Thomas & Thomas Contact II ESN Nymphing Fly Rod

After almost three years of development and intensive practical testing on the water, Thomas & Thomas presents the Contact II, the continuation of a success story. The first series of T&T nymph rods was already the first choice in the premium segment for many passionate nymph fishermen.

Compared to its predecessor, the Contact II is even more precise and dynamic. This is due to its innovative construction, which uses five different types of high-quality carbon and glass fibers. The alignment of these fibers at strategic angles during rolling improves the accuracy, sensitivity, and strength of the rod blank. The final blank remains unpolished – also to save weight and varnish. All components were carefully selected to maximize performance and comfort when nymphing. This also includes the addition of a downlocking reel seat as standard. This is a useful addition, as it shifts the weight of the reel to the rear and better balances long nymph rods. Optimized spacing between the guides also minimizes slack in the line (or a special leader) while fishing and reduces the distance between the angler's hand and the first stripper. The ultra-sensitive Contact II is therefore even better able to transmit every subtle vibration from the nymph to the fingertip. That's why the Contact II from Thomas & Thomas is an excellent choice if you are interested in nymph fishing in the style of a stretched line (Euro Nymphing, French Nymphing).

All Contact II rods utilize Thomas & Thomas's patented StratoTherm resin, resulting in extremely lightweight rods. And lightness is extremely important for this type of fishing, as optimal drift is achieved with a raised, extended rod arm. This is significantly easier with the Contact II than with many other models on the market. The flexible, yet quickly dampening tip of the Contact nymph rod virtually eliminates all shock waves in the leader after the cast, allowing your nymphs to enter the water without difficulty and improving the detection of quick bites during the sinking phase or early stages of the drift.

The Contact II nymph rods feature a special taper based on the positive experiences with the first generation. However, some models have been adapted and are now slightly faster, while other models have been useful additions to the series. Furthermore, with these rods, a slight impulse and a minimal wrist movement are all it takes to successfully set the hook. The Contact's taper allows you to fish a wider range of rod positions and angles very effectively, covering more water with less wading. This is an important point for European-style nymph fishing. The Contact II also impresses with its excellent performance when fishing with classic bite indicators. This is also due to the low swing weight and the fast recovery of this rod series, which can still generate considerable power from the lower section. Combined with a DT fly line or a balanced WF line with a medium-length butt, the Contact rod can even deliver dry flies cleanly and accurately to the water. This is less fun with many other nymph rods, as they often act a bit more sluggishly overall due to their length. This makes the Contact II a versatile rod for trout and grayling enthusiasts. We really like that!

The Contact II effortlessly follows in the footsteps of the first generation of high-quality nymph rods from the Thomas & Thomas factory – but impresses us even more thanks to its thoughtful updates! Thanks to its successful combination of sophisticated functionality and first-class craftsmanship, it's the best choice for anyone interested in a premium nymph rod and who appreciates perfect craftsmanship. A clear recommendation from us!

Details:

• Four-piece blank made of state-of-the-art carbon and glass fibers with the latest proprietary composite materials and hardening processes from Thomas & Thomas
• Optimized ring spacing to reduce line sagging
• Increased spine strength to improve hook setting and fighting large fish
• Natural, matte finish of the blank
• Titanium rings with ceramic inlay and black single-leg RECoil guide rings with subtle olive windings
• Small fighting butt and handle made of selected premium cork
• Down-locking reel seat made of black anodized aluminum
• Brown/olive decorative windings
• Ash spacer
• The model 1086-4 features a Full Wells handle with a larger Fighting Butt
• Supplied in aluminum tube, blue powder coating with Thomas & Thomas logo made of pewter
• Made in the USA