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Elkhorn Western 702-2
Score 3.85
7', 2-Piece,
MSRP $179.00,
AA 65,
ERN 2.97
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Elkhorn Western 702-2 (7' 2pc) |
Paul |
Jeremy |
Jim |
Joe |
Composite Score |
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| 1.) Rod Tube, Sock and Presentation |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3.75 |
| 2.) Grip and Reel Seat |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| 3.) Hook Keeper, Label and Rod Markings |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3.5 |
| 4.) Guides, Ferrules and Tip-Top |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3.75 |
| 5.) Short Distance Casting |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
| 6.) Medium and Long Distance Casting |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
| 7.) Roll Casting |
4 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
3.5 |
| 8.) Accuracy and Delicacy of Fly Delivery |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
| 9.) Fish Handling |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4.25 |
| 10.) Reviewer's Perogative |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3.75 |
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| Composite Score |
3.70 |
4.40 |
3.30 |
4.00 |
3.85 |
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Jim Stuard's Comments:
The best of the true 2wts from Elkhorn. This rod casts well, short, as
well as long. It has the same distinctive clear red wraps I’ve liked on
all the other Elkhorn rods. It’s only short coming would probably be the
long tube. I enjoyed casting and fishing this rod.
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Joe Cornwall's Comments:
This is the BMW 328i of
2-weights. It's nimble, responsive, sufficiently powerful and very
well appointed. Attention to detail falls just short of the very
best available, but surpasses the pedestrian efforts of so many of its
competitors that criticism can seem nit-picky. Noting that there are no
witness marks to line up the ferrules, or that the grip is slightly more
portly than needed takes away from appreciation of the excellent cork and
refined details. The BP UL reel is just slightly on the heavy side
of a perfect balance, be careful if you want to mount something of greater
than 3 ounces (loaded). This rod does it all well, without defining
the state of the art in any particular parameter. It is a solidly
competent roll caster and an outstanding tool for standard overhand
casting. It loads acceptably at 15-feet, yet shows no sign of strain
at 40. In all, this rod is so good that I'm mad it's not better.
A bit more attention to the quality of the epoxy finish, some final,
subtle shaping to the grip and a bit less mass at the reel seat could
propel this one to a reference standard! This rod is definitely
running at the front of its class. I thought this rod really worked best
with a WF3. The Elkhorn Western 702 is a great fly rod by any
standards, but at this price point it's an insane bargain. Get one
before they realize the price is $120 less than anything else like it!
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Jeremy Kurtz's Comments:
This rod is a good performer,
and my favorite out of the Elkhorns we tested. It handles well in close
yet has the power to take you out to 50 feet. I was impressed with the
workmanship on this rod. The guides and wraps are done very nicely.
The grip is nice Super grade cork, and the reel seat has a weight saving
cork insert. The reel seat hardware is also top notch. The rod tube
is Cordura, and has two pockets, one for each section, so no need for a
rod sock.
This rod has enough back bone though to handle the occasional larger fish
yet small fish can still show off. This rod has a medium fast action, yet
it's not stiff, and is very pleasant to cast. A good all around 2wt.
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Paul Feldman's Comments:
This rod is similar in
construction the 6 foot Elkhorn also reviewed in that it had a similar
grip and up locking reel seat with cork spacer (that I like). The blank is
a polished gray graphite, but the weave of the cloth was visible in the
tip section but not the butt section, as thought the tip section were made
of a different graphite weave. This is a fairly fast rod with lots
of strength in the butt. It’s a very easy casting rod and throws a very
tight loop. I was surprised at how much line it could cast and it was also
very good at roll casting, considering that it is a 7 foot- rod.
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Manufacturer's Comments:
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