Combat Panfish Fly Rods: Four Budget Options

Go on BookFace and ask for recommendations on a good panfish fly rod in the budget category (up to $200), and you're likely to get a wide variety of answers. The fact is, there are LOTS of budget-priced rods on the market. Most are manufactured in China and sold under different brand names. As a result, many share similar characteristics, including 9-foot lengths—even in 3-weight models.

But Louisiana fly anglers, like their counterparts throughout much of the South and East, often pursue panfish in what we call "combat conditions": bayous, small creeks, overhanging trees loaded with wasp nests, tight quarters around docks, and waters littered with stumps and other obstacles.

In these situations, the ideal Combat Panfish rod, in our humble opinion, is a 3-weight or 4-weight no longer than 8 feet, 6 inches.  For many years, my favorite Combat Panfish rod was a Cabelas 3-Forks 8-foot rod.  Inexpensive, nice fittings, and there was no job it couldn't handle.  Throwing anything for distance was an issue, but again it was ideal for "combat" use. 

Sadly, the 3-Forks - like the Diamondback Classic and TFO Finesse rods that I so loved - are no longer made.  In fact, just finding a budget rod that meets Combat Panfish weight and length requirements is pretty tough. Finding one that delivers genuinely good performance is a real challenge!

We've managed to find four rods worth considering.

Echo Lift

**7'6" 3wt / 8'0" 4wt | $175 | Medium-Fast**

The Lift replaced Echo's older Base model, which received numerous positive independent reviews. The blank features a marine-green finish, complemented by an anodized aluminum reel seat and AA-grade cork.

As with most Echo rods, this one reflects the casting-performance philosophy of designer Tim Rajeff. It performs very well out to approximately 65 feet, although beyond that, distance is limited.  

But let's keep things in perspective. We're evaluating panfish rods, and in the tight quarters where these rods will spend much of their time, accuracy trumps distance. And besides, the Lift handles a wide variety of fly sizes and patterns and has enough backbone to tackle some respectable bass as well.

It's a very capable rod for the money.

Redington Classic Trout

**7'6" 3wt / 8'6" 3wt / 8'0" 4wt / 8'6" 4wt | Medium Action**

I LOVE this rod! I have three in my arsenal. According to the folks at Redington I've spoken with, the Classic Trout is one of the most popular rod series in the company's history. It's not hard to understand why. This rod offers a lot to like at a very attractive price.

The cosmetics are first-class: a beautiful glossy brown blank, matching rosewood reel seat, quality machined metal components, and titanium oxide stripping guides. It simply looks and feels like a rod that costs considerably more.

The action is definitely on the moderate side, which makes it a pleasure to fish for trout, sunfish, and crappie. I've also landed a couple of bass weighing more than four pounds on my 4-weight. That said, it wasn't quite as easy as it would have been with the somewhat more powerful Echo Lift or Cortland Guide.

The Classic's only real weakness is power. Casting accurately to 60 feet is no problem. Surprisingly, it remains quite accurate out to 75 feet, although getting it there takes some effort.

Understand what this rod does best, and if those qualities fit your fishing, the Classic Trout could easily become one of your favorite rods for years to come.

Cortland Guide

**7'0" 3wt / 8'0" 4wt | $130 | Medium-Fast**

The Guide is a relatively new entry in the budget "Combat Panfish" category. Its action is slightly quicker than a typical medium-fast rod. Features include an aluminum reel seat, dual locking reel-seat nuts (a definite plus), and a decent-quality cork grip.

During testing, it proved quite accurate to approximately 60 feet and remained reasonably accurate out to about 80 feet. One pleasant surprise was how easily it handled longer casts compared with some of the other rods in this category.

Of course, under the tight-quarters conditions we're primarily considering, those longer casts won't get much use. Still, it's nice to know the capability is there when you need it.

At just $130, the Cortland Guide offers a lot of performance for the money.

Douglas ERA

**8'8" 4wt | $199**

The ERA is another new entry in the bargain rod category. Technically, it misses our length requirement by two inches, as the shortest rod in this series is 8 feet, 8 inches. We're making an exception because it's simply a REALLY good rod.

