Echo River Glass Review

by | Jun 19, 2023 | Fly Rod Reviews, Reviews | 0 comments

While most modern fly rods today seem to have faster and faster action meant to huck streamers and flies at longer distances, there is a growing niche of anglers who want the classic experience of a fiberglass fishing rod. So for this Echo River Glass review, we’ll examine Echo Fly Fishing’s fiberglass offering.

While most rod reviews focus on fast performance and casting distance, fiberglass lovers purchase these rods for completely different reasons. Let’s dive in.

Echo River Glass

Echo River Glass Background

Echo is a Pacific Northwest based company that was founded in the 90’s by champion fly caster Tim Rajeff. The company has a rod for just about every scenario with 21 different models to date.

The philosophy of the company seems to center around providing highly functional fly fishing rods and reels for a great price. They eschew luxury and excess in favor of a rock solid feature set that is affordable. 

Echo has two fiberglass offerings: the Bad Ass Glass for faster action in heavier weights and the River Glass in the smaller 2 through 5 weight form factor. 

Echo River Glass Specs:

Line Weight: 6 different models, 2 through 5 weight

Length: 6’9″, 7’6″, 8‘, and 8′6″

Model Reviewed: 8’6″, 5 weight

Weight: 2.4 oz, 2.6 oz, 2.8 oz, 3 oz, 3.2 oz, 3.4 oz

Color(s): Glacier Blue, Amber

Action: Medium

Manufactured: China

Echo River Glass Fly Rod Review: Features

Echo River Glass Features

1. Delicate medium action 

2. Strong S2 grade fiberglass

3. Half-wells grip with adjusted rear taper for a variety of positions and hand sizes

4. Down locking aluminum reel seat

5. Multiple color options

6. Matching rod case

Echo River Glass Models

Echo River Glass

2 wt 6’9″

Echo River Glass

3 wt 6’9″

Echo River Glass

4 wt 7’6″

Echo River Glass

4 wt 8′

Echo River Glass

5 wt 8′

Echo River Glass

5 wt 8’6″

Echo River Glass Fly Rod Review: Our Take

It’s probably safe to say that 9 out of every 10 fly rods that people purchase today are probably graphite or carbon fiber rods with fast and medium-fast action.  But there is an emerging trend of people wanting to go back to that classic fly rod experience from decades ago when all that was available were bamboo and fiberglass rods. 

If you’re looking for the rod with the highest performance and the best specs, fiberglass is not for you. The appeal of a fiberglass rod is that it gives a more relaxed experience for memories of days long ago spent with grandpa on the river. 

Composition

Modern graphite and carbon fiber fly rods are focused on increasingly fast action that can propel heavy streamers at extreme distances. And while that certainly has its placein modern fly fishing, there’s a distinct niche for a fiberglass rod with slower, more forgiving action. 

The River Glass is made of high grade S2 fiberglass that brings all the best things about fiberglass. It’s extremely lightweight – moreso than most modern rods. It’s also very durable. 

The handle features a high quality cork grip in a half wells configuration with a slight taper to fit multiple hand sizes and grips.  And the aluminum downlocking reel seat keeps your reel secure.

Most notable are the two colors that this rod comes in – Glacier Blue and Amber. I prefer the Glacier Blue. And the matching rod tube is also a nice touch. 

Performance

If you’ve never casted a fiberglass rod before the initial experience could be very alarming at first. If you’ve grown accustomed to medium fast and fast action rods you will have to slow your cast WAY down. 

In fact, it has the slowest action out of all of the complete line of Echo fly rods. But everything in rod design is about tradeoffs. So while fast action rods give us distance, the rigidity means your timing has to be right-on to properly load the rod.

But a slower, medium action means the rod is more forgiving when your timing is less than spot-on. The more flexible rod also means it’s easier to fight fish and less worry about breaking your tippet. 

Looks

The rods looks as good as it feels. The two color options of Glacier Blue and Amber are nice design touches. In fact, it’s actually a departure from the usual design aesthetic of Echo.

Most of their rods and reels come in few colors. Most of them in only black. And this tells me Echo knows exactly what they’re doing. 

The customer who buys an affordable high performance graphite rod may not care about design flare. But those seeking the laid-back experience of a fiber glass rod seem to enjoy a bit more spark in their design.

Value

Fiberglass was prominently used in a time when the only materials being used for fly rods was predominantly bamboo and fiberglass, with fiberglass being much more cost-effective. And sure, there are some guys out there who can afford high end bamboo rods that cost $3,000 or more, most of  would prefer the affordability of fiberglass.

And considering that River Glass utilizes high end S2 glass, it’s kind of amazing that they offering it at the price they do. It’s definitely a quality rod at a price that isn’t absolutely insane.

Overall

I think the main point I’d like to drive home for those who have never tried fiberglass is that the experience is WAY different from modern rods. You need to understand that you’re getting into a realm with much slower action.

But once you accept that and get used to it, it’s actually a lot of fun. And if you think about it, that’s what fishing really should be. 

I would prefer to use this rod in smaller weights models on streams and ponds. But really, it could be useful if you want a laid back experience.

Echo River Glass Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

√Forgiving and fun medium action

√High end S2 fiberglass

√Alignment dots

√Half wells grip with slight taper

! Shorter distance casting, but that’s a tradeoff to be expected with fiberglass

 

Echo River Glass Fly Rod Review: Ranking

CompositionHigh end S2 glass in medium action6.5 / 10
PerformanceForgiving medium action for those seeking the experience

6 / 10

LooksGreat looking color options7 / 10
ValueA really fun rod at a great price7.5 / 10
Echo River Glass with rod tube

Overall Ranking

6.75 / 10

Echo River Glass Deals

Trident Fly Fishing Product Listing

Amazon Product Listing

Ed’s Fly Shop Product Listing

Accessories: Reel and Fly Line

Echo Ion Reel

Echo Ion Fly Reel

Rio Gold Premium Fly Line

Echo River Glass Fly Rod Starter Pack

If you’ve decided to pick up the Echo River Glass, or found another fly rod that suits your needs, there are some bare essentials you’re going to need to get read yot hit the water. Check out some of our suggestions below:

Echo River Glass Accessories

Fly Fishing Landing Net Wooden Frame Soft Rubber Mesh or Waterproof Nylon Mesh Trout Bass Catch and Release Net

Simms Freestone Sling Pack

Fly Fishing Tools Kit and Accessories Combo Kits, Fishing Quick Nail Knot Tying Tool, Hook Remover Forceps and Pliers, Stainless Steel Salmon and Trout Multiple Fishing Set Gear Tool Assortment