Overview

The Blue Ribbon is a freshwater fly rod from Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) built around one idea: the more time your fly spends in the water, the more fish you catch. It was designed by Nick Conklin, TFO's fly fishing category manager, with input from TFO's guide and outfitter network, and announced in June 2020 as part of TFO's 2021 lineup. Instead of chasing a stiff, highly technical feel, TFO gave it a moderate-fast action that loads easily and casts the same way on the last cast of a long day as on the first, for small flies, hopper-dropper and indicator rigs, and bigger streamers for trout, bass and carp.

The intermediate modulus carbon fiber blank is finished in chestnut brown, with plenty of power in the butt section to carry longer lines. TFO added a line weight ID on the handle and an integrated hook keeper, ideas borrowed from its saltwater rods, plus color-coded alignment dots, premium cork, an up-locking brushed aluminum reel seat with a carbon fiber insert, SiC stripping guides and chromium-impregnated stainless steel snake guides. Every Blue Ribbon is 4-piece and ships with a rod sock and TFO rod tube. TFO makes the series from a 7'6" 2 wt to a 9' 7 wt; this listing offers six models in 4, 5 and 6 wt, including two 10' rods.

Which Blue Ribbon Should You Choose?

Smaller streams, light dry flies and light nymph rigs: TF 04 86 4 BR (8'6" 4 wt).

One rod for most trout water, from dries to indicator rigs and small streamers: TF 05 90 4 BR (9' 5 wt).

Bigger flies, hopper-dropper rigs and streamers: TF 06 90 4 BR (9' 6 wt, Handle A half wells grip).

Bass, carp and big streamers, with a fighting butt for leverage: TF 06 91 4 BR (9' 6 wt with the fighting butt, Handle C).

Tight-line and high-stick nymphing, line control at distance, drift boats and deep wading: TF 04 10 4 BR (10' 4 wt) for lighter tippet and smaller flies, TF 05 10 4 BR (10' 5 wt) for heavier rigs and bigger fish.

TFO Blue Ribbon Specs

TFO Blue Ribbon Models

TF 04 86 4 BR - 8'6" 4 wt

The shortest and lightest Blue Ribbon we carry, about 2.8 oz per TFO. The 8'6" length is handy on smaller, brushier water, and the 4 wt line suits dry flies, small dry-dropper rigs and light nymphing. It has the Handle A half wells cork grip.

Best for: smaller streams, dry flies, light nymph rigs.

Line pairing: A 4 wt weight-forward floating trout line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Expert (WF4F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF4F).

TF 04 10 4 BR - 10' 4 wt

A 10' 4 wt for anglers who want reach. Nick Conklin of TFO points to the 10' models for line management, tight-line and high-stick nymphing, fishing from a drift boat and deep wading. It weighs about 3.2 oz per TFO and has the Handle B full wells cork grip.

Best for: tight-line and high-stick nymphing, mending at distance, deep wading.

Line pairing: A 4 wt weight-forward floating trout line, or a thin Euro nymphing line for tight-line work. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Expert (WF4F) or the SA Mastery Euro Tactical Nymph (0.022 in level).

TF 05 90 4 BR - 9' 5 wt

The classic trout size and the one to pick if you want a single Blue Ribbon. It covers dry flies, dry-dropper and indicator rigs and small streamers, and the moderate-fast action stays easy to cast through a long day. It weighs about 3.2 oz per TFO and has the Handle A half wells cork grip.

Best for: all-round trout fishing, dries, nymphs and small streamers.

Line pairing: A 5 wt weight-forward floating trout line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF5F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF5F).

TF 05 10 4 BR - 10' 5 wt

The 10' 5 wt adds line weight to the extra reach, for heavier nymph rigs and bigger fish. Like the 10' 4 wt, TFO aims it at line management, nymphing, drift boat fishing and deep wading. It weighs about 3.2 oz per TFO and has the Handle B full wells cork grip.

Best for: nymphing with heavier rigs, drift boats, deep wading.

Line pairing: A 5 wt weight-forward floating line, or an intermediate line when you want the fly a little deeper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF5F) or the RIO Elite Gold (WF5F).

TF 06 90 4 BR - 9' 6 wt

A 9' 6 wt for bigger flies and bigger water: hopper-dropper rigs, heavier indicator setups and streamers for trout and bass. It weighs about 3.5 oz per TFO and has the Handle A half wells cork grip, with no fighting butt.

Best for: bigger trout flies, hopper-dropper, streamers.

Line pairing: A 6 wt weight-forward floating line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF6F).

TF 06 91 4 BR - 9' 6 wt

The same 9' 6 wt length and line weight, built with the Handle C full wells cork grip and a fighting butt. Pick it over TF 06 90 4 BR if you want the fighting butt for bass, carp and big streamers. It weighs about 3.7 oz per TFO.

Best for: bass, carp, big streamers.

Line pairing: A 6 wt weight-forward floating line, including longer-head tapers for bigger flies. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF6F).

Blue Ribbon vs Other TFO Fly Rods

The Blue Ribbon and the TFO LK Legacy launched together in TFO's 2021 lineup. The LK Legacy is the faster rod, aimed by TFO at intermediate to advanced casters, and it costs more. The Blue Ribbon is the moderate-fast choice that loads more easily; Cutthroat Anglers called it a step down from the LK Legacy in price without giving up function or quality.

TFO Blue Ribbon FAQ

What action is the Blue Ribbon?

Moderate-fast, per TFO.

What do Handle A, B and C mean?

Handle A is a half wells cork grip (on the 8'6" 4 wt, 9' 5 wt and TF 06 90 4 BR 9' 6 wt). Handle B is a full wells cork grip, used on the 10' rods. Handle C is a full wells cork grip with a fighting butt (TF 06 91 4 BR).

What is the difference between the two 9' 6 wt rods?

The grip. TF 06 90 4 BR has the Handle A half wells grip with no fighting butt; TF 06 91 4 BR has the Handle C full wells grip with a fighting butt.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. Each Blue Ribbon ships with a rod sock and a TFO rod tube.

What is the warranty?

TFO backs the Blue Ribbon with its Full Lifetime Warranty, which covers defects in materials and workmanship for the registered owner. Accidents and normal wear are not defects, but TFO repairs them for a replacement fee. Register your rod with TFO at tforods.com.

Which weight should I choose?

The 9' 5 wt for most trout fishing, the 8'6" 4 wt for smaller water and light flies, a 9' 6 wt for bigger flies, streamers, bass and carp, and a 10' 4 or 5 wt if you do a lot of nymphing or fish from a boat.