When we started the 3-weight Shootout, I quickly realized 3-weight rods are difficult to judge on account of their various lengths. When I think of a 3-weight rod, I think of a shorter, lighter rod that I would fish on creeks, spring creeks and small streams. After having conversations with guides and other advanced anglers, I’m hearing a longer length is great for small dry flies on tail waters and larger technical streams, (as well as their obvious nymphing advantages).
That being said, I separated the rods into two categories: those under 8 feet and those between 8 and 9 feet. After length, I separated the rods into three sub categories: High-End, Mid-Priced, and Inexpensive.
3-weight rods over 9’ are growing in popularity and may have a place in your quiver. Possibly another Shootout…
Rods Under 8' - High-End
1. Scott G 7’7”#3 $945
First Impressions: This rod is excellent. Incredibly light in hand with a lot of power. I could feel nearly all 7’7” flexing to make wonderful casts at all distances. I really liked the cork reel spacer, it felt classic and helped to reduce the weight of the rod. The Spigot ferrules feel appropriate on this classic four-piece rod. From aesthetics to performance, this is a wonderful rod.
Total Score: 79.3
Casting Notes at 20’
· My favorite at 20’. My score is 19.8 out of 20
Casting Notes at 25’
· One of my favorites at 25’. My score is 19.8 out of 20
Casting Notes at 30’
· This rod is perfect at 30’. My score is 20 out of 20
Casting Notes at 40’
· This rod makes a nice cast at 40’ but it’s not its best use. My score is 19.7 out of 20
Final Impression: If you’re looking for a smaller feeling rod to fish your favorite creeks, this is the only rod you will ever need. I’m saving my money to purchase one for myself.
2. Winston Pure 2 7’9”#3 $995
First Impressions: What more can I say… it’s a Winston. This is a beautiful rod and it feels great in hand. Light and well balanced. As soon as you put it in your hand you want to make precise casts, it ups your game. This rod flexes smoothly and delivers consistent smooth energy to its cast.
Total Score: 78.0
Casting Notes at 20’
· In my top two at 20’. My score is 19.7 out of 20
Casting Notes at 25’
· In my top two at 25’. My score is 19.7 out of 20
Casting Notes at 30’
· In my top two at 30’. My score is 19.7 out of 20
Casting Notes at 40’
· This rod is nice even with wind at 40’. My score is 19.8 out of 20
Final Impression: I have always loved the brand and was certain Winston would make a beautiful casting rod in a 3-weight. They didn’t disappoint. A fly rod with a wonderful feel and a beautiful finish.
3. Hardy Ultralite 7’6”#3 $850
First Impressions: You can tell Hardy put a lot of thought into this rod, from the shape of the cork handle to how Howard designed the rod’s deflection. I like the recoil snake guides, reel seat, and Hardy’s attention to the small details. This rod feels the lightest in my hand of all the rods in my top three under 8 feet.
Total Score: 78.6
Casting Notes at 20’
· In my top three at 20’. My score is 19.6 out of 20
Casting Notes at 25’
· In my top three at 25’. My score is 19.6 out of 20
Casting Notes at 30’
· In my top three at 30’. My score is 19.6 out of 20
Casting Notes at 40’
· This rod is nice even with wind at 40’. My score is 19.8 out of 20
Final Impression: Hardy went above and beyond with the components on this rod and its attention to detail. This rod is a little gem and casts like one too.
Rods Under 8’ - Mid-Priced
1. Orvis Superfine 7'6"#3 $598
First Impressions: For an old timer that loves the classics, it was great to cast the Orvis Superfine. This is my top choice in the mid-price category, by a large margin. I think this rod outperforms rods twice its price. I really like the look and feel of the rod.
Total Score: 78.1
Casting scores at 20’
· In my top three at 20’. My score is 19.6 out of 20
Casting Notes at 25’
· At 25’ my score is 19.5 out of 20
Casting Notes at 30’
· At 30’ my score is 19.5 out of 20
Casting Notes at 40’
· At 40’ my score is 19.5 out of 20
Final Impression: The Orvis Superfine is a great rod, not only for the price but in all aspects.
It has a nice smooth deflection. Plenty of backbone for longer casts but it really shines bright in close.
Rods Under 8’ - Inexpensive
1. Echo Lift 7'6"#3 $124.95
First Impressions: A lot of people are on the fence on whether or not they should purchase a 3-weight fly rod and I understand. At this price point it makes the decision a lot easier. Just pack a lunch for a week and you would have most of the money you’ll need for your new rod. This rod does everything well.
Total Score: 75.5
Casting scores at 20’
· At 20’ my score is 18.75 out of 20
Casting Notes at 25’
· At 25’ my score is 18.75 out of 20
Casting Notes at 30’
· At 30’ my score is 19.0 out of 20
Casting Notes at 40’
· At 40’ my score is 19.0 out of 20
Final Impression: This is a fantastic rod for the money. A great all-around rod that performs quite well at all distances.
