Looking At Fly Rods

[Arofishing]

Hi all,

I am just getting into fly fishing. I've been using my brother in law's rod and a dogwood canyon outfit I picked up for cheap off Craigslist. Perusing Craigslist the other day I came across this Sage 3 wt Light Line Series for $150: http://springfield.craigslist.org/spo/2491452458.html. Since I am just beginning, I am happy to use the Dogwood Canyon for the rest of season, but I'm also looking ahead and thinking about assembling something better and more serious for the future.

My questions for those in the know:

1) What is your opinion of this rod?

2) Is it a really good value at this price? Essentially, is it worth jumping on even though I won't be needing it and don't even plan on using it the rest of this season?

3) Should I be apprehensive about buying a used fly rod, would you have any fears about its longevity or it being more prone to break?

I'm really pleased with everything else about it, Sage is a quality brand and it's just the size and wt I was looking for for the type of fishing that I do (lots of streams).

[3wt]

I think your problem is solved since this listing looks to be gone - unless you bought it.

But, I think those are classic sage rods that light line guys really love. Probably not your all-arounder, and probably not your go-to taneycomo rod.

If you bought this, I'd put something like a rio trout taper on it, and I'd stay in the market for a 5wt 9' something. A 3wt and a 5wt are a good trout pairing. Or if not, get a new TFO 4wt - I'd say 4wt 8.5-9' med-fast is the new standard trout rod unless you fish big water a lot.

[Arofishing]

Yep, my "problem" is indeed solved. Bummer. Thanks for the help though. I'll keep the TFO in mind. And I don't fish big fish/water for the most part. Don't have a boat and I really enjoy wading/walking a stream, so I think an 8'6" would suit me well (and maybe even smaller).

[Andrew324]

Welcome to the sport and forum Aro-

I like your profile picture. I majored in philosophy as an undergraduate. I liked Kierkegaard.

I own both a TFO pro 8'6" 5wt and a Sage Flight 7' 3wt as well as a dogwood canyon 9' 6wt. I would agree with 3wt about getting a 4wt rod. There are times when I wished I would have bumped up the Sage to the 7'6" 4wt, but my 3 handles large fish just fine, especially with the slick Lamson reel I have on it.

I was in your position once when I didn't know "how much" I was going to get into fly fishing, but I would say that it would be better to have a decent TFO than to just sit on the dogwood. You'll notice the difference, and that difference may even make you want to fish more.

Also, you buy the rod new usually and you get the benefits of different company warranties. Used rods might still be fixed by the companies, but it might cost you a little more. TFO's warranty is great and so is Sage (even though I keep the warranty cards).

I would recommend TFO with a Lamson reel. Solid stuff. You will have it for many seasons.

[Arofishing]

Welcome to the sport and forum Aro-

I like your profile picture. I majored in philosophy as an undergraduate. I liked Kierkegaard.

I own both a TFO pro 8'6" 5wt and a Sage Flight 7' 3wt as well as a dogwood canyon 9' 6wt. I would agree with 3wt about getting a 4wt rod. There are times when I wished I would have bumped up the Sage to the 7'6" 4wt, but my 3 handles large fish just fine, especially with the slick Lamson reel I have on it.

I was in your position once when I didn't know "how much" I was going to get into fly fishing, but I would say that it would be better to have a decent TFO than to just sit on the dogwood. You'll notice the difference, and that difference may even make you want to fish more.

Also, you buy the rod new usually and you get the benefits of different company warranties. Used rods might still be fixed by the companies, but it might cost you a little more. TFO's warranty is great and so is Sage (even though I keep the warranty cards).

I would recommend TFO with a Lamson reel. Solid stuff. You will have it for many seasons.

Thanks for the input and glad to hear you like Kierk. I haven't done much of anything Kierkegaard related the last three years, most of that during grad school, where none of my profs had any interest in him, but I intend to pick up my Kierk anthology again sometime in the next year once I get done with some other stuff.

How do you like your TFO pro 8' 6"? Right now I have two rods in mind if I bought new, that is one (either 8'6" or 8'), and the other would be the same size RDP custom rod from the local guy. Thanks for the reel recommendation too, while I've pretty much got a good idea on rods, reels were going to a be future post .

I have a good idea how much I like fly fishing, and I'm willing (and too eager) to make invest in better gear. I'm just trying to moderate as best I can, I've already spent a lot this summer on fishing, basically making a tackle box from scratch and buying an open reel outfit. Then the fly fishing bug hit! While I'm still such a novice, I think the Dogwood will suit me just fine, I still really enjoy just attempting to get the fly where I want it to go and getting a panfish, so it certainly suffices for now - until Christmas-ish anyway .

[BrowningFisherman]

TFO is a great company I have a friend that broke his on a Sunday shipped it back Monday and had it back before the next weekend, 5 day turnarounds cost $100 from G Loomis, the cut corners a bit on their components and lack of a rod tube but where they cut costs they save you big money. They are the most moderately priced rods I have found with a lifetime warranty. I fish Sage rods and I'd have to stand in line to tell you how great they are but for the beginner there is none better than a TFO. The Pro is nice and at an unbeatable price, the Lefty Kreh Finesse Series is good if you are wanting smaller more delicate rods (Id use them for drys more than anything), the Ti-Cr series are powerful rods and while I have the least experience with these I have heard nothing but good reviews. My favorite rod is the new BVK Series, I threw the 9' 5wt a few weeks ago and immediately wanted to trade in my 9' 5wt Sage Z-Axis, and a 1/3 the price it is phenomenal.

If you want reel advice I second Andrews recommendation on the Lamson Reels, I have 6 of them now from the Konic 2 ($129) all the way to the Litespeed ($299). The drags have more surface area and therefore start up smoother and apply constant pressure. While a drag system isn't necessarily the most important feature around here I feel confident telling you that you could use that reel anywhere. In addition Lamson has a lifetime warranty (Even though they are virtually indestructible) and are still made in America.

[Andrew324]

Thanks for the input and glad to hear you like Kierk. I haven't done much of anything Kierkegaard related the last three years, most of that during grad school, where none of my profs had any interest in him, but I intend to pick up my Kierk anthology again sometime in the next year once I get done with some other stuff.

How do you like your TFO pro 8' 6"? Right now I have two rods in mind if I bought new, that is one (either 8'6" or 8'), and the other would be the same size RDP custom rod from the local guy. Thanks for the reel recommendation too, while I've pretty much got a good idea on rods, reels were going to a be future post .

I have a good idea how much I like fly fishing, and I'm willing (and too eager) to make invest in better gear. I'm just trying to moderate as best I can, I've already spent a lot this summer on fishing, basically making a tackle box from scratch and buying an open reel outfit. Then the fly fishing bug hit! While I'm still such a novice, I think the Dogwood will suit me just fine, I still really enjoy just attempting to get the fly where I want it to go and getting a panfish, so it certainly suffices for now - until Christmas-ish anyway .

The only thing I don't like about the TFO Pro is that the ferrules of the rod seem like they don't fit all the way together. In reality they do fit but its just one part of the graphite rod blank isn't finished so it looks weird. Its just a cosmetic thing really, but other than that it rocks. Its also always good to buy local, and I have heard great things about the RDP rods.

[flyrodman]

I think TFO rods are the best for the money and have a lifetime no questions asked warranty. Also, Redington is an affordable option too. I own a 7' Dogwood canyon 4wt, a TFO signature series 8'6" 5wt, and a 8'6" Redington RedFly2. Good Luck