Customer Reviews
Super impressed with the build quality on the rod. I’ve been out with hit half a dozen times and for a 2wt, I’m blown away by the strength of the backbone and delicate feel of the tip. Sensitive enough to feel and pull so very light bites on 5 and 6X tippet, but also enough meat to net a 19” rainbow that wanted to grind his face into the rocks. Stoked with the price to value on this rod!
I own ESN’s and Contact II’s but the Diamondback Ideal Nymph 10’ 1wt has quickly become my favorite rod. Don’t let the 1wt fool you,I have landed some decent fish in fast moving water with no issues. The accuracy with this rod is pin point with quick recovery and can throw dry droppers with ease,and this rod also comes with a great price point.
Just received my 2wt 10’10” rod and used for the first time.. the rod performs excellent! Great feel sensitivity and response.. extremely strong and handled 17” fish in pocket water, while protecting a 7x tippet.
Of the roughly 25 trout rods (Including several Euro Rods) I have fished over the past few years - if I had to pick only one - the Ideal Nymph Rod is it. I have fished both the 10ft 10 inch 2wt and the 10ft 2wt models - both are superb with excellent fit/finish - but I personally prefer the 10ft 2wt because it is lighter in hand and feel because you can balance it effectively with a lighter reel and most often I'm not in situations where the extra 10 inches of reach is a big difference maker. The rod is very versatile (throws a great dry fly/dry dropper presentation and indicator nymph rig) but shines most under euro nymph/tightline use cases. For those who use Daniellson Reels (Swedish Full Cage) - plan on using a different reel with these rods because Daniellson's reel foots are not beveled to our American Standard and as a result do not fit well with the downlocking reel seat sleeve. The 3 specific things that differentiate these rods for me in making them an optimal cost/value over comparable options in the market: 1. Very high quality rod blank that recovers fast 2. Stiffer power in the bottom 2 sections of the rod without sacrificing any sensitivity or tippet protection up top (less noodle-like feel) 3. High quality downlocking reel seat with fighting butt that optimizes the reel balance and steady drift equation that we go through for Euro Tight Line style.
I have fished this rod twice and caught 16 to 18 inch browns and rainbows on it with both nymphs and dries. Great sensitivity for Euro nymphing and great lower backbone for fighting thick fish