Thank you for this information. What Stickman rods do you own? And what action do they give?
Ti5 - 10ft 5w
T7 - 9.5ft 7w
P3 - 9.5ft 3w
The P3 is new to me this season and it's been windy on the three trips that I've used it so haven't given it a proper test yet. Although I'll be using it for stillwater work (single dries from a drifting boat, that sort of thing) so not what it was designed for but a bit of fun !!
The Ti5 was my first Stickman rod last Spring. It feels stiff but not in a bad way (windy days not an issue), loads quickly but bends enough in the blank not to pull hooks out.
The T7 is another fast action rod but this one bends deep in the blank so doesn't feel like a 'distance' casting rod ie like a 10ft Loomis GLX that I was always pulling hooks out with !!
The rods are light and I seem to be making one less false cast (I might be imaging that bit !!).
The rods are true to line weight and given that line manufacturers AFTMA rating are all over the place the Stickman team are happy to recommend lines for each rod as each rod is build for a specific purpose. They are not a rod 'series'.
I'm not much of a tackle reviewer as you can tell so I've cut-and-pasted the below from their website (the review of the Ti5 is independent):
The P3 blank:
The idea behind the 9'6" P3 was to develop a longer rod which is great for fishing dries and smaller streamers while remains excellent for euro nymph techniques. The P3 is short and agile enough for the countless false casts necessary for dry fly fishing, it has enough backbone for smaller streamers and traditional nymph techniques while being long and sensitive enough for tight line nymphing. The P3 is probably the most versatile light trout and grayling rod in our lineup. With a simple change of leaders you can switch between the two very different worlds of trout fishing while you won't have to deal with any drop of performance.
The T7 9'6" blank:
A powerful 7 weight rod for single handed salmon fishing, seatrout, steelhead and reservoir trout. The added length of 6" compared to the T7 9' helps to control the line easier on the water while still maintaining a very light swingweight. The slightly deeper bending blank combined with the extra length makes this rod an ideal tool to cast single handed spey and skagit lines.
The Ti5 blank:
"Like all Stickman rods, the rod is very light in the hand, but more importantly its swing weight is super light. The balance with a reel on it is helped greatly by the addition of the fighting butt - good call on that Ákos. Just like my P5, the tip is very sensitive and the blank bends progressively with a super smooth bend curve. I can put a really good line out with this rod. I know the MPX is not the line for this rod (I suspect a Barrio GT90 5 or SLX 5 would be better for casting), but I like the fact that I can stick a GT90 6 wt on it and the rod does not object. Sure it loads deeper, but it does not crucify the rod. I honestly think this is the modern day version of the GLX 10 foot 5 weight, but in a far lighter swing weight. I was able to test them side by side and the difference in swing weight is quite pronounced. I also think the Ti5 has a more sensitive tip which will appeal to those who use heavy bugs, or use big weighted flies in large rivers for large trout (NZ). I think the 10 foot 2 weight will obviously be a better light Euro nymph rod, but for my purposes, where I fish, the Ti5 is mustard. I know you love 9 foot rods for rivers, but on large rivers (River Tweed, etc.) I love the extra mending capabilities of a long light line rod. It will also be a cracking rod for the big bad Tongariro in NZ. This river is a heavy, fast flowing river with DEEP pools and large fish (average 4 lb.). As for Orkney Islands, look at the attached photos and tell me the Ti5 is not made for Orkney!!!!! 1-2 lb. trout, skerries, shallow bays, shortlining. PERFECT
