Review : Thomas & Thomas Contact II 10'9 #2

STATIC TEST

On the aesthetical side, this Contact II series is close to the original Contact: it notably takes up the dark gray spiral coating of the blank and the brown olive wraps. The rod number is still present at the different separation points to help alignment of the pieces. It also features high-end components from the Contact series, including a maximum quality cork handle (extra flor), and a titanium-frame ceramic stripping guide followed by 11 single foot RECoil guides. Finally, the handle ends with a new thin fighting butt, more discreet than the previous one, bringing comfort and balance. The black anodised aluminium reel seat keeps its ash burl insert but becomes down-locking. The Thomas & Thomas Contact II are 4-piece rods shipped with a made in USA protective cover and an aluminium tube.

MEASURES

POWER

26 cents has been needed to bend the 10’9 #2 over a third of its length. It means that the power of this rod is equal to an ERN of 2,82. The announced power is slightly under-restimated. According to the Common Cents System, the real power of this rod is #2/3.

ACTION

The action of a rod is characterised by the Action Angle (AA). This Contact II is moderate fast. Its AA is between 63 and 66°.

MANUFACTURING AND COMFORT

Like all the other Contact II, the handle is relatively short (6,42"), which allows optimal use with a semi-automatic reel. As you may know, a too long handle paired with a down-locking reel seat prevents direct access to the trigger of the semi-automatic reel. It is not the case on the Contact II. It is important to remember that the combination of down-locking reel seat and a short handle (6,42") is the ultimate configuration for users of semi-automatic reels. The balance is increased by the down-locking reel seat and, at the same time, it is possible, in a very reactive way, to hold the ring finger from the hand holding the rod on the trigger to recover the excess of line.

The finish of the rod includes a fly hook and an alignment mark for the parts on the first 2 only with the serial numbers of the rod. Fishing comforts is excellent. The Contact II 10’9 #2 weights only 3,10oz and is balanced with a reel filled weighing about 5,10oz (i.e. around 4oz unfilled). The total weight at balance would be 8,20oz, which is almost 1,40oz less than the Maxia SX4 10’8 #2 (another reference of similar length and power).

THE EDITOR’S OPINION

If the Contact II 10’9 #3 was a model of versatility in euro nymphing (length allowing effective fishing even at long distance, ideal power to cast a wide range of nymph weights and catch most of our French trout), this 10’9 #2 is more specific and intended for an audience of insiders who are resolutely fond of fairly low power rods and pronounced blank curves after hooking.

If the 10’9 #3 was already a reference in terms of holding fish with a fine line (thanks to its 66° angle of action), this 10’9 #2 does even better. It retains moderate fast action which is the hallmark of the series and proves to be less powerful and therefore even more inclined to bend. It will therefore allow you to use ultra-fine tippet (less than 7X) for fish up to about 16", unlike many models announced as such by the manufacturers but which are in reality too powerful and/or too fast.

We pushed the vice by carrying out a field test on a winter course with large trout (even if we keep in mind that this approach is not its primary use) and the result is clear: the curve is very gradual and the fish holding capacities are perfect. For proof, the fish below captured with a 7X tippet :

This 10’9 #2 will obviously be useful in all situations that require very fine fishing, relative to the size of the fish targeted. For example, grayling fishing in Europe with small nymphs or during summer, ultra-light fishing in rivers with beautiful sized fish…

This rod with a serial number has a lifetime warranty.