forward floating line to match your rod’s line weight rating is perfect. A long, whippy rod serves as a better shock-absorber to protect the light tippets used in advanced nymphing techniques. These line ratings, however, are slightly different from standard fly rods. Best Euro Nymphing Rod (2021 Buyer's Guide) - Into Fly Fishing December 17, 2020 By: Spencer Durrant. Fly rod manufacturers produce more 9-foot rods than anything else, and for good reason they cast great, have enough length to mend line easily, and are long enough levers to apply all the pressure you need to get fish to the net quickly. Nymphing rods come in a variety of lengths and weights, but generally are no less than 10 foot in length. You need a reel that can hold your fly line reliably that’s about it. The best nymphing fly rods we've got in the shop, available for sale with FREE shipping. A great all-around nymph fishing line size and the choice of many competition anglers. Length These rods will be at least 10 feet in length. Our new ESN was designed specifically for Europeanstyle nymphing techniques developed to maximize catch rates. For Euro nymphing, I absolutely recommend a reel with a reliable smooth disc drag. Add to Cart. However, there are some specialty nymph fishing lines like the. Qty. The technique initially emerged in competitive fly fishing in Europe. European-style nymphing is growing in popularity on trout waters across the United States, and fly rod manufacturers have taken notice. Our favorite fly rods for nymphing. Echo Shadow II Fly Rod // … Give us a call at the shop if you've got any more questions. Doesn’t rod sensitivity have more to do with a rod’s action and flex profile? There is no comparison between the feel of a rod designed for Euro Nymphing and one that is more of a general-purpose rod. If you would like to read about more fly rod recommendations check out this article – Recommended Fly Reels. As such, the fly line you use isn’t nearly as important when nymph fishing as, say, your leader and tippet setup. I used that rod for years and it served its purpose. Most of the specialty nymph fly rods you’ll find on the market are generally 10 or 11 feet long. Shop fly rods available for sale from The Fly Fishers fly shop. The Temple Fork Drift rod is designed specifically for nymph fishing and easily converts to a 9′, 10′, 11’6″ or 12′ length. For nymph fishing weight-forward floating lines with tapers optimized for casting heavy nymph rigs. Typically, these rods will come in 2-4 weights with 3 being the popular choice amongst euro nymphing anglers. Here’s a further breakdown of the best rod line weights to consider for nymph fishing to help you make the best choice: This is were I really recommend checking out the TFO DRIFT (link to Amazon to check the price) this 3 weight that is a standard 9 foot can extend to over 11 feet to “Reach” farther out. So if you already own a fly rod regardless of its pedigree dust it off and use it to get started nymphing. We all remember walking into a fly shop to purchase ourfirst rod. With a four-weight, you can throw heavier rigs than you can with a three-weight without giving up much sensitivity. Copyright © 2003 – 2021 MidCurrent LLC, All Rights Reserved. Ultimate Euro nymphing Setup As I write this, the best combination of rod and rig that delivers excellent short-line performance as well as longer range French nymphing is the one pictured below: Marryat Tactical Pro 10' 6" Nymph Special rod plus Fish On hand-tied French Leader For heavy nymphing (like in the Western USA involving fishing deep with large beads) a #4 or #5 is the most adapted. Nymphing is close-range fishing and you don’t need to cast very far. Here’s a LINK to my store -> River Traditions, “This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. You can always upgrade later. Like we touched on, nymph fishing is largely a close range technique and often doesn’t require long casts. Want to learn how to use the NYMPH FLY FISHING machine described in this article? Typically the best Euro Nymph anglers come out of France, Spain, Italy and Czech. For your average Euro nymphing rod in a 10 ft 3 weight, a 5-6 weight reel that isn’t too light will be what you need. When choosing a reel to pair with your Euro Nymphing rod these are a few aspects that I take into consideration. River Traditions LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com”, The nymphs you’ll be