Loop: Opti Stream 5wt. & Opti Creek Reel
3:28 AM
Matt
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Loop Fly Tackle is a Swedish company founded in 1979 by Christer Sjöberg and Tony Karpestam. Loop Fly Tackle produces a comprehensive range of fly fishing gear including rods, lines, reels, waders, vests etc. At around 30 years old, Loop products have earned a reputation for quality and innovation. In 1984 Loop introduced the first ever large arbor fly reel in answer to the problem of slow line retrieval with standard arbor reels. Now all large arbor reels are built according to the Loop standard! Over the last few years I have become increasingly impressed with European fly fishing companies. They have a way of balancing tradition and innovation and the quality of equipment is outstanding! Loop Fly Tackle is among the top European fly fishing companies with a hard won reputation for long lasting gear, exacting standards, and a fresh approach to design.
Loop grades the action of their rods two ways: Rod Tempo and Action Curve. The action curve describes how the rod bends when loaded and is broken down into three categories:
- TC=Tip Curve. Rods with this curve have a high action angle in the tip. ”Tip Action Curve”.
- MC=Mid Curve. Rods with a medium action curve. ”Medium Action Curve”.
- FC=Full Curve. Rods with this curve have a long and deep action curve. ”Full Action Curve”.
- M=Medium. A rod with a medium tempo is perceived as softer and more relaxed in tempo when compared to MF and F.
- MF=Medium Fast. A rod with a medium fast tempo is a bit more moderate in stiffness and tempo.
- F=Fast. A rod with a fast tempo is perceived as fast and stiff in relation to M and MF.
The first thing I noticed about the Opti Stream rod is the dual action. The rod has a stiff butt section and a tip that is on the softer side. I found that depending on the amount of power used in a given cast I could get the rod to load around 18" from the tip when throwing 20"-30" of line all the way to around 4' down when double hauling with about 40-60' of line out. The medium curve action functions like a hinge insofar as you can load the rod from either the tip or further down for long powerful casts. Additionally, the medium/fast action of the Opti Stream is the best roll casting rod I have ever cast!
I was able to punch out 40' roll casts that unfolded beautifully with almost no effort. Having fished bamboo rods for many years I was reminded of a taper by Wayne Cattanach, that has a "hinge" built into the design that allows the rod to both draw the line up and snap it forward when roll casting. Although the Opti Stream is a much more versital rod it has a similar feel when roll casting. The stiff butt section allows the rod to load deep when working with a lot of line and punching out 60"+ casts was no problem with this rod. Loop advertises this rod with the word "control" and after casting it for multiple trips I have to agree. The Opti Stream handled everything I put it through. The double action (medium/fast) will handle dry flies close up and is also able to control casts in the 60" range. Before working on this review I heard a number of great things about Loop rods and after spending some time with the Opti rod and reel I have to agree! In the promotional video below you can see the Opti series rods in action. These rods can handle pretty much anything you ask them to: roll castings, shooting line, and spey casts.
In addition to the fantastic rod action there are a number of features of the Opti Stream that are worthy of mention:
I was able to punch out 40' roll casts that unfolded beautifully with almost no effort. Having fished bamboo rods for many years I was reminded of a taper by Wayne Cattanach, that has a "hinge" built into the design that allows the rod to both draw the line up and snap it forward when roll casting. Although the Opti Stream is a much more versital rod it has a similar feel when roll casting. The stiff butt section allows the rod to load deep when working with a lot of line and punching out 60"+ casts was no problem with this rod. Loop advertises this rod with the word "control" and after casting it for multiple trips I have to agree. The Opti Stream handled everything I put it through. The double action (medium/fast) will handle dry flies close up and is also able to control casts in the 60" range. Before working on this review I heard a number of great things about Loop rods and after spending some time with the Opti rod and reel I have to agree! In the promotional video below you can see the Opti series rods in action. These rods can handle pretty much anything you ask them to: roll castings, shooting line, and spey casts.
In addition to the fantastic rod action there are a number of features of the Opti Stream that are worthy of mention:
First, the Opti Stream features alignment dots and individual labeled rod sections to make assembly quick and efficient. Each ferrule has a dot on the lower male slide and the female section is clearly labeled with the rods make and model. No more finding a random rod section and wondering where it belongs!
