Looking for the 2022 update of the Butter Stick? Here’s my experience with the new, yellow rod.
A month ago, I wrote that I wanted to buy the new Redington Butter Stick based solely upon the marketing.
Today, I’m writing that you should buy the new Redington Butter Stick based solely upon my experience fishing with the rod for a few weeks.
That might be enough for you. But I’ll elaborate.
The first thing that strikes me about the Butter Stick is how light it feels in hand. Scratch that. To be honest, the first thing that strikes me about the Butter Stick is the cosmetics. Which, again, I have written about already.
Anyway, the first thing that strikes me about holding the Butter Stick is how light it feels in hand. Fishing a number of modern fiberglass fly rods, I’ve gotten used to the general contrast they offer to their graphite counterparts. The best description might be tip-heavy, which is truly hyperbole for the quality glass rods being made today. Redington’s updated glass truly mitigates this stereotype.
This is the result of the new taper, the benefits of which manifest immediately upon casting the Butter Stick. My first time out was in high water, so I was throwing a weighted size 8 streamer on the 7’6” 4-weight. I was anticipating having to be deliberately slow in my casting stroke, but the rod was remarkably responsive. The loops weren’t tight, but they were controlled. More importantly, the rod had the power to push the leader and roll over the fly at distances that exceeded expectations.
One of my personal metrics for a fly rod is how quickly I can adjust my casting stroke to utilize the rod efficiently. I was comfortable with the Butter Stick within a few casts. Within my skill set, I was making all the casts I wanted to make.
Switching to a bushy dry, the loops tightened up. The delicacy that I expected also really came through. Again, the light and responsive nature of the Butter Stick helped with making adjustments to presentation in the air, mending, and quickly setting the hook.
Like any good fiberglass rod, the Butter Stick bends when you are hooked up.
And although I’ve mentioned it a few times already, the Butter Stick looks really good. Really good. Paired with the 4/5 Zero in Dreamcicle, and I spent a lot of time just looking at my setup. Good looking gear doesn’t catch more fish… but neither does ugly gear. So why not have a rod and reel that makes you smile?
I had a lot of fun with the Butter Stick, and I appreciate Redington giving me the opportunity to take it fishing for a while. The rod should appeal to fiberglass aficionados and skeptical, graphite-leaning anglers alike. The taper is unquestionably slower, but the delicacy, power, and tracking are all on point due to modern technology and design. And for the price ($250-$280), it is hard to pass up if you are at all interested.
Check out the full Butter Stick line at the Redington website, and feel free to send me an email or leave a comment if you have any questions about my experience with the rod.
Everyone tastes are different, but that stick is ugly. I’m sure the action is smooth since its glass. Although, I think there are more toned down versions of glass being made, I hope, lol. That dream sickle reel isn’t for me either. Its rather loud, but can be a benefit when fishing during hunting season. To each there own and if makes you smile that’s all that counts. This angler is old of heart and standard. Bamboo & silk paired with a Hardy. Its old school and perhaps to a degree much less efficient, but it works for me. Great blog and writing and don’t let my comments ever dissuade your what you like. My wife sure doesn’t, lol..
Good point on using the reel towards your square inches of blaze orange!
To each his own, indeed. Thanks for the kind words!
Good looking setup, the reel matches nicely. I’ve cast the butterstick a few times, a good decent casting stick for the money. I’ve got a good collection of production glass rods, but they don’t get much use anymore. Most of the time I’m reaching for my Yomogi 7′ 3wt or my James Green 8′ 2wt that I built up a few years back. You think that butterstick is light and smooth, just wait until you get your hands on some of the modern tapers being offered today by small batch builders out of Japan and here back at home in the states. I’m located here in NH, just a bit further north. We’ll have to meet up at some point so you can cast something amazing! I follow you on instagram as well, SwampTroutNH. Bunch of my builds are posted there, cheers!
Thanks for the comment! I like casting just about as much as I do fishing – so I’d gladly take you up on getting together.
“Good looking gear doesn’t catch more fish… but neither does ugly gear. So why not have a rod and reel that makes you smile?” This is a great line. Sounds like something John Gierach would have written.
This is indeed a cool looking rod, but I still like the previous version – the bright yellow that looks like a stick of butter. But that reel color… that is sweet!
Wow. That’s about as high as praise gets in this small corner of the writing world. Thanks!
What line do you use/recommend? Also any thoughts on the 3wt vs 4wt, I have a couple tenkara rods and a 5wt Redington Classic and fish smaller streams mostly?
Hi Griff. Great questions!
Royal Wulff Triangle Taper is a great line that will load nicely on the Butter Stick. I haven’t used the RIO LightLine WF as much as the Royal Wulff, but I do like it.
If I were you, I’d go with the 3-weight. If you have a 5 already, this will give you more versatility.
Thanks!
I got the rod but I was looking for same color reel you have on the rod, can you tell me where you got it? Thank you
Mohammad
Hi Mohammad. That’s the Redington Zero in “Dreamsicle.” The color isn’t currently in production, but I’m sure you could find one on the internet. Good luck!