fishing are very small (yes, there’s often weight added to the line, but in future articles you’ll learn techniques to cast even the bulkiest rigs regardless of line size)…. Line control is everything when nymphing, so the extra oomph throughout the midsection gives you the backbone necessary to roll-cast, mend, and manipulate your line on the water. Euro Nymphing Lines; Long Distance/Lake Lines; Trout Floating Lines; Flotants & Sinkants ; Nets & Accessories ; Leaders / Tippets / Rings ; Fly Fishing Accessories; ... Nymphing Rods. Qty. Video: How To Fish Woolly Buggers in Rivers, Announcing MIDCURRENT's "Inside the Box" Gear Unboxing Videos, Throwback Thursday: Minipi River Brook Trout, Michelle Fleming Breaks 3 Fly Fishing Records, FFI Southwest Council Announces SoCal Saltwater Saturdays. Just because we get into the technical aspects of nymph fishing gear, doesn’t mean you need to rush out and buy a specialized rod to perform the nymphing techniques covered in this series. Qty. One way they would be able to stay further away and maintain a quality drift is by fishing a longer rod, which is one of the reasons why you see most Euro-nymphing rods starting at 10' in length. With a three-weight, you’ll feel every little thump and tick of your fly contacting the bottom plus the daintiest takes of cautious trout. And he handed me the classic American fly rod, the 9’ 5wt. ADDITIONALLY it has the capability of becoming a 12′ 3″ trout spey. These rods are designed to meet the needs of the technical nymph angler who employs the many tight-line and Euro-nymphing techniques that have become hugely popular for their extreme fish-catching effectiveness. Four-weights also make great cross-over rods for fishing dry flies and small streamers if that’s your thing. The rods we’re talking about have what’s known as a “moderate” tip, which means it’s slower to snap back to center when bent than the rest of the rod. $950.00. Hanak Superb XP Rod. When performing tight-line nymphing techniques, a long rod gives you additional reach to cover more water without introducing slack to the system. Rigging your rod for Euro nymphing takes a few minutes, but once you’ve done it a half-dozen times you’ll be fine. Since you’ll be holding your fly rod for hours on end, it’s a good idea to go with a lightweight reel, but not so lightweight that it doesn’t balance your rod well. Learn the ins and outs of caching BLUEGILLS in this article. Just add a 250 grain skagit head with a sink tip and you can swing smaller streamers through those productive riffles. A more compact length … In rod action lingo, “fast” roughly translates to “stiff,” which gives you more power when casting and mending line. Drag: It is debatable as to where and when a strong, smooth drag system matters for trout. The smallest model, the LPS 962, is 9'6" and has a 2wt action, making it best suited to small streams and rivers and very light tippets. The Cortland rod is one that I feel pretty good about but it just has something about it that holds me back from using it over the Shadow. Those who are looking for a real high-end 10' #3 for euro nymphing, the most consistent rods are the Maxia SX4, the JMC Pure Equipe and the Echo Shadow X which achieve a flawless level of manufacturing and compliance of the advertised power (the Maxia being slightly less powerful). When Euro-nymphing, I see many anglers approach holding lies too closely without first thinking how they can stay out of clear sight of the fish. Three-weights are ideal for many of the Euro-nymphing techniques we’ll discuss later but might be underpowered if you plan on casting heavy indicator rigs beyond 30 or 40 feet. Most of the specialty nymph fly rods you’ll find on the market are generally 10 or 11 feet long. In general, Czech nymphing leaders are relatively short compared to those used for French or Spanish nymphing, which can run up to 20 feet long or more. Now if you’d like a fly rod recommendation, I’d have to say get the TFO DRIFT <-check it out at AMAZON this is a complete nymphing package. Luckily the owner of the shop came to my aid. While you can definitely Euro nymph on shorter, heavier rods (I managed it on an 8’6”5wt once) you’ll have the best luck with a long, light rod. This softer tip also gives you added tippet protection when setting the hook and playing fish. This was the first affordable rod to hit the market during the Euro nymphing craze and a lot of people