A New Favourite — the TFO Mangrove Coast 6 Weight

A recent deal at my local fly shop — BWCFlies Tuggerah — led to an exciting addition to my rod quiver: the TFO Mangrove Coast 6 weight. While my trusty TFO Pro 6 weight has served me well for many years in both fresh and saltwater, the Mangrove Coast proved too tempting to resist.

Last weekend, I put the new rod to the test, stalking carp in shallow water, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. 

The Mangrove Coast loaded effortlessly, delivering accurate and delicate presentations from bankside casts to distances of around 60 feet. This precision was crucial for targeting notoriously spooky carp. The 6 weight’s backbone handled the powerful runs of the larger fish with ease, while still offering the finesse needed for subtle presentations with smaller fly patterns like the Scarpion and Twin-Tail. I'm confident this rod’s versatility will shine in various scenarios, from casting weighted nymphs in rivers and presenting dry flies on stillwaters, to stripping small surf candies for pelagic species.

The Evolution of a Classic — TFO's Pro Series Fly Rods

Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) has long been synonymous with providing anglers with high-performance fly rods at accessible prices. My first real fly rod was a TFO Pro 9’ 6 weight and even after over fifteen years of use and abuse, in both fresh and saltwater, it is still going strong. Over the years, it has served me well, catching everything from bream and frigate mackerel to Australian bass and trout, and until recently, it was my go to rod for carp. Not bad for a rod that only cost me a few hundred dollars!

Over the past twenty years or so, the TFO Pro Series has evolved — with significant input from Lefty Kreh — reflecting advancements in rod technology and the changing needs of fly fishers. TFO's mission, from its inception, was to make fly fishing more accessible, and the Pro series played a key role in fulfilling this goal. The early Pro Series rods were designed with a smooth, moderate action, making them ideal for anglers of all skill levels, especially those starting out like me.