Last season, I treated myself to a Vision Nymphmaniac 11′ 3# fly rod to upgrade my tight line nymphing fishing equipment. It was an excellent decision because since then I’ve…
fallen in LOVE with this Nymphmaniac!
So let’s take a look at how this relationship began…
On searching the internet, I found a long list of options with a broad price range to select from…
- Vision Nymphmaniac
- Sage ESN HD
- Thomas & Thomas Contact 2
- Redington Strike
- Maxcatch InTouch Nymph Rod
- Orvis Clearwater, Orvis Recon, Orvis Helios
- Cortland Competition Nymph Rod
- Hardy Ultralite LL
- Guideline LPS Euro Nymphing fly rod
- HANÁK Competition SUPERB XP
- Czech Nymph V Champion
- LOOP OPTI K2
- Hends GPX
- GR80 Streamflex Plus Fly Rod
Therefore, I added two selection criteria to narrow the choice:
- 11ft model because I already had a 10ft 3/4# Airflo Stream TECNANO rod
- Budget of about £400
They narrowed the choice of euro nymphing rods and after further reading, I decided on a Vision Nymphmaniac fly rod.
What models are in the Vision Nympmaniac range?
There are currently 6 models in the Vision Nymphmaniac rod range aimed at short-line nymphing on rivers of different sizes, all of which are four-piece rods.
| Length | Rating | Weight (g) | Sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9′ 6″ | 3# | 69 | 4 |
| 10′ | 3# | 71 | 4 |
| 10′ | 4# | 73 | 4 |
| 10′ | 5# | 78 | 4 |
| 11′ | 2# | 82 | 4 |
| 11′ | 3# | 83 | 4 |
The 9’6″ rod with a 3wt action is suited to small streams and rivers.
I bought the 11ft 3# model because I felt the extra length over my existing 10ft nymphing rod to be advantageous on the larger rivers (Welsh Dee and River Eden). I might have selected the 11′ 2# model if it had been available.
What is Special about the 11ft 3# Vision Nymphmaniac fly rod?
Vision says the Nymphmaniac rods, were designed in collaboration with some of the best European competition anglers. Built to be lightweight (just 83g) and easy to handle during long days on the river. Using a blank that dampens immediately after your cast is essential for maintaining contact with your nymphs.
Build quality
I already own a Vision salmon rod that I thoroughly enjoy fishing with. Therefore, I expected the Vision Nymphmaniac rod to be a good choice.
Out of the box, the build quality of the Nymphmaniac rod met my expectations and justified its price tag.
The stylish blank is slim, lightweight, and sports an attractive matt-grey finish, which contrasts the green product signature and rod markings, especially on the first piece and wraps of the joints. The whippings were very neat, and the overall finish was smart and professional.
Reel seat
The rear-locking reel seat for balance and its design mixes black anodized aluminium and cork insert. This is finished with an attractive green fighting butt cap sporting a nymph logo.
Handle
The cigar cork handle was slightly thinner than my previous nymphing rod, but I quickly got used to its feel. The rod butt contains green graduation markings placed at 10cm, 20cm, 30cm, 40cm, and 50cm, which are very useful for making leaders or measuring fish.
Rod Guides
The 11ft 3# model has 15 line guides, the penultimate of which is a snake guide, to minimize leader tangle around the tip when euro-nymphing.
There’s a hook keeper but no dots to help you line up the sections.
What is the 11ft 3# Vision Nymphmaniac rod-like to use?
Last season, I put the 11ft 3# rod through its paces while Euro/Czech nymphing for grayling and trout on the Welsh Dee, River Ribble, and River Eden.
It has a medium-soft action, especially in its upper half, making it possible to cast nymphs upstream accurately.
To me, the sensitivity of the rod was its best feature.
The tip is extremely sensitive, making it possible to feel the slightest touch through the blank. Be it small nymphs bouncing on the riverbed or the delicate pluck or knock from the fish.
