Eagle Claw "feather Light" Fly Rod

[TroutBum4wt]

I tried out my new fiberglass 6'6" Eagle Claw Featherlight rod this morning at Taney and this little thing was fun and pretty much did whatever I asked it do. Not bad for $16.10, plus $7.78 for shipping.

I had a DT4F line on it and the parabolic action wasn't that hard to get used to. As other forum threads have mentioned, this fiberglass rod is accurate and casts really well, depending on the distance. Can't wait to take it to Crane.

I got mine from troutlet.com.

[flyfishmaster]

TroutBum4wt,

What is line weight for that rod since it is so small? I was thinking about getting one for my wife for xmas. Is a 4wt line what it takes? or can you go smaller?

Since you are fishing it on Taney, will the rod hold up against a 10 pound fish? or is that what you are hoping to test out?

Later

[TroutBum4wt]

Flyfishmaster,

According to the writing on the rod, it can take "line size 2-6 lb" or "lure wt. 1/16-3/8 oz."

In terms of fish size, I was hoping to hook a pig today, but Taney is just wide open and a good testing ground. It handled stocked-size fish just fine today.

[Danoinark]

My 6.6 featherweight throws a nice 5wf line. Flyfishmaster, they also make a 7 ft featherweight for 6wt line. It also throws a nice loop with a dt5f line.

As to handling a 10 lb fish. Here is my take. Fiberglass is stronger than graphite, so if it could be caught on a graphite rod of the same class and line size, sure, and probably without worrying about splintering the butt section of the glass rod.

I am building an arsenal of glass rods. I enjoy the nostalgia associated with them and the hunt for vintage rods has been very pleasurable. Granted they are overall slower than most modern graphite, but they certainly match my casting style.

Dano

[drew03cmc]

Those rods are a steal for that price. They are absolutely a dream to cast, if a slower action rod suits you better!

[Crippled Caddis]

flyfishmaster wrote:

<What is line weight for that rod since it is so small? I was thinking about getting one for my wife for xmas. Is a 4wt line what it takes? or can you go smaller?>

They are generally conceded to be 5 or 6 wt. rods according to ones tastes. Those who have never had any experience with fiberglas and bamboo may well prefer them with a lighter line as Trout Bum does with the 4 wt. The lighter line will make them feel faster. Those who favor and are comfortable with the more relaxed pace of traditional actions might well enjoy the slower casting pace of a heavier line. While I haven't cast one of the 6 1/2' foot versions I keep one of the 7 footers rigged with a Martin 'tuna can' reel in the van at all times in case I run across a creek that needs to be sampled on the spur of the moment. It has a very soft tip action that would cast a lighter line in close pretty well but I admit to preferring a WF6 on it because it will work the rod deeper into the mid-section to allow throwing bigger offerings.

So don't buy one with the expectation that it is a 4 wt. Like Trout Bum you may find that you prefer it with a 4 but it's just as likely that you will like a 5 or 6 better. Just get one---they are so cheap there's no reason for everyone not to keep one rigged in his vehicle for 'emergencies'. ;o) CC

[retroaction man]

thanks to this thread i now am waiting on my extra setup

it nice to not pay 300 bucks and still come out with a totally decent functional rod

this industry needs more visio type companies to bring some of these insane prices down

:drama

again thanks for that link

[catman]

I've got a 7'0" I use on my small creeks for smallies and mine is line rated for 5wt-6wt, I have thrown 4wt on it fine. They are almost bullet proof to breakage and damage, almost..

[flyfishmaster]

Thanks to everyone on the replies. I think you sold me on getting one. I will get one ordered in a few days. Now I just have to figure out what to get the wife for xmas?

[bowfin47]

For more opinions on this rod:

http://p099.ezboard.com/eagle-claw-FEATHER...picID=375.topic