Rod question

Pretty much a beginner to fly fishing. I really enjoy it, and I've even caught some fish, which if you knew me you'd understand what an accomplishment in itself that is. Anyways the new Cabelas opened in Reno, and I went in to poke around. I have never fiddled arouond with higher end rods before. Well the ceilings in the fly fishing area are very high, and they give ample room to play with rods. So I did. Now I feel that it feels like I'm casting with a 2 X 4 and some string. So i've been looking into Sage Launch, and FLi, St. Croix Avid, TFO, and on and on and on. Now for the tough part, in your opinion what is the best rod for the money? I'm thinking a 4 or 5 weight in the 8 foot range, as my favorite water to date is a small, brushy lined creek. Lets say keep it under 300 dollars (much closer to 200) as I am a humble public servant. Thanks in advance.

For the money, I've found Temple Fork hard to beat. I own several rods that cost much more, some as much as $600. The ONLY rod I have that hangs with, or SLIGHTLY surpasses the TFO is a St. Croix Ultra.

I like the Avid rods as well, but you're talking a VERY soft action. TFO for the money is simply hard to beat.

If you have the opportunity to do so, FISH with the rods you are considering (mooch off of friends, etc). If you cannot, CAST all of the rods you are considering. I suspect that one of them will just feel right in your hands and THAT is the rod you should get. If you have to buy one without having cast it, you run a certain risk of getting one you will not really like. There are not many rods out there that are bad any more, and frankly, any of the rods you listed, and a large number from other manufacturers, would serve you well, but the only way to make sure you get the best rod for you is to try them out.

For the record, the rod I have that gets the most use (and I own quite a few) is a Cabelas Stowaway 5pc 3wt, retail under a hundred bucks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 2wt

TFO for the money is simply hard to beat.

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What 2wt said. TFO is a great rod that can compete with alot of the higher priced rods; they're just not as pretty. If you are just getting started a TFO Professional or Finesse will do you well and leave you money for reel, line, etc.

Heelerdog,
Pretty much what DG mentions would be a good idea. Another one would be to find a flyshop with a good selection of rods in your price area and have a salesman rig up 3 or 4 using the same flyline/wt and take it out and cast it on a windless day. I would strongly suggest NOT looking at the brand to avoid any biases and just cast it. Don't try to go farther than your ability but just cast it. Parking lot casting is very different from on water casting so if a shop has a pond then all the better. Today you can pretty much find a great selection or rods for a very reasonable price-even under $200. You've got some good models already selected so start there. I'd also try to go with WF lines for all rods so the evaluations are equal. Ask about rod action and try to keep actions evaluated in the same category( medium, med-fast, fast). Good luck and have fun. Also consider the Winston Ascent-Vapor, TFO Finesse as added options.

Ok, "humble public servant," I have a solution for you. If you can walk and chew bubble gum, have an old cardboard box laying around, a coffee cup, a book and a couple of evenings of time, you can build a 7'-9" 4-piece 3wt for $64.95 + shipping and have a rod that will fish wonderfully, is light in your hand, and that you can be proud to say that you built all by yourself. It actually fishes best with a 4 wt line, can cast 50' of line with no problem, yet allows for delicate presentations under 20' as well. The way this rod handles it would easily cost $200 if it had one of those fancy names on it. Build this rod and you'll have enough money left over for a new reel, backing and fly line to go with it.

http://www.mailordercentral.com/hook...cts.asp?dept=8

If you order the chestnut thread with the kit, it will look like this when you are done:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...s/P1000039.jpg


Joe

great responses here. you can also do a search on this board and others for more info...

i agree - cast as many rods as you can get your hands on.

i do think st. croix is a good place to start for a quality rod- w/ the legend ultra and avid around your price point- both great rods and fun to compare- i don't think the avid is too soft esp. at 8'6" or under in the 4/5 wt range - and i really like the legend ultra in 4wt - to me the butt section on the 5wt legend ultra is just to stiff.

another rod to consider is the scott A2.

