While most rod manufacturers will create one complete line up of rods that cover everything from 3-10+ weights, Echo takes a different approach to their rod lineups. The problem with creating a rod that runs the entire gamut of weights is that it means some of these rods are being shoehorned into a fishing situation in which they may not belong.
Echo takes a little bit of a different approach than other rod manufacturers, Echo is not afraid to the push the boundaries and expand their rod lineup to make a wide variety available. This approach has made Echo popular with every level of anglers. Anglers can dip their toes into the water of a new fly fishing technique without breaking the bank and seasoned veterans can add a rod to their quiver that is highly specialized and technical.
This entire attitude towards rod series means that Echo has a very wide selection of rods that cover everything from Euro Nymphing to Musky to Switch rods and even some surf rods. With their consumer-friendly model of fair prices and a robust warranty, Echo should be in the front of every angler's mind who wishes to expand their quiver to include tools for new techniques.
Performance
The ReelFlyRod Pro Staff tried the Indicator rod with a RIO Outbound Short and Scientific Anglers Bass Bug and we were quite impressed with the casting performance of the rod. The Indicator rod has a softer tip than we were expecting but had way more than enough backbone for fighting fish. One thing that surprised our staff was the line pickup ability of the Indicator, we had no problem lifting 30+ feet of heavy line off of the water. The ability to pick up a heavy line, and with minimal false casting, shoot off an accurate cast should be very attractive to Steelhead anglers that may need to take advantage of every small window of opportunity.
While casting the Indicator, one comment that was frequently heard was that it would make an excellent bass rod. For those anglers around the Great Lakes region, a double-duty rod like the Indicator should be a very attractive option. The ability to use a rod in the heat of summer wading for bass to swinging eggs in near freezing waters cannot be understated to the angler that does not have the much room to add an additional rod to their quiver.
This is a rod that performed well in every casting situation but was particularly good at roll casting. With this in mind, one line that we want to try in the future on steelhead trips is the RIO Single Hand Spey line for those tight quarters.
Components
The Echo Indicator is built on a handsome semi-gloss brown blank which prevents too much light from glaring off while wading. The deep, full-wells blank is very comfortable during long stretches on the water and the cork is of high quality. The reel seat is a black anodized aluminum that is highlighted with the engraving of three nymphs on the top. The long fighting butt helps to reduce fatigue by moving weight farther back during those longer drifts.
Technical Features
- Deep full-wells cork grip
- Large fighting butt
- Semi-gloss brown blank
- Anodized aluminum reel seat
- Decorative nymph etching
- Oversized fighting butt
Models: 9'6" 6wt, 10'0" 6wt, 10'0" 7wt
Featured Products:
- Echo Indicator Fly Rods
- Echo Fly Rods
- RIO Elite Single Handed Floating Fly Line
- RIO Premier Outbound Short Floating Fly Line
- SA Amplitude Bass Bug Fly Line
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