Overview

The Pro III from Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) is a fly rod built to help you understand your cast. TFO gave it a moderate action with a wide sweet spot, so you can feel the rod load, tell when it is not loaded, and fine-tune your timing. It is aimed at new and intermediate anglers who want to cast more consistently, yet it has the power to land good fish. TFO introduced the Pro III in 2022 as the successor to the Pro II.

Every Pro III is 4-piece, with cork grips trimmed with EVA foam, an anodized aluminum reel seat, SiC stripping guides, double-foot snake guides and alignment dots on each section. It comes with a rod sock and rod tube. TFO makes 12 single-hand models from a 3 wt to a 10 wt; we carry seven: a 7'6" 3 wt and 9' rods in 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 wt.

Which Pro III Should You Choose?

Small streams and short dry fly casts: TF 03 76 4 P3 (7'6" 3 wt).

Lighter trout presentations with dries and nymphs: TF 04 90 4 P3 (9' 4 wt).

One everyday trout rod: TF 05 90 4 P3 (9' 5 wt).

Bigger trout flies, indicator rigs, bass and carp: TF 06 90 4 P3 (9' 6 wt with the half wells grip, Handle A).

Bass, larger streamers and light inshore water: TF 07 90 4 P3 (9' 7 wt with the fighting butt).

Bass, redfish and stripers: TF 08 90 4 P3 (9' 8 wt with the fighting butt).

Big fish and saltwater: TF 10 90 4 P3 (9' 10 wt with the fighting butt).

TFO Pro III Specs

TFO Pro III Models

TF 03 76 4 P3 - 7'6" 3 wt

The short, light Pro III and the only 3 wt in the series, made for small water where casts are short and a soft landing matters more than distance. It weighs about 2.6 oz and has the Handle A half wells cork grip.

Best for: small streams, dry flies and light nymphs.

Line pairing: A 3 wt weight-forward or double taper floating trout line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Creek Trout (WF3F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Double Taper (DT3F).

TF 04 90 4 P3 - 9' 4 wt

A 9' 4 wt for trout anglers who fish mostly dries and nymphs and want a lighter line for calmer water. It weighs about 3.0 oz and has the Handle A half wells cork grip.

Best for: trout on dries, nymphs and small streamers, lighter presentations.

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 05 90 4 P3 - 9' 5 wt

The all-around trout size and the one to pick if you will own a single Pro III. It covers dries, nymph rigs and smaller streamers on most trout water. It weighs about 3.2 oz and has the Handle A half wells cork grip.

Best for: everyday trout fishing on 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 Trout GP (WF5F).

TF 06 90 4 P3 - 9' 6 wt

More power than the 5 wt for larger trout flies, indicator rigs with long leaders, bass and carp. Ours is the Handle A model with the half wells cork grip and no fighting butt; it weighs about 3.4 oz.

Best for: bigger trout flies, indicator rigs, bass and carp.

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

TF 07 90 4 P3 - 9' 7 wt

The first Pro III with the Handle B full wells grip and fighting butt. It suits bass, larger streamers and light inshore fishing for fish such as redfish and stripers. It weighs about 4.0 oz.

Best for: bass, larger streamers, light inshore saltwater.

Line pairing: A 7 wt weight-forward floating line, or a sink tip for streamers. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF7F) or the SA Sonar Titan Sink Tip Sink 3 (WF7F).

TF 08 90 4 P3 - 9' 8 wt

A versatile heavier rod for bass, redfish and other inshore species and striped bass. It weighs about 4.2 oz and has the Handle B full wells grip with a fighting butt to brace against the body on a bigger fish.

Best for: bass, redfish, stripers, light saltwater.

Line pairing: An 8 wt weight-forward floating line, a long-head taper for bass and streamers or a saltwater taper for the flats. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF8F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF8F).

TF 10 90 4 P3 - 9' 10 wt

The heaviest Pro III, which TFO describes as a big fish style 10 wt. It weighs about 4.7 oz and has the Handle B full wells grip with a fighting butt.

Best for: big fish and saltwater.

Line pairing: A 10 wt weight-forward floating line with a saltwater or striper taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF10F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Striper (WF10F).

Pro III vs Pro II and Other TFO Rods

The Pro III replaced the Pro II. TFO says it evolved from the earlier Pro rods, with modernized styling and performance true to its roots, and one review that cast the two side by side found the Pro III has a slightly larger sweet spot. For other TFO fly rods, see the TFO Dispatch Rod, the TFO Blue Ribbon and the TFO LK Legacy. If you want a rod, reel and line in one box, see the TFO Pilot Kit and the TFO Dispatch Kit.

TFO Pro III FAQ

What action is the Pro III?

TFO rates it moderate. Some fly shops that have fished it say it feels a little quicker than that, so it suits anglers who are still building their stroke as well as more experienced casters.

What do Handle A and Handle B mean?

Handle A is a reversed half wells cork grip with no fighting butt, used on the 3 to 6 wt. Handle B is a full wells cork grip with a fighting butt, used on the 6 to 10 wt. TFO makes the 9' 6 wt with either handle; the one we carry is the Handle A model, TF 06 90 4 P3.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. Every Pro III comes with a labeled rod sock and a rod tube.

Should I overline the Pro III?

Usually not. Most modern fly lines already run a little heavy, so a line matched to the rod's weight is a good start.

What is the warranty?

The Pro III is covered by the TFO Full Lifetime Warranty. For the registered owner, TFO covers defects in materials and workmanship. Accidents and normal wear are repaired for a replacement fee, and TFO also sells replacement sections. Register your rod with TFO.

Which weight should I choose?

The 9' 5 wt for most trout fishing, the 7'6" 3 wt for small streams, the 9' 4 wt for lighter trout work, the 9' 6 wt for bigger flies, bass and carp, the 9' 7 or 8 wt for bass, streamers and inshore fish, and the 9' 10 wt for big fish and salt water.