have fun searching for the new rod!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joe Valencic

Ok, "humble public servant," I have a solution for you. If you can walk and chew bubble gum, have an old cardboard box laying around, a coffee cup, a book and a couple of evenings of time,

Joe

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I'll confirm Joe's assertion above. If you're at all handy, you can make a great rod for what usually seems to be about $100 to $150 less than factory. Plus it feels pretty cool to catch fish on a rod you built! I put a St. Croix Ultra 8'6" #5 together last year following a combination of the instructions on this site, FlyFisherman, and the LA Garcia book. It's turned out great and it's been my workhorse rod all year. Another reason to do it is that you can also customize it a little with things that don't cost any extra. For example, it seems that small, slim handles are all the rage on factory rods for some reason. But I have big hands and prefer a fatter handle, so that's what I put on it. You can choose guide type and color, guide size, etc. Or you can put prettier hardware like the handle on a less expensive, but good, rod like a TFO. I can be a bit of a perfectionist, so it actually took me more like 9 or 10 nights of work on it, because I cut off quite a few wraps that I didn't think turned out well until I finally did two colors only on the ferrules and the decorative ones where it's signed.

I also second the casting and fishing. Especially if you're going to fish small streams, as it sounds you may, don't get seduced by the extra stiff and powerful rods in the parking lot. It feels great to be zinging 60 or 70 foot casts there, but when you're fishing 30 feet and in you'll want a different rod.

I truly HATE IT, when I readily agree with Joe V. because he gets all "giddy & giggly" and claps his hands together at the finger tips.....it's just disgusting to witness!
BUT!! His suggestion of "building your own", is the best on this post, so far, I have to admit! (stop giggling, Joe!).
It's ONE thing, to catch a fish on " a fly you've tied yourself", it's a double whammy, when that fish is played on THE ROD you've built yourself, as well.
Rod building scares a lot of people, but I don't know why!?! TRY IT, you'll LIKE IT! NO, wait, that's another ad campaign, sorry............

Seriously, try building your own rod. There's a long winter, ahead for most of us, it's a really fun and rewarding, winter time project. Use the suggestions, also, on the boards, here and go try out and cast as many rods as you can get your hands on. When you find one that "fits just right", then see about ordering that brand's rod blank and the remains to go with it.
(God, here we go again, with Joe's giggling)................ but, Joe's link he gave you, is also a very good source, for a rod building project.

If you ABSOLUTELY can't stand the thought of building your own, they as also suggested, I'd really look hard at the TFO series of rods. I own somewhere, around 30 rods, I think, but I've ALWAYS got at least two TFOs packed along with me when I take off fishing! For the price and quality for the price, and their fishability, they're pretty darn hard to beat.

(The above, is brought to you, for only my own .02)

I agree on the building..but it took me a while to get there. I own some nice factory rods that I fish quite a bit. But seem to spend more time with the ones I have built. Either way I think there are some great choices mentioned...
Once you buy one it becomes a sickness to find the "perfect rod" that may or may not exist. But, it sure is fun trying to find it.
Good Luck,
janus

I like an Elkhorn (they are also a sponsor here). Good rods for a great price and a lifetime warranty to boot. www.elkhornflyrods.com

jed

Thanks for jogging my memory, Jed. The Hook & Hackle Tradition II kit comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty as well for the $64.95. Jut a little icing on the cake to build your own.

Joe

Here we go again Joe. First I start fly fishing in July of 07. End up buying 3 fly rods, reels backing, line, flies, vest, and net. Go to the Micro Fish in Michigan, meet people that tie there own flies, build rods ( oh and not only great fisherman but also great people )

Now I start to learn to tie flies as of last week, fly kit, tools, etc.

And now you suggest learning to build rods........... my wife Saint Karen is going to kill us both. LOL

Hold it I have a plan ask for forgiveness it is easier than getting permission.


Tight Lines Folks

I don't know HOW the rod building things got here! Honest! They must have just followed me home!

Yep, forgiveness, not permission!

