Dogwood Canyon, Hobbs Creek, Redington, Cabela?

[Jack Jones]

Time to Upgrade-----Max Available Spending Cash $200 (maybe $225.00)

I'm in the market for a new rod/reel combo. I'm thinking of either a 7'6 or 8' 3wt or 4wt for trout parks.

I currently have a Dogwood Canyon 9' 5wt. That was my starter rod/reel combo.It's not horrible, but not my favorite. I don't find the rod as responsive as I'd like. I also have a 8'6" Cortland Fair Play rod that I like better, and which says it's weighted as a 5/6. Had it for a few years and am probably going to start using it primarily for panfish/bass. Thinking about re-lining my Dogwood Canyon reel with some 6wt floating for the panfish/bass. Too heavy? Thoughts?

So all in all...with my current spending limits.....would someone like to suggest a new outfit that will be a good fit for the trout parks/occasionally Taneycomo?

My preference is going to be a four piece because I've found that a 57" rod tube is a bitch to put in a compact car, LOL.

[FishinCricket]

What's an "income tax refund"? I understand what all three words mean when separate, but I'm not familiar with them being all strung together like that..

[timsfly]

Get a 9' 5wt TFO cost will be $109-149$ and keep the reel and line you have now, unless the reel is giving problems.

You would still have enough money to buy a new line if need be.

Sorry didnt read far enough I wuld still look at a TFO and maybe a Ross fly start reel, good combo

If you get the 2pc TFO, you would still have money for the reel and line, TFO make some nice 3 & 4 wts

[mic]

Custom, made to order, rod from our own Mark at RDP Flyrods. I just got mine and love it. You get to pick colors, materials, reel seats. You can't beet it in my opinion. Give Mark a call. He will ask you some questions and help you pick out exactly what you need.

http://rdpflyrods.com/flyrods.html

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I say this.. go back to Bass Pro and look at some of the current rods they offer.

Reason I say that, I have 2 Bass Pro rods I just love.. the Classic 6'3" 3pc 3wt and the 7ft 4wt 2pc Dogwood Canyon.

The rods cast just fine when they are lined up right - and they in no way break the bank.

And they have a new Classic reel and a nice looking 270 reel.. and the Osprey reel which is very smooth.. ..

Just be sure to look there before you try to " keep up with the Jonses " so to say.

just my advice.. Brian

[3wt]

I've never gotten a warm fuzzy feeling for basspro branded stuff...but maybe I haven't given them a chance recently.

Gotta say that trying to upgrade w/ $200 is a little tough. You can upgrade a little, but without finding a great deal you're not stepping up too much.

Go 4wt. I think it's ideal for parks and maybe just a little undersized for taney. If you're more often in the parks go 4.

Best bang for your buck is usually going to cabelas and combo-ing a rod w/ one of their reels. They throw the line in for free essentially and it used to be si gpx.

If you stay ~$200 go TFO one series for $109 and a cheapish reel.

Or go up to $250 and get the TFO pro series and RLS reel - both are a pretty good step up from the base. here's a link:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Fishing-Rod-Reel-Combos%7C/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/105571980/Temple-Fork-Outfitters174-Lefty-Kreh-Professional-SeriesCabelas-RLS-Fly-Combo/711166.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-fly-fishing-fly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1102570%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105571980%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104793480%253Bcat104721480&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat105571980

I'd get it at the store though. They used to combo just about anything, so talk to them in the store.

I really wouldn't waste money upgrading with only $200. You won't be into an outfit that will make you happy for more that a couple years.

[Outside Bend]

I bought a Cabela's rod once.

The reel seat hardware fell off after a few trips- no one in Malaysia or wherever never bothered to actually gluing the parts together.

I don't buy rods from Cabela's any more.

I know lots of folks love the Cabela's and Bass Pro rods, ny more. but I was just so frustrated with that experience I don't trust either company to provide a decent, reliable product. I'd really recommend going Tim's route and picking up a TFO, or maybe look into the Greys rods- they're pretty low priced and I personally haven't had issues with either of them. If you're looking for a project, you could build your own custom rod on a TFO blank and probably not spend more than $150 or so, depending on the weight, action, and features you want.

[Jack Jones]

I humbly appreciate everyone's advice. It's always great to hear the voices of experience. Having said that, I think I will go with the TFO. I'll probably keep my Dogwood reel for now and re-line it with some new 4wt line. I'd ask advice on that, but I'm sure that's a whole other can of worms.

I'm looking at either the Signature series 8' 4wt. Considered the Professional series, but based on what I've been reading online, I'm not sure there's a real need to spend the extra $40.

Later in the summer, if I like the TFO rod, I'll probably pick up the same kind in a 9' 6wt for Taneycomo trout and smallmouth on the rivers and lakes.

Slow and steady.........

[KATroutman13]

Get a 9' 5wt TFO cost will be $109-149$ and keep the reel and line you have now, unless the reel is giving problems.

You would still have enough money to buy a new line if need be.

Sorry didnt read far enough I wuld still look at a TFO and maybe a Ross fly start reel, good combo

If you get the 2pc TFO, you would still have money for the reel and line, TFO make some nice 3 & 4 wts

This would have been my exact same recommendation, except I might even go with the Professional Series rather than Signature series, if you can keep your current reel. For the most part, in this area of the country and the rod you are fishing with, reels are just line holders.

[3wt]

This would have been my exact same recommendation, except I might even go with the Professional Series rather than Signature series, if you can keep your current reel. For the most part, in this area of the country and the rod you are fishing with, reels are just line holders.

I agree. Go Pro and you'll actually be upgrading. A real upgrade would be splurging on some quality line. If you go cheap on the line you'll be sorry - although some here will disagree, I would say cast rio gold or grand or sa gpx or the new version w/dimples against cheap line...you'll know the difference. Good line also floats right for a long time and lasts a long time. Spend $60 on the line w/ the pro and you'll be happy - I'd go RIO Grand WF 4wt and either 8'6" or 9' 4wt 4pce TFO Pro.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you'll need a rod case. I'd get a cabelas combo case they're pretty cheap.