Hey Folks-
I've been considering buying a fiberglass rod for some time and think it is time to take the plunge. I've been fishing bamboo rods for some time and
love them on my small mountain streams, but always fish my old Scott G rods on the largest waters or for non-trout species. I also use a long, light Scott rod
for nymph fishing small streams sometimes. I was considering a fiberglass rod that might fill that niche; something that could be fished on larger waters, but
also as a small stream rod when length is desired. I like the idea of purchasing a rod from a contemporary builder like Steffen, but don't know anything
about any maker really. I'm hoping for at least a 8 ft. rod in the 4-6 wt. range that can toss dries but also chuck a little weight if need be. I guess
the all-around rod.
Any suggestions on makers and tapers for a good all-arounder? Thanks guys.
Chris
Tengas, Fenwick, and Marryat photo by Alpago |
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Thinking about a rod....
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 cwood.clarksclassicfl... |
Thinking about a rod.... |
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Sport
Posts: 1 (12/31/08 15:02:15) |
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 jgestar |
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Posts: 3101 (12/31/08 15:14:17) ezOP |
Chris,
Welcome to the Fiberglass Flyrodders! It is always great to have guys visit from Clark's. To get an idea of the new glass available, check out the Fiberglass Flyrodders Wiki. There is a page on each of the current builders, with a couple more pages coming (Tom Morgan Rodsmiths, for instance). There are a lot of options in the 8 foot, 5 weight-ish category. There are also a lot of classic rods in the same length/weight class too. Tom |
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keebranch |
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Master Guide
Posts: 703 (12/31/08 15:22:10) |
Chris,
Don't rule out Scott - they make some nice small stream glass rods as well. http://www.scottflyrod.com/rods2/f Les |
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 4357 (12/31/08 15:50:56) Administrator |
Hi Chris, welcome to the board
my favorite rod that fits your description is a Japanese rod unfortunately out of production, Quiet Loop VF805 - might talk to Tom - jgestar - about how to hunt for one on yahoo japan. Really strange that the manufacturer, who built such a jewel here, has gone to making tournament-casting, fast, fast graphite. 
You might also want to talk to Jeff Hatton, who has a stash of old Scott blanks.
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 4358 (12/31/08 15:56:20) Administrator |
another Japanese rod builder, Izch, makes the blanks from scratch when you order.
you have to order through a broker, such as Crescent-shop.com - Masamichi has very good English. Izch (phonetic for Issac) builds a line of parabolic glass - I have an 8-1/2' 6/7-wt. which is a rocketship. Navy Bass will have the best price, but again, you have to buy through a Japanese broker http://navybass.co-site.j...ogue/ROD/CAPS/FLY/IZ6.htm here are all the glass rods available through Navy Bass http://www.navybass.com/i...x/navybass.FROD.GLASS.htm
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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CtKenC.clarksclassicfl... |
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Guide
Posts: 37 (12/31/08 16:30:30) |
Chris,
To me, as a personal matter, there is virtually no need to go abroad to find a fine rod, or a fine rod maker to work with you to craft exactly what you want. Mike McFarland turns out terrific rods and I for one, don't think they can be beat. He is but one of the fine rod makers actively working here in the "Good Old USA" ! Here is a link to his site: http://www.mcfarlandrods.com/ Ken |
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 4359 (12/31/08 16:39:25) Administrator |
Ken, you will find no shortage of Mike McFarland fans on this board.
I was just making sure Chris stayed thoroughly confused.
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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CtKenC.clarksclassicfl... |
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Guide
Posts: 38 (12/31/08 17:05:27) |
bulldog1935 wrote:Mission accomplished. Guess that I'm especially sensitive to any suggestion of "Offshoring" in todays' economy, or lack thereof, especially in light of how incredibly dedicated our Makers are and how tough it is for them to stay afloat. Happy New Year Bulldog, my friend.. Ken |
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cwood.clarksclassicfl... |
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Sport
Posts: 2 (12/31/08 20:14:28) |
Thanks for the input fellas. I will keep a look out and check out the wiki mentioned. I had another fella mention a couple other off shore companies that
make nice rods, purchased through the Blue Dun I believe. I didn't realize there was such an international following of glass rods and an international
group of quality builders. Steffen Bros. seem tempting due to the vast taper selection. Thanks again and I look forward to any other replies.