For those who have grown tired of the traditional black finish found on so many budget rods, the ERA offers an attractive metallic gray blank. The cork is decent, and the reel seat is a noticeable step above what you'll typically find on rods in this price range.

But casting performance is where the ERA really shines. It's lightweight, has more power than any other rod in this group, and delivers impressive accuracy at all distances. When I cast it at the Denver Fly Show, I found it remarkably accurate—even out to 80 feet!

It may not be quite as much fun to fish, particularly when you've got a fish on the other end, as the softer-action Redington Classic Trout. But the ERA expands your options, allowing you to fish a wider variety of waters, conditions, and species.

Douglas has long enjoyed an excellent reputation for its premium fly rods, which have consistently earned some of the best reviews on the internet. With the introduction of the ERA and the new DXF2, that reputation is likely to grow even stronger.

Other options

Our list would also include the Allen Heritage, a rod we compared quite favorably to the Redington Classic Trout. Unfortunately, Allen is currently experiencing management and customer service issues, so we cannot recommend the rod at this time.

Reds, specks on the LWF Commission agenda

For their November meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will receive an overview of the regulatory process and management changes related to Speckled Trout and Red Drum.  Marine Fisheries Biologist Jason Adriance will also give updates on landings and sampling trends regarding both species.  

Both species underwent regulation changes in the past 3 years due to overfishing, and fly anglers were instrumental in getting changes that increased the critical Spawning Stock Recruitment Ratio (SSPR).

The meeting will be held this Thursday, November 5th at the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge - and NOT LDWF Headquarters.  Rockefeller Refuge is located at 5476 Grand Chenier Hwy in Grand Chenier, LA.  Time is 9:00am. 

Due to construction work, motorists coming in eastbound on Highway 82 will be rerouted.  A practical route would be to exit I-10 at Rayne, take Hwy 35 south to Hwy 82 south of the construction work.

A livestream of this meeting will be available via Zoom.  Registration for the Zoom is required.  Public comments will not be accepted via Zoom, only in person.    View and register for the webinar here.

Fall marsh fishing is shrimply fantastic!

Up until a week ago, we were suffering through one of the hottest spells of early Fall ever, with several high temperature records.  Then came this cool front with highs in the 60s and 70s and lows in the upper 40s. Here on the home lake, the water temperature dropped from 80 degrees to 65 this morning!

Everyone is enjoying this cool weather including the fish.  As the water cools, and oxygen levels rise, both freshwater and saltwater species exhibit "Fall vigor".  They are more aggressive and fight harder when hooked.

On the coast, speckled trout have begun invading the marsh, where they're finding huge numbers of big shrimp.  How thick are the shrimp right now?  Two of the locals here have been going to Rockefeller Refuge and using cast nets, catching their limits in just 30 minutes!  Then yesterday I got a report from TigerJake, who in a couple hours caught several keeper-size specks - 14 to 16 inches - busting shrimp under diving birds.

Normally, larger trout are piscivourus while juvenile trout prefer crusteceans.  But from October through mid-November, shrimp are the main course for the Snaggle Tooths of all sizes.   My fly box reflects that... mostly shrimp patterns with a few baitfish mixed in just in case. 

Shrimp Flies on the menu

My number one shrimp pattern for many years was the EP Spawning Shrimp. David Olsen showed me his Polar Fiber Shrimp and that worked even better due to the translucency - and a look similar to the popular Vudu Shrimp lure. 

But eventually I went back to natural materials.  I picked up several patches of Artic Fox at the International Fly Tying Symposium several years back and it makes for an impressionistic shrimp with lots of action.

But to be honest, there are any number of shrimp patterns that will work great this time of year.  Recently, Chris Williams shared one of his favorites with our local club for our monthly tying session. The Shrimp Slurpee is a unique top water shrimp pattern by Bend-It-Flies in Charleston, SC.  

VOSI

For submergent shrimp patterns, there's nothing more effective than fishing them under a "Vertically Oriented Strike Indicator" or VOSI.  Back in the early 90s, I had this idea of creating a flyrodders popping cork by taking a cigar-shaped perch float, cutting it in half, and making a concave face on each flat end. 

