If you have been following the blog for the past couple of weeks you may have become aware of the fact that, at one point in time, I thought all trout streams could be painted with the same brush. Or, in other words, I thought that if I had a trusty 9' 5wt with me at all times, no trout would be safe. However, when I decided that I wanted to start fishing water that's size resembled more of a sidewalk rather than a three-lane highway, I realized that a smaller, delicate, and responsive rod is highly recommended (read: Needed). Trust me, learn from my mistake. Understand that when you take your 9'5wt with you when you go explore that alpine creek your buddies have been telling you about, it is quite possible that you may be spending more time spooking fish or snagged in a tree.

The types of stretches of water I am referring to are the creeks, mountain streams, and alpine lakes that are abundant here in Colorado. These types of water are typically perfect for the adventurous DIY angler, intimate, and are almost always worth the early morning miles they require. On top of it all, many of these places typically won't be very well known so the percentage of you having the water all to yourself is high. However, you all came here for a gear review so a gear review is what you will receive.

When it comes to fishing small water like the one photographed below, prospective anglers have a lot of rod options to chose from. However, there is one fly rod specifically that should be at the top of everyone's list, The IMX-PRO Creek 3wt.

At its core, the IMX-PRO Creek is a dedicated high-power rod targeted to small water junkies. If you are someone who values a rod that has fast line speed at a short distance while still maintaining its accuracy, this is the rod for you. However, do not just think that you'll be able to cast this rod accurately at 10'. While out shooting the most recent PHOTO ESSAY // Brookies & Beaver Ponds Ivan and I had a little fun boomin' line out (one of his terms) and we were both able to boom out our fly lines 50-60' with some pretty good accuracy.

In the hand, the IMX-PRO Creek is as airy as a feather and when paired with the Ross Colorado (2/3wt) reel, the whole setup feels balanced, strong, and ready to make those quick casts to hard-to-reach trout. In my opinion and experience, you receive the best performance from the rod when you pair it with Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth Creek Trout 3wt line. This line loads quickly, shoots fast, and manages roll casts like a dream. Speaking of hard-to-reach trout, the 7'9" size of this rod makes it the perfect choice for when rickety old willows and shrubs take up a majority of your casting real estate on the water. The relatively short rod size also increases the accuracy of the rod so you can be sure to land your fly either tight to a cut bank or to a cruising alpine cutthroat. No matter where you want to place your fly, this rod will provide you the accuracy to get it there.

All in all, it does not matter if you are in a post-work sprint to your favorite creek or a solo alpine mission, the IMX-PRO Creek packs a punch while still delivering your flies delicately onto the water's surface. The stable rod tip and moderate to fast action of the rod allow the fly rod to track true, and load shortly for those tight casting moments. Although categorized as a creek rod, this rod is a lightweight line powerhouse and, you may find yourself using it in a multitude of situations. However, if you are looking to take your time on small waters and creeks seriously, the IMX-PRO C is a great choice. One of the most intriguing parts about this rod is that it comes in at $525.00 and is still manufactured in the United States of America. Personally, I think you would be hard-pressed to find a rod that boasts this level of quality and provides as much enjoyment as it does for the price point. This fly rod is truly for those who are looking to get the most out of their small stream fishing and hopefully will be in the hands of many for generations to come.

Still interested in The IMX-PRO C? We recently shot a video covering the rod and its capabilities when fishing small water. Click HERE to watch the video! As always, if you still have any lingering questions about the IMX-PRO C or are in the market for a beefy-er rod swing by the shop and let our expert staff assist you. If you have any comments or concerns regarding today's post, please shoot me an email at brandon@troutsflyfishing.com. Enjoy the rest of the week!