old fly gear

[Crippled Caddis]

Greg asked:

<Anyone else use or own either of these oldies but goodies??>

Don't own that particular rod but would steal yours if the opportunity arose.;o) I do fish the Fenwick FF79 which is the 8', 6 wt. It is generally accepted as one of the best they ever turned out.

I've been using the Medalists and various clones labelled as Shakespeare or South Bend since I trolled off of the poopdeck of the Ark. They were the standard of the sport for generations and are still highly functional practical tools. They balance the older, heavier bamboo and fiberglass rods well and the spools are hollow specifically so you can add lead shot to achieve proper balance. If properly maintained they yield no advantage to the modern, high-zoot, high-dollar disc drag reels which have a long way to go before they bring to hand as many big fish, both salt and fresh, as the Medalists.

[Greg]

A lot of great replies - thanks. Old fly gear could almost be a continual category all by itself.

Terry I think I'll pass on the high-waisted khaki pants and gum rubber waders LOL. I'm not THAT into retro.

CC - I think you are right in that those old medalists are just as good as any of the high dollar reels out there. And certainly tougher than a lot of them. I used to think that I needed a high dollar fly reel with an ultra smooth disc drag (I've got a couple) to land some of the better trout at Taney. But I think yesterday proved the lie to that. Even with 7X tippet the old medalist paired with the softer fiberglass rod handled several pretty fair sized bows just fine. I have no doubt it would do just as well on a 20+ inch fish.

And it's no wonder glass rods are regaining such a loyal following. The better ones have a unique feel kind of between bamboo and graphite.

Greg

[Crippled Caddis]

<Old fly gear could almost be a continual category all by itself.>

It is! It is! Check out the 'Fishing Fiberglass Fly Rods' board at:

<http://p097.ezboard.com/ffiberglassflyroddersfrm9?page=2>

Lots of retrograde renegades there!;o)

[Terry Beeson]

Terry I think I'll pass on the high-waisted khaki pants and gum rubber waders LOL. I'm not THAT into retro.

Hey... I coulda told you high heel shoes, leasure suit, rayon shirt, and a gold necklace....

"Well you can tell by the way I use my walk

I'm a woman's man, no need to talk...

Ah, ha, ha, ha,

Stayin' alive.

Stayin' alive.

Ah, ha, ha, ha,

Stayin' alive."

[jjtroutbum]

Well its old and brown with 7 gold wire type wraps over the black ones has to be 9ft with only six guides. And its the first fly rod I ever used, caught a fish with or ever repaired.(even tho I did a terrible job.) Now its mine after years of eyeballin it.

It has a South Bend 1122 with a new 7wt bassbug taper line on it. In fact as soon as the weather warms up again its going back to a buddie's pond to hopefully catch a few more bass and monster carp or two.

Its not pretty nor do I have a label to say what kind of rod it is even tho I would lean toward it being a South Bend also since many of my fathers old rods that I also have now have seem to be.

My Dad is still fishing strong even if we don't get to go together as often as I would like. But he is always fishing with me in spirit when its one of his old rigs I am using.

However his rods arn't around if he is actually fishing beside me. Wouldn't want him to know how sweet those "old technologically inferior rods and reels actually are."

JJ

[Rolan Duffield]

I've been using the Pfluger Medalist 1495 reels for about 50 years. They are a very fine reel and great quality for the price. I never have experienced a problem using them.

The original reels used a brass hub in the center of the reel.

Pfluger has recently introduced a high dollar reel ($100.00 range) to satisfy those fisherpersons who desire to throw their money away.

Rolan

[troutchaser]

I've got a real problem with one of my old fiberglass fly rods. It belonged to my grandfather, who doesn't even remember owning it. It's a silver/gray color with black wraps and a black foam grip. The label describing it is long gone (peeled off). I don't even know what weight it is. Any ideas how to go about putting it into use? I'd like to use it, but I'm afraid of breaking it because my dad would kill me. It's fairly thick at the base, but with fiberglass, who knows. Any suggestions?

[Crippled Caddis]

Troutchaser wrote:

<Any suggestions?>

Check your e-mail.

[troutchaser]

Thanks CC.