I fish with and recommend Echo Fly Rods. I like their action and ease of casting especially using the “Ed Ward” Skagit style of casing using Skagit Short heads or when using Dec’s style with medium and longer bellied lines like an Airflo Delta.
Echo has come out with Echo’s new line of Dec Hogan II Spey Rods. These are great working rods with a price that won’t break the bank. Here’s a video of Dec Hogan discussing the development and attributes of the new Echo II Rods. The Dec Hogan II Spey Rods have also developed a rod with a 6.5 line designation, which puts it right between a 6 and a 7 weight.
Also as a bonus watch Dec’s casting style which I believe people should experience and see if it works for you.
His casting style does not have a lot of wasted motion and is pretty darn effective. Its easy going and gets the job done. His casting technique is a combination of old and new styles adapted to maximize the performance of today’s modern spey rods and progressive tapered fly lines. It is a sensible style that experienced Spey fishers seem to eventually evolve to.
Here’s the details of the Dec Hogan II Spey Rods from Rajeff Sports
Your first thought might be Why? But rest assured, the soul of the original medium-fast action DH series was not lost. The advancements in casting techniques and modern fly lines just inspired us to update and redesign this popular lineup. Dubbed the DH II, they provide a slightly crisper action, enhanced tip recovery, wider grain window, and a scary-wicked color scheme. More distance with ease sums up our whole thought process with the DH II series.
Bonus: Only since the evolution of modern spey lines has it been possible to build a true tweener rod, thus the 6.5 line designation. The gap between 6- and 7-weight two-handed rods has always left anglers searching for either a bigger six or smaller seven. Search no more, the 6.5 will definitely become the lower 48 meat-and-potatoes Summer Steelhead stick.
DEC HOGAN II Rods feature:
- Four-piece travel design
- Premium grade cork with composite accents at each end
- Carbon fiber reel seat with anodized aluminum components
- Night smoke gloss blank
- Dark gray wraps with metallic trim
- Black ceramic stripper guides
- Black snake guides and tip top
- Dark gray cordura covered rod tube and cloth rod bag
- ECHO lifetime warranty