This fall, I have been fishing Echo’s Boost Fresh and am extremely impressed at the rods capability and feel given its price point. This rod has done everything I’ve asked it to and then some. It very well may be the sleeper agent amongst the plethora of mid priced fly rods. It certainly is one you should know about and give a wiggle the next time you’re in the shop.
Echo is a phenomenal company local to our very own Pacific Northwest. They are notorious for creating rods that punch high above their price point making them a popular option for a variety of anglers. The Boost Fresh in hand feels like a rod twice its price, pair that with Echo being a local NW company and them providing a great warranty, and its no wonder why everyone talks about them in such high regard.
The Boost Fresh is Echo’s mid priced, medium-fast to fast action fly rod. They come in weights 4-6 in 9′ models and they do have. assort, fast 8′ 4wt for tight creeks. I personally have fished the 6 and most recently the 5 and am convinced it is a hidden gem among mid to entry level priced fly rods.
The action of the Boost Fresh is capable of whatever you throw at it. When designing a rod, blank designers have to manage the delicate balance of power and feel. Too much power and you lose fee, too much feel and you lose power. The Boost Fresh has significant power putting it in the medium-fast to fast category. While it does not have the tactile feedback of a softer Winston, it does have enough feel for anglers to feel “in tune” with this rod when using it.
The particular balance of power and feel that they chose for this rod really shines when thinking of what the rod is built for. As an entry to mid priced rod, it needs to be capable of a wide array of techniques. I’ve been fishing this rod with cumbersome nymph rigs made up of 2 5/32 or 3.8mm tungsten beads at times and large dry dropper rigs and the rod has enough power to turn cumbersome rigs over. I also have spent days on the water fishing this rod with a single dry, and it can delicately present a small #18 Blue Winged Olive if needed. Streamers are no match too, modest sized weighted streamers turn over well with the right line.
As for lines, I fished our favorite Textured Infinity in a WF5F from our friends at Scientific Anglers. If you are not familiar with this line, it is our most recommended line in the shop. It, much like the Boost Fresh, is capable of a wide range of techniques making it a good match for the rod. It has a powerful head that is the right balance of power and delicateness, it is not a short shooting head, but also is not an extra long dry fly head.
A wide range of other lines would preform excellent on this rod depending on how you intend to use it. I still recommend the Scientific Anglers Infinity for the most versatile line to use on this rod that keeps your options, technique wise, the most open. If you want a dedicated dry fly line, consider the Scientific Anglers Trout GP. If you are looking for a good sink tip line for our local waters, the Scientific Anglers Sonar Titan Sink Tip is a phenomenal option, it comes in a Sink 3 and Sink 6.
Mentioned above was Echo’s top-notch warranty. If there is ever anything wrong with your Echo rod, Echo is extremely responsive and will help you however they can. Everyone knows fly rods eventually break, and it is almost never on a large fish. Car doors, trees, catching on something in your garage, etc. always does that first section in. Echo has a great program where you can purchase a trip section for your rod. If you’re local in the northwest, they typically show up in a few days, which gets you on the water quicker. You also can proactively order replacement tips before having an issue, too.
The inherent traits of the Boost Fresh make it a very popular option for beginner anglers to upgrade to. Coming in at $375, most people are willing to spend that once they have spent enough time on the water to determine they enjoy fly fishing. If they broke their beginner rod from a kit, hand me down, etc. it sits at a great price point where it is not a $1,000+ rod, but most certainly outperforms what they started with. Being capable of just about everything, it makes it a great investment that will be used in a wide variety of settings. It also makes a phenomenal second rod to carry on the bank. Having a dedicated dry and nymph stick saves you time on the river.
We have so many great things to say about the Boost Fresh, if you are considering it, swing by the shop and check it out. Our staff in the shop is happy to share their insights and tell you more. If you happen to be out of state, give us a ring, we are happy to talk you through it and see if it is the right stick for you.
-Simon
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Eugene, or 97401
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