Glass Trap
I'm starting to wish I had some fiberglass fly rods. Some of them are so incredibly good looking, and the feel of a fish fighting on a glass rod has no comparison. It kind of feels like a trap I'm falling into. Google some of the rods made by Kabuto or Gray Wolf and you'll see what I mean. Anybody else feel like they're falling into the same trap. I wish the blanks weren't so expensive.
Steffen Brothers make the best glass rods available today, in my opinion.
Their 2 piece blanks are $130.00. Reasonable for the finish, quality, and fishability.
The only drawback being they are only available in one color.
Mark has told me that the glass is special made for them and the minimum order is 500 pounds per color
and they can only afford the one color. It's expensive!
He also told me he had recently cast a new Lamiglas fiberglass rod and was impressed with it.
Do not know the cost of their blanks. Again, I believe they are only available in one color.
I like well made glass rods. They are definitely making a comeback.
When you can arrange your affairs to go fishing, forget all the signs, homilies, advice and folklore. JUST GO.
I know what you mean by expensive. The Kabuto rods have my imagination completely surrounded. So far I've seen the yellow, white & lemon drop colors. I'm afraid to ask about the price of the blanks for fear of insurmountable disappointment. I'm not a pro builder, but it would be an honor to build rods on those blanks.
Might want to check out the W&M Eagle Claw Featherlight rods.
A most economical but serviceable fiberglass rod.
Don't know how they build it for the price.
When you can arrange your affairs to go fishing, forget all the signs, homilies, advice and folklore. JUST GO.
Quite possibly my next fly rod!Originally Posted by bobbyg
Might want to check out the W&M Eagle Claw Featherlight rods.
A most economical but serviceable fiberglass rod.
Don't know h
(offsite link to my unedited thoughts on the Eagle Claw Fealtherlight here. i like naughty words, you have been warned)
I'm not gonna lie, they're cheap rods. That's part of the beauty of them. You can really just get on with your day and not care about swinging 7' of brittle plastic or dead wood around. I've smashed mine with full power back casts into stone pylons and rather than shattering the rod, I just chipped the paint.
Try that with graphite!
They're chunky rods, I find a 1495 Medalist balances out perfectly for me with one, and there's three lengths, a 6'6", a 7' and a 8' model. I haven't tried the shortest one of the line, but the 7' model is FAR SUPERIOR to the 8' model, which is ungainly in comparision. I've thrown both an Aircel 6WFF and a GPX 5WFF on my 7' rod, and prefer the GPX taper.
Its got a weird, parabollic sort of action. Lots of people complain about a dead spot, but I think that's the nature of the beast. I don't know what they're whining about, but then ignorance is bliss.
I've got plenty for more premium rods, and I won't lie... I goto them when I plan a fishing trip, however, my Eagle Claw is always in the back of my trucklet, with a well worn line, spare lisence and lanyard of junk. There's something to be said to always having a rod with you that you don't care about, and its just about indestructable.
$20 changed my views on fishing, dude. I'm low budget, now.
Last edited by gfen; 09-14-2011 at 08:00 PM.
Great post gfen!!
I love the pic of the snow covered rod and reel.
Yep, they're cheap but they get the job done surprisingly well! As far as castibility (is that a word) they get 'er done with a kind of funky action.
The perfect backup rod. And hell, they look like they cost a lot more.
The 1595 is cheaply perfect!
Last edited by bobbyg; 09-14-2011 at 08:38 PM.
When you can arrange your affairs to go fishing, forget all the signs, homilies, advice and folklore. JUST GO.
You could always pick up a couple of vintage glass rods.4 of the last 5 rods I bought are older glass rods,2 fenwicks and 2 Shakespere Wonderods.I paid less than $200 for the bunch.They all cast and fish great with that slower glass feel.Fiberglass rods have a bigger following than most people realize.One of my Wonderods is 2 years older than me and im 59.Its still doing the job like it was brand new.
An excellent perspective Skip!
I own and occasionally fish a 7' Shakespeare Wonderod. I suspect it's not older than I but I do
suspect it will be hauling in fish long after I'm toast!
It's also funkily attractive.
When you can arrange your affairs to go fishing, forget all the signs, homilies, advice and folklore. JUST GO.
hey joe pm me your address and I will send you one of those wm eagle claw rods. I have a couple that i love to play with i think a 7'6" wt or something in that area. they are cheap, they are a hybrid glass/graphite, they have a slow parabolic action (like those old monty boo rods). they are pretty well built for the price, will force you to slow down and enjoy the day. really lively rod with a fish on. i have caught nice bows (12-15 inch class), 3lb large mouth bass and tons of bluegills on them.
you know from past experience what fishing, any fishing, with glass is like. it will bring back some fond memories i bet.
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