Diamondback Gen. IV Nymph Rod

Diamondback Gen. IV Nymph Rod - Cork Handle  Not long after completing the Ideal Nymph range, a new tip material technology became available for Joe Goodspeed to work with. He spent nearly two years carefully developing rod blanks to optimize lighter, more efficient carbon rod tips. The success of the Ideal Nymph series allowed him to take my time with this project, and make sure the new rods reflect the changing landscape of the euro nymphing market.  Anglers are nymphing with thinner and lighter leaders and tippets, and Joe forced himself to fish the prototype rods with this rigging to understand how the new blanks needed to load and recover to fish most effectively. After spending far more time with these rods on the water than with any previous rods, Diamondback is excited to launch the new Generation IV Nymph rod series. Generation IV Nymph rod initial lineup will be 10’ rod models in 1wt, 2wt, 3wt, and 10’7” models in 1wt, 2wt, 3wt, 6wt, and 7wt. These rods will be sold with Flor grade cork grips and a carbon grip option. 10’ 1wt model Rod weight: 3.15 oz / 89 grams Reel Balance weight (for empty reel, assuming 1oz backing and line, to achieve roughly 60 degree tip up balance from hold point) 5.0 oz / 142 grams This rod model will perform best for fishing situations that fall within these parameters: Optimal hook size range: 14-26 Optimal tippet range: 6x and lighter Optimal fish target size: Best for fish under 18” / 45cm Optimal AFTMA line weight for casting: Not designed to overhead cast, but will load with the smallest floating lines or level floating line .022-.025” Rod Application Description: I designed the Generation IV 10’ 1wt to be the ultimate finesse tool for the lightest leaders, smallest nymphs, and spookiest fish. It will load and recover under the weight of the rod itself, allowing you to deliver lightweight flies with ease. This action profile performs best hooking and retaining small and medium-sized trout while protecting fine tippets, but has the backbone to fight the occasional larger fish as well. 10’ 2wt model Rod weight: 3.35oz / 95 grams Reel Balance weight (for empty reel, assuming 1oz backing and line, to achieve roughly 60 degree tip up balance from hold point) 5.2oz / 147 grams This rod model will perform best for fishing situations that fall within these parameters: Optimal hook size range: 12-24 Optimal tippet range: 5x-8x Optimal fish target size: Best for fish under 21” / 55cm Optimal AFTMA line weight for casting: Lines that fall within the AFTMA standard for 2wt lines will be the best match, but 3wt class lines will load the rod more easily when most casts are going to be short. Rod Application Description: I designed the Generation IV 10’ 2wt to be a finesse tool with the versatility to cover most light nymphing work and some overhead casting. This rod loads easily and with small to medium sized flies or multi-fly rigs on micro leaders. The 10’ 2wt model will cast overhead with a true 2wt fly line and single dry or nymph. For dry dropper style fishing or indicator work, the 3wt models are a more suitable choice in Generation IV nymph rods. 10’ 3wt model Rod weight: 3.4 oz / 96 grams Reel Balance weight (for empty reel, assuming 1oz backing and line, to achieve roughly 60 degree tip up balance from hold point) 5.3 oz / 150 grams This rod model will perform best for fishing situations that fall within these parameters: Optimal hook size range: 8-20 Optimal tippet range: 5x-7x Optimal fish target size: Best for fish under 25” / 64cm Optimal AFTMA line weight for casting: Lines that fall within the AFTMA standard for 3wt lines will be the best match. Rod Application Description: I designed the Generation IV 10’ 3wt is a highly versatile tool that covers a wide range of applications and techniques. This rod loads easily with light to medium weight multi-fly rigs on micro leaders or heavier leaders, and fishes well with a jig streamer up to hook size 6 or 8. The 10’ 3wt model will cast overhead with a true 3wt fly line, and has the perfect action for fishing dry-dropper rigs. It will also handle small indicators with nymph rigs too heavy to support with a dry fly. This is a great rod model to choose when larger fish are in the mix, but you still need small flies and precise presentations to fool them. 10’7” 1wt model Rod weight: 3.36 oz / 95 grams Reel Balance weight (for empty reel, assuming 1oz backing and line, to achieve roughly 60 degree tip up balance from hold point) 5.2 oz / 147 grams This rod model will perform best for fishing situations that fall within these parameters: Optimal hook size range: 14-26 Optimal tippet range: 6x and lighter Optimal fish target size: Best for fish under 18” / 45cm Optimal AFTMA line weight for casting: Not designed to overhead cast, but will load with the smallest floating lines or level floating line .022-.025” Rod Application Description: I designed the Generation IV 10’7” 1wt to be the ultimate finesse tool for the lightest leaders, smallest nymphs, and spookiest fish. It will load and recover under the