I've had the privilege of knowing Brad Hodkinson for over 20 years now. We've been fishing on the Maitland for at least 15 years together and still manage to get out at least twice a year even though he has moved up to the Soo. Two years back he ask me to join his Pro staff to help promote the Soo and his fly shop even though the quality of fishing and Brad's knowledge of the sport sells itself.
Last spring Brad teamed up with Visions Fly Company. Brad called me looking for someone to test drive their rods and give him feedback. He wondered if I was up for a challenge. I agreed to temporarily put my float rod aside in order to give the Vision rods a legitimate trial.
The guides are high quality Pacific Bay Portuguese cork rings made of wood and it has aluminum reel seats. This rod is classified as medium fast.
Initially I was a bit sceptical about a 6 piece rod. I wasn't sure how it would affect my casting abilities and how it might handle the fight. I have never owned a rod that consisted of more than 4 pieces. The engineers for Vision have seemingly done their home work and created what I think is a master piece. I discovered that casting was effortless. I was fishing in tight quarters and used it with a single handed back cast and not a lot of effort was required.
It's amazing how the six pieces melt into one. The rod feels like my 3 piece, 13' float rod and it has the back bone to lean on the fish if needed, feeling every head shake similar to a noodle rod.
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I believe this rod is comparable to any of the top of the line two handed spey rods. It's great for big river fishing as it has a long cast but with the spring of a noodle rod. This is a great rod to use when trying to finesse a silver slab to shore.
