Echo Shadow X fly rod?

[Troutsource]

Anyone have experience with this new nymphing rod by Echo? In the process of buying a 11' 3-wt. It's basically an upgraded version of the Shadow II. Will use it primarily for high-sticking on the Pit, McCloud, Upper Sac & Truckee, but possibly also the Yuba and American depending on the water.

I was also considering the TFO Drift, which has additional rod lengths that can be added to change the length.

Echo Shadow X: https://echoflyfishing.com/project/shadow-x/

TFO Drift: https://tforods.com/drift-fly-rods/

[PV_Premier]

I have the Shadow 2 - 4wt with the conversion kit. It’s a great rod. Nothing bad to say about it really. Not just for high sticking, also a mean bobber rod and capable enough to fish dries in a pinch.

[Troutsource]

PV, thanks for the note. With the extensions, what length have you used on various local rivers?

[PV_Premier]

I mostly fish it at 10.5’ but adding a foot helps sometimes on the Mccloud and Upper Sac.

[frequent flyer]

I've cast the 10' 2 wt. model and found it to be an extremely capable and versatile rod. With a 1 wt line the less line sag makes it a fine Euro nymphing rod, though that's not what I do. With a 3 wt. line it's a terrific dry fly rod and with a 2 wt. line it's still good for nymphing and also for longer dry fly casts. A line mending and line control machine! I have the older and excellent Hardy/Greys 10' 2 wt. and the Echo is even better - a terrific versatile rod at a reasonable price, in my opinion.

[Troutsource]

I baptized my 11' 3 wt. Shadow X 2 weeks ago and it's definitely more sensitive to taps from the river bottom or fish. I'm glad to hear it's also good for dries (though I rarely use them). I have the thin Euro line, but am not sure I'll keep using it. Instead I may just have a longer Euro leader a la
- Devin Olsen ( https://www.tacticalflyfisher.com/blog/creating-a-modular-euronymphing-leader/ )
- Lance Egan ( https://www.flyfishfood.com/2019/03/build-euro-leader.html )
- George Daniels ( https://www.livinonthefly.com/blog/2020georgedanielivinontheflyblog-3 )
- or a mono leader as advocated by Domenick Swenotsky in this article: https://troutbitten.com/the-mono-rig/

I've been high sticking for years and just realized a few months ago that the Euro Nymphing craze is more or less what I've been doing (though I've always referred to it as "high sticking"). I'm glad that as a result of the craze there is more equipment and fly tying material/patterns geared towards this style of fishing.

Regarding fly tying materials, I've found that Devin Olsen's store is great (including the prices on tungsten beads): https://www.tacticalflyfisher.com/fly-tying/