eagle claw featherlight rods

[drew03cmc]

I am considering getting a VERY short fly rod for the small streams and creeks in my area, as well as for stream smallies (well creek fish), and for capps and crane creek trout. What do you all think about the Eagle Claw Featherlight 6'6" 5wt fiberglass rods for this purpose? Let me know please, as I will be trying to hold to a strict budget.

[Tightline]

I also have been looking at these little rods.Dano posted a link on here,wow what a bargain,was just wondering Dano if there is any place a person can get one without ordering online?Do you think the 7 ft.would be ok for whites?

Thanks TL

[Danoinark]

Guys some of the Walmart's use to carry the featherlights but I haven't seen them in a while.

You can get good deals on brand new ones on ebay..got my 6'6" for 11.50.

www.troutlet.com is the link of where they have the best online deals on them.

Tightline. I am going to get one of the 7 ' 5 wt's as my smallie rod for the local creeks and rivers. They are noodle rods, but have plenty of ooomph in the but section to land a heavy bass or trout. It would make a great canoe, kayak, boat rod. You certaintly aren't going to break it rubbing against tree limbs and such.

I am sold on them, and I can't believe that my go to rod cost less than 12 bucks. I have nice graphite and homemade graphite rods, but I am a firm believer in glass. My 9ft graphite rods sometimes leave me beat to death at the end of ta day of fishing. I think I could have cast and fished that little Eagle Claw all day without any problems. You much remember too, that Eagle Claw is owned by one of the most prestigious and respected old time rod makers, Wright and McGill.

Dano

ps I mean't to add that I am fishing more ultralight fly rods these days. We can call them small stream rods and they are great for a smaller fishery, but they are as much fun on any big water too.

[drew03cmc]

So you would suggest going to the 6'6" 5wt. or 7' 5/6wt. from troutlet.com as my small stream smallie rod? Do you know off hand if a WF5F would load it well enough to cast in smallie creeks, as well as creeks and small rivers in the Kansas City area? Please let me know which one you would recommend. I like the idea of the smaller rods while still being a 5wt to have the guts to pull bass from cover. Let me know if you think the WF5F would load the 7' rod.

[Danoinark]

Drew

In my most humble opinion it will load with either the 5 or 6 wt line. I would use 6wt for smallie fishing simply to have the capability of throwing heavier wind resistant streamers and bass bugs. Using 6wt line would also mean that it would load the rod at shorter distances. My druthers would be a 6 wt. weight forward floating line, I would attach about 4 feet of 1x or 8lb tippet material directly to the fly line and I would be set up for all of my creek fishing. The old school of thought is when you have a rod with a 5/6 line designation it was to mean that it is designed for a 5 wt double taper line and or a 6wt weight forward line.

Dano

[Flysmallie]

Well I may be crazy (actually I am a little stupid sometimes) but I'm going to try a 7wt line on the eagle claw 5/6 rod. Why? Simple I already have a reel loaded with 7wt line! It will be too much I'm sure, but I've got to try it anyway. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it this weekend and I'll let you know the disasterous results.

My wife called me today to let me know that the rods have arrived, and also to ask why I was buying more fishing stuff. You would think she would learn! I'm anxious to get my hands on the rods but I'm stuck in North Carolina.

[Danoinark]

Flysmallie, Not crazy at all. I bet it cast a 7wt just fine. Probably well up close too.

The only thing it might be is a bit tip heavy with lots of line out. It should fish well.

Dano

[jjtroutbum]

OK ok "I cant stand it anymore Im gonna have to break out the wallet and buy one", I'll probubly go for the 9 foot er .

Since I dont have many little smallie places close enough anymore that havent been trampled resently by home developers or guys rich enough to payoff local officals to post no parking sings at bridges were I used to have good quick access to large well feed fish in skinny water.

So ill have a slightly heaver back up or maybe a new lower priced rod addiction

[Crippled Caddis]

Flysmallie,

That little rod may well cast about anything you put on it but it WILL have a decided line preference that will make it a sweetheart. So try everything you can get your hands on until the rod tells you "YES"! And for goodness sake slow down and let the rod cast! Fiberglass, like Olde Phartes, doesn't like to be rushed, but if you'll let them dictate the pace you can get some great work out of them.;o)

[mcp633]

I had one of the Eagle Claws. I think it was 6.5 feet and I had 4wt line on it. I liked catching blue gill on it, but I didn't care for the action. Really to slow for me.