Whittling it down
For my top 10, I decided to write about my favorite model from each manufacturer who submitted multiple models, (except G. Loomis who only submitted one rod). My objective was to help anglers whittle down their choices to each company’s best 3-weight rod. Before my fishing notes I’ll explain why I “cherry picked” one rod over another, although my reasons may differ from yours, (or fishing needs).
In many cases, my top 10 rods skip other models from the same manufacturer, despite the other models scoring well. To see how I rated each rod at 20, 25, 30, and 40 feet you can refer to my Performance Only chart which reflects my true scoring order for all the rods I cast. The rods that moved towards the top of my Performance Only chart were some of the most well-rounded rods, casting well at nearly all the distances but particularly at 20-35 feet.
We tested 37 other 3-weights. If anyone is curious about how the other rods faired, feel free to call or e-mail us for our impressions.
If I was going to purchase a new 3-weight, I’d be looking at the Winston Pure 2 7’9”#3, the Scott G 7’7”#3, the Hardy Ultralite SR 8’#3, the Orvis Superfine 7’6”#3, the T&T Avantt 8’6”#3, or the Echo Lift 7’6”#3.
1. Hardy Ultralite SR 8'#3 $875
Both the Hardy 7’6” and 8’ Ultralite SR’s won my first impressions on the “wiggle” test. They were especially smooth with no hinge points, had light swing weights, and also had that special transfer of energy from the butt section to the tip of the rod. If I were tasked to design a great all-around 3-weight, the Ultralite actions would be a great starting point. Hats off to Hardy for designing these.
Although the 7’6” Ultralite was lighter in overall weight and swing weight, I liked the 8’ slightly more at every distance. It was commandingly accurate, buttery smooth, and had plenty of power with feel. It was simply a pleasure to cast both in close and at 40 feet.
If you are fishing in the tightest quarters, then I could see the 7’6”#3 having an advantage. Not only is it exceptionally playful but its shorter length would be nice for maneuvering through the bushes.
The Ultralite’s cork grip shape is unique, with a small swell near the top that makes you choke up on the grip inherently, moving your hand slightly towards the tip, thus improving the already excellent swing weight. As usual for Hardy, the blank, reel seat, and components all look great and are top quality.
If you are searching for a versatile 3-weight that can handle everything from tiny dries at 20 feet to 40 and beyond, (or even light streamer work in the wind), the Hardy Ultralite SR 8’#3 should be at the top of your list.
Why over the 7’6”#3 Hardy Ultralite SR? I felt the 8’ version was smoother and more powerful, with more reach (should I need to nymph with it). Although the 7’6” has a lighter swing weight, the 8’ didn’t feel heavy in hand or handicapped in any way. These two rods were very close in performance, I suspect anyone would be delighted fishing with either.
Fishing Notes: The 8’ Ultralite was a beast on the water. It could reach cast a 12’6X leader delicately but with great accuracy with a size #22 midge dry. It handled a dry dropper rig with ease (a size #14 PMD sparkle dun with a size #20 miracle nymph midge larva below it). And when the Livingston wind eventually picked up, blowing any attempt to get a dead drift away, I was still able to fish with a small size #10 tungsten jig bugger.
First Impressions: Light swing weight, buttery smooth with power and feel, the perfect all-around 3-weight action.
Jamie’s Casting Score: 79.3
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 20 feet: 19.7 out of 20
A touch smoother than Ultralite SR 7’6”#3. Not as much feel as the Winston 7’9” or the Scott 7’7” and very accurate and fun to cast.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 25 feet: 19.8 out of 20
Entertaining and hard to put down! Awesome blend of power and feel. Only the Scott G 7’7” and Winston Pure 2 7’9” were better. The NRX+LP was a touch more accurate but significantly stiffer.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 30 feet: 20 out of 20
Tons of soul with a smooth delivery of power. Every cast made me feel like I was in the zone. Confidence boosting, exceptionally accurate and enjoyable.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 40 feet: 19.8 out of 20
Only the NRX+LP and Avantt II felt better. The Ultralite 8’#3 has great backbone and competency at 40 feet and beyond.