CWood |
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gypsy |
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Master Guide
Posts: 380 (01/01/09 10:58:19) |
A Steffen 8' 5/6 might be the rod you're after. I'm waiting on a 8'6" 5/6 wt blank that I plan on using as an all around rod that will
fish dries, streamers or weighted nymph rigs when the situation arises. Mark was actually building himself an 8'6" when I called to place my order
though he mentioned several times how much he like the 8' 5/6wt. Don't hesitate to give him a call to discuss what you're looking for, the few
times I called him he was always happy to take the time out from his work to discuss the various options.
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clarkman23 |
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Guide
Posts: 103 (01/01/09 22:02:16) |
Personally, I like my Steffen....when I'm not fishing boo...
here's my 8' 5/6 in action... 
~Randy |
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cwood.clarksclassicfl... |
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Sport
Posts: 3 (01/02/09 07:21:07) |
I will give Mark a call and chat. The 8 ft. 5/6 sounds like a good rod. Randy, what line do you fish on it? How many pieces is yours and does extra sections
change the action much? I will ask mark about this as well, but thought I would get a the perspective of someone owning one of his rods. I hope to have
something packable, but don't want a noodle. I love my cane rods, but don't really like the longer, heavier models. They do, however, make some of
the best small stream rods out there. Fiberglass sounds like a great medium for myself on larger waters and warm water species. Thanks again and take care.
One more thing..... I read the Steffen web site is terribly out of date, are the prices different? Thanks Chris
Last Edited By: cwood
01/02/09 07:57:31.
Edited 1 times.
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Boo |
Glass Tech? Fishing with Fiberglass? etc | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 498 (01/02/09 12:17:31) |
Before you order anything...do you prefer a slower or more medium action or a faster rod? Steffen rods, imo, are a med/fast glass similar to a medium graphite
rod. But, they can toss some weight. There maker's of slower rods if that's what you like.
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cwood.clarksclassicfl... |
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Sport
Posts: 5 (01/02/09 13:30:54) |
I like a medium to medium fast cane rod. I don't like actions that are too slow, but enjoy parabolic type actions on some rods. Most of the graphite rods
I have enjoyed were classified as medium (Scott G, Winston IM6/WT). I guess I'm not sure how that translates into fiberglass action. I know a
"medium" graphite rod feels much faster than a "medium" cane rod. Where does fiberglass fit in?
CWood |
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Boo |
8' 4-6wt | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 499 (01/02/09 15:15:15) |
Another rod maker, again imo, that makes a nice 8'/5wt is F.D. Lyons if he is still making them. The 8'/5wt I have of his is very medium yet powerful
enough to cast a little wt. It's more flexing than a Steffen. It's also a tad slower but more powerful than the Diamondglass 8'/5wt. I think the
difference is the Lyons has a heavier tip, parabolic like, imo. I'm still waiting for 8'/4wt from him and whenever I get it I post a review on it.
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tonemike |
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Master Guide
Posts: 527 (01/02/09 23:09:41) |
hey chris, if you wanted to get a nice casting classic glass rod right away, you can get an 8' 5-6wt 2pc Fenwick ferulite. you can often get a nice one for
75 to 100 bucks and you'll really enjoy fishing it while you're deciding which builder to go with, or just waiting to have it built up. a few favorites
in this class are the FF805, FF806, and FF79. if you're willing to drop down to 7'6" there are a few more nice options like the FF756 and the
newer FF765. i've got the latter four and most of the guys here will also agree that these are great fishing tools. fishing one may even help you better to
decide what taper/configuration you really want. enjoy the process and let us know what you end up getting. -mike
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clarkman23 |
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Guide
Posts: 108 (01/04/09 12:29:36) |
cwood wrote:I usually fish either WF5 or DT5. It fishes really well with a WF6 when fishing streamers or during our salmonfly hatch over here, but I prefer it with a 5. I ended up getting the 3 pc. I wish I would have cast the 2 and the 4 pc. to compare but I'm VERY happy with my decision to go with the 3 pc. I think I ended up spending $345 for it (I didn't get the upgrade on the reelseat-wish I had). Yeah, his website is a bit archaic but give him a call, he's very helpful. ~Randy |
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jgestar |
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Posts: 3120 (01/07/09 23:12:13) ezOP |
The prices on Mark Steffen's
website are up to date. He does offer a few more rods than are listed there. The listing on Mark's Wiki page has a more complete list. But I know he has made a few 9 weight blank
lately too. I second the opinion to give Mark a call. He is very helpful and he really knows his craft.
Tom |
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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
