Overview

The LK Legacy is a fast-action fly rod that Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) launched in October 2020 as the successor to its BVK, and named as a tribute to Lefty Kreh. TFO pitched it as a "big water" trout rod for intermediate to advanced anglers, made for the wind and big rivers of the high mountain West. TFO has since introduced the Legacy, its successor, and no longer makes the LK Legacy, so the models here are what we have left.

The blank is high modulus carbon fiber in a matte grey finish, with alignment dots color coded by line weight. TFO fitted it with black frame stainless steel stripping guides, anodized double-foot stainless snake guides, flor grade cork and anodized up-locking reel seats with angled hoods and braided carbon fiber inserts. Every LK Legacy is 4-piece and comes with a labeled rod sock and a TFO rod tube. We list eight models, from an 8'6" 4 wt to a 9' 8 wt.

Which LK Legacy Should You Choose?

Selective trout on fine tippet, in the shortest length: TF 04 86 4 LK (8'6" 4 wt).

A light trout rod that still handles wind on bigger water: TF 04 90 4 LK (9' 4 wt).

One rod for most trout fishing, from dries to streamers: TF 05 90 4 LK (9' 5 wt).

Bigger flies and wind, no fighting butt: TF 06 90 4 LK (9' 6 wt, Handle A).

Streamers and bigger fish with a fighting butt to brace against: TF 06 91 4 LK (9' 6 wt with the fighting butt, Handle B).

Big rivers where extra reach helps line control: TF 06 96 4 LK (9'6" 6 wt).

Streamers, distance and larger freshwater fish: TF 07 90 4 LK (9' 7 wt) or TF 08 90 4 LK (9' 8 wt).

TFO LK Legacy Specs

TFO LK Legacy Models

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

The shortest LK Legacy we carry, about 2.9 oz per TFO. TFO says the light line weights in this series protect 5x tippet when you are fishing to selective trout. It has the Handle A reversed half wells grip.

Best for: selective trout, dry flies and nymphs on fine tippet.

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

TF 04 90 4 LK - 9' 4 wt

A 9' 4 wt with a fast action, for trout anglers who want a light line that still handles wind and distance on bigger water. About 3.0 oz per TFO, with the Handle A reversed half wells grip.

Best for: dries and nymphs on bigger trout water, lighter tippet.

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

TF 05 90 4 LK - 9' 5 wt

The middle of the range and the one-rod choice for most trout fishing: dries, nymph rigs and streamers on the big western rivers TFO had in mind for this series. About 3.1 oz per TFO, with the Handle A reversed half wells grip.

Best for: one rod for big-water trout, dries, nymphs, streamers.

Line pairing: A 5 wt weight-forward floating trout line; SA Amplitude MPX is a popular pairing on the LK Legacy. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF5F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF5F).

TF 06 90 4 LK - 9' 6 wt

The 6 wt with the Handle A reversed half wells grip and no fighting butt. TFO says the mid and heavier LK Legacy weights shine in wind and at distance, and a 6 wt turns over bigger flies and heavier nymph rigs. About 3.4 oz per TFO.

Best for: big trout, streamers, windy days, heavier nymph rigs.

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

TF 06 91 4 LK - 9' 6 wt

The second 9' 6 wt, with the Handle B grip: full wells cork with a small fighting butt to brace against when a bigger fish pulls. Retailers list it as the 6 wt with the fighting butt. About 3.6 oz per TFO.

Best for: streamers, bigger fish, longer fights, wind.

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

TF 06 96 4 LK - 9'6" 6 wt

The extra 6 inches add reach for mending and lifting line on big rivers. Cutthroat Anglers tested this model at launch, found it loaded easily and was very effective out to about 40 feet, and called the series "the BVK on steroids". It has the Handle C grip, full wells cork with a large fighting butt, and weighs about 4.0 oz per TFO.

Best for: big rivers, line control, streamers, wind.

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

TF 07 90 4 LK - 9' 7 wt

A step up in power for streamers, wind, distance and larger freshwater fish. The heavier models carry two large stripping guides. It has the Handle B grip with a small fighting butt and weighs about 3.8 oz per TFO.

Best for: streamers, wind, distance casting, larger freshwater fish.

Line pairing: A 7 wt weight-forward floating line with a long head for streamers. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF7F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF7F).

TF 08 90 4 LK - 9' 8 wt

The heaviest LK Legacy, for big streamers, heavy wind and larger fish. TFO listed both freshwater and saltwater for the series. It has the Handle B grip with a small fighting butt and weighs about 4.1 oz per TFO.

Best for: big streamers, wind, larger fish.

Line pairing: An 8 wt weight-forward floating line; a long-head freshwater taper for streamers. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF8F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF8F).

LK Legacy vs Other TFO Fly Rods

The new TFO Legacy replaces the LK Legacy, and TFO says it pays tribute to its predecessor. It is a new blank rather than a re-badge: extra fast instead of fast, with a Kevlar weave and graphene added, and the lineup drops the 9'6" and 10' models and adds an 8'6" 5 wt. The TFO Blue Ribbon came out in the same October 2020 release and sits a step below the LK Legacy in price. Against the BVK it replaced, TFO's Blane Chocklett called the LK Legacy much stronger and more of a casting tool.

TFO LK Legacy FAQ

Is the LK Legacy still made?

No. TFO has replaced it with the Legacy. We are selling the LK Legacy models we still have.

What action is the LK Legacy?

Fast, per TFO. Reviewers describe a tip-flex design with a stiffer butt than a typical trout rod.

What do Handle A, B and C mean?

They are TFO's three LK Legacy grips. Handle A is a reversed half wells cork grip with no fighting butt (the 8'6" 4 wt, 9' 4 wt, 9' 5 wt and the TF 06 90 4 LK 9' 6 wt). Handle B is a full wells grip with a small fighting butt (the TF 06 91 4 LK 9' 6 wt, the 7 wt and the 8 wt). Handle C is a full wells grip with a large fighting butt (the 9'6" 6 wt).

Did Lefty Kreh design it?

The LK Legacy is named in his honor. TFO built it as a tribute to Lefty Kreh and as the follow-up to the BVK; TFO does not name a designer.

Does it come with a case?

Yes, a labeled rod sock and a TFO rod tube.

What is the warranty?

TFO covers its rods with its Full Lifetime Warranty, which covers breakage from defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the registered owner. Accidents and normal wear are not covered free, but TFO repairs or replaces those rods for a replacement fee.