2. Scott G. 7'7"#3 $945
Anyone thinking about purchasing a 3-weight rod should cast this rod. Of course, there will be outliers that don’t like it, but I feel most advanced anglers will love its blend of power and feel. It’s accurate, delicate, and exceptionally sensitive and fun to cast, only struggling when asked to fight the wind or cast past 40 feet.
This is a rod that deserves to be cast rather than just shaken in the shop. During the “wiggle” test I felt a little hinge effect near the middle of the rod, but this completely disappeared when casting it with a Scientific Anglers WF-3-F Trout Standard line. I was instantly impressed with the Scott G’s smooth yet “spunky” energetic action.
The cork reel seat not only makes this rod feel incredibly light in hand, but it also allows you to sense the rod flexing through the grip. This enhanced feedback makes fishing unbelievably enjoyable, from really feeling the power distribution of each cast, to enjoying every underwater headshake or line-peeling run of a small trout.
If the majority of your 3-weight fishing will be on spring creeks or mountain headwaters, you will be hard pressed to find a better fit. But if you are fishing larger tailwaters like the Delaware, Missouri, or Bighorn where longer casts, (to bigger fish) are often required, then the G Series 8’4”#3 would likely be a better option, which was still very fun to fish on DePuy’s.
Why over the 8’4” Scott G Series? The weight mostly. The 8’4” has more power than the 7’7” but it’s also slower and significantly heavier. The 8’4” gave me more reach, especially for nymphing faster water runs, but the 7’7” was long enough for the amount of nymphing I want to do and it felt so much sweeter when fishing dries. And a good caster can still get the 7’7” working at 40 feet and beyond.
Fishing Notes: The Scott G 7’7”#3 was one of the most fun rods to fish. I just loved the way the energy transferred through the rod. It could handle everything from a smooth, slow zen-like cast to adding a fair amount of punch and zing to it. Fishing a single dry was a dream for this rod, although it could surprisingly handle a little bugger as well. Having owned a couple of rods that utilize a slide band with wood reel seats, I feared my reel might end up in the creek with this rod. I was pleasantly surprised as the reel never budged, I think the cork gives the slide band better contact than the wood.
First Impressions: The cork reel seat and slide band make this rod insanely light, but will my reel fall off? Excellent craftsmanship and classic look.
Jamie’s Casting Score: 78.9
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 20 feet: 19.9 out of 20
Light in hand and SWEEEET! I can feel the rod flexing through the cork grip. Stable yet delicate, this rod is quite an alloy of accuracy, power, and presentation.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 25 feet: 20 out of 20
Tremendously efficient and effortless to cast. I don’t have to “think” about my rhythm or concentrate on being accurate. The G 7’7” is a natural at this distance, only the Winston Pure 2 7’9” was equally as impressive. When using more wrist I got some of my tightest loops.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 30 feet: 19.7 out of 20
Again, amazingly effortless and enjoyable to cast. In windless conditions, finding a smoother, more buttery, soulful wand will be a tough task.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 40 feet: 19.3 out of 20
Quite surprisingly distance is not an issue, although finally accuracy decays compared to the Avantt II, NRX+LP, and Marksman. It does, however, feel significantly more stable than the Winson Pure 2 here.
3. Winston Pure 2 7'9"#3. $995
Since Winston began making fly rods in 1929, they have been renowned for producing smooth casting rods that embody the special element of “soul” in a fly rod. Add to that their excellent craftsmanship and beautiful green paint job and it is no wonder Winston rods have one of the highest resale values. (Not that you’ll ever be selling this one, should you buy it).
Winston’s bread and butter has always been making sweet 3 and 4-weight rods. We are happy to report their new Pure 2 does not disappoint! If you’ve never owned a Winston this would be the perfect rod to add to your quiver. The 7’9”#3 is a true cherry picker gem, sure to get the nod of approval, from even your most faultfinding fishing friends.
