adh-world
The Diamondback Ideal Nymph is currently captivating the scene like no other rod. This sensitive premium rod from the USA is truly impressive, and in our new video on adh-world, we show you why it, together with the Ideal Nymph fly reel, is the ultimate dream team and brings an incredible fun factor.
The Ideal Nymph rod and reel from Diamondback can be perfectly balanced.
The Ideal Nymph rod series includes a range of well-thought-out rod models that are explicitly designed for modern nymphing techniques with a tight line. Not only has the action of the rod models been specifically tailored to each intended use, but the components, their arrangement, and the finish of the rod have also been optimized to best meet the demands of this technically demanding style of fishing and to cover all facets of fish in the Euro-nymph style.
At first glance, the unique guide configuration of the Ideal Nymph is immediately noticeable. The arrangement and selection of guides are particularly critical when designing such specialized rods, and it is here that the Ideal Nymph rods stand out from their market competitors. In addition to the ultra-light single-leg guides that reduce the swing weight of the rod, three lightweight snake guides were installed below the tip guide to prevent thin mono-nymph lines from wrapping around during casting. Additionally, special lightweight single-leg stripping guides have been installed to create a smoother surface at critical points, especially when the rod is under greater load during a fight. The first stripping guide was also moved closer to the handle to minimize slack, thereby maximizing line control and sensitivity.
The special guide configuration of the Ideal Nymph rod reduces swing weight, allows for a better bending curve, and minimizes slack with thin mono nymph lines.
Beyond the thoughtful guide configuration, the blanks of the Ideal Nymph have been designed to combine a fast recovery rate with extreme sensitivity. The rods are still equipped with enough flex to easily and precisely cast fine mono rigs. Additionally, a crisp backbone in the lower part ensures precise hook setting without delay and the ability to keep larger fish out of structure. The blank taper of each rod class has been tailored to its intended application. In other words, the lighter classes provide more sensitivity and finesse, while the higher classes have a stiffer blank with a bit more power to cast heavier flies and, most importantly, to effectively handle larger, stronger fighting fish.
The grip leaves nothing to be desired either. The slim, ergonomic half-wells grip made of high-density premium cork feels comfortable in the hand and allows for precise finger placement. The down-locking reel seat with a beautiful hardwood insert shifts the weight of the reel back to better balance the long rod, perfectly rounded off by the small fighting butt.
The noble wood spacer, embedded in the down-locking aluminum reel seat, is a real eye-catcher, especially in combination with the high-quality, finely sanded cork.
The Ideal Nymph from Diamondback at a glance:
- Thoughtful premium nymph rod
- Sensitive carbon blank with fast recovery
- Ultra-sensitive tip for accurate bite detection
- Matte, non-reflective blank finish
- Ultra-light single-leg guides for reduced swing weight
- Single-leg stripping guides optimize the bend curve in the lower part
- First stripping guide positioned lower for better line control
- Three snake guides on the tip section prevent line wrapping
- Titanium-colored, down-locking reel seat
- Curly Koa hardwood spacer
- Slim half-wells grip made of high-density premium cork
- Small fighting butt
- Amber-colored thread wraps with titanium-metallic decorative wraps
- 4-piece design
- Comes with a deluxe rod bag and sturdy rod tube
The weight of the reel perfectly balances the rod, making it easy to fish the rod at arm's length and execute small movements precisely from the wrist.
The Ideal Nymph fly reel not only visually matches the rod of the same name but is also packed with great, thoughtful features that make it a unique, highly specialized nymph reel.
The Ideal Nymph fly reel comes in an intricately machined design with an adjustable weight system totaling 40 grams, optimizing the performance, precision, and balance of the rod-reel combination for tactical nymph fishing. The development of the reel took all aspects into account to meet the challenges of fishing in the Euro-nymph style with extremely long, thin mono lines and the finest tippets on sometimes very large fish.
The removable weights inside the housing are visible from the outside and contribute to the reel's technical-tactical look.
What stands out visually is the asymmetrical shape of the reel foot, which shifts the weight of the reel backward, improving balance on modern overlength nymph rods. Naturally, the standard dimensions are adhered to, fitting perfectly into any standard reel seat. The reel foot can be reversed to change the winding direction, allowing the reel to be used for both left- and right-handed fishing.
To further improve balance on Euro-nymph rods of different lengths, the reel features a well-thought-out weight system that allows up to four counterweights of 10 grams each to be flexibly added or removed, ensuring optimal balance on any nymph rod.
The asymmetrical reel foot makes this reel unique, especially in combination with all the other nymph-oriented features. It shifts the weight of the reel even further back. The reel foot can be reversed if the winding direction needs to be changed.
Of course, the spool cage is closed to prevent thin nymph lines from slipping through. Additionally, diameter and clearance tolerances between spool and cage have been minimized through precise CNC machining to prevent the line from getting caught anywhere. This 5-axis CNC machining is also the reason for the rounded surface without any sharp edges, to maximize the protection of ultra-thin fly lines and the finest leader strengths when the line is pulled from the reel at any speed and from any angle!
The extra-large diameter helps retrieve line quickly to get fish on the reel quickly during a fight. The exposed spool rim also allows very precise braking with the palm of the hand during the fight. The fine click sound in both directions provides the accompanying audio feedback. The clicker also prevents the spool from over-spinning and acts as a fine "anti-reverse". The brake pressure of the powerful disc brake can be adjusted over two full turns from almost open to fully closed, and this adjustment is easily accomplished even in wet conditions thanks to the large, grippy drag knob. The maximum brake pressure is significantly higher than necessary for nymph fishing, making this reel also interesting for some saltwater applications. The startup inertia is extremely low to protect fine leaders as much as possible during strong head shakes or runs. Other thoughtful features of the reel include the extra-wide, grippy handle that is also comfortable for large hands, and the matte black anodized, non-reflective finish.
Another large brown trout that was tempted on the Diamondback combo.
The Ideal Nymph Fly Reel from Diamondback at a glance:
- High-quality, finely adjustable disc brake system
- Fine clicker in both directions
- Extremely low startup inertia
- 5-axis CNC machining without sharp edges
- Perfect dimensions for Euro-nymphing
- Asymmetrical reel foot shifts weight further back
- Up to four removable counterweights of 10 grams each
- Spool cage prevents the line from slipping through
- Exposed spool rim allows fine braking with the hand
- Large, grippy brake knob
- Fine click sound in both directions
- Large handle with non-slip surface
- Matte black anodized finish
- Supplied with neoprene case
- Available in sizes 2/3, 3/4, and 4/5
Our conclusion
Rarely have we enjoyed a product test as much as the Ideal Nymph Combo from Diamondback. The rod and reel are not only perfectly matched visually, but the action, components and functionality are calibrated for the intended use. The combo is easy to tare and both the rod and the reel also look and feel great. You can tell that the product developers behind Diamondback know exactly what their products need to be able to do and what nymph anglers with the highest demands on their equipment look out for. But it wasn't just the look and feel of the combo that impressed us straight away, it was the performance in particular that won us over from the very first cast. We were particularly impressed by the incredible precision of the blank when casting with nymphs of different weights. The 10 ft #2 used in the video is logically intended for applications with light to medium-heavy nymphs (we fished up to 4.0 mm), but the large selection of different rod models makes it possible to find the ideal nymph rod for the respective application with the Ideal Nymph from Diamondback. Whether very fine and delicate or a little heavier for large barbel, marmorata or migrating salmonids, every nymph lover will find the right rod here.
