Sweetgrass fiberglass rods

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alpom	Sweetgrass fiberglass rods	Lead	[-]
Sport Posts: 9 (07/10/08 07:57:04) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Anyone tried Sweetgrass fiberglass rods or know something about them. Where blanks are coming from?
beauglass		#1	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 293 (07/10/08 11:17:46) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Good question. I didn't even know that Sweetgrass was making fiberglass rods. A quick check here: http://www.sweetgrassrods.com/hand_graphite.html says that Sam Drukman is the blank designer & builder. Scroll to bottom of the page for their fiberglass rods. Last Edited By: beauglass 07/10/08 11:21:36. Edited 2 times.
keebranch		#2	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 519 (07/10/08 11:26:14) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Beau, per the site you posted they show both with acoutrements like agate stripping guides as well as black nickel snakes: 6'6" 3wt 7'6" 4wt The cost $750 Les
beauglass		#3	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 294 (07/10/08 11:52:28) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Les, Yeah, I had to fight back the urge to order one of each and settled on neither.
jgestar		#4	[-]
Posts: 2449 (07/10/08 12:09:28) ezOP Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	The direct quote is "individually hand-built by expert builder...". That's the equivalent of saying "hand-built". It doesn't actually say that Sam Drukman designed the rod blanks, like it implies for the graphite sticks. It doesn't even imply the glass blanks were made in the US. Sweetgrass offers a 6'6", 2 piece, for 3 weight and a 7'6", 2 piece, for 4 weight, both on brown blanks. I suspect these are stock blanks from a well known US manufacturing source. I think Mr. Drukman's heart is in the graphite rods. There's nothing wrong with that. I just don't understand why they are bothering with glass. Why would you walk past a McFarland or Steffen to puchase a Sweetgrass? The Sweetgrass website doesn't give any reason what so ever. Tom
beauglass		#5	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 295 (07/10/08 13:05:57) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tom, You are correct sir. I had to go back and read it again. I did a little noon time research on Mr. Drukman and it seems to me that he is still on the Winston payroll as a consultant. That really makes me wonder whose blanks they are.
lpirrone		#6	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 1807 (07/10/08 16:07:42) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	perhaps they are throwing up a trial baloon to see what the market will bear for their glass line. after all they have a certain customer base that may not have any problem paying that kind of money and will pay for the name. frankly i don't see value added there for a glass rod built from someones blank. i think their target customer is the owner of one of their bamboo rods who would also like a glass stick and would pay for the sweetgrass name. we, on the other hand, don't for the most part fit that customer profile.
beauglass		#7	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 296 (07/10/08 19:23:35) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Well, I sent an email and asked point blank about the design and builder of the blank. Here is what I got back. Hi Dane, I didn't exactly design the glass blanks, but I collaborated (and am still collaborating) with Dick Posey at Lamiglas. I told Dick what I was looking for in a glass blank, and he was kind enough to roll some blanks for me. If you are looking to buy a blank, similar blanks are available in Lamiglas's "Spring Creek" series. Thanks for your interest. Best, Sam I was pleasantly surprised at the quickness of the response and appreciated his candor. But, the knowledge sort of accentuates the absurdity of the price; doesn't it? Dane Last Edited By: beauglass 07/10/08 21:06:27. Edited 1 times.
TXTrout		#8	[-]
Guide Posts: 168 (07/10/08 21:09:05) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	OK, I'm going to wade into this one. Glen, Jeff and Jerry are friends. Glen encouraged me early in my cane building career. Still does. You will not find a more generous group of people in the world. If you show up at the shop, they will take the time to answer any question, they might even let you do something if you want, like split cane, etc. They would never use an imported blank. Period. They are trying to offer a range of items for their customer base. Remember, the majority of this board is a bunch of cheap skates. They generally have a different clientele than this board. Not that they always have more money, just a different focus on what they are willing to spend on a fishing rod. There are currently more people working for SweetGrass (9) as of today than there may even be at Winston. When they came out with their cane rods, they are priced much lower than Winston charged. They all felt the Winston price was too high. People go where their loyalty is. I say if they can get that price, more power to them. Robert. "Some paths are best not taken alone" John W. Barfield
lpirrone		#9	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 1810 (07/10/08 21:55:42) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	<<They would never use an imported blank. Period. >> i don't see anywhere in this thread that implies imported blanks.
beauglass		#10	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 297 (07/10/08 22:24:34) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'm not saying anything about whether or not they're nice guys. I've quietly watched their shop grow for a while now and wish I had the guts to step out like they did. To me, it's an absurd price is all I'm saying. If not being willing to pay $750 for a fly rod makes me a cheap skate; so be it. If somebody wants one, and can afford it, cool beans.
