I'm new to the sort of fly fishing and decided to go for the Leeda 9' 5W I have now used it a number of times on the Derwent and up on Ladybower. I have a lot to thank this rod for. I'm now hooked (pardon the pun!) The excitement inside when I piulled in my first large Rainbow was so cool. Definately recommend it foranyone who is just starting out.
I bought a very similar Leeda 8 feet 6 ins AFTM4 about 8 years ago for about £25. I have caught loads of good fish with it (whopping chub and carp and numerous trout) and it is a delight to fish unless you want to put out a very long line.
Hi Andy. Thanks to you & IB for your vlogs. I've got many rods that I've accumulated over the last 30 yrs and probably too many, as most of them I've built myself as part of my interest in the sport. Of course this has limited me to blanks by certain companies but I've found that choosing even the newer blanks available today can be a minefield: so much so that this year I have reverted to using some of my old rods, (and buying cheaper blanks made with a more traditional carbon) heavier and slower action but often easier to cast and better at setting a hook and maintaining the pressure on the fish. It's great to have someone like yourself who is willing to recognise the virtues of such products and the honesty, transparency and good humour that is mixed with the interesting and valuable ideas that you impart lends itself to the fully deserved status that your channel has.
My small stream rod is a Leeda Volare 7ft 4wt I got new for a similar price 3 years back, with tube too! A lovely rod, I’ve no desire to upgrade it to be honest. Recently bought a leeda profil 5/6 cassette reel to use for nymphing and I’m very pleased with that too. It’s great there is useable gear affordable like this.
Hi Andy, thanks for the heads up on this rod. I just scored one for £26.99 ! I'm not going to be using it day in day out, so this is an unbelievable price... I'm relatively new to your channel and really enjoying all the varied content. Keep up the great work and tight lines!
Totally agree with this review. I have the 7' 3#, again purchased from a local tackle shop. I got it for the price and size as I mainly fish a small stream with trees on both banks, little room to cast even when wading. I needed a shorter rod than what I was using at the time. It has served me well for the past year, casts fine and no issues playing small or larger fish. £35 for a good quality rod, what's not to like?
Hell IB and Andy. I got a Leeds Volare 9 ft, 5 wt, 6 piece 2 or 3 years back. Cost £39 - nice rod to cast and fish with - absolute bargain. Enjoying your channel. Adam, Shropshire
Further to my previous - I splashed out on 2 x 10 ft #7 - one as a back up boat rod that I don't have to be too precious about - and a second to put in as a club prize at our Fur and Feather Match - fished yesterday from the bank at Ogston Reservoir with one of them - I was very impressed with the rod - it felt slightly heavier than my Greys but cast very nicely indeed and handled fish up to about 3 pound with a smooth action without being too stiff and risk pulling hooks out - one of the rods had a bit of filler missing from the cork handle - but apart from that the finish - rings - reel seat are perfectly acceptable - a very useable rod for £40 - will keep a look out for the 8 foot when I can find them back in stock.
Nice review Andy - I was going to buy an 8FT #4 as a back up at this price - but am struggling to find one online - there are plenty of 7FT available - you must have started a buying spree !!! - I looked a couple of days ago and they were available on Amazon - now out of stock and the same at Glasgow Angling - the only place I could find one has £12.50 postage costs which is ridiculous - I should have bought one from Amazon when I fist looked !!!! - Not the end of the world as we all have too many rods anyway !!! Tight Lines - Steve.
Over my fishing life I have had them all, Hardy, Sage, Thomas and Thomas, Loomis etc and some rods by bespoke makers, but my go to rods these days are Maxcatch, great price point, cork and fittings as good as any high end rods out there and most important thing, great fishing tools.
I bought a maxcatch 3wt line and I can't believe the quality, it's a pleasure to cast and never ever any memory issues with it. With the big brands I've always found something not to like. Also, if you do a bit of digging, you'd be astounded to find out some of the companies that are affiliated with maxcatch 👀👀👀
@@davidhunt6322 Hi David, I've found John Norris lines to be very good value and they are often on sale but I will have a look at the maxcatch lines for next year. Thanks for the idea.
@@DavidCESmith Hi David, I also own the farglory nymphing rod from them, superb value and quality. Went nymphing a couple of weeks ago and the fish just weren't playing ball. Further upstream I noticed some rising fish, took the extension off the rod, changed to a dry fly rig, put on a size 14 Adams parachute and had 5 landed in the next half hour, so the versatility of the rod is brilliant too. Tight lines!
