The brand Ego, owned by Maciej Galganski is based in Poland. Ego develops products that are extensively field proven by a team of versatile anglers. They use to fish very diversified rivers in Poland and in the Balkans (San, Ribnik, Socca river for example), where euronymphing, dryfly fishing and sight fishing are practicable. This versatility has led the team Ego to develop a range of specific rods including a 8'6 #4, a model Ego Super specific nymph sight, a "vintage" fiberglass rod... and of course, several euronymphing references. Thus, Ego's strategy is to offer very specialized products with excellent quality to price ratio.
Static test:
This built in Poland rod has a deep green blank and slightly darker wraps with a silver trim in the first. Thanks to its assembly on demand, you will be able to choose among various type of handle, rings, reel seat (with various wood inserts) which appear in the catalog. Note the possibility of choosing a carbon handle for an additional cost of 40 euros. This 4 pieces rod is sold in a protective sock and a cordura tube.
Measurements :
The Common Cents System protocol was used to characterize the action, the power and the frequency of this rod :
Regarding the power, 28 cents were required to load the rod over a third of its total length, which gives after conversion an ERN of 3.12 and a #2/3 line power, just a little less than expected. With an AA of 71°, the action is fast. The frequency is at 71. The first guide is located at a distance of 20.9" from the handle, so it requires to add a removable guide to euronymph effectively. Note that the BTW will depend on the choosen configuration of the set reel seat/handle. A down-locking reel seat and a carbon handle will give the rod a better balance.
Ego Nymph Custom 11' #3
The opinion of Maciej Galganski, Ego Director Product Development/Design :
"Over past two years I have been focusing on designing the perfect blank for the nymph rod. The main assumptions that I'd made were:
- blank's sensitivity and ability to transmit vibrations
- low weight
- fast returning tip after being casted
- the ability to cast (blank loading) with light nymphs
- low damage resistance; mechanical damage endurance
- the lack of tendency to lose fish, smoothly blank deeping under increasing weight = fluent rod deflection.
Obviously, all features mentioned are difficult to combine all together in 100 per cent, what in result leads to tough compromises. Thanks to the blank's low weight we can achieve sensitivity, what characterizes prepreg fiber carbon with so called high module of elasticity as well as low resin content. Unfortunately, the higher module of elasticity (determined in PSI) equals the lower damage resistance and (up to me) the ability to lose fish which result from the stiff blank. That is the reason why I rejected the blank made of the very high module of elasticity fiber and x-fast action. This kind of blank may be used in spinning method not in sophisticated nymph rod. This type of blank will be very sensitive, but very fragile as well. Its deflection will be shallow with the visible moment of stopping. One of the disadvantages is the lack of ability to progressive deflect under the influence of increasing weight. In my point of view, another serious disadvantage is the low ability to load light nymphs while casting.
While designing the blank to the new series EGO COMPETIOTOR I decided to use reliable IM7 material. For all high elasticity more important for me was high quality prepreg IM7 fiber carbon and what is the most important to produce blanks in high technology and technologically advanced factory. The right speed and sensitivity as well as progressive deflect were achieved thanks to increasing the convergence of the blank and reducing the resin content in the carbon prepreg. Beside the blank and the material, very crucial stage was rod building and parts assembling and the use of appropriate components. The spacing of the guides can change the work of the blank and the curve of deflection. Sometimes adding one more guide means that the rod works differently. It's obvious that single leg, light guides should be gently varnished; each gram of varnish must be under strict control. Good rod builder is able to get from the blank more than factory offers. Carbon handles are new on polish market, adequately varnished and mounted increase the sensitivity and transfer more vibes on our hand. Recently, I've been using only two nymph rods. 11.0’/3# Ego Competitor with a traditional cork handle half-wells and 10.0’/3# Ego Competitor with carbon handle. 11.0’ is an extraordinary tool, I have an impression that I keep the rod in 3/4#, about 9 feet long, not 11 feet length. I don't feel the length at all, there is no need to use a fighting butt or a down locking reel seat to low the center of gravity. The rod simply lies properly in your hand and don’t make your arm tired. The blank perfectly loads the nymphs, accelerates them during the cast and gives the necessary speed to get trough the water surface. This rod, despite the length of 11.0’ is also great in the bushy rivers. It takes just one day to get used to and cast horizontally very precisely. The second Competitor 10ft, 3# is very fast. With the carbon handle I had to hold back and learn excessive sensitivity from the beginning. Practically every contact between the nymph and the bottom ended with a rapid hooked at my side. This rod is a real 'competitive toothpick', which takes a while to master.
Regarding total weight of the rod, please note and be aware that we are able to decrease it under 85 grams / 3.00 oz, assembling half wells corck grip. When you decide to make it with corck handle we recommend to make the handle with a front tapered hard wood insert. This insert put much more vibes on your finger. To increase the sensitivity we recommend to use high quality fluorocarbon tippet. Each rod is being assembled on the individual order, so you can adjust many details, including name inscription on the blank. At the moment we insist to mount single leg Seymo TW thin wire guides but for the additional money we can mount single leg recoil guides. Order details are being discussed and agreed at kontakt@ego-fishing.pl ".
The opinion of Daniel Kasprzak, Team Ego :
The new Ego Competitor 11.0'3# (custom) is a high performance, professional nymph rod. Creating the ideal rod took us about 2 years. The Ego branded blanks have been manufactured in Taiwan. The angle of AA is 73/3.5 DBI. The rod is assembled in Polish rodbuilding lab with high precision and thoroughness. The custom version gives the possibility of minor modifications in assembling and the rod can be ordered in different versions. First with the standard handle made of high quality Portugeese cork. The second with half weels CFX carbon handle. The rod has been equipped with Seymo, ultra-light, single leg guides, stripping Pac Bay Minima and a down locking reel seat.
I have been involved in professional fly fishing sport for over 30 years. I've been a competiotor, coach and tester. I've kept in my hands many expensive nymph rods, but Ego Competiotor 11.0'3# surprised me. I'm really impressed with the rod balance and quality. In my opinion, this rod can compete with rods much more expensive. You must try it. You will feel the lightnest and sensitivity while keeping it in your hand.
The opinion of the editor:
With its length of 11', this rod is definitely dedicated for euronymphing in medium and large rivers where the important lever will make possible long drifts. Its moderate power (real power #2/3) will allow to practise light nymphing (tungsten bead less than 2.5 mm) and to fight big fish with very fine tippet without risk of breakage. This is a very great rod will for grayling nymphing : a technique that requires both big length and small tip power to present nymphs optimally. The action of the rod is fast enough to keep a great recovery and avoid the impression of softness (which is the risk in these important lengths). This kind of rod is rare on the market (most of the #2 or #3 announced rods are often very underestimated), especially with a very afforable price ! Note that this rod is built in Poland. All Competitor rods come with a 25 years warranty.