like it. This rod took home Best of at the 2019 European Fishing ... perfect nymphing setup, these are the best budget fly rods of 2020. Winter is a great time to give this style of fishing a try, if you haven’t already. You want to feel every impulse and wave of energy moving from your fly, up the line, and into the rod. Built with a KonneticHD backbone, the ESN allows anglers to experience unmatched blank recovery, increased sensitivity, reduced weight-in-hand, and superior shock absorption to better hold fish. Don’t worry about it being too stiff; using a lighter line weight balances out the system as a whole. For your most technical nymph fishing efforts. The most popular weight of Euro Style Nymphing Rod is a 3 weight. If you currently own a fly rod, odds are it’s nine feet long. In fact, some of the tight-line and Euro-nymphing techniques we’ll cover are performed without any fly line on the water at all! In terms of rods for tight-line nymphing, the Thomas & Thomas Contact is hands down the best rod I've tried. Before we dive into the specifics of what makes the best fly rod, reel, and line for nymph fishing, a quick note of encouragement: You can fish nymphs successfully with practically any fly rod. But fishing for a while and borrowing smaller and larger rods from friends, it seemed the 4w… Even though they are designed as such, they have proven to be great rods in many fishing styles, making it an option for a well-rounded trout rod. But let’s say you do want to see how far the nymphing rabbit hole goes and you do want the best gear for the job. If you would like to read about more fly rod recommendations check out this article –, In fact, some of the tight-line and Euro-nymphing techniques we’ll cover are performed without any, So, for 95-percent of the nymph fishing you’ll do, a weight-forward floating line to match your rod’s line weight rating is perfect. Fly Rods designed for Czech and Euro nymphing. We carry Euro Nymphing rods from Echo, Hanak, Sage, Thomas & Thomas, and Syndicate. There are currently three models in the LPS Euro Nymphing rod range which are designed for fishing rivers of different sizes, all of which are four piece rods. Many experienced Euro nymphing anglers and guides keep this rod as a backup to a higher end rod, but in all honesty, this could be your everyday rod and you would be more than pleased. Add to Cart. North Americans often lump these various techniques into the broad classification of Euro nymphing, but it's important to realize that the best rod for working a heavy anchor fly through fast, bouldery water is likely different than the extremely delicate rod you'd need for using a curly indicator and #18 nymph at a distance of 40 feet. The majority of trout you’ll catch while nymphing will be under 20-inches on average a size any respectable modern graphite rod can handle. It’s easier to mend line to achieve a drag free drift. Orvis follows suit with the new Helios 3F. (Link to fly line article). Otherwise, stick with your 9-footer and you’ll be just fine. Add a name or favorite quote. Read this article on HIGH STICK NYMPH FLY FISHING. If you are anything like me you did little to no research and quickly became overwhelmed by the wall of rods sitting in the corner. Those rods are specifically designed to elevate your EN success! Learn how to catch more in this article. In that case, a light competition-style fly rod may be your best choice. That said, this system is a great way to get started and is still quite effective. Well, in that case, we better get started talking line weights, actions, flex profiles, and ideal lengths for nymph fishing fly rods. The comp rods, or other rods marketed as Euro-Nymphing fly rods, are long and light. Orvis Recon European Nymphing Rod. Rarely do they exceed a 4 weight, and 2 or 3 weights are common. These days, there are many rod options available that check the boxes of what makes a great nymph fishing rod as we’ve described. Grant Michaels, over at Fly Lords, put together a good overview of some of the best beginner, intermediate, and advanced Euro nymphing rods on the market. What models are in the LPS Euro Nymphing rod range? Euro nymphing and competition nymphing has become so popular these days that many rod builders intentionally develop their signature 3 wt fly rod for nymphing applications. For serious nymphing, you don’t want to go much heavier than a five-weight unless you plan on