I fish this rod and couldn’t disagree with you more. I have a Sage ESN and several others, and although it’s not as nice as that it is definitely as sensitive. Couldn’t recommend this rod enough!
sgm505 I agree the components may be slightly less and the overall weight more, but echo got the swing weight spot on. I just wish echo made an 2110-4. The echo shadow x is by far the shinning star in today’s product offerings when it comes to price and utility.
I personally have the 10’6” 3 wt. I find that it is very sensitive, especially in comparison to Sage’s ESN. The alignment lines on the rod’s blank is a feature I really like vs the ESN. I believe it casts very well and it has a very strong backbone for a 3wt, as I have landed a few steelhead this spring on the rod. The Shadow X also comes with a weight kit that you can use to further balance your rod, that was nice for me as I wanted a lighter click pawl Abel reel. Finally, an overlooked feature I feel is the warranty and replacement tip options. ECHO has tip sections in stock that you can order off their website if you have a broken tip. Replacement tip sections are $40 for the Shadow X and I received mine in a week during the pandemic when I broke the tip falling on my ass tripping over a stump. Sage replacement has taken months. Personally, I think the ESN is over priced and the only true difference is the reel seat, guides and cork which are definitely a little nicer, but I wouldn’t say they are worth an extra $400. I feel like Trident missed a lot in this review, seemed a little rushed. Just my opinion having fished both.
Great review, agree with everything you said above, especially the WARRANTY, I can grow old waiting for one of my Sages to come back, but my 10-6/3 X took 8 working days during the pandemic, and it was the but section. Very impressed. However, I have not fished a 10' 3 so I can't argue with his sensitivity comments on the 10 footer.
I love the shadow x 11 foot 3wt on the Deschutes, plenty on sensitivity enough for guiding and personal fishing. The sage esn esn is 1000 bucks and they don't come in 11 foot .
I believe your assessment is off. The shadow x is just as sensitive if not more than the sage esn 3106 that I own. I’m not sure on the frequency in which you test/run these rods through the paces but would encourage a reassessment.
I was thinking the same thing. I have owned over 10 "euro" rods (man I hate saying that considering I have been fishing this way for 25 years). I currently have the 2nd gen ESN in 3wt 10', an ESN 4wt 10', a shadow X 3wt 10', and a shadow X 10'6" 3wt. In my opinion, the ESN rods are no better than the Shadow X rods. And I have broken 3 Sage ESN rods in the last 2 seasons and watched a couple friends break 3 or 4 more. They are far to brittle for anything much bigger than 20'" fish. The Shadow X 3wt in 10'6" is my current favorite rod. Hands down it gets chosen time and time again. I just returned from a 5 week fishing vacation and the Sage rods just collected dust until I broke one out and snapped it in two on a big fish. I assume it will be 2021 before I get it back........
I agree I’ve broken my esn twice now and I fish very frequently. I haven’t broken a fly rod in 10 years. I believe the utility and value the echo x offers outshines many other rods.
@@Pek1217 I've seen and heard of so many ESN rods breaking it worries me now. They are great rods no doubt, but turning bigger fish on them is not the easiest thing to accomplish without snapping the blank. I'm happy with the Shadow X rods at half the price. I know they break too. I broke one about a month ago, but that was my truck door being blown shut by the wind and snapping it in two. I called Echo, sent it in and 8 days later it was back to me and fishing like it never happened.
@@mattstewart2750 Hey Matt, I'm looking into getting a Shadow X 3wt, and was curious why the 10'6" is your favorite over the 10', since you have both? I'm trying to decide between the two and am only able to test out the 10'. Thanks.
@@WillEllis I prefer the 10'6" over the 10'. It feels more sensitive than the 10' to me. Secondly, while not "needed" the extra 6" makes it easier to cast a little farther and slightly easier to fish at distance. I hope that help you out.