The Pure 2 7’9” is the perfect example of what a 3-weight should feel like. It has enough power to handle 40 feet, but truly excels at fishing single dry flies between 20 and 30 feet. It is accurate, smooth, and oozes soul. Both sensitive and responsive, it is delightfully effortless to cast and fun to fish. Hats off to Winston’s new head rod designer, Hank Haen, who designed the smooth casting Pure 2 rods. I think Tom Morgan would have given a similar nod of approval.
Winston dropped their use of Boron in their fly rods, and instead now uses one of the industry’s top nano-resins. This is a great move for Winston, especially since they only utilized Boron in their butt sections, (which hardly ever broke anyway) but the nano is used in all 4 sections. This allows them to reduce weight while making their rods stronger, (particularly their tip sections). I truly believe this will lead to a lot fewer repairs.
While the Pure 2 6’9”#3 was my favorite at 20 feet, the 7’9”#3 is my pick for Winston’s best overall 3-weight. It still has more feel than power, but incorporates just enough backbone to battle a little wind, or a 20” trout. It feels much lighter in swing weight than the Air 2 8’6” and 9’#3, and also has a softer tip, which I prefer for improved feel and tippet protection.
If you are looking for more power for fishing a big tailwater river like Delaware, the Missouri or the Bighorn the Winston Air 2 9’#3 is the star player. In my opinion, it was the best (and lightest swing weight) of all the 9 foot 3-weights rods we tried.
Why over the 6’9” Winston Pure or 8’6” Air 2? To me the Winston Pure 2 7’9” hit the sweet spot for the best blend of power and feel for a 3-weight fly rod. The 6’9” Pure was almost too light, and too short for an all-around 3 that I’d sometimes nymph with. The Air 2 had better power, but was too stiff in the tip for me and not nearly as soulful or fun to cast as the Pure 2 7’9”.
Fishing Notes: The Pure 7’9”#3 fishes impeccably well from 20-30 feet. When asked, it has the power to handle 40 feet, but accuracy did drop off and it was harder to mend at longer distances. At 20-30 feet it was dreamy -effortless and fun, accurate and delicate. I loved making a false cast off to the side of the fish to “pop” the fly dry and then right back on target with the next cast for a perfect presentation. In a pinch it can handle a small streamer, although not as well as others, ditto that for a headwind.
First Impressions: Stunningly beautiful green blank color pops with the figured box elder/nickel-silver reel seat. This rod is light in hand, passes the wiggle test, and is loaded with soul.
Jamie’s Casting Score: 78.1
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 20 feet: 19.8 out of 20
Impressively light with the ability to deliver delicate yet very accurate casts. Nearly as good as its shorter sibling, but the 6’9” was even lighter and a smidge softer which made it feel like it was designed to cast 20 feet.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 25 feet: 20 out of 20
Awesome feel. This is what I imagine a 3-weight should cast like. Tight loops leading to perfectly delicate (and accurate) presentations. Sure to please even the fussiest DFO angler, (Dry Fly Only).
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 30 feet: 19.5 out of 20
Again, splendid and sensational feel. A handful of rods were more accurate for me but they also felt much stiffer, with far less soul. The 7’9” Pure 2 fuses both power and feel into one heck of a fishing tool.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 40 feet: 18.8 out of 20
Finally, the Pure 2 struggled to compete with the best 3-weight rods at 40 feet. The Avantt II, NRX+LP, Scott G 8’4”#3, R8 Classic 8’6”#3, Ultralite SR 8’#3, Air 2 and both Helios rods were definitely more powerful and superior here.
4. Orvis Helios 7'6"#3. $1,098
This rod brought a smile to my face. Both the 7’6” and 8’ Helios cast like high performance sports cars and were hard to put down! I scored them both highly at all distances, but in the end, the shorter 7’6” version felt lighter, more playful, and more like a 3-weight to me.