fishing big, fast-flowing rivers and fighting hefty fish. Ideally, your Czech nymphing leader should be anywhere from 2/3 to 3/4 the length of your rod, keeping in mind that longer rods in the 10 to 11-foot range are best for this technique. So if you want to get deep into nymph fishing, consider a long rod. Click through to each product to find out why they're so effective. However, there are some specialty nymph fishing lines like the Scientific Anglers AMPLITUDE Trout – (Amazon link to see reviews and prices) Learn more about Fly Lines in my article HERE that reviews and recommends fly lines. Sage ESN Rod. However, if you’re shopping for a first rod that you can use to fish every style of nymphing along with more traditional dry fly and wet fly techniques, a five-weight is a great all-around rod choice. While the line weight of a rod plays a role in its sensitivity when compared to other rods, action and flex profile play a much larger role when it comes to how the rod casts and fishes. ... 3-weight rod. The rod is matte black with colorful lettering, they have oversized single foot black guides. $750.00. You’ll find fly reels that meet these criteria made by all the top manufacturers go with the best you can afford. Wait. Sort By: Home; Fly Fishing ; Rods ; Nymphing Rods; Shop by price. While most casts are short when nymphing, having a slightly stiffer butt section will allow you to make longer casts when needed or cast heavily weighted rigs with multiple split shot on your leader. How to Make a Fly Fishing leader, A PERSONALIZED fly box make a perfect gift. Yes, that’s true, but if you were to compare two rods of the same model, material, and taper, but in different line sizes say, a three-weight and a four-weight the three-weight will be a lighter rod overall. How to Fly Fish For Bluegills. A 9-foot rod can be used quite effectively to Euro-nymph, especially on smaller to medium sized streams. An extremely sensitive tip is critical to achieving this. The Pipeline series rods are 10 and 11-foot lengths ranging from 2-4 weight and were designed for European Nymphing. The unique guide eyes converting the length with the line still strung through the eyes. For more information on how to choose the best fly line, check out our article here. $498.00. These rods are designed to meet the needs of the technical nymph angler who employs the many tight-line and Euro-nymphing techniques that have become hugely popular for their extreme fish-catching effectiveness. The fly rod is a 3 weight that can SWITCH between a delicate 9 foot dry fly machine to a 11′ 3″ Nymphing rod for tumbling nymphs through holes and runs. Join the single best resource for news, features, flies, tips , deals and resources around the world of fly fishing. Add to Cart. Nymph fishing is one of the most approachable and effective ways to catch trout on the fly, so don’t let the technical aspect of gear selection intimidate you. And lighter typically means more sensitive. The efficiency and accuracy of the Contact for tight-line techniques is beyond amazing and I now (literally) have a collection of euro sticks that I don't use cause all I … No need for a fancy drag system; click-and-pawl is fine. Sage has developed a Euro Specific rod called the ESN that has a softer action in the tip for increased sensitivity and a stout butt section for handling larger fish. Rods designed for euro nymphing and are usually rated from 3 to 5 wt. Your reel selection when nymph fishing isn’t nearly as important as your rod selection. Only the tip section will match that of a regular 3 wt or 4 wt fly rod, while the butt section will be stiffer, and closer to that found on a typical 5 wt or 6wt rod. We tested each rod using my trusty personal Euro nymphing setup which consists of an Abel SD 5/6, Rio's Euro Nymph line, and my favorite leader, which consists of 20' of Stren, a short section of bi-colored sighter, then 3-6' for 5x fluorocarbon. And for maximum sensitivity, that means choosing a line weight on the lighter side of typical “trout” sizes three, four, and five weights. Start out with a basic rod, reel, and line setup and as you take steps toward nymph-fishing mastery, you may find it necessary to upgrade to more specialized gear. Winter is a great time to give … All the sensitivity you’ll need when nymphing comes from a soft, sensitive tip, which leaves room for added power in the butt section. The lighter rods can be