Love my 11ft three weight… landed some big rainbows and even a bully with it and handled it elegantly and like a champ… picked up on the little guys like nothing…
Don't fish my ESN anymore after trying a buddies Shadow X. I thought it was every bit as sensitive as my ESN and felt lighter. My 10-6/3 X is my go to rod now. Anyone want to buy a well used ESN? And I am kind of a Sage fan boy.....
I totally agree I can’t dig this guy as I don’t know him but I am curious on the frequency in which he euro nymphs as the shadow x is extremely sensitive. My two sage ESN 2s collect dust and the echo product go through the weekly paces. Additionally the sage ESNs have broken on me on fish over 20. I have not had one issue with my echos. By far the echo shines past the sage.
I agree the Echo is too expensive, however the ESN is hilariously more expensive where I am. A full $800 more than the Echo!!! Twice the price of Hanak rods, you know Czech nymph rods from a Czech company. Do you really need all that ESN “sensitivity” for catching 20cm trout?
I'm new to fly fishing, I always wonder what is the difference between a nymph rod and a regular rod? Can one use regular dry flies or its mostly use with nymphs?
In a pinch. I carry one of my 3 weight dry fly reels with me in my sling pack. When drys come out the 3wt WF floating line goes on and the mono rig reel goes in the pack. It does not throw drys like an LL, G, IM6 TMF but it does decent. I find this method much easier than carrying another rod.
Have both the 10'6 and 11ft 3wt, and i find the 11ft is miles more sensitive then the 10'6. I dont think the company tuned the rods for 10'. Not to mention they have some backbone, We fish Penns creek often and a fish close to 16in in fast water pulls like a 24+ and if you cant get their head up and to the bank you are not going to land it, and my shadow X's do it very well. I havent tried anything price wise above them but i have below and they, to me, fit the bill as an intermediary to euro rods, they are not garbage but they arent top of the line, but if they land fish what is the point of a 900+$ rod?
Surely joking? Firstly, blank sensitivity is probably one of the least important things to look for in a euro rod. If your relying on the sensitivity of your blank for takes and knowing if you're on the bottom and/or in contact you need to get better at reading your sighter. Even so, it is definitely not lacking in sensitivity. It may not be as sensitive as the ESN sure, but IMO is a better all-round rod. Bulletproof too.
Thanks ben. Based on this review, I'm glad I have Echo shadow 2 10'6 4wt (which gets good reviews) with extension kit, plus new sage ESN 3100 to cover all bases. So would you actually rate the Shadow 2 above the shadow x for euro nymphing?
I would recommend trying a shadow X, I had to borrow my buddies Shadow II while my X was being repaired and it was night and day. Not that the II is a bad rod but it felt like a tank compared to the X. I could not wait to get my X back. My daughter is using my ESN now, may just let her keep it. ESN is a great rod (my second favorite) but the X just feels better for me. Give the 10-6/3 a try.
His review is meh. Shadow X is an amazing rod for the price. I own 3 of them, after test driving a wide variety of euro nymphing rods. ESN is not twice as good as the shadow X so paying twice the amount a dealing with a LONG waiting warranty Im good. Shadow X won a world comp. If that doesnt say anything to you, nothing will. Plenty of other people review this rod that also have cred and feel very different about it.
Iv fly fished all my life 52 years Yes since I was walking . I fish out of my backyard almost twice a week , and I’ve something to say about fishing so listen up Stop all the hype . And stop all the gear bs and feel the passion of your local water ways , and spend your money on things that matter . And if you have so much money that you think the next graphite composition is going to make you feel better about your experience think about being a golfer
I fish this rod and couldn’t disagree with you more. I have a Sage ESN and several others, and although it’s not as nice as that it is definitely as sensitive. Couldn’t recommend this rod enough!
sgm505 I agree the components may be slightly less and the overall weight more, but echo got the swing weight spot on. I just wish echo made an 2110-4. The echo shadow x is by far the shinning star in today’s product offerings when it comes to price and utility.