I only own one rod,reel and line. 4pc 6’6” 2w max catch brand. Had it for 3 yrs and caught trout from 4” to 4lb on it in small rivers and streams. I like the compact size it breaks down to. And the hard protection tube it comes with. Was only £45. And works great.
I also bought a 2wt 6ft 6 Maxcatch combo to try on small tight streams. I have used it a half a dozen times now and I'm very pleased with the performance for the price.
I bought one of these for my 6 year old son a year ago. It’s a nice little rod. He broke the tip and I repaired it. Even 6 inches shorter it casts well.
When I started fly fishing last year, this was the make I bought, Around £40 or something and it was pretty good! Until I snapped it about a month ago now out of frustration :( but served me so good for a starter rod!
I shall be ordering some of them flies next Friday for definite, I eventually caught me first Grayling a few weeks back I was absolutely buzzing and had about 7 or 8 altogether since
Leeda and Mitchell have, always made great, quality products at a decent price. They've just fallen out of fashion a bit Because of the commercial scene these days. Great review Andy for, £35 whats not to like 👌
Hey Andy! How does it compare to Ieva’s momento 8’ 3w? I still haven’t bought one as they appear to have gone up considerably. 35 quid is great and an 8’ would be handy. I do love that Momento though!
Hi Andy I would love to get your cap deal however I live in New Zealand.Do I have to wait til I get over there or is there anyway of getting a pair over here so I can wear them on the Tongariro river to advertise your channel Cheers Steve
Hi bud, we can ship to NZ yes, international tracked shipping is £13 though! If you're still keen drop me an email to andy@abangling.co.uk and we can get them away to you 👍
Some of these cheap rods are really good and compare with some rods at 3 or 4 times the price, the shakespeare agility rise is fantastic for the money, if you are a beginner or on a tight budget i would highly recommend one of these cheaper rods. Another good review Andy ;-)
I agree 100%, I have the Shakespeare Agility Rise 7 ft 4 wt - it was my first fly rod and has served me brilliantly. It's amazingly light and the build quality is just as good as my other Airflo & Redington rods which cost over 3× the price. I find it more fun to use than my longer heavier rods 👍🎣
I started fly cos I fished anyway then I bought daiwa hexagon whisker last year 40 pound sello still on handle and a Sierra MP3’s 7 ,8 weight 10 foot the whisker is 9.5 5,6 weight I’m still chuffed especially knowing the price of both rods knew
@@IBandAndyFishing lucky I was otherwise I’d still b trotting float and mags on South Wales rivers out tomo on the ely then taff for grayling all winter uv both helped so much best channel mate
Would be awesome to get an honest review on the new Grey's nymph outfit. ( Think it's called a euro fin or something ) I have got a vision nymphmanic 11ft 3wt as getting pretty addicted to euro but still thrashing casts and learning really, wouldnt mind a backup 10ft to throw in the car and have been considering one of those.
Just getting back into fly fishing after a lot of years away from it 2 Shakespeare omni on deals 35.00 for a combo I managed to get an 8ft 5 weight and a 9.5 foot 7-8 weight with rod reel line and backing for 35 quid so for a fiver more get yourself a whole setup lol 😝
Budget Fly Packs - bit.ly/3FtkNFl
Combo Cap Deal - bit.ly/3AbtTCF
GET THE MERCH - bit.ly/NewFishingMerch
Learn to Euro Nymph - bit.ly/EuroNymphKit
I'm new to the sort of fly fishing and decided to go for the Leeda 9' 5W I have now used it a number of times on the Derwent and up on Ladybower. I have a lot to thank this rod for. I'm now hooked (pardon the pun!) The excitement inside when I piulled in my first large Rainbow was so cool.
Definately recommend it foranyone who is just starting out.
I bought a very similar Leeda 8 feet 6 ins AFTM4 about 8 years ago for about £25. I have caught loads of good fish with it (whopping chub and carp and numerous trout) and it is a delight to fish unless you want to put out a very long line.