Both Helios rods are very fast but also embrace feel due to their softer tips. They were exceptionally accurate and surprisingly stable, with that special reserve power that kicks in when you want it. Like leaning into the tail of a GS ski, these rods unload with the ability to slingshot your line whenever you decide to hit the throttle. When cast with less energy they also have the ability to throw accurately with a more delicate presentation.
Props to Shawn Combs for unlocking the wide range of potential on these fantastic all-around 3-weights, which employ a bit of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde phenomenon, depending upon how you apply power to your cast. You can be smooth and delicate in close, or turn up the heat and fish accurately at 30-40 feet.
Why over the 8’4” Helios? On paper I would have guessed the 8’4” would be my favorite of the two, but the 7’6” version was lighter and for me turned out to be a better all-around rod for the type of fishing I’d do with a 3-weight. I ended up liking the 7’6” better at every distance, something I did not expect. In short, the 7’6” was just more fun, whose spunky and playful power brought me a big smile.
Fishing Notes: The Orvis Helios 7’6”#3 is a firecracker, with a jewel of an engine. With a wide power-stroke, I enjoyed fishing this rod at all distances. The softer tip allows for easy casting in close for accurate delicate presentations, using more wrist. The reserve power was impressive as well, making it easy to throw 40 and beyond. The extra backbone is nice for landing larger fish as well.
First Impressions: FAST and powerful but the softer tip gives it feel. This rod mean business –and is very accurate. Definitely a smart pick for using in a 3-weight casting competition. There is something that feels more “Ivan Drago” than “Rocky” in this rod, but regardless of how it was built, it has a very fast, accurate jab.
Jamie’s Casting Score: 77.9
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 20 feet: 19.5 out of 20
Light in hand, accurate, getting good feel off the tip of the rod. Snappy but delicate and fun to cast.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 25 feet: 19.4 out of 20
Excellent and fun to cast but the Scott G 7’7” and Pure 2 7’9” felt a touch smoother and equally as accurate.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 30 feet: 19.6 out of 20
Now I’m using less tip and the rod feels great at this distance with my normal stroke. Awesome accuracy, fast with good power but not overly stiff.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 40 feet: 19.4 out of 20
Very impressive for a shorter 3-weight with a softer tip. This rod has some backbone and when you lay into the spine of the rod it responds!
5. Thomas & Thomas Avantt II 8'6"#3
The lightest, smoothest, and most accurate of the 8’6” rods, the Avantt II is my pick for fishing larger tailwaters. While some may feel this rod is pushing the limits towards a 4-weight, it still casts the SA Trout Standard WF-3-F line with ease from all but 20 feet. Fishing an MPX or Grand might help here, but I personally enjoyed how stable this rod was at 30-40 feet and beyond with the trout standard.
If you were anchored up on a Missouri flat with thousands of PMD spinners floating by, the Avantt II has the power to throw a long down and across reach cast to any fish within 40 feet. An expert caster will be able to achieve accuracy even further, and since you are fishing a 3-weight line you will get a better drift than fishing a thicker 4-weight line.
The Avantt II’s tip is soft enough to protect 6-7X tippet while the butt section has enough power to play a larger fish – so if one of those big 22” rainbows gulps your spinner, you won’t have to pull anchor to go chase him down.
Although I didn’t score this rod as high as some of the top all-around 3-weights, I’m highly temped to add the Avantt II 8’6”#3 to my arsenal. If the wind picks up, (as it often does in Montana), you swap out to fishing buggers or small tungsten jig streamers. Since the tip is soft you can really twitch your streamer and make it look life-like. It’s looking like T&T’s slogan may have finally gotten me – “the rod you will eventually own.”
Why over the 8’2”#3 Paradigm? This was a tougher pick because it was not apples to apples. I think for most anglers the Paradigm is a better 3-weight choice. It’s more buttery and “soulful” than the Avantt II, with a velvety smooth action. But the Avantt II was so light and accurate! I felt like it was the pinnacle of a fast action rod with awesome power but also super smooth feel. The Avantt II 8’6”#3 felt one of a kind where the Paradigm was similar to the Scott G 7’7”, Winston Pure 2 7’9” and Orvis Superfine 7’6’#3.
