A Flyrod Company that is a Stand Out!

Here is a story that is somewhat embarassing, but whatever. I'm old enough to take the heat.
Two weeks ago I was out fishing for Striped Bass in the Ct. River. I was using an 8 wt. and not getting any response at all. We saw a few but that was about it. My friend and I decided to seize the opportunity and move to a local pond for gills and LM Bass so we loaded up the boat and off we went. I switched to my 6 wt. and all was good. Pete had left all his rods on his boat and when we moved colse to shore one of his rods got tangled up in the trees. I put mine down, untangled his rod and then pushed away from the trees. Pete calls out "look, your rod seperated"... wrong. My rod broke. And I am expecting to be gone in a couple of weeks to Maine, wanting this rod in my quiver.

Next day I pack it up and mail it out with a 3 day shipping time. A couple of days later I call Elkorn and leave a message that I'd like to talk to someone about the warranty turn around time. Note: Elkhorn warranties its rod against my stupidity. Ten minutes later, Brian (the owner) calls me back. He's got my rod in and is in the process of packing it up to ship it back with the replacement section. Seven days from the day I shipped the rod out it is back in my hands. Thats 6 days for the US Post office to do its job (exactly as they said it would be) and less than 8 hours turn around time for Elkhorn.

Well the day before I got that rod back I am doing a hurry up and fish deal before work. I suit up in waders etc, grab my rod and reach in to get my sun glasses. I close the door and.... **&$%*&. The rod failed the slam-it-in-the-door test. All four sections were caught in the door, one was broken. Again, I go through the drill and send the rod off. On the third day, I get a call again from Brian at Elkhorn. He said that he did not have the section I needed with the proper label. The same section is used in two configurations and he would be happy to send me one, noting that the label is wrong but the section is correct. Do I care...not for a nano-second. I give him the okay and the rod is turned around again within 8 hours.

Is this good customer service. No, this is MAGNIFICENT customer service. I will have both rods for my trip, thanks to Elkhorn.

Is it any wonder that they are sponsors here or that I own 5 of their rods. FYI they are also nice rods to cast, have nice hardware and are affordable. Yes this is a ringing endorsement of a company that deserves it.

www.elkhornflyrods.com

PS. I told Brian that I would try real hard not to break any more rods. I haven't given a rod the slam-it-in-the-car-door test in over 30 years and hope not to do it again for another 30 years.

jed

I got to cast and even fish a bit with an Elkhorn 8.5' 3wt with a matching T1 Elkhorn reel over the weekend. I put an SA Mastery XPS 3wt line on it. Brian told me I could overline it easily to a WF 4 if I wanted to, but I went with the 3. This rod and reel combo looks fantastic, feels great, casts and fishes like a dream. I let about 4 other very experienced fly fishers, including 2 professionals, cast it as well; and they loved it...including Emily Whitlock. (this is my wife's rod and reel, and Emily was teaching her to cast). We were single hauling 50-55' casts pretty easily with this very light-headed line on this 3wt. And it roll casts like a dream. This one is a "chick stick." The rod and reel are raspberry pink. The reel seemed very Ross-like to me for less than half the price. And it is 100% machine-forged aircraft aluminum with a fabulous warranty.

My introduction to Elkhorn has been pretty impressive so far. A buddy of mine recently ordered an Elkhorn as well. And he had a customer service issue that also went flawlessly. He considered the service "above and beyond." And he loves his rod as much and we seem to ours.

Jed,

I too am a member of the "Failed the slam it in the vehicle door" club. Decided to try and remedy that situation; so, visited sponsor here, (FlyReelDots.com) and ordered a couple of magnetic rod holders from Jerry. They work really fine and don't have that problem anymore.

Hi there,

Must admit I'm an Elkhorn fan. When I first delt with Brian over the phone from Australia (I think I surprsied him a little) his service was great and delivery was prompt. I own a 4 weight TA 9 footer and as once stated to me from more experienced persons at FAOL, "you get a lot of rod for your money".

Cheers

i might have to cast one of these elkhorn rods :shock: :D lol

I have an Elkhorn 2 weight with the T-1 reel. Super outfit!
Good to hear that Elkhorn backs their warranties so well. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.


TwoWeight

The end of the story. Brian called me Saturday with the rod in his hand. It arrived Monday in the mail. With all the rain we have been having I've hardly missed a day on the water.

jed

The most interesting thing about Elkhorn to me is that Brian is a one-man show. He owns a fly shop in Loveland, CO, selling hand-tied flies for $9/dozen and Elkhorn rods, reels, and fly lines...period. End of story. He's CEO, cashier, receptionist, file clerk, shipping/receiving, bookkeeper, store manager, and janitor. So when you call Elkhorn Rod and Reel, Brian answers the phone. If you need a repair or replacement, Brian does it. And Brian ships it out to you. So there is no "that's not my department" stuff with Elkhorn. It's just one honest guy with a great line of products trying to do his best to keep every customer happy. In the era of the global economy and big multi-national corporations...even in fly-fishing...you just gotta love a company like Elkhorn Rod and Reel.