Diamondback Fly Rod Review
Euro nymphing has become increasingly popular among fly fishing enthusiasts worldwide in recent years, and with this evolution of the technique has come an advancement in equipment. Enter Joe Goodspeed, a renowned rod innovator who has been at the forefront of developing state-of-the-art rods for many years.
Goodspeed's latest Ideal Nymph rods are changing the game, offering anglers a rod perfectly suited to the nuanced and challenging technique. These Euro nymphing rods boast a finely tuned taper, lightweight design, and a high degree of sensitivity, delivering an unparalleled level of precision and finesse.
I would like to share my experience with the Diamondback rods created by Joe Goodspeed. Since early March last year, I have been testing and using some of the models that Joe created. I must say that these rods have significantly improved my performance on the river and my fishing in competitions.
10’ 2wt Ideal Nymph
The 10' 2wt Ideal Nymph stands out as my preferred rod among my collection, and it was the first one I had the opportunity to test. In the past, I had difficulty finding a 2wt that could safeguard the light tippet while also delivering sufficient power and backbone for larger fish. Most 2 weight rods I have experimented with in the past were either excessively floppy and lacked power or would fold under the pressure of large fish in high water. However, this rod does not have these drawbacks.
Despite being "standard in length" compared to longer alternatives, I believe this rod is the most versatile regarding casting, tip recovery, and fish fighting power. The 10' 2wt Ideal Nymph is particularly suitable for smaller to mid-sized rivers where an angler may need to cast into deep cover with a single nymph or fish two lightly weighted nymphs in shallow pocket water.
The 2wt version of this rod weighs only 2.71 oz without a reel, providing exceptional comfort for extended periods of use. Moreover, it boasts unparalleled power transfer while casting and drifting, eliminating the need to exert undue effort in order to get smaller flies out. In essence, this 2wt rod offers superb balance, sensitivity and accuracy, which makes it an ideal choice for discerning anglers who demand the best performance from their equipment.
During my practice for the World Fly Fishing Championships in Spain last fall, I put this particular rod to the test. Out of all the rods that I brought with me, it was the only one that proved to be effective in fishing dry dropper scenarios at long distances while retaining the power to drift tiny single 2.0mm perdigons laterally across the river in small pockets. It was also able to protect my 8x and 9x tippet at long distances, and I never felt that I was in danger of snapping off, which many rods cannot do. This rod demonstrated superior performance and versatility, making it an invaluable asset for me during that practice period.
Accuracy is crucial in fly fishing, and many 2wt models I've used in the past have lacked the desired tip recovery, leading to vibrations and inaccurate casting when using nymphs. However, this rod exceeds expectations. Before I acquired it, Joe highlighted the incredibly rapid tip recovery of this range of rods, and he was right. I can confidently say that this model, in particular, doesn't vibrate or bounce up and down when finishing a cast, returning to its starting position swiftly.
As a medium-to-fast rod, it doesn't require an overloaded cast to accurately deliver the fly to the desired target, unlike slower-moving rod models. This feature makes it ideal for fishing in tight spaces with overhanging brush or trees, as the angler can easily flick their wrist, and the tungsten nymph or streamer will reach its target effectively.
Whether you're a beginner to euro nymphing or have years of experience, this rod is an excellent addition to anyone's quiver of rods. It fulfills a niche in the euronymphing game that I haven’t quite found before with other rods.
The 10'10" 2wt Ideal Nymph
I often describe this rod as a Swiss Army Knife to those who haven't fished it before. By this, I don't mean that it does a little bit of everything just adequately; rather, it excels at every task. This rod's exceptional versatility allows it to perform impressively in various fishing scenarios, making it an invaluable tool to have in your arsenal. Accompanied by the same single-foot stripping guides, matte black finish, and light weight of 2.96 oz this is a clear winner for those wanting a nymph rod over 10ft.
The 10'10" 2wt Ideal Nymph rod is an exemplary workhorse that has exceeded my expectations. I have utilized this rod to fish a broad range of flies, from 2.0mm baetis in shallow water to hefty 5.0mm tungsten streamers, without encountering any performance issues. The added length of this model provides an abundance of reach, allowing me to fish from considerable distances with ease. Despite its extended length, this rod is lightweight and does not induce arm fatigue, permitting anglers to fish pockets and riffles from longer distances without spooking fish.
Many times while fishing especially in the Winter I want one rod to do multiple things for me. I want to be able to fish smaller jig streamers during the hatch-less hours and smaller lightweight nymphs during peak hours.
This particular model possesses a unique combination of finesse and backbone, allowing it to flawlessly execute various fishing techniques. During the recent Frostbite Fish-Off competition, my teammate Cody Burgdorf and I divided fishing techniques based on our strengths. I opted for the jig streamer program and used this rod during practice and the competition. The rod's exceptional performance enabled me to reach large and deep seams in the river at long distances with a jig streamer to land my fish.
