2025 3-Weight Shootout
OVERALL WINNER – Scott G Series 7’7”
BEST SMALL CREEK ROD – Scott G Series 7’7”
BEST PARADISE VALLEY SPRING CREEK ROD – Sage Classic R8 8'6"
BEST “BIGGER WATER” ROD – G. Loomis NRX+ LP 8'3" / T & T Avantt II 8'6"
BEST BUY – Greys Lance 7'6"
BIGGEST SURPRISE – Orvis Superfine Graphite 7'6"
HONORABLE MENTION – All Echo Rods
1. Scott G Series 7'7"#3 $945
The Scott G Series stands the test of time and the 7’7”#3 is my favorite 3-weight rod in this year’s Shootout. The G Series is a classic for a reason. The 7’7” would be the absolute perfect small stream rod. The slide band reel seat is something I would need to get used to, being more accustomed to an uplocking reel seat.
Logan’s Casting Notes: 79.5 out of 80
Performance at 20 feet: 20 out of 20
The Scott G Series was perfect at 20 feet. It was precise and delicate. Exactly what you’d want for small steams and close distances. It was loading perfectly with very little line out.
Performance at 25 feet: 20 out of 20
At 25 feet the Scott G was still perfect. I had incredible control and was making accurate and delicate casts every time.
Performance at 30 feet: 20 out of 20
The Scott G Series was surprisingly accurate at longer distances. While some rods with similar feel and delicacy died, or gave out past 25 feet, the Scott G Series remained in a class of its own.
Performance at 40 feet: 19.5 out of 20
At 40 feet the Scott G series was giving me everything it had in its tank. Despite feeling like I was pushing this rod to its limits it remained accurate and delicate.
2. Orvis Helios F 7'6"#3 $1,098
The Orvis Helios F 7’6”#3 was my favorite of the two Helios F rods we cast. The 7’6” version is extremely light and delicate. It was also extremely accurate at all distances.
Logan’s Casting Notes: 79 out of 80
Performance at 20 feet: 20 out of 20
20 feet was the sweet spot for this rod. It is perfect for tight casts. The rod loaded well and was very accurate.
Performance at 25 feet: 20 out of 20
Like 20 feet the Helios F was perfect at 25 feet.
Performance at 30 feet: 19.5 out of 20
The Orvis Helios F was beginning to show signs of inconsistency at 30 feet. I preferred the 8’4” version of the Helios F at longer distances, but to me that’s not what a 3-weight is meant for.
Performance at 40 feet: 19.5 out of 20
At 40 feet the Helios F was maxed out. You had to have perfect timing but when you did the rod still performed very well at longer casts.
3. Hardy Ultralite SR 8'#3 $875
The Hardy Ultralite SR was one of the biggest surprises in this year’s Shootout for me. I was expecting the new Marksman to be my favorite Hardy, as it is in the 4-weight, but the Ultralite SR is incredible. “SR” stands for small rivers and this rod would be at the top of my list on any day I’m fishing smaller rivers and creeks.
Logan’s Casting Notes: 79.5 out of 80
Performance at 20 feet: 19.5 out of 20
At 20 feet the Hardy Ultralite maintained its delicacy but wasn’t quite as good as the Scott G Series or Orvis Superfine. It was extremely accurate however and would be a great rod for tight quarters.
Performance at 25 feet: 20 out of 20
At 25 feet the Hardy Ultralite SR was perfect. Accurate, delicate, but strong enough to cast a little longer. I wouldn’t be scared to take this rod to medium sized rivers.
Performance at 30 feet: 20 out of 20
The Hardy Ultralite might be my favorite rod at 30 feet. It was perfect in every way. I maintained accuracy and control without sacrificing feel.
Performance at 40 feet: 19.5 out of 20
At 40 feet the Hardy Ultralite SR was still a champ. It was able to easily cast 40 feet, and accurately.
4. Sage Classic R8 8'6"#3
The Sage Classic R8 is “Classic” in every sense of the word. Sage really knocked it out of the park with this rod. The 8’6” version is the longer of Sage’s two R8 Classics. I wish we had the chance to try the 8’ version, but I still think I would have preferred the longer 8’6” for all-around angling. This rod is my top pick for fishing the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks.
Logan’s Casting Notes: 79 out of 80
Performance at 20 feet: 20 out of 20
The Sage Classic R8 is incredible at shorter distances. It is super smooth and perfect for spring creek presentations.
Performance at 25 feet: 20 out of 20
At 25 feet the Sage Classic R8 was still incredibly smooth and accurate. It was delicate enough to present a #24 dry with 7x but also extremely accurate.
Performance at 30 feet: 20 out of 20
At 30 feet the Sage Classic R8 was still one of the best rods. Its longer length helped it perform at 30 feet.
Performance at 40 feet: 18 out of 20
40 feet was where the Sage Classic R8 was showing signs of weakness. The ability to control your loop proved challenging here.
5. T&T Avantt II 8'6"#3 $985
One of the faster action rods of the Shootout, the Thomas and Thomas Avantt II was a surprise to everyone. Not that I didn’t expect Thomas and Thomas to place in the top 10, I was just expecting to like the moderate action of the Paradigm over the Avantt II in the 3-weight. The Avantt II throws absolute darts. It excels at medium to longer distances but was still incredible at 20 feet.
Logan’s Casting Notes: 78.5 out of 80
Performance at 20 feet: 19 out of 20
At 20 feet the Avantt II was slightly too stiff to be as good as the Scott G Series or Orvis Superfine Graphite. It was very accurate however and was able to present the fly with the delicacy you would need from a 3-weight.
