Echo TR Trout Rod Review
I have grown an overwhelming interest in trout spey over the past couple of years. I knew I wanted a rod but I didn’t know which spey rod I should buy.
I knew I wanted a 3 or 4-weight but didn’t know what length, make, or model. With so many different rod options, and only enough money for one rod, I wanted to make sure I purchased the right one for me.
Still searching for the perfect Echo rod? Find it here.
Luckily, I had the chance to cast several different trout spey rods and lines at North 40 Flyshop’s Spey Clave 2018 on the Missouri River. This is where I fell in love with Echo’s #4 TR Trout. It didn’t take too long before I had one in the back of my truck and was driving to the Coeur d’Alene River to chase cutties.
Want to know what happens at Cinco de Speyo? Read about it here.
I properly matched the rod with an Airflo 330 grain Rage Compact shooting head, complimented with Rio’s ConnectCore Shooting Line. The shooting head has made slinging mid-sized streamers and soft hackles a pleasure. In fact, I was still able to throw out a tandem fly rig into 15-20 mph gusts of wind on the first day. To my surprise, I didn’t find any wind knots in my leader after a full day of fishing.
The Breakdown
Let’s talk specifics. The TR Trout is a 4-piece, medium/fast action rod that delivers a serious punch. Well-matched for throwing floating poly leaders as well as fast-sinking trout sink tips. Labeled as Tim Rajeff’s fast two-hander (hence “TR”), the rod features a lighter tip with a hefty bottom to maximize tighter loops and longer casts. According to Rajeff, the TR is Echo’s most popular spey family. It is complete with low-friction ceramic stripping guides on the lower half of the rod and chrome snake eye guides on the upper. If looks could catch fish, you would never get skunked again. The blank is a matte army green-black with vibrant orange print on the side of the rod. Plus, finished with a low-maintenance black anodized reel seat, this rod is magnificent.
Based off of my personal experience, I highly recommend Echo’s TR Trout 11’3” #4 to anyone who is new to trout spey or has been casting two-handed rods for trout since before it was cool.