Rod Opinions

[superfly]

Which is a better rod for fishing meduim to large rivers a St. Croix Avid 6wt. or a Sage FLi 6wt. Any thoughts or opinions. Thanks, Superfly

[armyflyfisher]

I'll be interested in reading the responses to this question. I think that anyone who says a certain rod is "better" without taking into account individual preference is engaging in marketing.

It's my humble opinion that rod buying decisions should be a personal endeavor - undertaken only after test casting each rod in question.

Given a particular brand and model of rod, what works for one angler may or may not work for another. All depends on personal casting style, individual likes and dislikes, fishing style, etc etc etc.

I would suggest you hold each rod, feel its weight and balance, look at the finish, mount the reel that you want to use on a sample of each, tie on a representative fly that you might use and cast each until you have formed an opinion and are comfortable with that rod and opinion. Then go fishing!!!

I think that catching fish isn't the hardest part of fly flinging - the most difficult aspect of fly fishing is resisting marketing hype!!!

My .02 cents....

David

[Terry Beeson]

I have to agree with David... That's almost like asking which pickup is better... Ford or Chevy. Of course we all KNOW that Dodge is far superior...

The best advice I've ever gotten on such aspects was to choose the one that fits YOU... NOT the one that everyone else likes or has.

Go cast each one. If you have a good shop, you might even get them to let you take one fishing to see what it feels like on the water... and it will feel different on the river than in the parking lot... trust me...

[Danoinark]

I think I know what Superfly is asking (by the way that's a great forum handle). On a medium to large river what is the effective casting range of either or both of the rods mentioned and their actions? I think it's a relative question in that I would say either rod would cast enough line to fish said rivers depending on the ability of the caster. But in my most humble opinion, which isn't even worth .02 cents it really doesn't make any difference. Does anyone every have to throw 60 feet of line on any river or stream to catch fish? I submit that it would be difficult to even know you have a hookup at those ranges when talking about trout. Now if you were sight fishing to big sea going creatures or giant stripers on the lakes a 60 foot cast is probably the norm.

Dano

[superfly]

Thanks David and Terry for your thoughts and opinions. Dano your reply is a little closer to what I am looking for. Thanks! But I would still like to hear some personal reviews of the two rods. I am not looking for marketing hype but personal reviews. What can you tell me about them? Thanks, Matt

[Crippled Caddis]

Thanks David and Terry for your thoughts and opinions. Dano your reply is a little closer to what I am looking for. Thanks! But I would still like to hear some personal reviews of the two rods. I am not looking for marketing hype but personal reviews. What can you tell me about them?

At risk of being accused of being harsh---you still don't 'get it'!

It makes absolutely no difference what other owners, reviewers or Grand Poobas think about either rod! The ONLY opinion that counts is YOURS!!!!!! If YOU like the rod it makes zippedee-do-da difference how many Gurus badmouth it. If you DON'T like it the opinions to the contrary by the rest of the civilized world don't amount to a hill of beans! The ONLY opinion worthy of note is your own. Get out there and TRY the RODS! That is the ONLY way you'll discover the answer YOU need.

[armyflyfisher]

Thanks CC. My point exactly.

[Guest flyfishBDS]

I agree with everyone else's comments including you CC. But I think he is asking for some sort of subjective comparisons to give him a guide.

That being said I'd suggest that it isn't just marketing hype you have to avoid rather its the brand-smitten Internet characters who haven't tried anything other than one type of rod, more often than not one rod weight then declare they are all great. What was Lefty's true quote "there's more bullsh&^ in fly fishing than in a Kansas City stockyard" LOl

Anyway Ill temper my opinion by saying up front I do love my Sages, brought my first 10 years ago and still fish it occassionally _ yeh I sell them too which is convenient but means Ive bought more than I needed/could afford.

We also used to carry St Croix _ more an issue of sales dwindling than any comment on rod quality _ in fact I lusted badly for an 8'6" 5wt Legend Ultra for years.

Generally the Avids I would rate as slightly slower and than the FLi, not that the FLI is truly fast. The Fli and its predecessor the DS2 I rate as great foregiving rods, easy to cast whether your a novice or an expert. They work.

The old Avids were a little woody in close, but nice enough with a mid-range of line out. The IPC Avids I havn't played with much but others I have seem to my hand to be a little too much soft tip/heavy but for the way I like a rods to bend.

On the other hand Winston have sold a bunch of the BIIx's like that so its obviously Im out of step.

As everyone else has said cast them. _ I don't have a FLi6 in stock sorry (I have the VT2 wiich is killer) and TFOs in 6s plus a preIPC Avid marked down a chunk.

Cast them all and work out what suits your hand and your hip poicket.

Cheers

Steve

[superfly]

CC thanks for argeeing with David's 2 cents. Steve I appreciate your comments on the rods. Thanks for your commentary and direction. Superfly

[Danimal]

Speaking of the FLI, last spring I left one in it's case lying on the ground at the Rockhouse Access on the Kings R. and drove off without it. I'm still sick about it. I totally agree with flyfishBDS that it's a very forgiving rod because I could actually throw it pretty well and I'm NOT a very good fly caster. Dan-o