Performance at 25 feet: 20 out of 20
25 and 30 feet are this rod’s sweet spot. The Avantt II is balanced and maintains tight loops at these distances.
Performance at 30 feet: 20 out of 20
At 30 feet the Avantt II is clearly in a different class from some of the other 3-weights in this test. This is where you can see the benefits of a slightly faster action 3-weight.
Performance at 40 feet: 19.5 out of 20
The faster action of the Avantt II really helps it perform well at longer distances.
6. Orvis Superfine 7'6"#3 - "The Tippet"
The Orvis Superfine 7’6”#3, named the “Tippet,” was one of the standout rods of the Shootout. As soon as I saw the rod I knew it was going to be unique. The Superfine is an iconic fly rod with tons of history and this new version complements that history nicely with modern touches. The appearance of the rod maintains the Orvis look (love it or hate it) with the white, in this case off-white butt section. Despite my negative feelings about the “Orvis white,” I think this version is very classy.
Logan’s Casting Notes: 78 out of 80
Performance at 20 feet: 20 out of 20
The Orvis Superfine was soft enough to make extremely delicate presentations. It loads easily and its lighter weight makes it ideal for in-close.
Performance at 25 feet: 20 out of 20
At 25 feet the Orvis Superfine was very accurate at 25 feet.
Performance at 30 feet: 19 out of 20
Despite the Superfine’s deep flex it was still doing great at medium and longer distances.
Performance at 40 feet: 19 out of 20
This is where the Orvis Superfine surprised me. Being one of the lightest rods in the Shootout I figured it wouldn’t be able to handle mid-range and longer distances but it still had the guts to do so.
7. R.L. Winston Pure 2 7'9"#3 $995
The R.L. Winston Pure 2 7’9”#3 is a perfect small creek rod. It is incredibly light and responsive. It is great for in close presentations, small dries and light tippets. If you are a Winston fan this rod should be at the top of your “must have” list.
Logan’s Casting Notes: 78 out of 80
Performance at 20 feet: 20 out of 20
The Pure 2 is special at 20 feet. This and the Scott G Series are hands down the best in close rods. Which is essentially what you are looking for in a 3-weight.
Performance at 25 feet: 20 out of 20
At 25 feet the R.L. Winston Pure 2 is unmatched. If we eliminated 40 feet this rod would be my top pick, (or tied with the Scott G Series).
Performance at 30 feet: 20 out of 20
At 30 feet the Pure 2 was still very good. It required perfect timing but that was easily achieved because the rod allows you to feel the load perfectly.
Performance at 40 feet: 18 out of 20
40 feet is not ideal for the Pure 2. But don’t let that distract you from how sweet this rod is at in-close presentations and its small water fishing ability.
8. R.L.Winston Air 2 8'6"#3. $1,195
I really enjoyed the R.L. Winston Air 2 8’6” 3-weight despite it being significantly faster than the Pure 2. I preferred it at 30 feet, but it was also one of my favorite rods at 40 feet, with the capability to throw very tight loops. This is another rod that would be perfect for spring creeks, where you need the ability to make accurate and delicate presentations while being able to handle the larger fish.
Logan’s Casting Notes: 78 out of 80
Performance at 20 feet: 19 out of 20
The R.L. Winston Air 2 was slightly too fast for shorter distances. It was very accurate but the rod wasn’t able to fully load at 20 feet.
Performance at 25 feet: 19 out of 20
At 25 feet, loading the rod was easier. It was slightly “punchy” and not as delicate as the Pure 2 or Scott G Series.
Performance at 30 feet: 20 out of 20
30 feet is where the R.L. Winston Air 2 is perfect. It was deadly accurate and remained delicate.
Performance at 40 feet: 20 out of 20
The Air 2 is incredible at medium and longer distances for a 3-weight. This and the Thomas and Thomas Avantt II are ideal spring creek rods.
9. G. Loomis NRX+LP 8'3"#3 $915
The G. Loomis NRX+ LP is designed for “ultra-technical” dry fly presentations. It is one of the more powerful rods in the Shootout and it excelled at medium to longer distances. This would be my pick for larger water like the Henry’s Fork.
Logan’s Casting Notes: 78 out of 80
Performance at 20 feet: 19 out of 20
20 feet wasn’t the NRX+ LP’s best distance but it wasn’t bad by any means. It was still very delicate, however I wasn’t as accurate with this rod as I was with other rods like the Pure 2.
Performance at 25 feet: 19 out of 20
The G. Loomis NRX+ LP was buttery smooth at 25 feet. Lacked some accuracy but not much.
Performance at 30 feet: 20out of 20
30 feet is the G. Loomis NRX+ LP’s perfect distance. Deadly accurate and maintained a light feel.
Performance at 40 feet: 20 out of 20
The G. Loomis NRX+ LP was incredible at 40 feet. I can really feel the purpose of this rod making medium and longer casts.
10. Greys Lance 7'6"#3 $209.95
The Greys Lance was my “best buy” pick of this year’s Shootout. It is extremely light-weight and was great for in-close, small stream applications. For smaller creek fishing and not wanting to break the bank, the Greys Lance is at the top of my list.
Logan’s Casting Notes: 75 out of 80
Performance at 20 feet: 19 out of 20
Super light and delicate. Great rod for small creeks and small trout.
Performance at 25 feet: 19 out of 20
The Greys Lance was super smooth and accurate at 25 feet. It is accurate and maintains its finesse.
Performance at 30 feet: 19 out of 20
The Lance was still performing highly at 30 feet.
Performance at 40 feet: 18 out of 20
At 40 feet the Greys Lance wasn’t as accurate as other rods. Its lighter weight and softer feel made it challenging to get any distance from it.