It's hard not to go economic & political when discussing this. You know Tom wouldn't want this to get out of hand. Let's think; expand our
perspectives. Some folk are saying "Buy American". This IS an international board. There's likely lots of other people saying "Buy
Japanese", "Buy Canadian", "Buy French", etc. . We have guys that we chat with from Mexico, Australia, Sweden, UK, Germany, Canada,
Malaysia just to name a few places. We also have the means by which to acquire information and goods from around the globe we would've never imagined 10
years ago. Seems we've lost some domestic builders but we've acquired access to foreign makers as well. I would've never thought I'd own gear I
bought from the UK, Australia and Japan! I'm 53. I still can hardly believe I have glass rods from JAPAN!?! I didn't own a color TV till 1990...lol. I
never imagined I'd be chatting with folks about shipping rods to Malaysia, Austrailian termite "hatches" or a fishing trip in Japan. Let's
remember; we're online and global. Damn, this is a great site and I for one am eager to save up enough to snag one of those new Korean-made Hardys.
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Hardy introducing glass fly rods
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 scud dog |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1154 (01/18/09 10:58:34) |
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Cameron |
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Posts: 2985 (01/18/09 11:06:54)
Administrator &
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Just to let everyone know...I was talking with Matt of Schliske Bamboo
Fly Rods and he now has all the Hardy glass in stock and ready to ship. He is offering a few incentives as far as free shipping and one of his t-shirts
with a Hardy rod purchase and a free Rio fly line with a Hardy rod/Hardy reel purchase.
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jgestar |
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Posts: 3166 (01/18/09 14:03:37) ezOP |
Scud dog is right, let's not let this get out of hand. Remember, we are about fiberglass fly rods. I realize everyone has strong opinions about the
politics of outsourcing and the current state of the US economy. I'm not asking anyone to step away from their opinions. However, please keep the
discussion more about the rods than the politics. Because we have fiberglass fly rods in common, there are relationships on this board that would never form
otherwise. If this thread gets sidetracked into a political debate, it could damage those friendships. That would be a shame.
If someone doesn't buy a rod because it was made overseas, that is their choice. I won't beat anyone up about it. Conversely, if someone purchases a Japanese developed, Chinese made rod from a shop in Tokyo, I won't beat them up. Either way, I want to hear about the rods forum members DO buy. What they like about them and how they perform. In the case of the new Hardy glass, the rod was designed in England, produced in China* with input, assistance, and QC from Hardy engineers, inspected again in England, and marketed in North America. But whoever, where ever, or what ever, the wraps and build on my Hardy "The Trout Fisher" are excellent. The fact it was made in China does not diminish the rod one bit. This is an impressive new fly rod worth consideration with the other glass on the market. Of course, just because I like it does not mean that anyone else will. If you don't wish to buy one, I won't beat you up. If anything, this Hardy might be the crossover rod that brings glass back to the mainstream like John Gierach did for cane. In the process, the mainstream market might finally realize that fiberglass isn't just Granddad's Wonderod anymore. That would be good for US glass rod builders too. Tom * Yes, China. It is very clearly labeled as such on my rod. I just spoke with Jim Murphy of Hardy North America who indicated Hardy is working with what he feels is the best factory in China. This is a well established firm that builds quality rods for a lot of US companies.
Last Edited By: jgestar
01/18/09 14:10:32.
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gearboy |
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Master Guide
Posts: 258 (01/18/09 15:01:52) |
I don't want this thread to be about making analogies about buying a dvd, shirt, tv, shoes or a car. It's about buying stuff for a hobby we dearly
love.
Second, I do not want glass to go mainstream and hope it never does. I like that fishing fiberglass is somewhat eccentric. I would hate to go fishing and see a bunch of guys fishing fly rods like mine. I like to be different and somewhat peculiar, even weird. If that ever happens I'll be sure to post my rods for sale here first. |
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Flyfishingshaman |
Amen to that! | ||
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Sport
Posts: 11 (01/18/09 15:16:21) |
I have to agree with jgestar. I realize that I'm fairly new to this forum but I joined for several reasons, including the fact that there are members
from all over and I can get a better perspective of this fascinating subject.