jgestar		#11	[-]
Posts: 2451 (07/10/08 23:28:45) ezOP Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Beau, Thanks for contacting Sam Drukman. I also appreciate his very honest answer. The "(and am still collaborating)" part is encouraging. I suppose it is too much to expect for Sweetgrass to make a big splash their first year with cane, graphite, AND glass. Maybe we can look at the current glass rods as a test run, in hope for something unique yet to come. Robert, Thanks for the education about Sweetgrass. I hadn't heard that their cane prices were less than Winston. That really does say something about their commitment to their customers. And I agree with your statement "...the majority of this board is a bunch of cheap skates." I'm guilty as charged. Although, I prefer to think of myself as an Internet Vulture. Tom
vincognito	Cheap is good	#12	[-]
Sport Posts: 42 (07/11/08 12:29:32) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Cheap is good for the future of flyfishing. The perception that flyfishing is more expensive than other forms of fishing keeps many from taking it up, and the drop in participation brings a decline in the influence voters needed to ensure continued access. I'm not saying the more fly anglers the better, but we do need younger flyfishers to take our places as we pass through geezerhood. If you ask fly shop owners how much it costs to get started they'll say $500 - $1000, yet many of us here routinely fish very nice equipment for a total of $100 or much less. In today's economy, this is a message that needs to be trumpeted, and we cannot look to the manufacturers or magazines or shops to even whisper the notion - even though many of them are failing at the elitist road they have chosen. With a little knowledge, flyfishing can be among the cheapest ways to fish and second hand glass is the way to go. Just last weekend, my buddy who is a pro for one of the major companies lent a spinfishing buddy a nice rod as he joined us for a fly learning experience. Before the rod was even cast, they guy broke off the top 6 inches, only by pulling on the line without realizing it was tangled at the tip. We had already hiked in a couple of miles so he opted to fish it rather than retreat back to my car for a fiberglass spare - which is what we should have had him use anyway - except for that damned perception that a new $500+ rod is what is needed. My spare is a Fisher blank, custom done with simple hardware that I got as an Ebay bottomfeeder for $50 - what's the better rod now? It was a better rollcaster than the other rod before that one broke, and that was the only way to fish where we were anyway, but I'm not the "expert" that was doing the "teaching". The 80s and celebration of big spending is as long gone as $2 gas and its time the tackle companies woke up to it. That said, I'd love a Sweetgrass rod of any material and if they are selling bamboo cheaper than Winston that's a start. (And Bulldog and a few others - your affinity for Martins and other simple reels is splendid) Good fishing, Vinnie in Juneau
TXTrout		#13	[-]
Guide Posts: 169 (07/11/08 13:36:01) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'm as cheap as I can be, but prefer the concept of best value. Cheap is not always better. I think using high quality used items is the best way to go when you can. The majority of this board is value oriented. If I stepped on toes last night, I did not intend that. Dane, I agree with you, I too think that price is absurd for a glass rod, or graphite. I like Glen, but would not spend that much for a glass rod. I would spend more than that for a cane rod, for I know how much it takes to make one. I honestly wouldn't purchase a Sweetgrass rod at this time, for I don't need one, and it goes against my values to spend that much on a cane rod that I can make from scratch myself, and my wife would kill me!! I also woudn't purchase one of Mario's fiberglass rods, too much for me, I don't perseive the value. Tom, I think the price for a Sweetgrass cane is about 35% less than a Winston. Vinnie, If you let me use the Fisher, I might not give it back. I agree that too much is spent on initial outfits. Most people never develop past the point of outgrowing a $100 flyrod. You see them on the stream everyday. Many people on this board will trash a TFO rod since it is built overseas. The rods are built there so the price points can be kept down, which allows Rick to have a profit that allows him to employ about 12 or more people. Although, most of them are too fast for me to like. Speaking of Fisher, looks like Hal Bacon is about to get the new Fisher Glass blanks out. We'll see how that goes. Robert. "Some paths are best not taken alone" John W. Barfield
scud dog		#14	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 956 (07/11/08 17:35:49) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	One thing that is cool is the agate winding check. Never saw one like that. Very nice. It hurts me to admit this but $750 is beyond my budget. I'm sure there's plenty of cane freaks that would view the price as modest vs. what they may be accustomed to. Now, Vinnie...when gas hits $7 gal. folk will be hurting to buy ANY kind of rod. TX and the rest of you that like a good deal: set aside some cash now and wait for the oil bubble to burst. You may be able to get a Russ Peak for $100! I'm half-serious about that. I doubt $100 for a Peak; but there will be bargains on the lesser fare. I agree with TX on used. If you get a nice looking used rod or reel...you're right. You should currently be able to get your money back on the resale as long as the gear wasn't fished ragged. -SD Last Edited By: scud dog 07/11/08 17:53:38. Edited 2 times.
Mojorizing		#15	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 221 (07/11/08 18:09:11) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	$750 for a Lamiglas Spring Creek? Not this brother! I don't care if it has an agate winding check! Agate winding check? That gives me an idea. Tom, I think the cane rods are going for $2500. Less than a Winston built by novice cane builders.
TXTrout		#16	[-]
Guide Posts: 170 (07/11/08 19:22:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Mojo, I agree, I wouldn't spend that much either. Others will however. Robert. "Some paths are best not taken alone" John W. Barfield
Mojorizing		#17	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 226 (07/12/08 18:13:29) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	TXTrout wrote: Mojo, I agree, I wouldn't spend that much either. Others will however. Robert, you're absolutly correct. Take a look at the W*****n forum and lurk for a while. Can you say prima donna?
Arctic Grayling		#18	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 2 (07/15/08 03:23:20) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I sure don't see $500 worth of difference between the Sweetgrass fiberglass rod and the 7'6" four weight Spring Creek that I recently bought directly from Lamiglas for $240. Yes, the components are much nicer, but the Spring Creek has a pretty good feel to it and doesn't look that bad. I think that I'd rather save the difference for a Sweetgrass bamboo rod and buy a nice fiberglass rod elsewhere for less.
Mojorizing		#19	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 231 (07/15/08 06:36:02) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Welcome Arctic Grayling- good to see you here. A little birdy told me you got glass. Alan
Cameron		#20	[-]
Posts: 2095 (07/15/08 07:07:23) Administrator & Chat Room Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Arctic Grayling...welcome to Fiberglass Flyrodders! Something a little suspect is happening here as more and more of Mojorizing and Fly Goddess's friends are showing up in serious numbers! HA... Any friend of theirs...will certainly be a friend here. http://thefiberglassmanifesto.blogspot.com/

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