T&T 10 foot 9 in 3 wt
Started contact nymphing with a Syndicate 10ft 3 wt. about 6 years ago. I started following Devin's videos and attempted some of his more advanced techniques with little success. I decided it was time for an upgrade and the difference is amazing.
I've been out with it 4 times now and am extremely happy with my purchase. The way it handles large fish was mentioned already but the way you can handle a 20in fish to get it out of the current and upstream of you (one of the many techniques I learned from Devin's videos) even on 7x is incredible.
Contact II
T&T contact II will show you all your weaknesses. This rod delivers as promised. Accurate ! I look at a pocket and my flies land exactly on target, everytime. Fish this all day and barely fatigue, balance is effortless. Save your money up and get the rod you will eventually own!
T&T Contact II (10 foot 3 weight, 10 foot 9 inch 3 weight and 10 foot 2 weight)
The fact I am reviewing all 3 models of the Contact II series should probably be telling in itself. I am blessed to own all three models (the 10 foot 3 weight is a prototype) and cannot say enough about them. I might also include that I have owned and fished the original Contact in the 10 foot 2 weight and the 10 foot 8 inch 3 weight (as well as the Cortland Nymph rod in 10 foot 6 inch 3 weight and MKII in the 10 foot 2 weight and the 10 foot 6 inch 3 weight and the SAGE ESN 10 foot 6 inch 3 weight rods) and so I can also compare them. The Contact II as a series have an extremely quick recovery, good backbone in the lower third to half of the rods, and fantastic tippet protection in the tip section. They are so sensitive that I think I can almost feel the bites as often as I see them (in conjunction with a micro leader). They are easy to cast and are accurate. I have landed numerous fish over 20 inches in the 3 weight models with 6X tippet without any concern (unless a brown has taken me under brush). They are extremely light and have a very light swing weight. They balance easily due to the down locking reel seats and their lighter weight for their length and I have enjoyed using the SAGE ESN reels in conjunction with them. The biggest surprise and difference to me has been in the 2 weight compared to its predecessor (with felt a bit light to me for the small to medium rivers I fish). Compared to the ESN rod in the 3 weight it is a close call. But I always tend to reach for the T and T first. My 10 foot 3 is the most versatile and most used and is great for straight nymphing and for dry dropper fishing (and light streamers). I still prefer the MKII for most of my streamers due to its stiffer nature in the 3 weight models and I like the MKII 2 weight for dry droppers in small water, but most of of my fishing is with the T and T rods. If I could only have one it would be the 10 foot 3 weight model. For straight nymphing only it would be the 10 foot 9 inch due to its greater reach. I should add that there is not as much difference between the 10 foot 8 inch original Contact 3 weight compared with the 10 foot 9 inch Contact II in my hands but the new model dampens more quickly and has better guide placement. The Cortland Nymph series is simply a lower level rod on all accounts but is still excellent as an all purpose rod. It just isn't as sensitive or light in hand to me You will be thrilled with any of the rods in this Contact II series! I should mention that the build and finish and aesthetics of the rod are also second to none and simple but elegant. Finally, having accidentally broken or lost a section (or two--long story), I can report that Thomas and Thomas have been quick and responsive and true to their warranty.
THOMAS AND THOMAS CONTACT II 3wt
An absolutely incredible rod !
The sensitivity is amazing and you are in complete contact with your nymphs all the way through the drift.
Handles large fish great and over all is just a fun rod to use.
My Orvis Helios Euro Nymph rod will now be collecting dust as a back up !
T&T Contact 2 10'9 3 WT
In addition to this T&T, I own a 10' Echo Shadow 2 and a 10'6 3 WT Echo Shadow X so this is definitely a step up to those rods. Those are both good rods, especially the Shadow X which I think is as sensitive, if not more, than this T&T. However, the old saying of you get what you pay for rings loudly with this rod as it screams quality - from the tube, to the sock (yes even the sock), to the cork and rod itself. I also have a G Loomis NRX LP (both 9ft 5 WT's). The craftsmanship on this Thomas and Thomas is amazing and I put it ahead of even the G Loomis.
I've fished it twice in the last week since I received it. This rod just feels good from the first cast which is one of the areas it excels in. I'm able to more easily hit spots I'm aiming for and the rod recovers quickly (much quicker for me than the Shadow X) helping me stay in contact with the nymphs much earlier in the drift. My initial feeling, although I need to do a side by side, is that it's not quite as sensitive as the Shadow X. Having said that, it is plenty sensitive and excels in accuracy, recovery, craftsmanship and versatility.
I primarily fished a double nymph rig, but I did fish a dry dropper, and double dries for a couple of hours and it performed extremely well. This was one area that I was really interested in as my preference is to carry just one rod that I can primarily nymph with but throw some dries when the situation arises. It's not the G Loomis 9ft 5 wt but it did what I wanted and better than I expected.
I probably didn't need another rod (ask my wife and she'd say that without hesitation) but T&T's motto is "the rod you will eventually own" and I'm damn glad I made the purchase.
T&T contact 2, 3wt, 10 9
Great rod, I have a love the old contact 1, but this rod is even better. Very sensitive,, extremely accurate and loads even easier than the contact 1. Noticed that it had more ability to fight big fish better. I want to try a 3 WT WF line and cast dries and streamers. It an all around great rod.
Amazing Rod
This rod (10'9" 3wt) is an absolute dream on any river. I fished this rod for five straight days when I first got it on everything from smaller freestone streams to a fairly large tailwater and this rod really exceeded my expectations. I've been fortunate enough to fish several nice top end rods in the past but here's a few things that really stood out to me. First off is the recovery speed of the rod which is second to none and really helps with casting accuracy and managing control at the start of your drift. The quality of the cork handle is much nicer than I've seen on many other rods, even other high end models. And finally I didn't think it'd really matter to me but I really like that the first guide is noticably lower/closer to the handle than I've seen on any other nymphing rod. It really helps to eliminate sag but most importantly helps with line management immediately after the cast. I really can't say enough about this rod and I can't wait to get this thing back out on the water and fish it for a long time to come.
