Zach Bearden Posted November 22, 2006 Posted November 22, 2006 My friend went down to the trash and found an LLBean fly rod all that was wrong with it was it had a small bit missing... I asked him how much he wanted for it (he has never fly fished) and he said just take it (we argued and I won so I payed him and we left) but now I neeed a new line and reel and suggestions? its a 5 weight... Thanks guys! "Its clearly Bree time baby!" Member: 2009 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed Czech Republic. 7th Place Team Member: 2010 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed Slovakia. 4th Place Team Member: 2010 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed The America Cup. 4th Place Team
Terry Beeson Posted November 22, 2006 Posted November 22, 2006 all that was wrong with it was it had a small bit missing... What do you mean by a "small bit?" Was it broken at the tip? A chip out of the side? Whatever it is, this COULD affect the action and if it is split, the split could grow and make the rod useless. If it looks like it can be repaired, then I would take it to a good shop and have it looked at for repair. I'm not sure where you are, but Bass Pro has a good shop in Springfield. But, all in all, I would make sure it is OK before even thinking of putting a reel and line on it. As for a line and reel, well... you need to give us more information. You want backing first. Then, depending on what you want to use it for, an all around weight forward floating line is my best guess. RIO and Scientific Angler are the two brands I would recommend. As for a reel... how much money do you want to spend? Again it depends on what you want to do with the rod. Go to a good fly shop like Backcountry Outfitters in Springfield and get some good help choosing a reel that goes with what you need and want. TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
Zach Bearden Posted November 22, 2006 Author Posted November 22, 2006 aabout a foot off of the top is all that is missing. Im going to Fort Smith here in a little while and im going to go into the woodsman and show it to them. The man that I talked to said that there was going to be a man come in and he would take a look at it. But for a 5wt would you want to go ahead and use a heavier lb backing? or would 12lb work? As for a reel ive not got much money for a new reel. I was just going to go ahead and buy a Phluegar medalist I have one on my 6wt and it works beautifully on larger trout. thanks! "Its clearly Bree time baby!" Member: 2009 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed Czech Republic. 7th Place Team Member: 2010 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed Slovakia. 4th Place Team Member: 2010 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed The America Cup. 4th Place Team
Terry Beeson Posted November 22, 2006 Posted November 22, 2006 "Only" a foot off the tip? The action on that rod is completely changed now. I'm not the expert, but I would think that might change the line weight for that rod, if you do put a tip top on it. Honestly, I'm thinking take the rest of the rod, buy a new blank, and make a new rod with the parts. I'm anxious to see what the "man" at Woodsman tells you. Good reel choice. TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
Gavin Posted November 22, 2006 Posted November 22, 2006 An inch or two off the tip usually isnt noticeable, but a foot off the tip will have a BIG effect on the action. I'd see if you can get a replacement tip from LL Bean, and if not, I'd chuck that beater in the trash and look for a new rod. Cheers.
Members Stuartwp Posted November 23, 2006 Members Posted November 23, 2006 A foot off the tip of a fly rod pretty much ruins it for a fly rod. Not that you couldn't make it work. BUT take the fly guides off and wrap on spinning guides and a new tip top and now you magically have a pretty good crappie rod. Proably even a good rod for fishing jigs for trout. If your like me and your the most stylish guy you know, just tape a spinning reel on to the fly grip with electrical tape. That makes a funky looking Tennesse stlye grip, but you have my garontee that the fish won't care. It probably some form of sacralidge for an LL Bean rod, but I bet you have some buddies with broken spinning rods around that you can scrounge for the guides. Nothing like a free pole!
Terry Beeson Posted November 23, 2006 Posted November 23, 2006 It probably some form of sacralidge for an LL Bean rod Hmmmm.... Not so sure.... Winston, Hardy, Thomas and Thomas... now THAT would be sacralidge. Sage MIGHT be... LL Bean...that's just a 2nd degree sin... Take two "hail Mary's" and call me in the morning... Flem, would you need to tape the spinning reel to the reel seat of a fly rod? It might just fit without it. But I've never tried that, so don't know for sure. TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
Zach Bearden Posted November 23, 2006 Author Posted November 23, 2006 Well I just got back from the Woodsman and the man there said it was ok but it went up a wt or 2... but I made an Egg sucking leech type thingamobopper... and so I guess Ill post it somewhere. Thanks "Its clearly Bree time baby!" Member: 2009 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed Czech Republic. 7th Place Team Member: 2010 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed Slovakia. 4th Place Team Member: 2010 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed The America Cup. 4th Place Team
Danoinark Posted November 23, 2006 Posted November 23, 2006 Terry Don't speak unkindly of the LL Bean Rod. I have an 8 ft 5wt classic double LL. Its actually my favorite rod and the action mimicks fine glass or cane, thereby protecting those small tippets. You know who used to make some of Bean's rods? Dorber in Flippin, Ark. Dano Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks"
Terry Beeson Posted November 23, 2006 Posted November 23, 2006 Zach, Did you get it repaired? I'm wondering about the guide placement. Is this a two piece or 4? Dano, I thought that was right about Dorber. Does Dorber make any blanks for brand name rods anymore? Shame if they don't. I know if I take up rod building, I want to go with Dorbers myself. Yeah, LL Beans are good rods. Almose as good as my Shakespeare... I'd like to have one of those Anniversary editions. TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
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