Cortland Endurance Fly Rod - 9'6", 7wt, 4-Piece

Very nice, attractive, functional rod.

I have fly-fished for 25 years and use custom rods with a v fast actions. My Mrs wanted to get into fly fishing so I looked around and decided to try the Endurance as a cheap start. It is probably a good choice for a portable beginners rod. Way too soft for me though and the action is too far down the blank. I think for fishing smaller waters this would be fine, but if you routinely cast the whole line and then some on lakes or large rivers then it's just way too slow and soft. Seems that this can't be solved by altering line weight. So, as the rod is for the Mrs and she is learning, I am reasonably satisfied. If the rod was for me, I would have returned it. Perhaps the 9' would be better in 7wt to lose some of that extra flexibility. In fact, sawing the top 1' or so off this rod would probably make it fairly decent - if only that would work. I am also a fan of lined guides throughout and after you've used all SIC for a while, snakes just don't cut it. Construction and finish are generally good. Black guide feet (instead of gleaming, fish-spooking chrome) would also be better. Hope this helps.

I bought this as a back up to the same model I already own and use on Great Lakes tributaries. Although not quite tough enough for salmon, this rod has tamed the biggest browns and steelhead the Great Lakes has to offer. Casts as well as pricer rods. If you fish the medium to smaller tribs, this rod will more than do the job. A Cortland "HOMERUN"!