XTREME MAKE OVER

CHRIS BEECH - TiCrX#5, 6, & 7

Temple Fork Outfitters has really thrown down the gauntlet in terms of affordable high-performance fly-rods. The latest addition to the Lefty Kreh Signature Series is the TiCrX (Titanium Chromium Xtreme). As you’d expect, these rods are designed for speed, power and accuracy, and have become the flagship of the TFO range.

The blanks are finished in a rich metallic blue colour, retaining the grey male ferrule as a witness mark of the TiCr coating process, which can best be described as being similar to electroplating, which hardens the outer surface of the blank. The end result is a faster blank with more impact resistance—just the thing for extreme fishing, or extremely jittery casters who can’t stop hitting the blank with their flies at the sight of a fish, like me.

The components have been upgraded and all stripper guides are oversize titanium oxide, leading to hard chromed snake guides. The #5 and #6 fresh water models feature a braided graphite up-locking reel seat, Reverse Half Wells FLOR grade grip, and 2 stripper guides. All saltwater models from #6 through #12 feature an upgraded aluminium up-locking cushioned reel seat, a Full Wells FLOR grade grip, 3 stripper guides and a comfortable fighting butt.

All models are 9 feet long, 4-piece and come with a cloth bag and handsome triangular tube, proving that the designers at TFO have actually travelled with fly rods (the triangular shape won’t roll off a baggage cart!).

I was provided with a #5, #6 (salt water version) and #7 for an extended test period. I was initially very interested in the #7, but the real cherry out of the rods I’ve fished with is the #5, which is an outstanding rod, capable of turning a die hard saltwater fly fisher into a ‘trouty’. We’ll call them, “Bay Trout.”

All of the rods performed well on the water, easily casting all that I asked of them and handling windy conditions well. They are certainly capable of throwing some very tight loops

and would suit anyone looking for a fast action rod. I found them all easy to cast, being smooth, powerful and crisp.

TFO TiCrX rods retail for $465–475 which represents outstanding value. All are covered by TFO’s no-fault warranty— simply return your damaged rod to the Australian Distributor with $65 to cover postage and handling and your rod will be repaired or replaced posthaste.

BRETT WOLF—TiCrX #8, 9 & 10
One of the few advantages of being a fly fishing guide who writes the odd piece of material for fishing magazines is that now and then a tackle distributor has a little bit of (perhaps unfounded) faith in you and sends you some great piece of gear to try out! After a busy season at Blue Lake Lodge, this last winter Simone, Sam and I went to northern WA for 3 months of R&R on the superb beaches (and the odd sub-tidal sand flat—I towed one of my boats!). It wasn’t long before three of the latest TFO Xtreme fly-rods joined us.

I removed the 8, 9 and 10-weight rods straight from the postal tube and immediately they appealed to me. Another fishing guide once told me, “If you can’t catch fish then it is important to look good.” And the Xtreme rods look great! They have a very appealing blue finish which would fit in perfectly with the decor at Blue Lake Lodge in a lighter rod weight, but not so glossy as to scare spooky bonefish or midge feeders when low rays of the sun shine across glassy water. In fact the second fish we landed with the 9-weight was a 2 kg bonefish!

In the past I have had some very up-market rods which were great to cast but I sold them off to unsuspecting clients because the rod-flash spooked too many fish (I did warn them, but they couldn’t resist the label).

When it comes to actually casting and fishing with the Xtreme rods it is no surprise that Lefty Kreh was involved with their design. They really do cast superbly! The nice, crisp, casting action is ideal for experienced sight-fishers but also suitable for less experienced casters. Needless to say I was not in a hurry to send them back and tested them far more extensively than the average reviewer, on numerous fish!

It was during this phase that I discovered that the Xtreme rods also play fish superbly—something that is often forgotten but which is very important with big fish in salt water! This is achieved by providing a heavy butt section to assist with lifting big stubborn fish.

At $475, with the TFO warranty, a blue rod sock and a triangular shaped cordura covered PVC rod tube, these TiCrX rods are extremely good value. If you are into expensive labels, then buy two of these instead and keep one as a spare!

I can’t wait to try the 5 and 6 weights now that I am back at Arthurs Lake!

TFO fly-rods and accessories are distributed in Australia by FlyWorld 1800 066828. www.flyworld.com.au