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Rods 8’ - 9’ - High-End
1. Scott G Series 8'4"#3 $945
First Impressions: This rod, like its shorter sibling, was great at all distances. The 8’8” G Series would be great on our tail waters in Montana if you prefer the advantages of a 3-weight line (primarily achieving a better drift). I see the 8’4” as more of an overall performing 3-weight. The spigot ferrules are a nice touch and flex smoothly for a 4-piece rod. From the classy winding check to the fine wraps this is a wonderfully made rod. Performance wise, my scores speak for themselves, I love this rod.
Total Score: 79.35
Casting Notes at 20’
· One of my favorites at 20’. My score is 19.75 out of 20
Casting Notes at 25’
· One of my favorites at 25’. My score is 19.75 out of 20
Casting Notes at 30’
· This rod is nearly perfect at 30’. My score is 19.90 out of 20
Casting Notes at 40’
· My score is 19.90 out of 20
Final Impression: I have a rekindled appreciation for the G Series rods. If money were no object, I would absolutely buy all three lengths offered by Scott. I really appreciate how this rod has a deeper flex and delivers smooth power. This 8’4” makes me want to dust off my San Francisco era rods and fish them this season.
2. Thomas & Thomas Avantt II 8'6"#3 $895
First Impressions: I liked this rod with its beautiful finishes and hardware. This was one of the nicest rods that I cast in the Shootout. If your go to distance is 30’ or longer look no further. Really impressive, smooth power.
Total Score: 78.05
Casting Notes at 20’
· At 20’ my score is 19.0 out of 20
Casting Notes at 25’
· At 25’ my score is 19.25 out of 20
Casting Notes at 30’
· At 30’ my score is 19.8 out of 20
Casting Notes at 40’
· My favorite at 40’. My score is 20 out of 20
Final Impression: This was the surprise rod of the Shootout for me. I have always loved the classic Paradigm (and still do), but this rod stole the show.
3. Winston Air 2 8'6"#3 $1,195
First Impressions: It’s a beautiful Winston with a little added power. This rod feels nice in hand. Light and well balanced. This rod flexes with reserved power and delivers consistent smooth energy to its cast.
Total Score: 79.1
Casting Notes at 20’
· At 20’ my score is 19.75 out of 20
Casting Notes at 25’
· At 25’ my score is 19.75 out of 20
Casting Notes at 30’
· At 30’ my score is 19.80 out of 20
Casting Notes at 40’
· At 40’ my score is 19.80 out of 20
Final Impression: The Air 2 8’6”#3 does it all. It has a lot of power for the longer casts on bigger water but feels nice and delicate in close. It has the ability to throw very tight loops and cut through the wind.
4. Livingston Rod Company 8'9"#3 $895
First Impressions: This rod was fabricated by Dusty Smith, a custom builder in Montana. This is a beautifully finished rod from the reel seat and fine cork to the perfect wraps. Clearly one of the deepest flexing rods over 8’ that I cast in this Shootout. Livingston Rod Company is known for its world class fiberglass rods. This rod uses a standard modulus graphite giving it a similar feel to his fiberglass but with a little more backbone that adds power and recovery to the rod. I enjoyed this rod so much, after the Shootout I purchased it and I look forward to making light presentations with it to selective fish.
Total Score: 78.8
Casting Notes at 20’
· At 20’ my score is 19.65 out of 20
Casting Notes at 25’
· At 25’ my score is 19.65 out of 20
Casting Notes at 30’
· At 30’ my score is 19.75 out of 20
Casting Notes at 40’
· At 40’ my score is 19.75 out of 20
Final Impression: This rod was up against some of the finest rods in the Shootout and it performed very well. I like the relaxed feel. I’m fishing this rod with a 406 DT-3-F fly line, making the set up a Livingston, MT special.
Rods 8’ - 9’ - Mid-Priced
1. Scott Session 8'#3 $695
First Impressions: I liked this rod in our 5-weight Shootout and found it performs equally as well as a 3-weight. This is a really nice rod in an 8’ length. It does everything well. This was the obvious choice for my mid-priced favorite in this length. The quality and workmanship is impeccable at this price.
Total Score: 78.85
Casting Notes at 20’
· One of my favorites at 20’. My score is 19.75 out of 20
Casting Notes at 25’
· One of my favorites at 25’. My score is 19.75 out of 20
Casting Notes at 30’
· One of my favorites at 30’. My score is 19.70 out of 20
Casting Notes at 40’
· My score is 19.65 out of 20
Final Impression: I have always liked this rod. It’s an easy sell in the shop after a customer casts it against any comparable rods in its price range, or even rods that are much higher in price.