Echo Euro Nymphing Rod Review // Shadow X, Shadow II, Carbon XL

Here is all of our Euro Nymphing Specific Rods and Tackle:
redsflyfishing...
Echo Shadow X: redsflyfishing...
Echo Shadow II: redsflyfishing...
Echo Carbon XL: redsflyfishing...

[@termite122]

imo,,that shadow x is the best rod on the market for the price range..i have 2 sage esn euro rods and both are for sale..i started with the shadow 2 and love that rod in 10.6 ft 4 wt..also have the shadow 2 in the 10ft 2 wt.and have landed many big fish with that stick but the shadow x is just super..very light and thank god they started going back to down locking reel seats..i cant stand any rod with an up locking reel seat and never knew why they even did that..good review by the way..

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

0:36 watch carefully and you'll see a bee fly by really close to the camera!!!

[@m40_kid70]

Could you do a detailed video on the X, I'm looking for a mid priced back up rod that will be as close to my premium sticks in feel as possible?

[@redsflyshop]

That would be the next best thing, its a really sensitive rod. I haven't tuned the balance on my reels either. I know that if you get it balanced right the tip gets a lot more sensitive as well. The Shadow X comes with some counter weights for doing just that.

[@user-ys6hl1uy1t]

Well. . . . . What do the guys in the basement think?

[@oneninertb]

Joe, Very informative. I’m going to get a Shadow II 3100. Do have a preferred reel?

[@CarlosGarcia-507]

Have mine paired w/ a lamson liquid 4/5/6 balances perfectly

[@chrishenslick5482]

You guys recommend the shadow 2 for tight line nymphing now you have fished them for a while?

[@oneninertb]

I have the Shadow II , 3wt, extensions to 11ft. Pleased.with it

[@seanearnest]

Thanks again Joe for this informative breakdown! I've been fishing the Syndicate P2 in 10' 3wt but not doing much Euro nymphing with it, usually throwing multi nymph rigs under a NZ wool indicator and/or dropshotting. I have found the rod to be so soft and noodley as to hamper my ability to cast accurately. Right now I have a Cortland 444 peach DT3F line on. Should I try overlining, a stiffer leader, or just go for a 4wt rod? Since I'm not that into the Euro nymphing game, I'd like the ability to continue using one rod for general nymphing, wet fly fishing, and the occasional dry as needed, just with a bit better consistency and control. If I'm exclusively fishing a hatch, I have dedicated dry fly rods for that purpose. Thanks so much for your help! All the best, Seán

[@redsflyshop]

Oh I think the line is probably a fine match, making sure your indicator is very sparse and you are using minimal weight will help that spongy tip give a more firm hook set. That is the downside of a soft tip on indicator rigs, the soft tip often won't provide very good hook penetration especially once you have a lot of line on the water. My hunch is you might be missing some fish based on your writeup. I haven't used the Syndicate P2 but can understand the dillema. If you stay in that rod brand, a #4 might be necessary.

[@francoisl7663]

lol! It's not a "cheapppp rod". Idk why that was funny.

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks, nothing we sell is "cheap" right. When I was learning to fish I paid $40 for my first rod and will never forget ordering an Orvis Clearwater Outfit out of their mailing catalog for $150. It was an 8'6" 5 weight. I loved that damn rod. I still wonder where it is. We parted ways years ago.

[@francoisl7663]

@@redsflyshop Man, the Orvis Clearwater Outfit is a great deal but the more you fish the more some of the equipment becomes an addiction :) . Happy Holidays to you and the shop!

[@everythingflytv507]

Sage Pulse is not a good euro nymphing rod. It’s way too tip heavy and it’s hard to get a load to cast your nymphs. I say this from making the mistake of purchasing one and then ending up having to spend another $460 to purchase a shadow X.

[@redsflyshop]

I would agree, it's a fine rod just not a good Euro rod.

[@hugopearce5552]

Dis u say the sage pulse is a good euro rod or did u mean the esn, cheere

[@matthewmcmillen796]

Joe, why the 2wt over the 3wt in the shadow II? If the 3wt is more popular, what’s the benefits of the 2wt in your eyes?? Thanks!

[@redsflyshop]

If you fish small water, small flies it's an advantage. Especially on 7X tippet. I have several of these rods, IF I had one it would be a 3 weight.

[@RGJR02]

Do a review on the sage esn.

[@redsflyshop]

I should, that rod is absolutely awesome. I've sold a lot of them and fished them during my classes but don't own the newest model.

