Anybody here interested in fiberglass fly rods? I find myself more and more enamored with them every day. I figured about 2 years ago that it wouldn’t be long before the cost of some of these gems would reach $700 or more, and sure enough it’s happened. I really like the relaxed casting stroke and less than aggressive delivery of the fly. The tussle after the hook up isn’t too bad either. I’m hoping to build an 8 foot, 3 piece, 5 weight sometime soon.
I’ve also become enamored with them in the last two years.
I currently own four, two custom builds and two great earlier rods.
You might want to look at Steffen Bros. blanks Joe.
I’m of the opinion they offer as good, or better, tapers than anyone.
Here’s a photo of my custom 7’9" 3 piece 3/4 weight Steffen…
I have 18-20 vintage glass rods
A few Phillipsons, a bunch of Fenwicks, W&M, H-I, Heddon, Gracia, Berkley, Lamiglass
Some are better than others, a few are exceptional, and many qualify as tomato stakes.
I try not to pay more than $25- $30, but I’m always in the market for the next nice Phillipson
It’s a fun collection
I like the looks and the reports I hear about the Epic blanks. But they are expensive, sold out in my favorite size, and you have to wait a long time to get one. They come from New Zealand.
what’s the price range for an early Phillipson glass rod?
I would pay $175 for one in top shape, but that would be my limit.
A decent one might be had for around $125 especialy those marketed by Orvis, LLBean, Abercrombie & Fitch, or other smaller shops.
Out of the 3 that I have the most “expensive” was $35
Those Epic blanks are expensive! And, I’m sure that doesn’t include shipping.
Steffen 2 piece blank,$135.00
3 piece…$170.00
$20.00 shipping
Hey Joe, I have been fishing them a lot in the last five years. Fenwicks, Heddons, Garcia, Narmco, Actionglas, and Wonderods are what I have been fishing. Fenwick Feralites are really nice rods for the money on the used market. For most fishing I use either glass or bamboo because of their slower smoother feel especially at distances less than 50 ft. I have test cast a couple of the newer rod offerings such as Seele and Orvis. They were nice to cast although I thought they were each very different feeling. I really have no idea how they fish, which is the true test of a rod to me.
I picked up a cheap blank of eBay years ago, and it is tied for first on my favorites list.
Joe … You know you’re only going to get yourself into trouble asking questions like that!!!
Betty, I’m in trouble so deep now I just want to throw my hands up. Champagne dreams on a Kool-Aid budget you know.
I passed up two glass rods at a garage sale yesterday abeat up femwick and awonder rod would love to have both of them but not in the budget as I have no where close to fish them
Eric-WD: I know a gentleman who tried using an older fiberglass rod after he refurbished it and on the first cast it broke because the fiberglass had become brittle due to its shelf life. If the rods were not stored properly then rod would only be good for tomato stakes.
Ron
Ron I have four garage sale find glass rods that cast, at the cost of these I would have bought them if I had a place to fish them for me living on the Wa coast it is acaseof water water everywhere and not a place to fish (I prefer Warm water)
Can’t buy many packages of Kool-Aid for 10 dollars, but you can buy a fiberglass blank for that.
Brad
Where Brad? Where?
Actually Brad, I just found a 2 piece, blue, 6 foot blank that you sent me a couple of years ago. I forgot I even had it.
Glass is no good… Outdated, not strong enough.
So you’ve started teasing Swamp Witches now? Beware apples of unknown source.
Wouldn’t you rather just take her out chasing 'gills?
Regards,
Ed
Forgot about the Eagle Claw Featherlight! Got a blem for 29.95. Perfect for the trunk!