TFO Professional TFO 02 80 3 P
 

Score 2.93

8' 0", 3-Piece, MSRP $149.95, AA  67, ERN  2.82

 

Jim Stuard's Comments:  Much like the Elkhorn 8’ rod, this one is definitely NOT a close-in rod. I was easily catching fish at 60’ and not having any trouble getting them to the boat. What TFO lacks in fit and finish (it epitomizes ‘spartan’ in rod design), it makes up for in a wide cross section of functionality in their rods. The Professional emphasizes fast action. If the Professional were a car, it would be all American muscle. Terrible in tight but watch out on the straightaway. This would probably be best suited as a high stick nymph rod for small water or busting dries out 60’ on a spring creek to spooky fish. It fits a niche of the fly fishing market, but there was nothing delicate about it.

 

Joe Cornwall's Comments:  Not to make an issue of it, but these rods really need a rod tube as standard equipment.  Even a cheap plastic tube will have a useful life of a few years and protect the rod.  They are optional, of course, but that moves the price point up when you start adding aftermarket options, and this rod is a real contender as one of the great all-arounders in the sub-$150 category.  Definitely on the fast side, this rod didn't like a DT2, but woke up with a WF3.  I think a DT3 is really where it wants to be.  The BP UL reel was just about right, you can even get away with a bit more than the 2.4 ounce empty weight of the White River Classic and still get excellent balance.  The rod itself comes alive if you push it, but inside of 20' it had very little feel. Roll casting was unremarkable.  The rod completes the roll-cast with more than a little competence, it's not a champ but it's certainly not a slouch.  The carbon matrix reel seat is attractive and the cork is of good quality, but with enough filler to let you know you're in budget territory.  All told, this is a guide's rod, and a damned fine one.  Fish it hard till it wears out and then get another.  Fish it as a 3wt and you'll be delighted.  This is the rod I'd keep in my Jeep for exploring those little creeks I always ride over but have no idea what I'm going to do once I'm on them.  I can handle anything from high-sticking to small streamers to a dry/dropper rig in all the appropriate tiny sizes with this TFO.  Recommended!

 

Jeremy Kurtz's Comments: This rod is on the faster side, action wise. It has a hefty butt section and it can really blow out some line. Hitting 50-feet was easy. It wasn't as short range friendly as some of the other rods tested though. I think it responds better with a 3wt line. The rod roll casts pretty well, and it can handle larger flies and larger fish with ease. The blank is a matte black, the seat is up-locking aluminum with a carbon fiber insert. Guides are standard snakes. The cork is A grade.

 

Paul Feldman's Comments: Like most (all?) Temple Fork rods, this rod came packaged in a cheap rod bag with no tube.  This is a medium action rod that cast very well. As I said on an earlier rod, the 8-foot length gives it an advantage in casting (double hauling) a surprisingly long line for a 2-weight. It roll casts well and seems to have adequate strength in the butt for fighting fish. In general, this is quite a nice rod, considering the price, including an extra $20 for a case.

 

Manufacturer's Comments:

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