[@chadweberg6039]

For about the same price point whats your recommendation Shadow X or the Redington strike

[@redsflyshop]

Well I think you might be comparing the Strike to the Shadow II (similar price point). The Shadow X is quite a bit more expensive. They are all fine rods. The Shadow X by far offers the most performance. The Shadow II is a bit touchier than the Strike, but the Strike seems to offer a higher level of durability. All good choices.

[@jeffreydonaldson9757]

Does the Echo Carbon XL have the competion kit for it also?

[@redsflyshop]

It does not.

[@hunterspiri7830]

Another awesome video! I also have the 10 foot 2 wt in the shadow 2 but started into euro nymphing with a 10ft 4 wt Winston super 10. I haven’t tried other 4wts for euro nymphing but the super 10 might change your mind about not having enough touch. That is my go to rod for euro nymphing but am in the market for a 3 wt. just curious if you have given the super 10 a shot. Seems like Winston doesn’t get enough credit for that rod. Only downside I see to a 4 wt is it does get heavy after a while because I do balance it out with a bigger reel. Let me know what you think!

[@redsflyshop]

I'm really glad you like that rod, we have the Super 10's in the shop but I personally don't feel they are as sensitive as either the Echo Shadow II or Echo Shadow X. I love Winston Rods, but in this case it wouldn't be my first choice. Compared to the Sage ESN it's not even a contest IMO. I believe that for raw versatility (indicators, small streamers, lake fishing, etc the 3 and 4 weight Super 10's are a better utility rod however).

[@hunterspiri7830]

Red's Fly Shop interesting! Might have to give the ESN a shot in the 3 wt. I’ll be giving you guys a call in a few weeks to order one.

[@hunterspiri7830]

Red's Fly Shop last question. How does the ESN and the Shadow X compare to the Cortland Competition MKII? I wish I could get my hands on all these myself to test out but I can’t so I trust your opinion lol

[@anthonyb1661]

Hey, joe how do you feel about the TCO Drift for this application? thanks

[@anthonyb1661]

Make that TFO Drift

[@redsflyshop]

I think its a neat idea, but for pure ESN fishing it isn't half as touchy as these rods.

[@loschillyboyz9473]

I bought the echo shadow II and the tip broke. I love it! But the parts are sold out I don’t know when I’ll be able to use it again. I’m thinking about the shadow x but what if that me also breaks and there’s no parts. I was fighting a fish he jumó out of the water and landed in the water and broke the tip. 5.4 lb 19 inch brown trout.

[@игорькороль-г3б]

Пропиздел весь ролик

[@raoulh.4440]

High praise indeed for the Shadow X. You guys also sell the Sage ESN. For you, does it justify the extra $450 vs. the Shadow X?

[@redsflyshop]

That's a really good question. The Shadow X is very "connected". I sold a customer a Sage ESN on Sunday, the 10'6" 3 weight. He handled both rods a lot and wound up with the Sage. He only ever wants to buy one, and he wanted the best tool for the job. The Sage isn't "twice the rod" yet it's twice the price. That said, over the life of ownership you're looking at a few bucks per fishing trip to have the best of the best. I am hoping to get one of the Sage ESN's, they are super touchy. You can feel everything. As I'm writing this, I can think of at least two other sales inside the store where customers put several rods side by side and took home the Sage.

[@Belbivdevoe]

Most of the pro's I know of use either the Cortland or the Shadow X

[@philipvankampen3394]

I've fished the Shadow X 1063-4 for a couple years now. I go back and forth between wet fly and tight-line tactics and have found this rod casts a SA MPX 4wt (130 gr) fly line great. It is not a great rod for overhand/precision casts, but it handles quite well using spey/roll casts. If the hatch is on and they aren't eating my wets, I'll swap reels to an AirCel 5wt setup w/ an old SA System 2 reel. The weight of the reel with the sightly lighter 5wt line (140 gr) opens the rod up significantly when attempting to make more precise presentations. I'm sure there are better lines for this, but you can't beat a $30 line that has been around for as long as I've been hitting the river. Overall, I agree with you that there are other rods in this price range that may be better 'euro rods' but the ShadowX is certainly a contender. Thanks always for the content.

[@jcflyfishing5097]

So for general trout fishing would you recommend the river glass rod, or the carbon xl 2wt?

[@redsflyshop]

Well, if we are talking 2 weights then I am guessing you are targeting small trout on dry flies. Either is a good choice.

[@jorgeyanez4779]

Nunca logro entender a estos norteamericanos, están media hora hablando a la orilla del río y no hacen ni un solo casteo como para poder ver la acción de la caña