Echo Dec Hogan II Fly Rod Review

In a recent post Keith described an outing on the steelhead fishery on the Columbia River below Well’s Dam. In this issue of the North 40 eMag, there is a write up of the techniques and flies we use to target this fishery. Since then it has been the most talked about subject around the shop. It is an inspiring place to fish what can perhaps be described as the quintessential tail water fishery.

The Need for a Two-Hand Rod on the Columbia River

As you stand in front of the enormous mass of concrete that is holding back the mighty current, of the 4th largest flow in North America, which is beating at your knees. The size and magnitude of the Columbia at any point in the US is intimidating and by focusing on its vastness it feels insurmountable as an angler. However, if a person approaches it with a cautious evaluation she will slowly reveal her secrets and the tasking of fishing her water becomes less ominous and hugely exciting.

The beauty of fishing the main stem of the Columbia is the ability to test the reaches of my casting ability. The runs below Wells Dam really reward the caster’s ability, but this doesn’t mean you must be able to bomb one to the backing knot. If the angler reaches his limit and asks for more it will drive you to be a more competent caster, but one shouldn’t allow their gear to be a limit of ability.

As the nano and graphite technologies become better, the rods lighter and the lines better, there has been a continued movement towards smaller rods with lighter line. For many situations, small rods with light lines are great, but there comes situations when there is a distant ripple mid current which will mock the best casters using a 12’6" 6 weight. These are the conditions when you need a larger, two-handed rod, when weary legs pull themselves into the car fishless at the end of the day and you remember over and over the "just out of reach" runs you couldn't hit.

I had this same feeling one day after fishing below Well's Dam. It was bad enough that I had to call my friend Tanner Way to discuss my next strategy. That's when I got a chance to try the Dec.

The Echo Dec "Hulk" Hogan Spey Rod

The Echo Dec Hogan II 8133, is an incredible "Hulk" of Hogan II series. Tanner and I wanted to fish a far ripple in front of Wells Dam which screams like a neon sign in chrome, steelhead-colors "fish here". The Decho as it’s effectively known, has been around for near a decade and has been the go to option for answering these "far flung" calls from mid-river and beyond.

The Decho II is a modernized two-handed rod with faster recovery that doesn't sacrifice on the deep loading action it has long been loved for. The DH8133 is the big boy of the line, at 13’3" and a grain window between 540 grains and 650 grains, it is capable a bombing some serious meat. I mean 12.5 feet of T14 and an extra-large loop leech hitting the end of a dozen pulls and begging for more. With fishing on our mind and a new weapon in the truck, Tanner and I headed to put or Decho plans into motion.

Tanner being the eternal optimist said we better grab the photo gear because, "I’ve got a feeling." With the rod strung up and the river in sight, it was hard to hold back the excitement once we pinched our bug on. Neither of us willing to forego the ever-cool demeanor exhibited by a true steelheader, we finished our Blue Star Coffee as our strides got longer the closer to the bank we got.

First Runs and First Impressions with the Echo Dec Hogan II

With Tanner allowing me the honors of first cast, I stepped in the head of the run and cracked off a couple casts to find the "groove" zone of this smooth-action, power beast. As I worked into some running line, it was quickly apparent that the DHII 8133 was up for the task at hand. I couldn't resist pulling off the majority of my running line and shooting for that mythical ripple that had escaped my on the trip before.

As the cast smacked the reel with authority and the sink tip hit the water, I became the optimist, or a "realist", because the reality was the remainder of the running line was spooling out as an aggressive wild hen took hold of the Loop Leech tied to the end. We quickly took her to the beach for a photo debut.

Then it was Tanner's turn to take a crack and the Decho beast. Tanner’s naturally relaxed casting stroke allows the 8133 to shine loading it all the way to the cork with minimal effort and allowing each cast to rip tight against the reel. After a pass through the run, we hit the stretch of cell service at the end of the bench and our phones lit up with messages from the shop. We strapped the rods to the roof, and rally tested the Sumo Rod rack on our way back to give the guys the run down on the Dec Hogan II.

Rod: Echo Dec Hogan II 8133

Reel: Hardy Marquis Salmon II

Head: Airflo Skagit Compact 600gr

Running Line: OPST Laser 30-pound