OK, I
finally managed to get the Flextec Streamtec 9.5ft #6wt out for a cast this afternoon.
First impressions are positive, the rod tube and bag are nice and the rod itself is a pleasing olive colour. Fittings and cork aren't high end and the general finish is 'industrial' but at the price I paid the package appears to be 1st class value. The necessary (but largely pointless) no-line waggle test revealed that I really needed to get a line on the rod
so I bunged on my 'go to' pre-production Barrio SLX #6 as this line - or its close relations - are likely to be the ones used on this rod (if I keep it).
In fairness I wasn't expecting all that much, but I allowed myself a significant 'weighting' in how I feel about the rod because of the price I paid for it.
The SLX was all the line this rod could readily cope with, a #5 SLX
might have been better and I didn't have another #6wt line immediately to hand when I went for a cast. The rods action is forgiving and relaxed, as tested a 'quick' rod this is most definitely
not. With that out of the way a nice delicate stroke, nothing harsh (don't whack it
) and this rod comes to life, it has an action reminiscent of some top quality rods of 10 years ago or so - but is
significantly lighter
There's guts in this Streatec, but with the SLX it was over-lined a tad to my taste. That said I
had to do the obligatory distance cast (for giggles) and it's simple enough to get the whole line and some back going out the tip ring. But you do have to stroke it....... carefully.
Sounding negative
Well I am perhaps slightly nonplussed although undeniably the rod is extraordinarily good value for money - it just is.
Is it a 'true' 9.5ft #6wt
Ahhh now that's a question.
What do you want such a rod to do
Now that's arguably a much better question and I know what I'd want it for and it
might will struggle, it's not got the balls I need in such a rod.
But.... if you wanted a nice casting (cheap
) rod as a back up/spare for fishing dries and nymphs then genuinely I'd say it's worth a punt. Rest of the range ??? Well I have no idea, I have only cast this one single hander but I'd be reticent to believe the line rating on the blank based on this experience. If you were looking for a decent 9.5ft #5wt then buy one of these and take a sharpie to the #6
Now it so happens I had a chuck with a Flextec salmon rod this week, helping someone with line choice. He kept the line and has got rid of the rod.... the rod was an absolute noodle, utterly hopeless.
H
