Euro Nymphing Part 2: The Anatomy of the Euro Rod & Reel
Orvis Helios 3 Blackout Outfit – Photo Credit: Orvis
Travel with me for a moment back to the year 1997. I’m behind the wheel of my 1981 Buick Century Station Wagon on the line next to my buddy in his 1969 Mustang. I’ll give you one guess how that race ended after the flag dropped! Me and my grocery-getter of a car made it down the road, but I was outperformed in every way by my buddy in his muscle car! His vehicle was built for handling and speed, while mine was built for utility and celibacy! Now let’s bring this analogy back to the river and the world of Euro Nymphing. While ‘you can’ use your standard 9-foot, 5 weight fly rod for Euro nymphing, it is going to perform on the river the way my 1981 Station Wagon performed in a street race, i.e. not very well! Euro nymphing specific rods are like a high-performance sport car; sensitive, fast, responsive, and made to excel at a particular task. Here are the features that define and set apart the euro fly rod from the rest of the pack and a few standout rods to help you get started euro nymphing.
The Anatomy of the Euro Nymphing Rod & Reel
The first and most apparent difference between your standard fly rod and a euro rod is the significantly greater length of the euro rod. True euro rods start at 10’ and extend to 11’ or even 12’ in length. The second characteristic of the euro rods is its light, ultra-sensitive, willowy tip. Euro rods typically vary in weight from a 2 weight to 4 weights, while the standard dry fly/nymph/ and streamer rod weighs in between a 4 weight and 6 weight. The greater length and lighter weight give the angler the following advantages when nymphing.
- Greater Reach – in euro nymphing you are typically fishing just past or directly under the tip of your fly rod. The greater length increases your reach and range, allowing you to cover more water and fish deeper over a relatively short length of river.
- Greater Sensitivity – the light weight and thin tips of the euro rod transmit ever tick, bounce, and subtle take from the bottom of the river directly into the hand of the angler. Like dissecting the river with a razor-sharp scalpel, these rods allow the angler to meticulously pick apart every riffle and pool within reach!
- Fewer Breaks & Lost Flies – the long, light tips of the euro rod acts like an oversized shock absorber, and even the runs and luges of even the largest fish are dampened and defeated by these quick flexing rods. This allows the angler to fish lighter tippet which in turn spooks fewer fish and eases them in to more frequent strikes.
Holding these long rods out over the water can be a workout unless they are properly balanced. A slightly oversized, large arbor reel is the best match for balancing out these rods and finishing out your euro rod/reel combo.
With the holidays right around the corner, here are three highly rated, euro nymphing rods or reel combos that will serve you well on the water!
Orvis Clearwater – 10’ 3 weight – Beginner Rod/Reel Outfit
Photo Credit: Orvis
Backed by one of the best warrantees in the industry and available for a reasonable $419 that includes a rod, reel, line, and padded travel case, the Orvis Clearwater is a great entry level outfit as you test the water and hone your skills as a euro nympher.
TFO Drift – 9’, 10, 11’ 3”, & 12’ 3” Convertible 3 weight – Intermediate Rod
Photo Credit: Temple Fork Outfitters
A truly innovative and infinitely versatile fly rod, the TFO Drift comes with additional rod and butt sections, allowing you to adjust the length and balance of your rod on the fly in order to accommodate a diversity of conditions on the water! While the $449.95 price point only includes a rod and travel tube, the flexibility, ingenious design, and versatility of this rod is well worth every penny!
Orvis Helios 3F Blackout – 11’ 3 weight – Expert Rod/Reel Outfit
For those that like to drive fast, appreciate top tier manufacturing and performance, and can handle the $1506 price point, the Orvis Helios 3F is the Ferrari of euro rod reel combos! Backed by Orvis’s best of industry warrantees, this precision crafted rod will more than hold its own against the rod builders on the water and is finished with an Orvis Mirage LT III reel and Hydros Tactical Nymphing line. This may just be the first and last euro rod you ever purchase.
So, if you’re going to toe the line and try your hand at euro nymphing this season, regardless of your budget and skill level, investing in a solid euro rod and reel is going to make sure you are a competitor on the water!