I was impressed with the rod's ability to control heavily weighted jig streamers with accuracy and authority, without folding under pressure. Its strong hooksets and control over large fish made all the difference in the competition.
In my opinion, the added length of this nymph rod enables it to control fish effortlessly, even those that are out of its weight class. It's like a David and Goliath moment. With unparalleled performance, this rod has helped me land some of the largest trout I've caught in Colorado last year.
I fish everything from 8x to 4x on this model and I can always count on the 10’10” 2wt to rise to occasion. No matter the scenario I am in. If I had to fish one euro rod for the rest of my life this would be very high on the list of choices.
Overall, this rod is an excellent option for those seeking an adaptable and durable rod that can handle various fishing scenarios. Its exceptional performance with a broad range of flies makes it an attractive option for anglers who frequently change their fly selection.
The 10' 1wt Ideal Nymph
Admittedly, it took me a few months to appreciate the qualities of this rod fully. As the first true 1wt rod that I had used in competitions, I lacked benchmark comparisons to judge it against initially. However, as I spent more time with it, I came to realize its unique strengths and exceptional performance.
If you enjoy fishing in tight spaces with single nymphs or prefer dry dropper fishing with light tippet, this rod is an excellent choice. Its responsiveness and sensitivity make it a joy to use in these scenarios.
In my fishing endeavors, I often tie my nymphs on dry fly hooks made from lightweight wire to ensure quick penetration of the fish's mouth. However, the downside to using these hooks is that they can easily bend out when too much pressure is applied. This is where the 1wt rod has become an indispensable tool in my arsenal. With its ability to handle fish with ease and efficiency, while also protecting my hook wire and tippet, it has become my favorite rod for pocket water fishing.
In general, the 1wt rod has been a game-changer in the lightwight rod area of fly fishing, providing a perfect balance of power and sensitivity that is ideal for fishing with light wire hooks and smaller nymphs. With a weight of just 2.61 oz without a reel, this model is the perfect solution for anglers seeking precise control over lightly weighted nymphs in narrow fields of water and structure.
During my testing, I have successfully landed fish of considerable size that certainly pushed this 1wt rod to its limits. Despite being a 1wt rod, it is not limited to small fish only. In fact, I can assure you that this rod has enough power to handle larger fish when needed. However, for targeting larger fish specifically, I still prefer to use the first two nymph rods that I mentioned.
The strength and power of this rod are impressive, especially considering its lightweight and delicate construction. This makes it a versatile option for anglers who want to have a rod that can handle incredible finesse scenarios with ease but also have reserved power if needed.
One of the key features of this rod that I have come to appreciate is its impressive ability to handle dry flies. Despite being designed primarily for nymphing, this rod is surprisingly adept at casting dry flies with ease and precision. In fact, I have used this model several times for targeting picky fish with a DT euro line as the dry fly line and it has exceeded my expectations every time.
The rod's medium-fast action provides just the right amount of power for casting smaller dries at short and medium distances. Its quick line pickup speed allows for efficient and accurate presentations, even in challenging conditions. Additionally, the rod's sensitivity and responsiveness make it easy to detect subtle takes and set the hook quickly, improving your chances of hooking and landing fish.
Overall, I would highly recommend this rod for any angler looking for a versatile tool that can handle both nymphing and dry fly fishing with equal ease and effectiveness. Whether you're targeting finicky trout in small streams or casting dry flies on larger rivers, this rod has the power and finesse to get the job done.
Here are some words from Joe Goodspeed about these rods:
“The Ideal Nymph range is a series of tactical nymphing rods that has been thoughtfully designed in every possible aspect to be the most effective and pleasant feeling nymphing tools. The rods have a non-glare matte finish, downlocking matte titanium color hardware with high density premium quality cork grips, Curly Koa wood spacers and compact fighting butts. Rod accents include dark amber color primary wraps and titanium metallic accent wraps. Guide selection and placement on nymphing rods is critical to performance, and Ideal Nymph rods have the right components in the right places. There are three snake guides below the rod tip, which helps counter leader-wrapping problems with long leaders. Two lightweight single foot stripping guides create a smoother surface at the most critical contact areas while the rod is heavily flexed fighting a fish. Dark colored single foot guides cover the area between the snake guides and the stripper guides. Guide placement is optimized with a stripping guide on the butt section to minimize potential line sag. Ideal Nymph blanks are designed to maximize recovery speed and feel, while still flexing enough to load with mono rigs and lightweight nymphs. All Ideal Nymph rods have a firm backbone that allows for a quick hookset and great fish retention, while having the smooth power transition that allows anglers to apply firm pressure to fish without fear of breaking light tippets.”
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