The VOSI works because (1) the sounds of feeding activity attract fish, and (2) it imparts a vertical motion to the fly, and as many of us know, seatrout are vertically challenged.

The key is to use a long tippet section - about 30 inches - so the popper and dropper are more vertically aligned in the water.  Also, placing the VOSI on heavier tippet impedes the popping action.

This crustacean feeding frenzy won't last long.  Get out and enjoy this great weather and great fishing.

NOLA Fly opening Oct. 24th with special event

Louisiana has a new fly shop on the way.  NOLA Fly Company fly fishing outfitters will open their doors on Saturday, October 24th.  Located at 5616 Jefferson Highway in Harrahan, this makes the third locally-owned store in Louisiana that carries fly fishing tackle, flies, and accessories.

Owner A.J. Rosenbohm wishes to invite all fly anglers to the Grand Opening of NOLA Fly.  Doors will open at 10 am.  There will be food, drinks, giveaways, fly tying demos, manufacturer reps, guides, and more.  Come celebrate Louisiana's newest and most complete fly shop!

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Rio Rumble date change!

The Rio Grande Rumble Fly Fishing tournament has moved out one weekend to Oct 10, 2026. The time and location will remain the same: 7:00 am – 12:30 pm, at Lafreniere Park, South Scenic Dr., Metairie, LA

Reason for change: Flash flood forecast for SE Louisiana with possibly 4" of rain predicted for Saturday in the GNO area. NOFFC asks everyone to stay safe and see yall October 10th!

For more details, go to www.neworleansflyfishers.com . 

In-Crease your odds for Fall topwater bass

My dad used to say that when mid-September came around, it was time to head to Toledo Bend for the best topwater bass action to be found anywhere.  Massive schools of threadfin shad would take to the surface, and sometimes there would be explosions of fish over acres in any one area of the lake.  Catching 40-60 bass a day on topwater was the norm for him.

You don't need to run to T-Bend to enjoy this level of action. Fact is, just about every reservoir across north and central Louisiana - as well as Mississippi and Texas - experiences this phenomena.

During summer, threadfin shad are often in deep water the entire day. But when water temperatures drop below 80 degrees, they begin to congregate toward the surface, especially in the late afternoon. Some attribute this to a secondary spawn. Others attribute to the fact that turnover reduces oxygen across the water column, and shad being intolerate of low oxygen, head to the surface.  Even others attribute it to an increase in plankton production.  Most likely it's all of the above.

What I do know is that when bass begin keying in on shad they become very selective.  The fly has to look like a shad to have much success.  I've always done well with Clouser Minnows, Coma Cocahoes, Whitlocks' Sheep Shad, and The Amnesia Fly when it came to submergent patterns.  For topwater, it's been Walt's Foil Pencil Popper and the Crease Fly.

I became a believer in the Crease the first time I saw it in action.  My friend and nationally renowned fly angler Nick Curcione came to visit, and due to weather, we canceled a marsh trip and went bass fishing instead.  I never got outfished on my home water, but Nick really put it to me that day!  

Joe Blados of Long Island, New York, created the Crease Fly some 26 years ago.  He explains in his book, "Innovative Saltwater Flies", that making balsa poppers was time-consuming and messy.  So he got the idea to use sheet foam, crease it over a hook, and use glue or epoxy to bond the sides together.

Blados discovered that unlike a popper, his creation made little plop when stripped. But instead had greater side-to-side action and as a result, more strikes.

Doc Andry with one of countless
bass taken on his Crease flies

In Louisiana, the Crease Fly had no greater ambassador than my good friend, Kevin "Doc" Andry (aka, "MusicDoc").  A nationally-awarded band director, Doc has gone on to master deer hair tying and is now, IMHO, one of the ten best deer hair tiers in America. But he still ties a gorgeous Crease Fly now and then. 

The materials required include a Gamakatsu B10S size 2 hook, white sticky foam found at most hobby stores, Lame fabric in “tissue” silver or gold, craft fur or bucktail and stick-on eyes.

