Our evaluation of the TFO BVK fly rod outlines the advantages and disadvantages of this incredibly popular and established rod.
Suppose you are searching for a strong yet very adaptable rod at a price that won’t strain your pocketbook or (given the present economic climate) your preferred digital currency. In that case, you may choose to continue reading.
Let’s Plunge In!
My Experiences With Temple Fork Outfitters
Growing up in Northern New Mexico provided me unrestricted access to more little creeks, streams, and rivers than I could have ever explored in the twelve years I’ve held a fly rod.
I feel that without their firm’s presence, I would not have been able to start fly fishing at all, much less when I was seven years old.
My initial rod
My first rod was an Eagle Claw “Walmart special” that my father gave me for my sixth birthday. I promptly broke it, and after a year of sewing it together with duct tape after every single throw, my parents eventually gave up and purchased me a genuine rod. This is where TFO comes into play since my first rod was a 7′ 6″ 3wt TFO signature II that I’ve owned for twelve years.
TFO is an all-American firm headquartered in Texas, which is advantageous for those of you in the south or southwest since you can often expect to have your rod back within a week of sending it in.
I am convinced that TFO produces the most competent and user-friendly rods on the market at the pricing they give. All of the fishing rods I use for guiding are TFOs for this same reason.
I can hand the customer a BVK and, with minimal coaching, have them casting efficiently and successfully in under an hour. TFO manufactures rods that you can actually grow into and are by no means beginner-only rods; as previously noted, I’ve been fishing the same 3wt for 12 years, and it still makes me happy every time I go out.
In terms of quality, I have never encountered a flaw in one of their rods, and I don’t believe I ever will.
I am convinced that TFO produces the most competent and user-friendly rods on the market at the pricing they give. All of the fishing rods I use for guiding are TFOs for this same reason.
TFO Assurance
During the time I’ve owned it, I’ve broken and returned the rod an astounding six times without TFO asking any questions.
They offer one of the greatest warranty schemes in the industry; four out of the six times I’ve returned that rod, I’ve received a replacement. Once, because the rod I supplied them was out-of-date, they even sent me a brand-new one.
Because of TFO’s warranty, I’ve been a loyal customer since the company’s inception, and I have no plans to change my mind even though it appears that many other companies are abandoning their “no questions asked” policies in favor of stricter, less lenient policies that come with a high repair cost. Did I mention that TFO repairs your rod for only thirty dollars?
TFO BVK Rod: Features and Specifications
If you’re searching for a rod that can perform well in all water conditions and won’t break the bank, the BVK is my recommendation.
The BVK is constructed using cutting-edge materials to minimize weight and enhance durability. TFO has included a braided carbon fiber reel seat in addition to stainless steel stripping guides and snake guides.
The cork handle is of flor-grade quality and fits pleasantly in hand. Although hard for novice fishermen, the BVK is forgiving in its cast with this fast-action rod.
TFO BVK: Weights And Lengths
TFO manufactures the BVK in an extensive range of weights and lengths, allowing you to select a BVK that corresponds to the type of fishing you want to engage in.
The BVK can handle everything from casting dries to native brookies in little streams with the 3wt to euro nymphing with the 10ft 4wt to pursuing large stripers and reds in the salt with the 8wt.
Below is a complete list of BVK lengths and weights:
TFO BVK is available in a range of weights and lengths.
- TFO BVK 3 lb – 8 feet
- TFO BVK 4lb – 8,5 feet
- TFO BVK 4 lb – 9 feet
- TFO BVK 4lb – 10 feet
- TFO BVK 5lb – 8.50 feet
- TFO BVK 5 lb – 9 feet
- TFO BVK 5lb – 10 feet
- TFO BVK 6 lb – 9 feet
- TFO BVK 6lb – 9.50 feet
- TFO BVK 6lb – 10 feet
- TFO BVK 7 lb – 9 feet
- TFO BVK 7lb – 9.50 feet
- TFO BVK 7lb – 10 feet
- TFO BVK 8 lb – 9 feet
- TFO BVK 8lb – 10 feet
TFO BVK Rod: Water Experience
I’ve been fishing with TFO rods for quite some time and was just able to add a BVK to my collection.
The BVK has a quicker action rod than the majority of TFO’s rods, and it maintains that action throughout its weight range. This makes it perfect for casting heavier rigs and pushing through wind.
The 9′ 5wt model was the best fit for my requirements. However, TFO produces it in the entire range of lengths and weights you would expect from a rod in its category.
8.6ft Temple Fork Outfitters 5wt
I needed something a bit heavier since I planned to use it this winter for casting larger nymph rigs under bobbers. Where I live, 4 and 5 weights are the most common, but I wanted something a bit heavier.
The rod fishes like a toned-down 6wt; it has enough backbone to take up some very hefty setups while yet feeling light enough to remind you that it’s a 5wt. I was pleasantly delighted to discover that the rod was not only adept at tossing bobbers but also has the raw force and quick enough action to excel at short casts with large streamers, which I did a lot of this autumn.
Recently, I learned that this rod is sensitive and precise enough to fish remarkably light dry flies and present them subtly to the rather skittish late-winter fish that we have here.
Overall, I’d say that the most notable quality of this rod is its adaptability; I have yet to find anything that it does poorly at.
It outperformed my friend’s 875-dollar Winston Alpha+ 6wt, which he gave me so he could fish with my BVK.
At $250, I would say that the BVK is the greatest fast-action rod and overall best-performing rod in its class and price range. Compared to the Winston Alpha+, it also distinguishes itself in the upper price categories.
The sole disadvantage of this and many other TFO rods is the absence of a rigid rod tube. Almost all of TFO’s sub-$260 rods lack rigid rod tubes, which is quite disappointing and something I hope TFO would fix.
However, I feel that the rod’s effectiveness and incredible price more than compensate for the purchase of a $ 40-rod tube to protect it.
TFO BVK: Reel Pairings
With the remaining funds in my budget, I was able to purchase a Ross Animas Reel to complement the rod’s affordability. This provides for a high-quality everyday rig that works well regardless of the type of fishing I engage in.
I’ve had tremendous success with the ECHO Bravo fly reel regarding heavier rods. They are quite inexpensive, bulletproof, have a genuinely enormous arbor, and are also attractive.
The BVK: Concluding Remarks
I can only characterize the TFO BVK as a dream rod since it has so few flaws and exceeds anything else in its price range. Its versatility allows you to make the most of your time on the water by allowing it to adapt to any circumstance.
TFO produces it in sufficient weights and lengths that it may be used for virtually any type of fishing, from dry flies to streamers.
The one drawback of the BVK, like with many TFO rods, is the absence of a strong carrying cover. While this isn’t the largest issue, I’ve damaged my fair share of TFO rods due to the absence of a case.
If you decide to get a BVK, I strongly suggest purchasing an inexpensive hard case.
Most cases, like the Redington Single Double, can be purchased for under $40 and are an excellent method to preserve your rod.
Catching It!
Thank you for reading this post; we hope it gave you some helpful information on the flexible TFO BVK. Please feel free to leave a comment and tell us what you liked or what we should do better.