If it's one from Matt Leiderman I would not sleep on it. His grips are perfect.

The old Epic 3-weight was a 7'6" four-piece rod. The new (i.e., current) 3-weight is a 7' rod.

I've handled the blank of the previous Epic 3-weight, and it is very similar to the CTS in the same configuration. The only difference was that the CTS rod I had was three pieces, and the Epic was four pieces.

Not to be too picky here, but the RIO Gold is only 30% heavier than AFFTA standards. It's notably less than the equivalent Scientific Anglers GPX/MPX or RIO Perception lines, which are both a half-step heavy.

I too have fished my CTS 763 with a RIO Gold, and it's a good combination. But the half-step heavy lines would dampen the rod action too much for me to try them. I had a coupon for a free Epic Glassline Double-Taper line, so I'll try it with that this year. It's a true to weight line. In my opinion, the CTS is a solid 3-weight (at least for where I fish--conditions do influence line rating IMHO). The Epic I handled was just a tad faster.

I fish an old 3 wt SA Headstart on my 7'6" 3 w7 epic, I think its a tad over specs for weight as well. Seems to match the rod and me very well.

If you’re anywhere close to Bakewell then Pete in the fishing shop there has a previous gen 376-4 built by Paddock and it’s a lovely looking rod. He also has a Barclay 68 and a very nice carbon McFarland emerger in 884 I think. Well worth a browse as it’s a little treasure trove and Peter is a gent. If you wait until April you could christen it on a few local wild rainbows!

Sean

I have a CTS 3wt/3pc. It's been good with every 3wt line I tried. I'm fishing it with an Airflo DryElite. It has a great progressive feel. It's forced my other 3wts to sit in their tubes most of the time.