The first step is to create a teardrop-shaped form that will be used to cut out identical shapes of sticky foam.  Put the form on a sheet of sticky foam, trace the form out, and cut out that shape.  Pull the backing off the sticky foam piece and attach a cut square of Lame fabric to the foam. This is the “crease piece.”

Wrap a thread base on the hook and tie in a tail of craft fur or bucktail. The tail should be no longer than the hook shank.

The next step is Doc’s improvement: He ties in a small rectangle piece of foam on top of the hook shank, closer toward the eye. This gives more surface area for the crease piece to bond to, and it adds more buoyancy to the front of the fly.   With this addition, the fly floats higher in the front than in the back. When the fly is stripped, it dips and darts like a Zara Spook.

Next, take the crease piece and add drops of Super Glue gel to the side opposite the fabric. Fold it over the top of the hook and pinch the sides down. Doc suggests using a tiny clamp instead of fingers.

The Lame tissue fabric emulates scales of a baitfish. You can use permanent markers to add color to the tops and sides.

Stick-on eyes come last.  To protect the eyes and body, use a coat of a clear water-based exterior acrylic (e.g., Delta Ceramcoat) or 30-minute epoxy. Another option is a UV-based epoxy. 

When we lived in Baton Rouge, our 7-acre neighborhood lake had large schools of threadfin shad that would surface starting in late September.  One of my favorite lures on commie tackle was a suspending lure - a gold Countdown Rapala to be exact.  

Doc advised me to try and use lead around the shank on a couple Crease Flies to imitate the Countdown Rapala. I was impressed with the results, and continue to experiment with this variation.

I once asked Alex Beane, former manager of the Orvis in Baton Rouge, why he converted most of his topwater offerings in the store to Crease Flies.  

Alex said that it was easier to cast than balsa or Styrofoam poppers and better for novice fly anglers looking to get into the thrill of topwater action. He also noted that for expert casters, a size 2 Crease Fly could be cast with as light as a 5-weight rod.  Both good reasons why Crease Flies have broad appeal.

These much above-average temperatures of late are only prolonging the inevitable. Sometime - hopefully soon - the shad will take to the surface, the bass will be there to greet them.  And hopefully, I'll be there to greet the bass.

Louisiana releases first stocking of redfish

30 day old juvenile redfish. 
Photo courtesy of Gena Lyons & USFWS

Over this past week, over 150,000 hatchery-raised red drum were released into Louisiana waters, marking the first redfish stocking in state history.  The releases were conducted by CCA Louisiana, the Recreational Fisheries Research Institute (RFRI) and the Lousiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).

The fingerlings were raised at the Gulf Coast Research Lab at The University of Southern Mississippi, and released at West Cove near Sabine Wildlife Refuge, the Rigolets and at Grand Isle.  At each location, the fingerlings were first acclimated to local water temperature and salinity before being released.

According to CCA and LDWF, the purpose of the stocking is to enhance Louisiana's redfish population, which has been on the decline for a decade.  New regulations were passed in 2024, which narrowed the slot size, reduced the daily limit from 5 to 4, and eliminated the harvest of redfish over 27 inches.  However, several conservation groups supported a lower 3-fish limit since modeling showed that recovery of the spawning stock under a 4-fish limit would be 2 to 3 times longer.  

According to Randy Pausina of RFRI, using genetic identification, strategic release sites and long-term monitoring, they will be able to measure how many of these fish survive, and what level of contribution they make to the spawning stock.

Not everyone was impressed. Tony Friedrich, President of American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA), quickly pointed out that studies in Texas and elsewhere, where millions of fingerlings have been stocked annually for many years, have shown that only 2 percent of hatchery-raised redfish make it into the breeding population.

Glen Cormier, Conservation Director for the Fly Fishers International (FFI) Gulf Coast Council, referred to this as a "band aid" solution.  "We don't have a 'catch' problem, we have a 'breeding' problem. Hatcheries are pivotal in that they provide opportunities for anglers in ecosystems where there would be little or no viable fisheries.  But never in history have they been more effective than an existing wild population."

Things are about to get interesting...