vanven Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 I specifically blame Dano for this..... After a bit of discussion in another thread and the realization that although my cast may get better over time, some of the flaws are always going to be there and influence my preference in rods. I want to try a slower rod. I am starting to get very interested in some of the fiberglass rods. The classic colors and timeless design of some of the glass rods really peaks my interest. This leads me to a couple of questions. Classic eagle claw yellow and an old medalist reel = hawt. The Eagle Claw feather light rods are interesting for a "throw away" starter experiment in glass. I cant seem to find any stores in my area that carry them, but at ~$25 shipped I have a hard time believe I am really going to lose much if I dont like it. Are these rods representative of the older glass feel or cheap junk? I am looking for suggestions for a cheap starter rod that might give me an example of what it is like to fish a classic rod. Should I be scouring ebay, garage sales, and craigslist for that rare gem or something else? -jerod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danoinark Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Dang Van, maybe I am good for something..... I think the eagle claw mimics very nearly the old featherlights. You will find that it flexes deeply thereby causing your stroke to slooooooooooooooow down considerably. I like the 6.6 length over the 7 footer. For me it just seems to cast easier and in glass like bamboo the shorter the better. Ebay is a great source for vintage glass. I have picked up some great deals. Another source is http://fiberglassflyrodders.yuku.com/ and they have a for sale section also. A great classic starter might be a Wright and McGill Sweetheart, 7 1/2 or 8 ft in 5/6 wt. You can find them in the $50 neighborhood, usually in the traditional tobacco brown color. Dano Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanven Posted April 27, 2008 Author Share Posted April 27, 2008 I actually found an Eagle CLaw Featherlight at an area sporting good dealer today. I picked it up for $14.99 just for fun. I threw on my Battenkill with Rio Gold 5wt line on it. I had to put the rod away after about 5 minutes of futility. It was windy and i have a feeling that the line was way too light for this rod. I am used to a very fast 9 foot graphite rod. At 6'6" it felt like I was trying to throw fly line with an ultralight spinning rod. Anyone in the market for a fiberglass rod? only fished once! -Jerod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danoinark Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 I actually found an Eagle CLaw Featherlight at an area sporting good dealer today. I picked it up for $14.99 just for fun. I threw on my Battenkill with Rio Gold 5wt line on it. I had to put the rod away after about 5 minutes of futility. It was windy and i have a feeling that the line was way too light for this rod. I am used to a very fast 9 foot graphite rod. At 6'6" it felt like I was trying to throw fly line with an ultralight spinning rod. Anyone in the market for a fiberglass rod? only fished once! -Jerod Sorry it didn't work out for you. If you aren't used to em, it takes some work to get the timing just right. Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 I actually found an Eagle CLaw Featherlight at an area sporting good dealer today. I picked it up for $14.99 just for fun. I threw on my Battenkill with Rio Gold 5wt line on it. I had to put the rod away after about 5 minutes of futility. It was windy and i have a feeling that the line was way too light for this rod. I am used to a very fast 9 foot graphite rod. At 6'6" it felt like I was trying to throw fly line with an ultralight spinning rod. Anyone in the market for a fiberglass rod? only fished once! -Jerod Jerod, How much for the 6'6" Eagle Claw Featherlight only fished once! I was born at night, but not last night. Odds are with the prepared... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanven Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 Cheap... Shout me a PM and we can possibly work something out. -Jerod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drew03cmc Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Glass is the most forgiving material to fish with, as well as the most comfortable IMO. I had a rod built for me on a Batson SPG780 UL spinning blank, and it loves a WF4F GPX line. I had one of the OLDER Featherlights and it liked a WF5F SA Trout line, but would LOVE a DT5F STII. You will find that newer Featherlight is built on a spinning blank, and therefore, you have to slow WAY down to get the flex of the rod to do the casting for you. Keep it and fish it a lot, you will love it. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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