While I have been fishing since before I could walk, I've only been fly fishing for the last few years. It is my form of meditation and celebration of the wonder of nature's beauty. However, be that as it may, as a retired Navy CPO and DAV I started with what I could afford at the time which was a graphite rod fm Bass Pro made in Korea. Even the reels were made there. I could only dream of having a quality rod made by one of the many great American rod manufacturers. So I fished what I had. By the grace of God I can only say that I found myself in the situation that I could afford custom, American-made rods two-three years ago. So I bought my "dream rods" fm makers such as Harry Briscoe - Hexagraph, Mike McFarland, and my first cane rod last year fm Dean Turner at Little Falls Rod Co. I erroneously thought fiberglass was "dead" and that only the old "clunky" fiberglass rods were left. I should let it be known that I cast both Mike's Vintage and a Spruce Creek and preferred the Vintage because I still needed more experience casting in general and couldn't appreciate the difference between fine fiberglass and graphite, I know lol. Yet, while Mike is building one his fine Spruce Creek's for me, I stumbled on to the Hardy during a visit to one of my favorite local fly shops - Greatfeathers in Sparks, MD. I didn't even know that Hardy was making fiberglass rods. So I cast the 7'6" 4wt. and loved the feel in my hand, the crafemanship, and the beauty of the cast. No matter what I did with that rod it was right there. Short casts, long, double-haul, roll - it did it all. I thought however, the I had plenty of 4wts. So I waited a week, and thought about the smaller 7' 3wt. A week later I was back to cast it. The conditions were far from optimum but as I mentioned in one of my first postings again it performed wonderfully. I could, and did cast into a 20mph headwind and it cut through it as long as I put a little more power into the cast. I have to agree with all the others that have spent time with this rod-Hardy got it right. While I do try to support American rod makers and buy American-made products; a great product, no matter where it is made, is sometimes too difficult to pass up. |
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David Anderson.clarksclassicfl... |
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Sport
Posts: 11 (01/19/09 17:30:47) |
If I could make one comment about overseas product from an overseas perspective -
(not getting political here I hope) All the 'prestige' fly gear you get here in Australia, with few exceptions is made in America or made by an American company in Asia. We spend our money on the top end gear and American companies benefit. The free trade agreement with the US has cut import taxes between the US and Australia and it's now much cheaper to order a rod (for example) direct from the US rather than buy it from an Australian fly shop and I know a lot of people here now get their tackle on-line direct from America. A lot of American fly shops with on-line stores benefit. (A recent shift in the exchange rate has slowed this down a bit at the moment) It's been a long time since I lives in the US and I can't really comment on the current hardships, however I will say that if you walk into an Australian fly shop it looks like the American tackle makers are doing very well. I suggest that if you guys are feeling bad about taking all our money you could go out and buy some Australian wine, drink it and it might sooth any guilt you have..lol Cheers ! |
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Cameron |
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Posts: 2998 (01/19/09 17:37:32)
Administrator &
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David Anderson wrote:David...this sounds like a GREAT idea! HA... |
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docbluedevil |
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Master Guide
Posts: 206 (01/19/09 19:01:40) |
Tom
What are your thoughts about your Hardy glass rod, a 8' 5 wt, IIRC? Have you cast/fished it yet? Action: slow, medium, fast . . . for glass? Feels similar to . . . which other rod? Other thoughts? Edit: And, of course, what reel are you mating it with? Andy, I just saw your review of your 8' 5 wt. Thanks!
Last Edited By: docbluedevil
01/19/09 19:04:01.
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OLD YANKEE |
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Master Guide
Posts: 248 (01/19/09 20:45:57) |
Hello Abe
Don't own one yet, the first one I had the pleasure of casting is Snooks. I have been going over the rods in my personal quiver trying to decide what ones will go to make room for at least 2 of the Hardy's ! If I had to pick just one of the Hardy's it would be the 7'6" Tight Lines and Wish List Loops Andy M
'FISH AND VISITORS STINK AFTER 3 DAYS' " DON'T FORGET THE BACKBONE" " REMEMBER TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FISHERY"
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corlay |
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Master Guide
Posts: 551 (01/19/09 21:08:35) |
David Anderson wrote:one of your countryman's Shiraz is usually my first choice!
"From my observations I think that most of us spend too much time worrying about our tackle and too little time
learning the intimate characteristics of the fish and streams we fish most."
- Ray Bergman
Trout, New York: Knopf 1938 |
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Yeti |
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Sport
Posts: 61 (01/20/09 16:01:01) |
Heads up, Harris has the new Hardy glass rods listed at decent prices. http://www.harrissportsma...Models.aspx?ModelID=16738
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gypsy |
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Master Guide
Posts: 414 (01/20/09 17:56:07) |
It appears from the Harris description that the Hardy "glass" rods are made from a graphite/ fiberglass composite?
"Manufactured from easy-loading, durable glass fibre and carbon composite" |
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jgestar |
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Posts: 3172 (01/20/09 18:52:45) ezOP |
Yup. The catalog indicates there is 10% graphite. If I understand correctly, the graphite is used as a "scrim-like" material to provide hoop
strength to the rod blank. Terry Johnson uses a similar strategy in his Synergy Glass rods. The graphite is applied to the mandrel in a proprietary manner
and the glass is laid over the graphite. This way the feel is glass, but when you really lean on a cast, the rod retains a round cross section. This might
explain that "punch" as Andy describes it.