Scubatim;
Your "chain reaction", into this "obsession", sounds about par for the course, and you're also, right on schedule congratulations!
I started, where you and about all of us started,except I started back around 1975 or so, so look at all you have to look forward to!! You and "Saint Karen", can happily go down this inward spiral of the "Dark Side", together too, which is always nice.
You'll have to drag her, of course and the heels of her shoes will leave a trail, but hey, when ya' got hitched, remember you said, "I DO", not "I WON'T"!
True, if we were as rich and as famous and a master chef, not to mention looking like Adonis, like Joe V. Or, still young and as pretty and as talented at anything we touch,like Betty H. these levels of our fly fishing quest we reach, may be easier to handle for both ourselves and our spouses.
But, we have to do, the best we can, with what we have and just keep on truck'in and pretty soon........... "money will be no object, 'cuz ya' won't HAVE ANY left!!
And, this "silly MYTH" about "the divorce rate among fly fishermen is one of he highest per capita of any sport"?? Well, I KNOW that isn't true, because my 3rd. divorce lawyer said so and HE'S also a fly fisherman so I know he wouldn't lie to me!

ST CROIX AVID great rod! And its made in The USA! Soft rod perfect rod for what your describing fishing wise

I have an 8' Avid and after using it for a day two of my fishing buddies do also. It has a medium to medium fast action IMO so it is good in this case for three reasons. 1) You are not casting great distances and need the rod to load with a minimal amount of line. 2) In such a situation it is better to have a softer rod to fight the fish since the line stretch (like at 50') is not available to do it. 3) You have not been fishing or casting for long and so will probably do better with a more forgiving (not too stiff) rod. I don't disagree with building your own if $ are a concern. I am just agreeing with the Avid suggestion. IMHO the TCO rods that I have tried are very nice and several people like them, but I find them tip heavy and that is not my preference.

Thank you for the opinions, and advice. Building a rod is very intriguing to me right now. I load my own ammo (some of my guns have never shot a factory round since I've owned it), fletch arrows, and am fuddling my way through tying flies (but I'm improving), so building a rod seems a natural progression. I am also a perfectionist, so that's my concern. I still need to find one that feels right. Problem is the nearest fly shop is a minimum of 100 miles away. Luckily I have to go to the BIG city for training in the near future, and I'll have plenty of opportunity for "browsing". Then the decision part comes in to play. I have 116 days until the streams reopen, so to be safe I have 90 days to figure it out. Thanks again, and keep the opinions coming if you feel like parting with it.

I have to agree with Joe - build your own, if you can. The satisfaction is a great thing! Besides, even if you are a "perfectionist", you could build two or three for the cost of a single factory rod. Trust me, by your third rod you'll be customizing it and having great fun!

Enjoy . . .

Joe

Quote:

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Originally Posted by heelerdog

Thank you for the opinions, and advice. Building a rod is very intriguing to me right now. I load my own ammo (some of my guns have never shot a factory round since I've owned it), fletch arrows, and am fuddling my way through tying flies (but I'm improving), so building a rod seems a natural progression. I am also a perfectionist, so that's my concern. I still need to find one that feels right. Problem is the nearest fly shop is a minimum of 100 miles away. Luckily I have to go to the BIG city for training in the near future, and I'll have plenty of opportunity for "browsing". Then the decision part comes in to play. I have 116 days until the streams reopen, so to be safe I have 90 days to figure it out. Thanks again, and keep the opinions coming if you feel like parting with it.

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heelerdog,

With the resume of hobbies you have provided, there is no doubt that you can do this, and do it exceedingly well. Now it's just a matter of "when," not "if," you will be building that rod.

When you go to the BIG city and cast all those rods, keep in mind that you will not find names like Pacific Bay, Rainshadow, Dan Craft, Gatti, Tiger Eye, Matrix and the other manufacturers names that you will find in the custom building community. These blanks are also used for some of the mainstream rods you are familiar with, but can be purchased for a fraction of the price of the name brand rods.

