Crippled Caddis Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 For a slightly different look at the W&M Eagle Claw Feather Light series here's an abbreviated report to Dano, who just acquired a totally rebuilt 7 1/2" W&M 'Sweetheart', about the late '60s Feather Light I recently acquired. I hope Dano will post pics of his new rod, totally rebuilt by a local artist----it's absolutely gorgeous! The Feather Light I fished today has the short, neat-appearing metal ferrules common to the era and the right number of proper snake guides rather than the spinning guides on the current (spinning rod derived) Feather Light. It is rated for a 6 wt. line. ********************************************************************** <Can't wait to see & cast your Sweetheart! Wanta see how it compares to my Feather Light that I fished today with a WF5F on the little Hardy Marquis 5 that it handled gleefully. It's a 100% different rod from the modern version and I suspect even moreso after fishing it that it shared a blank with a higher grade rod. Stuck a 'good'un' shortly after starting and Mark, the local guide on the Spring River and my fishing buddy, who was watching and could see it better than me, said "You got a big'un"! There's a couple of big rocks near 'the slot' and he promptly ran under one and shucked the fly. :-( Best I could tell was it mighta been a 4-5 # fish. Strong! Fishing was tough today! Never did pin down a pattern or consistant technique. The fact that every rock has an eddy behind it full of hatchery 'trout chow' may have more than a bit to do with it. :-\ Best fish was @ 2 1/2-3 #s, a hook-jawed male 'Bow that was foul-hooked. :-( But he sure put the Feather Light through a work-out! Mark and I both tried to catch some fish for our new 'fishing buddies', Ivan & Olga, an older emigre' Russian couple. Between the two of us we weren't able to send them home with their limits but Olga promised smoked trout if we showed up on Friday anyway. ;-) When Mark and I between us can't catch limits in a few minutes the fishing is tough!> ********************************************************************** So if you stumble across an older Feather Light with metal ferrules and snakes in good condition--------grab it! It's a 'good'un'! CC "You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in their struggle for independence." ---Charles Austin Beard
Ham Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 I looked at the EC yellow rods at the world of wally yesterday. They had the 7' 5~6. I have tried to see what other models they offer, but my first round of online looking was unsuccessful. Do any of you guys have an idea where I can find a full list of all those yellow EC fiberglass flyrods currently available? Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish
TroutBum4wt Posted January 20, 2008 Author Posted January 20, 2008 Ham, Try looking at troutlet.com Cheers! "Where There Are Trout, There's Hope" - John Gierach
Danoinark Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 I looked at the EC yellow rods at the world of wally yesterday. They had the 7' 5~6. I have tried to see what other models they offer, but my first round of online looking was unsuccessful. Do any of you guys have an idea where I can find a full list of all those yellow EC fiberglass flyrods currently available? Ham the other is a 6 1/2 ft 5 wt. Dano Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks"
WebFreeman Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 Ham, which Wally World were you at, if I may ask...? “Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” — Henry David Thoreau Visit my web site @ webfreeman.com for information on freelance web design.
Greg Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 I was looking at rods on ebay and found several eagle claw featherlights there. Sadly it looks like they (eagle claw) went to a plastic reel seat in 2007. It's probably just as functional but to me that's a definite downgrade. Greg "My biggest worry is that my wife (when I'm dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it" - Koos Brandt Greg Mitchell
timsfly Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 Those little feather lights only come in two sizes, 6 1/2 and a 7', both are great and cheap, under 20.00 anywhere, I sell several hundred of them every year, great little fiberglass rods, a little heavy but well worth the $ amount. Tim Homesley 23387 st. hwy 112 Cassville, Mo 65625 Roaring River State park Tim's Fly Shop www.missouritrout.com/timsflyshop
Paola Cat Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 I agree, those featherlights are a little heavy by today's standards. I owned the 6 1/2 foot model in the early '80s. Paid $15.00 for it back then and thought that was fortune. I used it to mess around with smallmouth and assorted bream in the upper/upper Niangua downstream from the MDC Charity access. Actually sold it at a garage sale with a codura covered rod tube for $35.00 several years ago. Fun little rod with great durability. PC Cheers. PC
Ham Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 Thanks guys. I think I'll try a 7 foot one. I was at the MH wall world on HWY 62. They had 2 of them. Matal reel seat I think. Glad to see that Tim carries them at his shop. I might try to get mine there next time I get to RR. I have no real need for this rod and I need to protect myself from the winter crazies in which I buy gear I don't need. Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish
drew03cmc Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 The Mountain Home Wally World carries those? Hmm, may swing in while down there for Sowbug Andy
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