The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Curious what folks think. They seem like a bargain.

Down in Mexico last week I had my 7 wt. St. Croix stolen, so I'm in the market and the rod I've been really curious about is the Echo Ion. I met whichever brother is behind Echo at the Pleasanton show and got to look at the Ion a bit and it seems like a good stick. Thinking of getting a solid 8 for bones as I already have another 7 wt. although that is a 2 piece and not a 4. This is going to be my Xmas gift from my wife.

Oh Rod shopping... you are fun.

A casting instructor I know uses and swears by (not at) Echo Rods for students (because they're cheaper, I use the LL Bean Quest series for my students).

The price point of Echo, TFO Professional, LL Bean Quest, and The Fly Shop's H2O series is about the same (the H20 comes with an extra tip) and they all seem to perform equally well and they all offer 4 piece rods for convenience. If I had to replace any student rods, I'd go witht he H2O series.

I believe that all four are from the same country (or continent) of origin, if not the same factory. I have observed some quality control issues with the tip tops and guides of these rods where use of small diameter shooting line cuts grooves but unless you're heavy into shooting heads that may not be an issue (and replacing a tip top takes about 30 seconds).

Thanks, Paul.

Never fished with one but have never heard any bad reports about them.

I cast a switch rod on the Trinity a few weeks back for a 1/2 hour or so. It cast nicely, but I didn't catch a fish with it, so don't know how it handled the busness end. But seemed like a good rod.

I have 2 and like them both. (Spey 6-7 and a 9 ft 5 wt). Dog broke 5 wt - $25 and 2 days later got a new section.