Fishing Notes: What a blast! I could achieve some of my tightest loops fishing dries between 25-40 feet with the Avantt. The crisp power and softer tip gave me top notch accuracy. When the wind picked up and fishing dries became impossible, this and the G. Loomis NRX+LP were the best at throwing little streamers. I could see myself using this rod on lakes as well, hopefully fishing callibaetis dries but if not, I could easily fish leech patterns or little streamers.
First Impressions: This is one sharp looking stick! It pushes the limits on stiffness for a 3-weight but is exceptionally accurate and still has that power-to-feel ratio I’m looking for. A perfect 3-weight for larger tailwaters.
Jamie’s Casting Score: 76.7
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 20 feet: 18 out of 20
Accurate but a little too stiff in close. An SA MPX line would help, but this isn’t the Avantt II’s forte.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 25 feet: 18.8 out of 20
Feeling better at 25, I could get used to this. Accuracy is great and I’m starting to flex the blank more. Impressively smooth power.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 30 feet: 19.9 out of 20
Powerful, smooth, crisp. Tracks well with excellent accuracy and feel.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 40 feet: 20 out of 20
As good as it gets! Awesome long-distance feel, control, and accuracy. I could not put this rod down. 50 feet also felt just as good.
6. G. Loomis NRX+LP 8'#3 $915
The NRX+ Light Presentation is a powerful 3; another rod perfect for fishing larger tailwaters, where conditions or circumstances may require a 40-foot cast or longer. It has powerful butt and mid-sections, (great for fighting 20+ inch trout), but a softer tip, (which better protects your 6-7X tippet). If the wind picks up you can keep fishing this rod, where softer 3’s will be headed for the rod tube.
This rod really impressed me at 30-40 feet and beyond. If you like the idea of fishing streamers when the hatch is happening or when the wind picks up, the NRX+LP is a valid weapon. Not only will it handle small may fly dries, but it is one of the few 3-weights that excels when fishing a small streamer. Does it feel a bit like a 4 weight? Yes, but it still feels good casting a WF-3-F line, which is thinner in diameter and gets a better drift than a 4-weight line.
For one of the most powerful 3-weights the NRX+LP still retains a lot of feel, a difficult puzzle for rod designers, but something Steve Rajeff has always been able to figure out. Part of this is the softer tip, (utilizing his multi-taper design), and also partly due to the fact that this rod is nice and light, with an overall weight of only 2.5 oz.
I could really use a rod like this, especially when the winter wind picks up on the spring creeks or on trips to the Missouri where a long commanding cast and a great drift are the keys to success in both catching and landing big fish on little flies.
Why over the 8’ Asquith or 7’9” IMX-Pro Creek? Unfortunately, G. Loomis doesn’t make an Asquith 3-weight! And we never received a sample of the IMX-Pro Creek, which would have been softer than the NRX+LP.
Fishing Notes: The NRX+LP was on the stiff side for fishing the spring creeks, until the wind picked up in the afternoon – where it saved the day casting a dry/dropper rig down and across. Mending was easy and it had plenty of power to set the hook on a nymph dropper as well as play fish. With its impeccable accuracy and stable loops, I think this is one of the best rods in the shootout for fishing straight up stream to a pod of rising fish on the MO at 40 feet.
First Impressions: A comfortable grip and attractive wood insert. The bright silver hardware on the reel seat stands out from the rest of the pack. A great all-around feel, especially when casting 25-feet and beyond. This rod is on fire at 30-40 feet!
