Torridge: Steelheader.net- Steelhead, Salmon and trout fishing

Snowbee XS-P Spey - Torridge

Review Snowbbee Torridge - XS-P Spey 12 foot 6/7 12ft #6/7 OHW 20g/ 310 grains

Above is the link to the Snowbee site and their write up on their new Torridge and Tamar XS-P Spey rods. I took a Torridge for a trial test the last week from Red Shed (Mike) to determine if it would meet my needs for a light spey rod for trout and smallmouth bass river fishing. I was not sure if a 5/6 or 6/7 12 foot spey is what I needed for fish that run under 5 lbs in weight 90% of the time.

I have included several pictures of the Torridge also.

I test casted with a Rio Windcutter 5/6, Windcutter 7/8/9 and a Scientific Anglers Head Start 9 wgt line. The windcutters were also casted with several different lengths of Rio T-14 sink tips.

Single spey casts of up to about 70 feet were made with ease a little less with the sink tips attached.

The Torridge was designed for sea trout, salmon, and steelhead small rivers per Snowbee where long casts are not required to me that would be a river like this one I fish which is less than 70 feet across in most stretchs and has lots of overhanging vegetation where a longer spey rod can be a liability.

The Torridge was designe d to cast short head spey lines which are perfect for smaller rivers like above.

I found the rod to cast very easily each of the above lines tested. The WC 7/8/9 appeared better for using with the T-14 sink tips. The rod has a fast action with nice sensitivity in the tip. The Torridge should be a fine small river dry fly rod with the WC 5/6 for sea trout, salmon, steelhead under 10lbs in weight. Although in the hands of a competent fly fisher it could probably handle fish up to 15-20 lbs and it has some nice backbone to it.

I found it to be too heavy for the light trout and smallmouth bass river fishing I am seeking the right light spey rod for. The Torridge would be a great rod for the many small GLs steelhead rivers which make up 90% of out fishery.

Hence I will seriously considering purchasing this rod over the winter if I decide to add another steelhead rod to my quiver.

But the search for a light spey rod for regular river size trout and smallmouth bass continues for me. I am now convinced I need a 5/6 wgt 12 foot ultal ight spey rod but which one ? Sorry fellows not the MS Sage 5120 yet for $ 700 I still cannot justify that price after 3 years of wanting it, but lets not go there. LOL

Anyone looking for a small river steelhead and salmon rod should consider the Snowbee Torridge.

The finish is very nice and I especially liked the ferrule design which feels like graphite allowing the ferrules to be easily fitted, aligned, tightened, and taken apart. Not sure if you would even need to tape these ferrules ?

I think this rod is priced well at $ 375. It has a lifetime warranty to the original owner. See the link above for all details on the rod.

Red Shed can be contacted for further information on the Snowbee spey rods.

Hmmm well maybe I can make the Torridge a christmas present this year from the Princess, we will see.

Its great that Red Shed has the spey rod pilot test program as you cannot evauluate the rod by looking at it online or even holding them in a store. Really need to cast them and feel them with a few different lines to determine if it is for you.

Comments ?

BG

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"The ability to delude yourself may be an important survival tool."

Jane Wagner

Edited by Black_Ghost (10/18/05 03:31 PM)