Hi Andy. Thanks to you & IB for your vlogs. I've got many rods that I've accumulated over the last 30 yrs and probably too many, as most of them I've built myself as part of my interest in the sport. Of course this has limited me to blanks by certain companies but I've found that choosing even the newer blanks available today can be a minefield: so much so that this year I have reverted to using some of my old rods, (and buying cheaper blanks made with a more traditional carbon) heavier and slower action but often easier to cast and better at setting a hook and maintaining the pressure on the fish. It's great to have someone like yourself who is willing to recognise the virtues of such products and the honesty, transparency and good humour that is mixed with the interesting and valuable ideas that you impart lends itself to the fully deserved status that your channel has.
My small stream rod is a Leeda Volare 7ft 4wt I got new for a similar price 3 years back, with tube too! A lovely rod, I’ve no desire to upgrade it to be honest. Recently bought a leeda profil 5/6 cassette reel to use for nymphing and I’m very pleased with that too. It’s great there is useable gear affordable like this.
Hi Andy, thanks for the heads up on this rod. I just scored one for £26.99 ! I'm not going to be using it day in day out, so this is an unbelievable price... I'm relatively new to your channel and really enjoying all the varied content. Keep up the great work and tight lines!
Totally agree with this review. I have the 7' 3#, again purchased from a local tackle shop. I got it for the price and size as I mainly fish a small stream with trees on both banks, little room to cast even when wading. I needed a shorter rod than what I was using at the time. It has served me well for the past year, casts fine and no issues playing small or larger fish. £35 for a good quality rod, what's not to like?
Hell IB and Andy. I got a Leeds Volare 9 ft, 5 wt, 6 piece 2 or 3 years back. Cost £39 - nice rod to cast and fish with - absolute bargain. Enjoying your channel.
Adam, Shropshire
Cheers Adam, sounds like you got a bargain!
£34.19 on Amazon UK with free delivery!
Incredible rod for the price, as you say Andy.
Great review. 👍
Further to my previous - I splashed out on 2 x 10 ft #7 - one as a back up boat rod that I don't have to be too precious about - and a second to put in as a club prize at our Fur and Feather Match - fished yesterday from the bank at Ogston Reservoir with one of them - I was very impressed with the rod - it felt slightly heavier than my Greys but cast very nicely indeed and handled fish up to about 3 pound with a smooth action without being too stiff and risk pulling hooks out - one of the rods had a bit of filler missing from the cork handle - but apart from that the finish - rings - reel seat are perfectly acceptable - a very useable rod for £40 - will keep a look out for the 8 foot when I can find them back in stock.
Nice review Andy - I was going to buy an 8FT #4 as a back up at this price - but am struggling to find one online - there are plenty of 7FT available - you must have started a buying spree !!! - I looked a couple of days ago and they were available on Amazon - now out of stock and the same at Glasgow Angling - the only place I could find one has £12.50 postage costs which is ridiculous - I should have bought one from Amazon when I fist looked !!!! - Not the end of the world as we all have too many rods anyway !!! Tight Lines - Steve.
Over my fishing life I have had them all, Hardy, Sage, Thomas and Thomas, Loomis etc and some rods by bespoke makers, but my go to rods these days are Maxcatch, great price point, cork and fittings as good as any high end rods out there and most important thing, great fishing tools.
We really need to check some of the maxcatch stuff out!
I bought a maxcatch 3wt line and I can't believe the quality, it's a pleasure to cast and never ever any memory issues with it. With the big brands I've always found something not to like. Also, if you do a bit of digging, you'd be astounded to find out some of the companies that are affiliated with maxcatch 👀👀👀
@@davidhunt6322 Hi David, I've found John Norris lines to be very good value and they are often on sale but I will have a look at the maxcatch lines for next year. Thanks for the idea.
@@DavidCESmith Hi David, I also own the farglory nymphing rod from them, superb value and quality. Went nymphing a couple of weeks ago and the fish just weren't playing ball. Further upstream I noticed some rising fish, took the extension off the rod, changed to a dry fly rig, put on a size 14 Adams parachute and had 5 landed in the next half hour, so the versatility of the rod is brilliant too.
Tight lines!
I only own one rod,reel and line.
4pc 6’6” 2w max catch brand.
Had it for 3 yrs and caught trout from 4” to 4lb on it in small rivers and streams. I like the compact size it breaks down to. And the hard protection tube it comes with. Was only £45. And works great.
Sounds like a bargain Peter, great job!
I also bought a 2wt 6ft 6 Maxcatch combo to try on small tight streams. I have used it a half a dozen times now and I'm very pleased with the performance for the price.