Jamie’s Casting Score: 76.5
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 20 feet: 18.5 out of 20
Light, but very stiff compared to others. Accurate but not much feel. I think an SA MPX line would solve things here to load the tip a little more.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 25 feet: 18.6 out of 20
Same great accuracy, but still a little vague compared to the Scott 7’7”, Winston Pure 2 7’9” and Hardy Ultralite SR 8’.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 30 feet: 19.5 out of 20
Now the rod is coming to life! A splendid blend of power and feel!
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 40 feet: 19.9 out of 20
More of this please! Stable, accurate, effortless loops – with or without a haul. Only the T&T Avantt II was better.
7. Sage R8 Classic 8'6"#3
I wish we had been able to test the 8’ version of this rod, as on paper it would be the better all around 3-weight. But the 8’6”#3 version was still very pleasing to cast, and an impressive improvement for fishing dries over the longer (and much heavier) Sonic 9’#3 and R8 9’#3.
I have read reviews that say the Classic has a lot more feel than past Sage rods. While the tip is still on the stiffer side, the mid-section seems to flex more giving the rod a stable but still less feel (similar to a Scott Session). The net result is a very pleasing, relaxed stroke that produces an accurate, natural cast.
As usual Sage nails the grip, one of my favorites in the whole Shootout. The red blank is attractive and goes well with the reel seat.
Why over the 8’ R8 Classic, 9’ Sonic, or 9’R8? I think the R8 Classic 8’ version would have been the sweetest Sage 3, but at the time of testing Sage didn’t have this rod available. It would have been a little lighter in swing weight and a little faster due to its shorter length (in theory). Both the 9’ Sonic and 9’ R8 were extremely powerful 3-weights, but also had very heavy swing weights comparatively. The 9 footers were accurate, but too stiff and heavy in close to compare to the performance of say Sage’s awesome Circa or original LL rods.
Fishing Notes: This rod performed best for me at 30-40 feet. It made excellent reach casts and felt like it had good reach when high sticking or when throwing feeding mends downstream. The wind picked up, so I switched to a creek invader streamer and hooked a solid 18” brown on the Yellowstone. I was a bit surprised that the fish was so hard to bring in (due to the softer mid-sections), since it handled the wind and streamer with ease.
First Impressions: Softer in the mid-sections than the tip. This rod feels longer (and heavier) than it is but also feels very smooth. Similar smooth feel and “mid-load” to the Scott Session but slightly slower, (and stiffer).
Jamie’s Casting Score: 75
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 20 feet: 18 out of 20
Slower and heavier in hand than most. I’m thinking an SA Infinity or MPX would help. The softer part of the rod isn’t the tip, it’s the mid.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 25 feet: 18.5 out of 20
Very smooth and pleasing to cast but I don’t feel quite as accurate as the rods with softer, faster tips.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 30 feet: 19 out of 20
Now I’m digging it! I still think throwing an SA Infinity is probably the way to go with this rod, especially since it has great smooth power.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 40 feet: 19.5 out of 20
Terrific blend of feel and accuracy at 40 feet. This rod is fun and effortless to cast, you can feel it flexing though the cork.
BEST MID-PRICED 3-WEIGHT
1. Orvis Superfine 7'6"#3. $598
Here is your sleeper 3-weight winner!
The Orvis Superfine is so sweet, everyone assumed it was a high-end rod. And at nearly $600, it is close to fitting into a high-end rod category. As a mid-priced rod, is it worth nearly $200 more than our other favorite mid-priced 3-weight, the Echo Trout X? I think it is.
My performance only scores have the Superfine finishing just ahead of the Helios 7’6”#3 and just below the Winston Pure 2 7’9”#3. For me, the Superfine had a more soulful, fun to fish feel verses the Helios F’s more mechanically engineered feel.
The action the Superfine seems to mimic the Scott G Series 7’7”#3 and Winston Pure 2. The main difference is I feel the Superfine falls off at 40 feet, where the Scott 7’7” mysteriously handles 40 feet with ease. In close, all three rods are very similar, and excellent.