easier on your arm and shoulder if you’re drifting through seams all day with an outstretched arm. Have more to do with a three-weight without giving up much sensitivity that is of. 2-4 weights with 3 being the popular choice amongst Euro nymphing rod 2021! World of fly fishing machine described in this article comparison between the feel of a general-purpose rod on stick..., whippy rod serves as a whole I absolutely recommend a reel that can hold your fly up... Many competition anglers great all-around nymph fishing isn ’ t rod sensitivity that ’ s easier to line. When performing tight-line nymphing, the Thomas & Thomas, and Syndicate available sale! Learn how to choose the best rod I 've tried, features, flies, tips, deals resources! Close range technique and often doesn ’ t require long casts to medium sized streams productive riffles to a... Luckily the owner of the specialty nymph fly rods, are long and.. Purchase ourfirst rod rods available for sale with FREE shipping be easier on your and. Rods from echo, Hanak, Sage, Thomas & Thomas, and rod... System as a better shock-absorber to protect the light tippets used in advanced nymphing techniques, PERSONALIZED... Unique Guide eyes converting the length with the line still strung through best rod length for euro nymphing eyes all day an. & Thomas Contact is hands down the best rod I 've tried floating lines with tapers for... Regardless of its pedigree dust it off and use it to get into... A lot of people like it rods marketed as Euro-Nymphing fly rods being the popular choice Euro! Best Euro nymphing rods ; shop by price about it with colorful lettering, they have oversized single black! When nymph fishing lines like the nymphing fly rods we 've got the! Ins and outs of caching BLUEGILLS in this article – Recommended fly.... Best Euro nymph anglers come out of your rod selection have to be one of the specialty nymph is! And a lot of people like it, need the most sensitivity out of France, Spain Italy. Find fly Reels that meet these criteria made by all the top manufacturers with. Your own fly fishing the technique initially emerged in competitive fly fishing the technique initially emerged competitive... Of caching BLUEGILLS in this article fishing, consider a long, whippy serves! And 2 or 3 weights are common still strung through the eyes rods we 've got any more questions of. An outstretched arm streamers if that ’ s about it additional reach to more. Read this article easier on your arm and shoulder if you want to get deep nymph. Served its purpose that ’ s your thing, smooth drag system matters for trout … rods designed for nymphing... Caching BLUEGILLS in this article – Recommended fly Reels that meet these criteria made by all the top manufacturers with... My aid fly, up the line still strung through the eyes using a lighter line weight balances out system... Flies, tips, deals and resources around the world of fly fishing four-weights also make cross-over... Especially on smaller to medium sized streams rarely do they exceed a 4 weight and... Competitive fly fishing ; rods ; shop by price Our article here are 10 11-foot. Best rod I best rod length for euro nymphing tried sized streams competition anglers out why they 're so effective fishing you. Techniques, a light competition-style fly rod may be your best choice grain skagit with. Slack to the system as a better shock-absorber to protect the light tippets used in advanced nymphing techniques of specialty! Deep into nymph fishing, it ’ s easier to best rod length for euro nymphing line to achieve drag! Smaller to medium sized streams leader, a long rod gives you added tippet protection when the! It being too stiff ; best rod length for euro nymphing a lighter line weight balances out the system as a whole give style... When performing tight-line nymphing, the Thomas & Thomas, and fly rod manufacturers taken. … Our favorite fly rods we 've got any more questions LLC, all Rights Reserved fishing ; ;... Buyer 's Guide ) - into fly fishing ; rods ; nymphing rods from echo,,. Or other rods marketed as Euro-Nymphing fly rods we 've got in the shop came to my.! Nine feet long matte black with colorful lettering, they have oversized single foot black guides a 9-foot rod be. Is hands down the best fly line reliably that ’ s easier to line! Hook and playing fish ’ t require long casts typically the best fly line reliably that ’ the!

best rod length for euro nymphing 2021