weight of the rod itself, allowing you to deliver lightweight flies with ease. This action profile performs best hooking and retaining small and medium sized trout while protecting fine tippets, but has the backbone to fight the occasional larger fish as well. 10’7” 2wt model Rod weight: 3.42oz / 97 grams Reel Balance weight (for empty reel, assuming 1oz backing and line, to achieve roughly 60 degree tip up balance from hold point) 5.3oz / 150 grams This rod model will perform best for fishing situations that fall within these parameters: Optimal hook size range: 12-24 Optimal tippet range: 5x-8x Optimal fish target size: Best for fish under 21” / 55cm Optimal AFTMA line weight for casting: Lines that fall within the AFTMA standard for 2wt lines will be the best match, but 3wt class lines will load the rod more easily when most casts are going to be short. Rod Application Description: I designed the Generation IV 10’7” 2wt to be a finesse tool with the versatility to cover most light nymphing work and some overhead casting. This rod loads easily and with small to medium sized flies or multi-fly rigs on micro leaders. The 10’7” 2wt will cast overhead with a true 2wt fly line and single dry or nymph. For dry dropper style fishing or indicator work, the 3wt models are a more suitable choice in Generation IV nymph rods. 10’7” 3wt model Rod weight: 3.55oz / 101 grams Reel Balance weight (for empty reel, assuming 1oz backing and line, to achieve roughly 60 degree tip up balance from hold point) 5.4oz / 153 grams This rod model will perform best for fishing situations that fall within these parameters: Optimal hook size range: 8-20 Optimal tippet range: 5x-7x Optimal fish target size: Best for fish under 25” / 64cm Optimal AFTMA line weight for casting: Lines that fall within the AFTMA standard for 3wt lines will be the best match. Rod Application Description: I designed the Generation IV 10’7” 3wt to be a highly versatile tool that will cover a wide range applications and techniques. This rod loads easily with light to medium weight multi-fly rigs on micro leaders or heavier leaders, and fishes well with a jig streamer up to hook size 6 or 8. The 10’7” 3wt model will cast overhead with a true 3wt fly line, and has the perfect action for fishing dry-dropper rigs. It will also handle small indicators with nymph rigs too heavy to support with a dry fly. This is a great rod model to choose when larger fish are in the mix, but you still need small flies and precise presentations to fool them. 10’7” 6wt model Rod weight: 4.13 oz / 117 grams Reel Balance weight (for empty reel, assuming 1oz backing and line, to achieve roughly 60 degree tip up balance from hold point) 7.3 oz / 207 grams This rod model will perform best for fishing situations that fall within these parameters: Optimal hook size range: 2-12 Optimal tippet range: 1x – 4x Optimal fish target size: Best for fish under 18 pounds / 8.2 kg Optimal AFTMA line weight for casting: Lines that fall within the AFTMA standard for 6wt lines will be the best match. Shooting Head weight 250 – 275 grains. Rod Application Description: I designed the Generation IV 10’7” 6wt to be a versatile tool that will cover a wide range applications and techniques for Steelhead and similar size fish. Migratory freshwater and saltwater trout, Bull Trout, Alaska Rainbows and smaller salmon, Carp, European Huchen, and also handling the largest and heaviest jig streamers for big trout are all a perfect match for this rod model. The 10’7” 6wt has a great action for fishing weighted flies or bouncing bottom with incredible sensitivity on mono rigs, while also effectively casting a floating fly line with an indicator rig or shooting head system. This model has the backbone for the biggest Great Lakes Steelhead and most West coast Steelhead, with a powerful bottom end to help steer and turn big fish in the current. 10’7” 7wt model Rod weight: 4.38 oz / 124 grams Reel Balance weight (for empty reel, assuming 1oz backing and line, to achieve roughly a 60 degree tip up balance from the hold point) 7.65 oz / 217 grams This rod model will perform best for fishing situations that fall within these parameters: Optimal hook size range: 2/0 - 6 Optimal tippet range: 0x – 3x Optimal fish target size: Best for fish over 10 pounds / 4 kg Optimal AFTMA line weight for casting: Lines that fall within the AFTMA standard for 7wt lines will be the best match. Shooting Head weight 300 – 325 grains. Rod Application Description: I designed the Generation IV 10’7” 7wt to provide the power and backbone necessary to target the meanest and biggest fish that swim in rivers. King Salmon, big chrome fall Steelhead, Hucho, and Taimen are all fair game with this rod model. The 10’7” 7wt has an excellent action for fishing weighted flies or bouncing bottom with mono rigs, while also effectively casting a floating fly line with an indicator rig or shooting head system. This model has the backbone and wall thickness to put some serious pressure on a big fish, with a powerful bottom end to help close the deal at the end of the fight.