I personally have the 10’6” 3 wt. I find that it is very sensitive, especially in comparison to Sage’s ESN. The alignment lines on the rod’s blank is a feature I really like vs the ESN. I believe it casts very well and it has a very strong backbone for a 3wt, as I have landed a few steelhead this spring on the rod. The Shadow X also comes with a weight kit that you can use to further balance your rod, that was nice for me as I wanted a lighter click pawl Abel reel. Finally, an overlooked feature I feel is the warranty and replacement tip options. ECHO has tip sections in stock that you can order off their website if you have a broken tip. Replacement tip sections are $40 for the Shadow X and I received mine in a week during the pandemic when I broke the tip falling on my ass tripping over a stump. Sage replacement has taken months. Personally, I think the ESN is over priced and the only true difference is the reel seat, guides and cork which are definitely a little nicer, but I wouldn’t say they are worth an extra $400. I feel like Trident missed a lot in this review, seemed a little rushed. Just my opinion having fished both.
I totally agree. I like the esn, but it’s not worth 900. The syndicate 2wt is a great rod also.
Great review, agree with everything you said above, especially the WARRANTY, I can grow old waiting for one of my Sages to come back, but my 10-6/3 X took 8 working days during the pandemic, and it was the but section. Very impressed. However, I have not fished a 10' 3 so I can't argue with his sensitivity comments on the 10 footer.
I love the shadow x 11 foot 3wt on the Deschutes, plenty on sensitivity enough for guiding and personal fishing. The sage esn esn is 1000 bucks and they don't come in 11 foot .
I believe your assessment is off. The shadow x is just as sensitive if not more than the sage esn 3106 that I own. I’m not sure on the frequency in which you test/run these rods through the paces but would encourage a reassessment.
I was thinking the same thing. I have owned over 10 "euro" rods (man I hate saying that considering I have been fishing this way for 25 years). I currently have the 2nd gen ESN in 3wt 10', an ESN 4wt 10', a shadow X 3wt 10', and a shadow X 10'6" 3wt. In my opinion, the ESN rods are no better than the Shadow X rods. And I have broken 3 Sage ESN rods in the last 2 seasons and watched a couple friends break 3 or 4 more. They are far to brittle for anything much bigger than 20'" fish. The Shadow X 3wt in 10'6" is my current favorite rod. Hands down it gets chosen time and time again. I just returned from a 5 week fishing vacation and the Sage rods just collected dust until I broke one out and snapped it in two on a big fish. I assume it will be 2021 before I get it back........
I agree I’ve broken my esn twice now and I fish very frequently. I haven’t broken a fly rod in 10 years. I believe the utility and value the echo x offers outshines many other rods.
@@Pek1217 I've seen and heard of so many ESN rods breaking it worries me now. They are great rods no doubt, but turning bigger fish on them is not the easiest thing to accomplish without snapping the blank. I'm happy with the Shadow X rods at half the price. I know they break too. I broke one about a month ago, but that was my truck door being blown shut by the wind and snapping it in two. I called Echo, sent it in and 8 days later it was back to me and fishing like it never happened.
@@mattstewart2750 Hey Matt, I'm looking into getting a Shadow X 3wt, and was curious why the 10'6" is your favorite over the 10', since you have both? I'm trying to decide between the two and am only able to test out the 10'. Thanks.
@@WillEllis I prefer the 10'6" over the 10'. It feels more sensitive than the 10' to me. Secondly, while not "needed" the extra 6" makes it easier to cast a little farther and slightly easier to fish at distance. I hope that help you out.
Love my 11ft three weight… landed some big rainbows and even a bully with it and handled it elegantly and like a champ… picked up on the little guys like nothing…
This is the most expensive euro rod I've used, but with a micro leader it felt extremely sensitive even on tiny little dinkers.😊
Don't fish my ESN anymore after trying a buddies Shadow X. I thought it was every bit as sensitive as my ESN and felt lighter. My 10-6/3 X is my go to rod now. Anyone want to buy a well used ESN? And I am kind of a Sage fan boy.....
