I was recommended to TFO fly rods by an Australian custom reel maker name of Terry Haden.I had no idea they were in fact endorsed by Lefty Krey a fluff chucker I have the greatest respect for.Price was not the factor which made me check out TFO it was the recommendation from Terry and then the Lefty link.

In 2004 I imported to England via Burleson Fly Fishing of Alabama my first TFO a TiCr-X 8wt for saltwater and pike fishing......I now have a battery of TFO fly rods.Must tell you something.I do a little guiding/instructing and operate a hobby type fishing holiday venture since mid 90's so can claim to being a fishing fool I guess.I will say some of the rods can be deceptive in line rating with the exception of Finess series although once matched up cast and fish like a dream.I had a 10ft 5wt break near the tip and really not sure how without going into details of possible causes except clean break....Rod went back to TFO and came back good as new.

I was unaware of the Korean connection until later down the line but would not have made any difference.In short I have been very very happy on my TFO journey and now a few of my fishing buddies are also happy especially my boat partner Ray who landed a 14lb + brownie using his TFO TiCr-X 6wt Light.You need a rod with a little grunt to take on a fish like this.

I still fish with a couple of more expensive rods from time to time but TFO's have for sure have earned their corn and a place in my rod rack.

Tight lines JP

I've been looking for a ringing endorsement of TFO for a while. Specifically the 10' 5wt. This really helps me out. I think I'll pull the trigger on this one in the spring.

I guess everyone has different needs. I found the TiCRX to be heavy, clunky, and no joy to cast or fish with. Their ugliness is just subjective I guess (or, as they say, even a skanky sweat-hog eventually finds a husband!)

I have cast several of the TFO rods either in stores or friends fly rods. Personally at least in my hands the darn things feel like a club when casting. When I purchased my latest 6 wt. I cast 15 different intermediate priced rods including 3 different TFO's. The TFO's ranked 13,14 and 15. Not my kind of a fly rod whatsoever.

Personally, I really liked the Loomis GL3's, Cabela's LST's and Ltechs. They were majic in my hands where the TFO's were anything but...

Guys, you can't tell squat about a fly rod in the store. You can change the behavior dramatically with just a different line choice. So I think it would be better to only give opinions about rods you have lived with. I mean spent a couple years with. Then you can give a really useful review and not just an emotional first impression.

The TiCr series are super fast and super stiff. It will amplify all your mistakes, so if you are just an intermediate or novice caster then don't buy this rod.

However, if you spend every weekend on the water and truly enjoy pinpoint casting. Then this series is the rod for you. I will note that I have only used the 5 wt. but have used it for a couple years now and it is my favorite 5.

Oh I have a couple Orvis rods, even a 5 wt frequent flyer, but the Temple Fork is what I always come back to.

The comments above are based on actual usage and my experience. Not because I saw one in a catalog.

Hope that helps the serious fishermen to make a choice.

East Tennessee
Roger