Jeez, don't get too excited

That's what it's all about here. Relieving stress with a great hobby

I do like T&T grips, when they are not the pre-formed stuff they and most others are using today. Apparently the pre-formed grips do not bother most current buyers, since all the big manufacturers are using them. I'm with Whirlpool on Fenwick's grips too, but since I tend to hold the rod as far back as I can it doesn't bug me too much.

If I'm going to spend this amount of money I want the rod cast, feel and look the way I like it.
Most factory rods just don't fit the bill (anymore). So custom built is the way to go.
Maybe it's me becoming more critical.

The cork on my T&T's are top notch. They're also over 20 years old. Are they using cucky cork now?
BTW...I like the Fenwick grips AND I think the braids are cool. My hands are fairly large. I appreciate larger grips. I'd rather have a comfortable grip for fishing than get hand cramps while "posing" with a rod that has some tiny child-sized grip.
Worse grip ever: Orvis 704 with the dual locking rings.

A vintage graphite T&T Parr -Lite 7' 3wt just sold on the auction site for $577. I guess that means there is appreciation for the small grip and cap and ring downlocking reel seat.

I just got home from my first outing with the Lotic 744 outfitted with a 406 DT4. I didn't have a lot of success due to weather conditions and lack of risers. But I will say that it's one helluva rod. I was on a small and very technical stream, throwing nothing but dries. It's a stream where open loops will mean a lot of flies in the brush. And being able to put a fly within a foot of your target will mean the difference between a fish or nothing.

It was an interesting day of fishing. I saw exactly 5 rises in the two hours I was on the water. When I first got my feet wet I saw a rise about 40 feet up from me. I edged up to get a better drift and and dropped a parachute PMD a foot ahead of the last rise. Immediately I had a fish on. And two seconds later I had a slack line. I moved upstream for two hours without another hit, only seeing a few rises in spots I couldn't reach without dapping.

In spite of the lack of aquatic cooperation, the Lotic was dropping my flies exactly where I was aiming. I mean, within 2-3 inches, most of the time. I was able to focus more on my in-air mends than I ever am with other rods because I knew the fly was going where I was thinking. The term 'extension of your arm' would be very fitting for this rod.

Another very pleasant element to this rod is the weight. It's among the lightest rods I own, but is extremely well balanced. Sometimes light rods can be twitchy. This one is buttery smooth. And at the same time lets you feel it loading throughout the cast.

It's got a definite progressive feel, but it's not too aggressive or stiff in the butt. All in all, I'd say it feels just right. It reminds me a lot of the T&T LPS that I was very fond of during my early graphite days. After I converted over to glass-only, I missed my LPS, but knew that the Heirloom wasn't a comparable rod. Too heavy, and honestly, I'm not a fan of that green. Whereas I love the Lotic blue.

So, after two hours of all 'fishing' and no 'catching' I snuck back around to where I started. I knew the spot where the first fish had hunkered in and I suspected he would give me another chance. I lined up another parachute PMD and dropped it in exactly the same spot. The fly barely touched the water when that same brown hit it as hard as I've ever seen a brown hit a dry in my life. This time I kept the line tight and brought a nice fat 10-incher to hand. My apology for the lack of photos. But it was a fish worthy of christening a rod I've waited 10 years for. I'm glad it gave me another chance, just as I'm glad T&T took another chance on a glass rod.

The Lotic is well worth what they are asking. I'm not one to collect all the models of a rod series, but this would be one that I might consider. I was told by Joe Goodspeed that he thought the 4wt was the sweet spot in the lineup, and it definitely suits me. But having cast this one makes me wonder what the 3 and 5 wts are like.

Incidentally, "Lotic" means: (of organisms or habitats) inhabiting or situated in rapidly moving fresh water. Very fitting!

Nice looking rod, I love that deep blue color

Sounds like a great rod but I just wish it had a downlocker.