well with the tax season coming up I have been ok'd by the boss to purchase a new fly rod. I have been looking at a few models at Cabelas( I like some of the models offered at BPS but want to actually be able to touch and look at what I want and there is not a BPS near me). anyway I am looking for something in the $100 dollar price range, a 5 wt 9ft. Some of the models I have been looking at are a TFO lefty Kreh, Reddington PST and Crosswater or a cabelas tradional ll . any feedback or further suggestions would be appreciated.

Brian

Brian of all you have mentioned the TFO is by far the better rod  IMHO!!! a friend that guides won't use anything else anymore and if I ever need another rod it will Be a TFO  Lou

i dont think you can go wrong at buying a rod at cabelas.. dont leave gander mountain out. they got good rods and prices to.

Hey Brian... I have a 3 wt TFO finesse and it is a fine rod. I would not not hesitate to buy another TFO.

wow looks like TFO is in the lead so far. I wish we had a BPS and gander mtn here in Utah. I was checking out the TFO rods in the catalog last night and they do appear to be good rods, of course there are a few others that I like but cannot afford.

Hey utfisher, nice to hear from you again. been up AF lately?

Brian

I bought a BPS White River Dogwood Canyon rod (9', 7 wt.) from BPS through the online catalog last year sight unseen and I LOVE it. Great rod for only $59.99.

Hey Brian... I've been pretty low key for the last few months because of a new baby but I'll be back in the game this spring

a big congrats on the new baby. mine just turned 1 last week so I know where your coming from on that one.

Brian

Thanks all for the info. anyone have an opinion on Albright brand fly rods?

Brian

Hey Brian, it occurs to me that the new Winston passports are not too far out of the range you're looking at and I've heard some great things about them. Cabelas has some nice deals right now on their traditional 2 rods if you're wanting to stick closer to your price range (a 9' 5wt is $99). I'm resisting the urge to acquire a new stillwater rod and have been reading good things about the Echo carbon and ion rods and both are under $200.

Don't know if throwing out more options is really helping you at this point though!

I love my TFO NXT 9' 5/6 wt, came prespooled and with a lifetime warranty and case. I would buy another TFO in a heartbeat.

Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone know the quality of the shakespeare fly fishing combo I've seen at Walmart, I'd imagine it isn't the best but a buddy of mine who was thinking about getting into fly fishing was looking at one and he is on a pretty tight budget.

Iit will serve the purpose if he don't like fly fishing its not a big investment .

hey utfisher. thanks for the info. I do like the looks of the echo rods. also I think I will check out the bargain cave at cabelas. I studied the reviews on the cabelas three forks rod combo and liked what I read. I am not stuck on getting a combo but if it seems to be the best way to go then I may.

dpeck. I don't know about the shakspeare combo but I did pick up an eagle claw featherlight 7.5' 5wgt that I just love for 19.99 plus I added a scientific angler reel also from walmart for 15 dollars. I love how it casts and I just wish they carried mroe variety in weights and lenth's. This rod works great for smaller streams and will not break the bank.

Brian

I think you would be foolish not to check out Grey's G series. They are made by Hardy Bros. and warrantyed for life. I bougt my 5/6 weight 3 peice last season from my local fly shop. The MSRP is $100 to $140, but I've seen them much cheaper. I was sold mine from my local shop for $70 it comes with a felt bag and has a woven graphite reel seat, and great quality cork handle. I got home logged onto Grey's web site and registered it to activate the life time warrenty. I own acouple Cabelas Rods that cost more than my Grey's and they are equal, with the Grey's in my mind being slightly better as far as weight and action. LOOK, did I mention it is made by Hardy! Just go to their web site and check it out http://fly.greysfishing.com/en-us/home/ I use mine more than any other fly rod I own. If i ever need another (my wife would kill me) I would look into picking up another Greys.

I will never order from cabelas they are bass pro is the way to go cabelas will screw you sideways

Well, to each his own, and I've never dealt with Bass Pro Shops but I have done a lot of business with Cabela's and have never been screwed sideways or any other direction for that matter

I purchase online from BPS and Cabela's, but I prefer BPS simply because they have a far larger inventory of fishing gear. I've always been treated well by both.

well my big thing is that cabelas is local and I would like to be able to actually see and feel what i want to buy. I enjoy looking through the BPS catalog though. BTW I just got the latest fly fishing catalog from cabelas and just love the new RL Winston rods they now carry But a bit out of my price range, even the lower end rods.

Brian

Now see? I have a Cabela's @ 10 miles away and a BPS @ 40 miles away. 40 miles is just too fat to go for me, but Cabela's has a much smaller inventory, and I have found that I prefer BPS  labeled products better than Cabela's labeled products, so I purchase online from BPS instead. Wish the stores were reversed! Just my preference.

I hear you on that one bass or bass? I think the closest BPS to me is your store near phoenix or maybe Las vegas, I do wish we had one here. Cabelas could stand some competition. Stiil waiting on my tax return but maybe it will come soon and there is a fly fishing and tying expo the weekend after next that I am going to go to. Thanks everybody for their suggestions.

Brian

Brian they fly expo may be your best bet for a decent rod at a reasonable price there will be a lot of different retailers there and they usually have discounted the item for the expo .

I am sure you will have fun at the expo and learn many things. I plan on attending the great waters fly expo here in Mn win it comes in April. It is always a good time and learning experience.

I am looking forward to it and its cheap, only a dollar to get in. alot better than the outdoors expo I attended last weekend and paid 12 bucks each for me and my wife.

Brian

I would highly recommend a TFO. I have been told terrific things about them. Numerous guides on the Henry's fork have said they are the best rod for the money. Lefty Kreh designs them...how can you go wrong right.

Not sure that falls with in his budget ,but yes they are the best rods for the money . I own a 9 weight signature series .

hey I just read somewere from a survey that out of all those surveyed on fly fishing gear that the TFO rods where highest as far as total purcheses. it did not mention what model. I am actually looking pretty closely at them and am keeping an eye on Cabelas bargain cave. Just wish my dang money would come.

Brian

Brian the lefty cure signature series is a great rod .All of the temple fork rods are god rods which ever way you go you won't be disappointed with a TFO rod .Please remember to take warranty's in to consideration too when buying a rod.

Okumah makes a good fly real for the money too .

Last year I did the same thing.  After lots of study of different brands, I bought a Lefty Kreh TFO trout rod.  I bought this because it is great quality for a cheaper price and GUARANTEED FOR LIFE!  Many other brands have some warranty or no warranty, and for the cost of these rods, I wanted a good warranty.  The TFO warranty is so good, that you can run over it with the truck and they will replace or fix the rod.  TFO, unfortunately, are made in North Korea, but that's the only way to get a rod for cheaper.  I have used it for a year and love it, also knowing that if I break it, they will fix it!