Fenwick Streamflex Plus 10' 3 wt and a cast of two wets

[bocast]

Ordered a Fenwick Streamflex Plus 10' 3 wt convertible to 11' with a section stashed in the handle. First outing today was great fun using a 3wt Rio SHS 3D F/H/I. A cast of two wets, a #10 palmered winged wet top dropper (Wickhams Fancy) and a #16 soft hackle (black & silver spider) point fly did surprisingly well on a very sunny day over stocked trout. The clear water placed trout reactions on display. Almost all the takes followed the same pattern. A trout rose to and slashed at the top dropper as the fly dapped the water, then dropped back and took the small soft hackle. To prevent the refusals of the top dropper, I replaced it with a smaller, more drab winged wet with the same results. If I stopped manipulating the casts and let them sink, the trout simply ignored the top dropper, only rarely taking the point fly. When I worked the cast to keep the top dropper dancing in the film, the action was fast and furious with two fish at a time rushing the cast. These trout are accustomed to feeding on pellets. My guess is the dapping of the top dropper suggested fish feed. Refusal followed recognition that a Wickhams Fancy is not a pellet. The small soft hackle was the consolation prize. The rod is accurate, with a smooth medium to medium fast action. For a sub $400 rod it acquitted itself very well. I had so much fun that I forgot to try the extra section. Next time I will fish a cast of three with a flymph as the middle dropper.

[letumgo]

money well spent!

Sounds like a fantastic day!

[bocast]

I'm dying to see if they take the flymph at the mid dropper or the point fly. I can't wait to get out again.

[Toasty]

I have the 10’ 4 weight Streamflex and found it to be good fun for casts of 3 soft hackles. I didn’t know when I bought it about the Streamflex plus 3 weight that had the extra piece, that would’ve been nice.

[bocast]

Toasty, all the Streamflex Plus rods have an extra piece, most with an extension of 6". The Streamflex Plus 10' 3 wt has the 12" extension. I don't think this applies to the Streamflex rods, just the Streamflex Plus rods, but I'm no expert on the Gray's rods now branded as Fenwick.

[Toasty]

As I understand it, that “plus” designation is what indicates the extension. Didn’t know that they came in different lengths. It’s a cool concept and they executed it well with being able to store the extra piece on the rod.

[Variant]

I have the GREYS XF2 STREAMFLEX 11’ #3 rod, I purchased it to try the EURO nymphing.Now I mostly use the rod for swinging wets and flymphs. I really like the action , sensitive tip and full flex down into the cork. A couple of times I took off the reel , added a furled leader to the tiptop guide and added some tippet and used the set up as a Tenkara rod.

Lou

[Theroe]

"took off the reel , added a furled leader to the tiptop guide and added some tippet and used the set up as a Tenkara rod."

now thats a great idea !!!

[zen leecher]

I think I'll order one of these when they are back in stock. Looks like it could be a good wet fly rod.

[bocast]

Lou, That's a truly inspired idea, converting the rod into a tenkara rod. I might try that with the rod in the 11' configuration. Well done! So I actually bought several rods, including 10' and 11' wet fly rods and a tenkara rod!