Winston IM6/WT; Sage LL/VPS Lt.; Sage SPL; T&T Paradigm; LPS; D'back Diamondglass; Diamondback classic; Scott G; Loomis Adventure...
Feel free to add to this list and to provide comments and arguments. I was doing a mental inventory of medium action rods and was wondering what folks thinks/likes the best. What's the best?

Scud-dog,

I am biased toward Scott G so my answer is obvious!

On a more objective level:

I've always considered the IM6/WT to be a medium-fast action rod(4wts & 5wts). The TMF would be the best candidate for the medium category.

I've always considered the Scott G to be on the slow end of the medium-fast scale/ or the fast end of the medium scale.

I've always considered the Sage LL to be a medium-fast rod.

I've always considered the LPS to be a medium-fast rod (9' 5wt and 3wt) but I do know that some of the shorter rods in the lighter weights are definitely a medium action.

I've considered the Dback Classic to be a rod that casts like a medium-fast rod but fishes like a medium rod.

I haven't had time to fish the Dback Diamondglass.

Orvis has a contender in this category but I am not familiar with it... something like Super Fine or Far and Fine???

I'd rewrite the list to be:

Orvis (whatever it is?), Sage SPL, T&T Paradigm, some T&T LPS, D'back Diamondglass (there are probably a number of glass manufacturers that can be added here but I am not familiar with them), Dback Classic Trout, Cabela's PT, and maybe Scott G depending on definition of medium.

And you may want to consider bamboo

My .02,

CG

Hi Scud-dog...

Even though I'm slicing it Real thin here, I'm inclined to agree with Cycleguy about several of that list being a shade or three quicker than "medium". For a couple, I would probably say the longer ones will be a "medium" but shorter ones likely to edge into the "medium-fast" zone.
I can see the Paradigm being a "medium" and, as CG suggests, the Orvis "Far 'n Fine" (which is a sweet stick in 4-wgt.). I'm wavering on the "G" and don't know about the Dbacks. My Powell SSL is definitely a "medium" but I'm not sure so many people are familiar with that one. Would agree with CG on the TMF too. I think the early St. Croix "Imperials" were "mediums" but they seem now to have become a bit quicker (or maybe I'm slower )
Of the list, my favorite is the Winnie IM6. Mine is an 804-3 and I love it.

Best,
5/0

Jim,
my favorite graphite 4wt is also a Winston IM6 8' for 4 wt 3pc. Don't know that that's necessarily the same as "best" but I sure do reah for it alot.
Best,
Steve

I have different feel I guess than you guys. First off any of the Orvis superfines, I consider slow action (bamboo feel) My LL is a medium, Winston LT med to med fast
Sage SP med to med/fast. I am not familiar with DB so no feelings on that.

I'd also put my vote in for the LL, great med action rod. I know it's a little off the subject but didn't we used to have a lot of LL fans on this site? any way thats my .02

i havent fished any other than the LL within the medium range, not considering my bamboo, and im an addict of the LL all the way, first thing id do if i win the lottery: collect the whole line of LL times 2

Haven't tried the others but would add my reccomendation of the Scott G or even better (IMHO) G2. Definitely worth trying!

I'm with flygoddess on the Orvis Superfines, at least the Far and Fine 7'9" 5 wt. Sweet little rod. I consider it to have a medium-slow action.

I'm with flygoddess on the Orvis Superfines at least the Far and Fine 7'9" 5 wt. A sweet little rod. I consider it to have a medium action though others call it slow.

glad to see atleast one LL fan still out there

Hey all you Sage LL lovers...


Just count your lucky stars, Dudes. I got to fish an LL maybe three times and, believe me, the owner and his Bowie knife were watching me the whole time. There was no chance for me to buy, bargain, or even run for it with that LL - and you can bet your woollie buggers if there had been, I would be its' Daddy today.

I remember when Sage discontinued it. Nearly every flyfisherperson I ever met or heard about was totally stunned. It took about 6 weeks from the announcement for the pipeline of LL rods and blanks to go completely dry. Those few that were sold afterwards brought truly admirable prices - not infrequently more than they ever retailed for. The owner of the one I fished still has it and says I can fish it anytime I want - as long as I don't mind fishing while chained to the bumper of his truck.

If any of you have one you'd like to part with - you know where to find me.

Not holding my breath
5/0

hey look at the classifieds under rods, theres the finest one ever made: the 389-4

Thanks H-Chap...

Look for a private note.


5/0

Dittos with flygoddess. Orvis Superfine and Sage Lightline (later became VPS Light). Also Diamondback Classic, Winston LTX, TT Presentation. I'd also take a look at the new TFO Finesse. I just bought a 7'9" 3wt that casts as sweet as my Sage LL 7'9" 3wt. Have a Sage LL 8'9" 3wt, and TFO plans a Finesse in that length/weight out in the next couple of months. Another inexpensive rod with a real medium action is the Echo, but only in the 3-4 weights. Everything above that is fast. My daughter has 2 Diamondback Americanas, and it is a medium action in the 6wt, medium-fast in the 5wt.

thanks for the heads up, ill have a look at the finesse by tfo

Have you checked out the Diamondback Bamboo yet? Curious. Made in China, but assembled here with a price tag of $650.

Hi all,
FWIW, Bob Marriott's has some DS2's and VPS rods in their Clearance section pretty cheap. Nice way to pick up a medium action rod. Yahoo or google Bob Marriott's.
Dewey


PS:FWIW, I have no financial interest on my behalf in any of this!

The Scott G series is hard to beat. It is the most fluid rod I've ever fished with. For a medium/fast rod, I love the Sage SP series.