I found it easy to cushion the lunges of the fish with the Nymphmaniac, which allows the use of fine tippets without fear of being snapped off. Also, the rod recovers quickly and maintains tension in line when the fish jumps or flips on the surface, which helps minimize fish throwing the hook.
minimize the number of hooked fish I’ve lost.
In addition to being a sensitive rod, the butt section is strong enough to handle large trout or grayling.
Summary
Overall, the 11ft 3# Vision Nymphmaniac rod was a delight to use all day and has improved my grayling and trout catch rate. If forced to select one feature that stands out, it would be…
It’s Sensitive.
This rod has been worth every penny I spent because it has helped me hook and land more trout and grayling.
Hi Andrew great reading I’ve been looking at buying a 11’ nymph rod I have the greys 10 streamflex 3wt which I really like but as you say having the 11’ makes a difference. My budget doesn’t go to the price of a new vision but from your list of other candidates which could you recommend I try please.
Hi Ian,
It depends on your budget. I have a friend who has a Maxcatch InTouch Nymph Rod which I’ve had a quick fish with and it seems OK. There is also a Wychwood 11ft 3# rod which someone has recommended but I’ve not fished with.
I hope this helps, Andrew
Iain Fraser – They were some lovely trout and the rod looked to handle them well. I have not fished the Eden since 2013 when I won our EPFFA national there using Czeck nymphs. I have suggested my team look at your videos on the River Dee as we have a PSUK International at Llaangollen in June this year.
You really do put a lot of effort into making your blogs informative. Thank you so much.
Tight Lines.
Hi Iain,
Thanks for the feedback on my post and website – it’s great to hear you are finding them useful.
Cheers, Andrew
Andrew, as it happens this is a great review for me. 2022 I am planning of getting a Vision Nympmaniac. I have found this blog helpful – cheers Steve
Hi Steve,
It’s great to hear that this article was useful and I hope you enjoy the rod as much as I have.
Cheers, Andrew
I have a Bloke river burger. Fantastic rod
I have the Nymphmaniac 10ft 4# and also the Nymphmaniac nymphing fly line and I can’t fault them. You can feel the flies bumping over the gravel and I noticed that I am catching even tiny grayling.
Excellent
I have the Wychwood 11ft #3, as l am a tight budget and I only fish occasionally, this rod is fine. The only downside is it’s not the lightest out there.
Hi Steve,
I’ve also heard a few good comments on the price/performance balance of the Wychwood 11/3.
Tight lines, Andrew
Thanks Andrew . Have been thinking of buying the vision N in 11’ 2# for a while now . Think it would be perfect for the River Dove by me . There’s some big Grayling in there with some bigger Brownies
Great article
That’s a great review and I fully agree. I particularly enjoy its light weight and accuracy, which can be an issue in czech nymphing. I also own the 11/2 which is even more enjoyable, especially on smaller slow flowing rivers with smaller fish. However, I would not recommend it to anyone fishing rivers with strong currents or powerful rainbows. I broke my tip twice.
Hi Nick,
Great to hear you enjoyed it. I’m thinking of getting a 11/2, so it was good to hear your comments.
Tightlines, Andrew
Alway enjoy the blog . Not long but packed with information. With simple descriptions of logical strategies to the multitude of variables in angling.
Hi Gary,
Great to hear you found it useful.
Tightlines, Andrew
Hi Andrew – I’d also recommend looking at Tom Bell’s Sunray rods. My absolute favourite is his 5-piece Microlite GT. I have both the 10ft 2 weight and the 10 ft 4 weight. Both are excellent rods.
All the best,
doc dave
Thanks for the comments. I shall investigate them.
Cheers, Andrew
Thank you Andrew nice review, I just bought the 11ft 4wt , I haved decided for that line rate thinking about the high winter levels and the wind that affect the Dee valley most of days, a lot of rod to for that price tag…hope one day to meet you in there and share together some fishing experiences.
Great to hear you enjoyed the review. Let’s hope we bump into each other on the Dee.
Tight lines, Andrew