This rod caught a lot of our eyes, and at least 3 of the testers are considering buying this rod. It really feels like Orvis is trying to give you a high-end product but at a reasonable price. Even the trout and game bird embroidered cloth rod bag is cool and something I’d expect to see complementing a $1000+ rod, rather than a rod at almost half the price.
Why over the Recon 7’6”#3? The Recon 7’6”#3 was a solid mid-priced rod, and would have made the podium in our mid-price category had we selected more in this category. It has great power, smooth feel, and a light swing weight. But the Superfine beats it on superior feel at 20-35 feet, where we are often fishing dries with a 3-weight. The Superfine is one of the lightest and sweetest rods in the whole Shootout, regardless of price.
Fishing Notes: This rod reminds me of my Sage LL 389, but shorter and a tad softer. I love how I could make a single false cast off to the side and “pop” my dry fly dry, not unlike the action of cracking a whip. In doing so I was able to flick off any excess water and when I made my next cast targeting the fish, my fly was floating higher and was easier to see. This was great because I spent more time fishing (and was able to watch the rhythm of a rising fish) rather than bringing my fly in to re-doctor it with Frog’s Fanny or another powdered desiccant. The Superfine’s only Achilles’ heel was casting accurately at distance. Here the buttery soft feel hurt accuracy, even with no wind.
First Impressions: Light in hand, very pleasing wiggle test (smooth with a light swing weight), the off-white label seemed toned down from the Helios rods, although still standing out as a modern Orvis.
Jamie’s Casting Score: 78
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 20 feet: 19.6 out of 20
Geezus this feels light! Playful, accurate, smooth and delightful with a delicate presentation. Feels like a high-end rod.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 25 feet: 20 out of 20
Rod corner, make room for your new friend! This rod feels awesome, very much like the tremendous blend of power and feel found in the Scott G 7’7” and the Winston Pure 2 7’9”. Especially fun to cast (and hard to put down).
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 30 feet: 19.8 out of 20
Nearly as great as the Hardy Ultralite 8’, but a little less power and accuracy.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 40 feet: 18.6 out of 20
Finally, the awesome feel comes at a cost, namely a lack of power. A compromise most anglers will be willing to accept, I think.
2. Echo Trout X 7'6"#3 $399
I felt the Echo Trout X was the best all-around “true” mid-priced 3-weight. And I wasn’t the only one - all 5 of our testers thought the Trout X was a great value rod. At $399 there is A LOT of performance here, equal to many of the rods well over twice the price! To beat this ratio of price vs performance level, you’ll need to jump up to the Orvis Superfine, or any of my top 6 rated high-end rods. Otherwise, you might as well save some money and buy the Trout X with money to spare for a nicer reel.
The Trout X specializes on spring creeks and small streams but it is also no slouch when it comes to 30 to 40-foot casts. At longer distances, the Trout X has a lot more power than the Orvis Superfine. If you plan on fishing larger tailwaters the Trout X is in most cases the best all-around mid-priced 3-weight.
One thing I really like about the Trout X is its deflection. You can see it has a stiffer butt and mid-section but a relatively softer tip, (indicated by its precipitous deflection). I love these kinds of rods as they are fast but versatile, embodying both power and feel. A tip of the cap to rod designer Tim Rajeff, this rod is unbelievably fantastic at any price and a total steal for $399. Kudos.
Why over the 7’6” Carbon XL or Shadow rods? The Carbon XL is one of our favorite inexpensive 9’#5 and 9’#6 weights. They are light and have good power and have proven to be strong “guide” rods that can take a beating. But the Trout X was lighter and sweeter with better feel, pushing that of a high-end rod. We didn’t test the Shadow X or Shadow II rods because they are 10’#3’s – and more geared towards Euro Nymphing.
Fishing Notes: I was impressed by how light the Echo Trout X felt on the creeks. It felt much lighter (and faster) than several high-end rods. Performance wise it fished best at 25-30 feet, which I found to be the distance I’m often sight fishing. In close it could have been better, and the same goes for longer 40+ foot casts, but I could make both extremes work. I could feel the rod loading and unloading through the cork, but the rod still has a powerful butt section and relatively softer tip, giving it a great all-around action.
