Stillmaniac Best 10′ #7 For Stillwater Fishing

A real standout change in the rod’s appearance is the transition to a sleek, matte black finish with subtle branding. This upgrade not only looks refined but also minimises glare, a critical advantage when fishing in bright sunlight and targeting fish in crystal-clear water. I’m thinking Rutland Water September 2024 clear! Rod flash in these conditions can easily give the game away so far better that it is done away with. It feels, blank-wise, ‘in keeping’ with our UK heritage a little more than the old model did/does.

The cosmetic enhancements feature the same lightweight yet sturdy reel seats, which it must be stated maintains the same design as previous Stillmaniacs to ensure that we have perfect alignment with the Stillmaniac Cassette Fly Reels. There are also titanium-coated guides which improve line management, facilitating smoother fly line movement through the rod rings. This also enhances casting distance for us mere mortals. These guides are also crafted with corrosion-resistant materials for added durability. So, solid, dependable, will not let you down: check!

The slim handle (this one feels slimmer than most rods of the same ilk and helps with ‘sensitivity’ through the blank when a trout takes your fly) is made from cork, combined with a modern composite blend. This provides a more enhanced and comfortable grip during long fishing sessions. If I were to put my Scottish head on, I would describe it as an ‘awfy bonny rod’!

The 10ft 7-wt Stillmaniac highlights a meticulously refined blank construction that integrates high-modulus graphite with cutting-edge resin technologies. This advanced combination results in a rod that is significantly lighter and more durable than its predecessor, delivering superior performance and reliability.

The thing I just cannot help stress – and to be honest, I still cannot get over – is the lack of weight. It is incredible just how light this rod is. It feels more like a small stream rod than one that can chuck a super-fast sinking line out to the backing knot! Even more impressively, when it is teamed with the Stillmaniac reel it feels even lighter, the reel counterbalancing the whole set up perfectly to offer unrivalled fly-fishing flair.

The enhanced crispness of the rod’s action, paired with a rapid recovery rate, allows me to generate exceptionally quick line speeds. This is something that top end ‘casting masters’ do, and it takes years of time and practice. But this rod lets those less proficient garner this remarkable casting ability and with very little effort. This feature is particularly impressive for aiding long-distance casts with precision and minimum fuss, making it a favourite among anglers who value both power and finesse. That will be me!

One of the standout upgrades that was also immediately obvious to me was the increased sensitivity in the tip section. The tip seems markedly more responsive than the previous version, enabling me to detect even the subtlest takes, no matter the distance that I was covering. This heightened sensitivity proved invaluable to me on some recent trips to my local lakes where nymphing and other delicate presentation techniques reign supreme. This rod lets me detect and respond quickly to the most finicky of touches and on the venues that I have been fishing this ‘sixth sense’ ability can make all the difference in the success of my day’s fishing.

The Stillmaniac has extra power down low in the blank which helps when I am throwing modern, distance style fly lines, trying to cast further than those near me or indeed my boat partners. What it also has, which most stiffer action rods lack, is some life and sensitivity to it, which means it is great for playing fish as the whole blank comes into play. As the trout is taking on the compression of the whole blank it can be quickly subdued, and the rod somehow does this without me worrying about using light, skinny tippet. For example I have had trout on size 18 Top Hats fished on 3lb tippet!

A rod that masters this ‘all-round capability’ is essential because the approach taken by UK stillwater anglers can differ significantly from methods commonly used elsewhere in the world. Stillwater fishing in the UK often demands a high degree of adaptability, as we tend to typically employ a broad range of techniques, sometimes switching through a variety of methods over the course of a few hours. And we must be able to do that with one rod!

Personally, I find myself regularly alternating between pulling, nymphing, washing line, dries and the bung. I need – and this delivers – a rod that covers all the bases without me worrying about it. For the lines I use too, that all of us use (we have millions), the rod needs to cope and then some! Lines with unique tapers, densities and sink rates, we need them to suit different fishing conditions and methods. These lines are essential for casting a wide range of flies, from delicate stuff to meaty, wind-resistant monstrosities.

Many of these flies require precision and power to achieve the long distances often necessary for us to succeed on larger stillwaters and the new Stillmainiac is up to the task.

It is the rod’s versatility and ability to adapt to changing conditions when I need it to that makes me reach for this beauty! Can this rod be summed up in a sentence, who knows? However, let us try this shall we: The new 10ft 7-wt Stillmaniac lets anglers take their fishing to the next level!