THANK YOU. This dude made the Shadow X sound like a piece of shit lmfao. I love all 3 of mine.
I totally agree I can’t dig this guy as I don’t know him but I am curious on the frequency in which he euro nymphs as the shadow x is extremely sensitive. My two sage ESN 2s collect dust and the echo product go through the weekly paces. Additionally the sage ESNs have broken on me on fish over 20. I have not had one issue with my echos. By far the echo shines past the sage.
I agree the Echo is too expensive, however the ESN is hilariously more expensive where I am. A full $800 more than the Echo!!! Twice the price of Hanak rods, you know Czech nymph rods from a Czech company. Do you really need all that ESN “sensitivity” for catching 20cm trout?
I'm new to fly fishing, I always wonder what is the difference between a nymph rod and a regular rod? Can one use regular dry flies or its mostly use with nymphs?
In a pinch. I carry one of my 3 weight dry fly reels with me in my sling pack. When drys come out the 3wt WF floating line goes on and the mono rig reel goes in the pack. It does not throw drys like an LL, G, IM6 TMF but it does decent. I find this method much easier than carrying another rod.
Yes you can, I use a ross reel animas for euro nymphing and just change the spool +1 wt up with a dry fly setup. Its golden.
Have both the 10'6 and 11ft 3wt, and i find the 11ft is miles more sensitive then the 10'6. I dont think the company tuned the rods for 10'. Not to mention they have some backbone, We fish Penns creek often and a fish close to 16in in fast water pulls like a 24+ and if you cant get their head up and to the bank you are not going to land it, and my shadow X's do it very well. I havent tried anything price wise above them but i have below and they, to me, fit the bill as an intermediary to euro rods, they are not garbage but they arent top of the line, but if they land fish what is the point of a 900+$ rod?
Surely joking? Firstly, blank sensitivity is probably one of the least important things to look for in a euro rod. If your relying on the sensitivity of your blank for takes and knowing if you're on the bottom and/or in contact you need to get better at reading your sighter. Even so, it is definitely not lacking in sensitivity. It may not be as sensitive as the ESN sure, but IMO is a better all-round rod. Bulletproof too.
Do you guys review the Hanak or Cortland Euro rods?
Hi Tristan, we have several Cortland Euro rod reviews up! Thanks for watching
Thanks ben. Based on this review, I'm glad I have Echo shadow 2 10'6 4wt (which gets good reviews) with extension kit, plus new sage ESN 3100 to cover all bases. So would you actually rate the Shadow 2 above the shadow x for euro nymphing?
I would recommend trying a shadow X, I had to borrow my buddies Shadow II while my X was being repaired and it was night and day. Not that the II is a bad rod but it felt like a tank compared to the X. I could not wait to get my X back. My daughter is using my ESN now, may just let her keep it. ESN is a great rod (my second favorite) but the X just feels better for me. Give the 10-6/3 a try.
His review is meh. Shadow X is an amazing rod for the price. I own 3 of them, after test driving a wide variety of euro nymphing rods. ESN is not twice as good as the shadow X so paying twice the amount a dealing with a LONG waiting warranty Im good. Shadow X won a world comp. If that doesnt say anything to you, nothing will. Plenty of other people review this rod that also have cred and feel very different about it.
Iv fly fished all my life 52 years
Yes since I was walking .
I fish out of my backyard almost twice a week , and I’ve something to say about fishing so listen up
Stop all the hype . And stop all the gear bs and feel the passion of your local water ways , and spend your money on things that matter . And if you have so much money that you think the next graphite composition is going to make you feel better about your experience think about being a golfer
My arm won't let me do that, especially after a long day!
Ok boomer
I've heard the complete opposite about the sensitivity on the shadow x
Nick wray I completely agree the x is just as sensitive as the ESN 2 I own two ESNs and 3 shadow Xs and the ESNs collect dust.
Guy isn’t even fishing good euro water. This rod is great. Terrible review
What is a rawwwwwd