Powell SSL - 3 wts

Review Date
September 12, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: rdecook(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Michigan

Price Paid:  $100.00

Summary:
I custom built a 9' 3wt and I never could have imagined how much use it would get. I got a great deal on the blank because it was discontinued. I use this rod on every river except the smallest rivers (I use my Powell LGA 8' 2wt on those!) including the AuSable below Mio (large by Rocky Mountain Standards). The feel of this rod is superior to anything I have fished. This has to be the best dry fly rod ever made and casts very well for being a 3wt. I have caught fish up to 19 inches on it and although it took a little longer to land, this rod has enough back bone to fight large fish without breaking light tippets (I have used down to 7x). I caught a 'healthy' 17 inch fish this spring that headed directly toward a log jam. I used most of my strength to keep the fish out (size 14 barbless hendrickson on 5x) and surprisingly landed this fish very quickly. If you are looking for a rod that will perform well in virtually all dry fly situations, (exceptions would include heavy winds, flies larger than size 8 or fish much over 20 inches) then this is the rod I would recommend. I have almost a dozen rods and this was the last one purchased, but I have used this rod more than all the others combined! I have seen a few of these rods for sale lately from shops trying to get rid of older inventory and they are selling for really low prices- if you see one... get it! You won't be dissapointed.

Customer Service:
When I was building this rod, I contacted customer service about guide placement and I was mailed the measurements they use. No complaints here!

Similar Products Used:
Many

Review Date
July 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: jparmen5(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Santa Clarita, CA

Price Paid:  $275.00 at ebay

Summary:
I bought this rod on a leap of faith and it paid off. It's a wonderful rod to cast--very smooth, medium action. I've never cast a better rod on a small stream. It's a true 3 wt. rod.

Customer Service:
Never used.

Similar Products Used:
Sage--Orvis--Fisher--Teton--Scott (probably closest in action to the Scott G series rods).

Review Date
June 8, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Mark Hume(Unregistered User) ,  40 days a year , from Bellevue, Washington

Summary:
The Powell Signature Series is again one of those legendary rods that does one thing so well that it deserves a revered place in flyfishing history. In this case, that one thing is dry fly fishing for difficult trout. These rods are SO smooth and delicate that anyone with a power stroke often has trouble casting them at first. But once the timing is mastered, the 9' 3-weight Powell Signature Series rod allows the purist to reach the highest form of angling art.

Customer Service:
When they were in Chico, it was impeccable. I haven't had any experience since the move.

Similar Products Used:
Nearly every high-end fly rod made in the last 20 years.

Review Date
January 17, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: john arden(Unregistered User) ,  50+ days a year

Summary:
My SSL 803 is the smoothest casting little rod i've ever owned. it cast wonderfully and has the power when i need to make a mend or a longer cast. i could throw little streamers on it in tough situations, and it is an unblievable dry fly rod. And you can't beat the price.

Customer Service:
no problems

Similar Products Used:
sage LL, Winston LT