To learn some more about the different blanks and their characteristics, go to http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/ and just start reading and looking at some of the work that has been done by first-time and veteran builders alike. I spent over a month just reading the different posts, looking at pictures and asking questions before building my first rod in January '07, and then went on to build 10 more, with 6 blanks waiting in the basement for me to get "a round tuit." I further evolved to turning my own reel seats on the lathe, and built my own wrapping jig and rod dryer from scrap lumber and inexpensive components.

Have fun, whatever you do, and don't be afraid to ask questions. We can walk you through anything it takes to build your first rod, and like all good fishermen and fisherladies, we have an answer for everything.:mrgreen:

Joe

Besides building your own, 'for the money' both short and long term, I would also look into the used or discontinued rod market.
You can always find deals on some of the finest rods this way.

Don't buy junk, (after all, it will be 'your' rod). Don't buy really, really good stuff, (fondly, it will always be your 'first rod' but not your 'best' work). You may sell it someday, (keep that in mind as you order the parts and construct it). Buy middle of the road components with names most have heard of, (avoid the 'Spchlitzem & Binsdem') types. Do not overbuild the rod; too many guides, too heavy guides, too heavy thread, too many turns of thread on each guide, (burnish the thread down after wrapping), too many coats of too many coats of whatever, mix any epoxy e-x-a-c-t-l-y right.
Remember,,, it's just a fishing pole.

Well Joe, you'll be glad to know I am very seriously considering building my own, most likely the kit you suggested. I'll probably hold off until I get back from the BIG city. So for Joe, and everyone else, get ready for a whole lot of questions here in the near future. Thanks again everybody for all the advice.

And then, there is this:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=6538106

James, isn't this the same rod that you used as a demo at the MI Fish-In last year? It is now $70 and it no longer comes with the backing, line, and leader all spooled up. I have looked in every Wal-Mart that I have been in since the Fish-In, looking for one of these. (Not all that many, I admit.) I haven't seen one anywhere in Tennessee. I was wandering around the Wal-Mart in Pascagoula, MS. They had an entire display of them! I brought one home because it jumped off of the rack and looked so lonely... ($70 wasn't too much of an adoption fee.) I hope to take it out for some exercise soon. :)

Ed, who tries to be a responsible fly-rod pet owner...

There is another one on that same walmart site. Ready to Fish Pre-Rigged 6wt outfit. Everything rigged up. $59.98

I don't see that.

The Wal-Mart store in Pascagoula also had a bunch of the 8-wt rods and some of them were spooled up. I couldn't find a price on them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DG

If you have the opportunity to do so, FISH with the rods you are considering (mooch off of friends, etc). If you cannot, CAST all of the rods you are considering. I suspect that one of them will just feel right in your hands and THAT is the rod you should get. If you have to buy one without having cast it, you run a certain risk of getting one you will not really like. There are not many rods out there that are bad any more, and frankly, any of the rods you listed, and a large number from other manufacturers, would serve you well, but the only way to make sure you get the best rod for you is to try them out.

For the record, the rod I have that gets the most use (and I own quite a few) is a Cabelas Stowaway 5pc 3wt, retail under a hundred bucks.

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DG you are 100% on the money
i tell all customers that come in to cast the rods and find the one the feels the best for them and thats the one you buy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EdD

I don't see that.

The Wal-Mart store in Pascagoula also had a bunch of the 8-wt rods and some of them were spooled up. I couldn't find a price on them.

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http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=6538101

Thanks Tailingloop. I didn't see them when I searched on "Fly Rods" on the Wal-Mart site. I guess that I'm loosing it...


Ed

I got one of those SA combos at JC's recommendation because I wanted a 6wt. I really like it. In the Omak Wa. Wal-Mart they had both the complete set ready to go and the other one not yet put together.

A good value IMO

I would do an internet search and see if I could find a 4 or 5 wt Sage SLT. IMHO they are the finest rods ever made. Just right. Not too slow. Not too fast. And pretty.

There are 8' 4 wts and 8'6" 4 and 5 wts. Prolly can find one for under $400.