I bought one of these for my 6 year old son a year ago. It’s a nice little rod. He broke the tip and I repaired it. Even 6 inches shorter it casts well.
That's great Bob, I guess it wasn't too heavy either?
@@IBandAndyFishing it seems about right with an old lc80 reel. He still uses 2 hands but the line goes out straight. Great value bit of kit.
Epic deal on the caps purchased! Must really get round to booking some guiding next.
Cheers Leigh, much appreciated!
Have you had any experience with any of the Maxcatch range of rods?
When I started fly fishing last year, this was the make I bought, Around £40 or something and it was pretty good! Until I snapped it about a month ago now out of frustration :( but served me so good for a starter rod!
Glad to hear somebody else has had a good experience with these rods!
Great rods, I have the 8ft 4wt and the 9ft 6wt, have caught many good fish on this rod, very very good value, it will surprise you!
It certainly surprised us AJ! A great rod for the money 👍👍
I shall be ordering some of them flies next Friday for definite, I eventually caught me first Grayling a few weeks back I was absolutely buzzing and had about 7 or 8 altogether since
Nice review looks very nice, have you tried the maxcatch kits?
Leeda and Mitchell have, always made great, quality products at a decent price. They've just fallen out of fashion a bit Because of the commercial scene these days.
Great review Andy for, £35 whats not to like 👌
You really can't go wrong at that money can you?!
Just ordered the hats. Will have to start tagging you both in my Instagram posts when they arrive
Hey Andy! How does it compare to Ieva’s momento 8’ 3w? I still haven’t bought one as they appear to have gone up considerably. 35 quid is great and an 8’ would be handy. I do love that Momento though!
Great review, thanks man.
Have you heard abort the daiwa d trout s4? And if so, Which one would you choose between the daiwa and the leeda profil?
Thanks in advanced.
Any recommendation for a reel to match with it?
Hi Andy I would love to get your cap deal however I live in New Zealand.Do I have to wait til I get over there or is there anyway of getting a pair over here so I can wear them on the Tongariro river to advertise your channel Cheers Steve
Hi bud, we can ship to NZ yes, international tracked shipping is £13 though! If you're still keen drop me an email to andy@abangling.co.uk and we can get them away to you 👍
Nice rod if only my daughter fished. Good review 👏
Some of these cheap rods are really good and compare with some rods at 3 or 4 times the price, the shakespeare agility rise is fantastic for the money, if you are a beginner or on a tight budget i would highly recommend one of these cheaper rods. Another good review Andy ;-)
I agree 100%, I have the Shakespeare Agility Rise 7 ft 4 wt - it was my first fly rod and has served me brilliantly. It's amazingly light and the build quality is just as good as my other Airflo & Redington rods which cost over 3× the price. I find it more fun to use than my longer heavier rods 👍🎣
If I even mention buying another fly rod I get that look from my better half , but £35 .....hmmm.
All the best from Germanyland.
Chris.
I started fly cos I fished anyway then I bought daiwa hexagon whisker last year 40 pound sello still on handle and a Sierra MP3’s 7 ,8 weight 10 foot the whisker is 9.5 5,6 weight I’m still chuffed especially knowing the price of both rods knew
Sounds like you've built up a serious collection!
@@IBandAndyFishing lucky I was otherwise I’d still b trotting float and mags on South Wales rivers out tomo on the ely then taff for grayling all winter uv both helped so much best channel mate
Would be awesome to get an honest review on the new Grey's nymph outfit. ( Think it's called a euro fin or something )
I have got a vision nymphmanic 11ft 3wt as getting pretty addicted to euro but still thrashing casts and learning really, wouldnt mind a backup 10ft to throw in the car and have been considering one of those.
It's funny you mention that....
#OnItsWayHere
Brilliant!!!
Thats my “car rod” sorted.. thanks Andy
The best line i ever fished and still fishing is my cheap airflow 4 weight line
Just getting back into fly fishing after a lot of years away from it 2 Shakespeare omni on deals 35.00 for a combo I managed to get an 8ft 5 weight and a 9.5 foot 7-8 weight with rod reel line and backing for 35 quid so for a fiver more get yourself a whole setup lol 😝
Where's IB. We are missing her
That's a great question, where has she gone?! #slacker
@@IBandAndyFishing that's you in the doghouse Andy.
@@IBandAndyFishing she's at work, working hard watching youtube videos 🤣
Buy buy buy...
its a cheap lightning conductor .