Fly rods

[Bad cast]

I have a older 6 wt rod and I would like to get a 3 or 4 wt for fishing mo. spring creeks. Is temple fork a good rod for the money. Any suggestions

[Fox Statler]

Global Dorber has a new rod call the Ultra Weave which is the best fly rod I have ever cast. I cast a 2 wt. into the backing using Aqua Nova line at their manufacturing plant in Flippin Arkansas. They make this rod up to a 9 wt.

I made a custom 3 wt. for a fella and he loves it. Check them out, they are moderate priced, almost unbreakable, one of the lightest blanks made. The Ultra Weave material stops the rod from breaking down in the cast because the graphite is inter-directional, going up and down and right and left in the same layer.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I believe the TFO rods to be quite nice. To say I'm in love with my TiCr 5 weight is an under statement. Every rod in the lineup I have cast has been like buttery smooth. They have a new rod out, the Finesse line. I havent cast that one but will at the Sowbug.

As Fox mentioned, Global Dorber makes a fine rod. I have also cast plenty of them that are very easy to throw. I have not tried this Ultra-Weave; but again, I will cast it at the Sowbug.

happy casting - Brian

[Fox Statler]

You are going to love the Ultra Weaves Brian, I have helped out on tweeking them alittle. I suggested that the stiffen from 6wt. on up. Ray Bauer brought over a 9wt. that you would not throw a sine wave in it. They are the straightest casting rods I have ever used, no axial twist. We were casting 100 plus feet of line like it was 60.

[Guest flyfishBDS]

I sell rods, including TFO, so you can take the following however you like _ but there are no bad rods over about US$100 from the major fly rod companies

However there are a whole bunch that you may not like for your style of fishing and casting. Solution go to fly shops or events like the Sowbug and cast as many as you can.

Ignore price, brand names, sales pitches and find the one that you find nicest to cast, that fits in your budget. More than likely you will get some free casting advice too if you want it.

I have found some suprising nice rods under $100 there are some from St Croix, STFO and Cortland that were nice to cast, but in general at this price these are gems among some ugly rods.

Sinceyou asked about TFO my favorite 4wt is the new finesse 7'9 4wt very sweet. But go and cast them and find your favorite.

Cheers Steve

[Brian K. Shaffer]

" Sinceyou asked about TFO my favorite 4wt is the new finesse 7'9 4wt very sweet. But go and cast them and find your favorite.

Cheers Steve "

Great advice Steve! I havent see it put that bluntly (correctly) in a while.

I want to cast this little gem right now.. the finesse rod.. dadgummit!

Just have to waint til the Sowbug.

best fishes - Brian

[Greg]

I've said it on this forum before but I think Bass Pro's classic fly rods are a great buy especially for the money - about $100. I have an 8 ft 5 wt that is really my favorite trout rod even though I have several much more expensive rods (Sage, etc). They are fairly light and have a nice medium fast action. Plus they have good looking hardware - real wood reelseat, machined hardware, etc. The BP manager here in Spfld also says they are really durable - they get very few back due to breakage.

Just my opinion. I also agree with Steve who said that if you spend at least $100 you are going to get a good rod. There used to be a lot of junk out there but that isn't the case anymore.

Greg

[Bad cast]

Thanks for the rod info. I know this is a stpid question, but, whats the Sowbug?

[Fox Statler]

The Sowbug RoundUp in Mountain Home, Arkansas in March, the 16th-18th. The North Arkansas Fly Fishers put it on. I think it only about $5 or $10 dollars to get in.

[Guest flyfishBDS]

Hey Brian I have a solution to your "need" drive down my way this weekend, fish Beaver and come into the store and cast it.

I have to say any decent fly shop, and staffers, will not mind people casting rods _ hell I love taking people out to play, even if they are just deciding. Its something you don't get at the big box stores, people who are crazy about FF, go often give up real jobs a decent salary etc etc just because they want FF to be more than just something to do on weekends. Im not just talking about my shop but others like MClellans in Fayetteville, and others all across the country. Hey plus there is nothing like the grin on a guys face when you give him a tweak to his casting which adds 10 feet and a nice loop

You may save a few $ in a Cabelas for instance ( though not on good fly rods) but you miss out on free casting lessons, advice on your local waters etc etc.

And not that I'm disrespecting Greg's like for the Bass Pro rods, I'm sure there are some decent sticks among them _ they probably come from the same Asian factories many of the other budget rods (SA Cortland, etc) come from. But I do have a personal view I'd like mine designed by a fly fisher not a factory owner, even if its a $139.95 rod.

But we all get to decide who gets our money, and trout don't check rod stickers for the right labels

The bottom line is FF is supposed to be fun after all

Cheers

Steve