First Impressions: Light in hand for a rod this price, the cork quality is also good. A nice, well-rounded action for a 3-weight that can do it all. Feels like a high-end rod.
Jamie’s Casting Score: 77.5
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 20 feet: 19 out of 20
Wow! Nice and light, feels like a high-end rod. Crisp, smooth, accurate loops with good feel and presentation.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 25 feet: 19.5 out of 20
Really nice! Like the “Moneyball” Oakland A’s vs big budget baseball teams, the Echo Trout X is winning, and for a lot less money! Great blend of power and feel.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 30 feet: 19.6 out of 20
I can’t find much fault here! The best rods had the edge on feel and accuracy but not by much! Perhaps the best all-around 3-weight in the Shootout.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 40 feet: 19.4 out of 20
Again, a standout performance for a rod that cost half as much or less than the high-end rods. Only the G. Loomis NRX+ LP, Hardy Marksman, and T&T Avantt II smoked it at distance; it hung in there with the rest of the best rods.
BEST INEXENSIVE 3-WEIGHT
1. Echo Lift 7'6"#3 $124.95
Perhaps the biggest surprise of our 3-Weight Shootout was seeing how many good inexpensive rods there are on the market. Most of these range from $169 to $339 and performed quite well, especially considering their price. You can see my Performance Only scores to see where I ranked them but my top performer ironically also turned out to be the least expensive at $124.95.
The Echo Lift isn’t the lightest 3-weight, but it really was smooth and effortless to cast. Casting it just came naturally and I didn’t have to concentrate hard to dial in my accuracy. This rod just works well, especially as an all-around 3-weight.
If you aren’t 100% sure if a 3-weight is right for you, here is your chance to purchase one for about the same price as high-end sun hoody!
Match the Echo Lift with either a Lamson Liquid S -3+ ($139) or an Orvis Battenkill I ($139), a Scientific Anglers Mastery Trout Standard WF-3-F line ($79.95), 60 yards of 20lb. backing ($6), with a 12’6X leader ($5) and you’re looking at roughly $350. Not a bad price for an outfit you’ll enjoy for years to come!
Why over the Echo Carbon XL? While I could get a tighter loop with the Carbon XL 7’6”#3, the flex pattern of the Lift just “felt” better. The Lift felt more stable than the Carbon XL and still felt pretty dang light. There is something more special and “lively” about the 7’6”#3 Lift that I do not feel in my 9’#5 Lift.
Fishing Notes: I fished the Echo Lift and the Greys Lance together. The Lance was the lighter of the two, and really sweet in close but lacked power beyond 30 feet and couldn’t handle the wind or streamers very well, (the tip buckled from being over powered). The Lift on the other hand, was a great all-around 3-weight. It wasn’t a total all-star in close, but good enough and was a true jack of all trades at 25-40 feet. Single dry, dry dropper, wind, streamer, it handled all of these with ease and a certain mellowness that made me feel more relaxed.
First Impressions: Feels heavier in hand but also has a pleasing wiggle to it. Initial casting in the gym brought a quick smile at all distances. Maybe Kelly Galloup is right?? (You don’t need a $1000 rod to fish and have fun).
Jamie’s Casting Score: 76.7
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 20 feet: 18.9 out of 20
Heavier in hand than some of the other inexpensive rods, but still the performance is there. Good feel and very good accuracy.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 25 feet: 19.2 out of 20
Strangely there is nothing wildly special about this rod but it still has great feel and accuracy. Add to this the killer price point and it’s hard not to add a little bias and extra love to this rod!
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 30 feet: 19.3 out of 20
Great blend of power and feel, this rod is forgiving, accurate, smooth, and fun to cast.
Jamie’s Casting Notes at 40 feet: 19.3 out of 20
Again, perfectly balanced power and feel, producing impressively stable and accurate loops. Good enough to make me want one, that’s for sure!