Doc, I would say this is a medium to slow rod, even for glass. It has a very full flex. It isn't as limber as the Hardy Perfection. Maybe closer to the Lami full flex action. But somehow the rod holds up more line than one would expect given that full flex. I took it out yesterday with a Fenwick FF805 (which is much more powerful) and a Diamondglass 804. The Hardy is a little stronger than the Dglass, but the Hardy also has a deeper flex. It is an interesting action that I am anxious to try out on a pond. Just because I like it in the backyard doesn't mean anyone else will. More rods are shipping and hopefully there will be one near you that you can try. I'm planning on making the McFarland rod gathering and I'll try and bring the rod with me (unless Joe brings his!). For a reel, I won't look further than the Hardy LRH. Cosmetically the match is perfect. The reel foot mates on the reelseat like a puzzle piece. And for my taste the balance was perfect. With the LRH the balance was right at the front of the grip. With the line strung through the guides, the balance moved about an inch ahead of the grip. Tom |
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Cameron |
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Posts: 3004 (01/20/09 19:35:42)
Administrator &
Chat Room Host |
jgestar wrote:WIthout a doubt I want one of these fly rods...but I also know that a reel (Hardy LRH) will have to part of the purchase. Maybe later this year... |
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Spencer DT |
Count me in. | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 122 (01/20/09 20:35:54) |
I am ordering the 5 weight as soon as I get my finances in order. I imagine I will be ordering it around my b-day in July.
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Mojorizing |
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Master Guide
Posts: 432 (01/20/09 20:39:07) |
OOh, la, la.. Last time I dealt with Harris SM, I got my LRH (7 years ago). I could only get it in a used condition. It was almost like brand new, and I got 3
extra spools for $175. They wouldn't sell me a new one because of Cortland/Hardy USA and I was able to buy it here. Also there was something about a VAT
tax. So what might look like a good deal, all the added taxes, it might be the same price as it is here. I guess the VAT tax is gone for the US now.
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 bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 4484 (01/20/09 20:42:49) Administrator |
the VAT (17.5%) is subtracted from overseas sales.
There was an EU court ruling in 2006 that a vendor could not automatically subtract the VAT, and the buyer or his agent had to petition the Lord of Commerce (sic), which made it only feasible for those buying in bulk - wholesale. The point of this ruling was to favor trade to the rest of the EU. Since then, however, that court ruling has been overturned, and tax-free world trade has been restored, to the delight of UK retailers.
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
Last Edited By: bulldog1935
01/20/09 20:49:27.
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kinzua |
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Guide
Posts: 89 (01/21/09 22:29:20) |
Not sure how useful a rod report is without a casting session, but I did wiggle two of the new Hardy glass rods, the 7' 3wt and 7'6" 4wt. The rods come nicely appointed with the requisite ferrule plug (cheaper split metal instead of cork-tipped), deluxe rod bag, and even a rod tube cover. The rods are fitted with lightweight chrome snakes and SiC stipper. The wraps and coatings are well executed. The cork on both rods was terrible with enough large filled pits to detract from the good rings and even a surgically repaired section (typical of outsourced rods). The beautiful and functional wedge fitting reel seat was featured on both rods. One small detail that did not go unnoticed was the perfect alignment of the four tiny screws used to hold the reelseat to the cork grip - not sure if this was intentional, but my Glass Perfection was the same. In the highly technical shake test, the action of the rods felt medium to slow, but again not as noodly as the Glass Perfection. That's it for now until I can put a line through one.
Last Edited By: kinzua
01/21/09 22:31:38.
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Duff |
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Master Guide
Posts: 417 (01/21/09 22:59:35) |
Yikes! That cork would be a deal breaker for me.
As to the Perfections (the ones with the nice specie cork and beautiful cork tipped ferrule plugs) being noodly ... well, one man's noodly is another man's al dente. |
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Snook65 |
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Guide
Posts: 128 (01/22/09 04:34:31) |
I had a problem with the cork on one of the new non-glass Hardy models. I was surprised about this, so I asked the Hardy guys about it at the Int'l Tying Show in NJ a little while ago, and they suggested I send it back to Hardy North America for repair. It took them no more than 3 days and I had an entirely new butt section for that rod back in my hands, at no cost. |
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- Welcome, Messages, Claves, News, and FAQs
- Fishing with Fiberglass Fly Rods
- Glass Tech
- Collecting Fiberglass Fly Rods
- What's New on the Market
- Rod Pictures
- Classic Fly Reels
- Another Spin on Glass
- Rod Building & Tackle Tinkering
- The Tying Bench
- Fiberglass Fly Rods For Sale
- Fiberglass Fly Rods Wanted
- Fiberglass Flyrodders Wiki