Second, the Opti rods feature a triangular reel seat that reduces weight and is ready to withstand a lifetime of abuse. The double lock nuts ensure that your reel is not going anywhere and is even saltwater ready.
The wraps and finish on the Opti Stream are excellent! I do a fair amount of rod repairs and in recent years its shocking how many new rods from "high-end companies" have exposed thread or improperly sealed guides. I checked each and every guide on the rod and the finish was near flawless.
All of the Opti rods come in a pentagon case and high quality rod sock. The shape of the case helps keep the rod from rolling around in your trunk or boat. Even though the shape of the case is a small detail is shows a level of thoughtfulness that goes beyond the norm.
Loop: Opti Creek Reel
Loop Fly Tackle has also paired each of their Opti rods with a corresponding reel that balances the rod perfectly. The Opti series of reels all feature large arbor design and a unique spool that allows you to load up on backing without widening the reel or sacrificing retrieval rate. The Opti reels also feature a sealed stacked carbon drag system, left to right retrieve, machined aircraft aluminum frame and spool, and are perfectly counterbalanced. Apart from one of the most advanced drag systems available (I took the entire reel apart to check it out) the Opti reels are bar none the most visually stunning reels I have ever seen. The design and machine work is extraordinary bordering on art!
The fully adjustable drag system can be modified with a quick turn of a nut located under the drag knob. This allows you to customize the drag for a given situation. If you are fishing for small to medium sized trout, then the pre-set drag is perfect. If, however, you are headed out for bass or the big water, then simply remove the drag knob and give the drag nut a quick turn and the drag is now set with an increase in stopping power. I wish all my reels had this feature. No more over tightening the drag when a fish is on the line and feeling the tippet pop as a result.
The spool design on the Opti reels is V shaped, which allows a ton of backing to be spooled without the need to widen the spool. The backing stacks from the center to either side and allows for a smaller lighter reel to be matched with a rod.
Spools can be quickly changed with a quick turn of a knob.
Finally, the aesthetics of the Opti reel are worthy of their own review. The one piece frame is machined from solid aluminum stock and weighs almost nothing. The frame also features four contact points with the spool, which helps to keep line under control when shooting line. If you have ever had line wrap around the back of your reel seat when shooting line, then you know exactly what I mean. The extra contact points on the Opti reel keep the line down where it belongs.
The Opti reels feature a machined "L" on the backside
In Sum: I have had the privilege to cast a lot of rods over the years and the Opti Stream is one of my favorites. In the right hands it will throw dry flies up close and then with a double haul is capable of reaching 60'+. In addition to the dual action, which allows you to cast off either the tip or the mid section the Opti rods have all the hallmarks of a top of the line rod: high quality cork (something that can no longer be assumed), perfectly wrapped guides, and individually marked rod sections with alignment dots.
The Opti reels are absolutely amazing! I have only used the lighter "creek" model of the Opti reels, but I really can't say enough good things about it. The reel is perfectly machined and the level of thought and design that went into this reel is unmatched. There are a lot of high end reels available today, but after using the Opti reel I can honestly say that the quality and function sets this reel apart from the rest. The customizable drag system alone is a feature that I have never seen on another reel and the V shaped spool makes for a light and compact reel that holds a ton of backing. Without hesitation I fully recommend both the Opti Stream rods and the Opti creek reel!
In the U.S. Loop products can be purchased from Joe Roope at Castaway, Red Truck Fly Fishing, or Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters.
Disclosure- Loop provided the featured product free of charge for me to review. I was not compensated in any other way for this blog post.
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I have an Opti Stream #5 but have not been satisfied with the line combo I have for it. Are you fishing it with the Loop lines, if so which one the Stream multi or creek.
Hi Lornce,
Thanks for the comment. I have the Evotec 85 line for Opti Stream 5# and the head of it is really soft. It seems to work well for short range casting, but for long range it tends to collapse (a bit) on me during the forward cast. For med/long range casting I have been using the S.A. master trout line 5wt. and it works perfectly! I haven't tried the Opti stream or creek lines. How have you found them?