2 PC "Premium" graphite fly rods?

FAOL Community Sound Off
1

First Rant of 2014:

What ever happened to the demand for 2pc rods of the “premium” sort? I know demand drives marketing, but I’m sure there are still a few of us around who prefer 2 to 4 pc rods for everyday fishing. What happened? Not even sure if G Loomis is still offering the GLX “classic”? I kinda lost respect for Sage a few years ago since they stopped producing 2 pc rods ending with the Z-axis (they have gotten weird with marketing anyway when they stopped letter designations and went to cheesy names for their sticks). I know this has been covered before. Am I missing something? Have any of you 2 pc favoring folks found any alternative makers for trout weight rods? I guess cabin fever is catching up with me already. discuss…

2

I don’t know why anyone would want to use a 2 pc versus a rod with more pcs, except that a 2 pc rod catches more fish.

A 2 pc rod is easier and faster to assemble and take apart, because it has fewer sections it comes apart accidentally less often during the course of a fishing day, and as a result keeps you fishing longer and with less hastle. Isn’t that why we go fishing in the first place?

I remember when 5’ fly rods were fashionable 40 or so years ago, and when rubber soled wading shoes were claimed to be equal to felts just a couple years back.

I would think that rod manufacturers will also put their heads back on at some future time, and we’ll see a reintroduction of those superior 2 pc fishing machines.

3

You can make 2 pieces out of a 4 pc rod, but you can’t make 4 out of a 2. I keep my 4 piece rods in 2 pc cases, then I don’t have to assemble the 4 pieces. Is the reason 2 pc catches more fish that you get it in the water faster?

4

I was just about to post what herefishy says…

5

Same here. I never break down into four pieces unless I know I won’t be using the rod for awhile.

6

I’ve made 2 pc rods into 3 pcs many times. I could have made them into 4 pcs but I always had them repaired first.:smiley:

7

a 2 pc rod catches more fish.

2 pc catches more fish that you get it in the water faster?

Seriously? Is there actual data to support these claims, or are you equating the 10 seconds it takes to assemble 2 ferrules with catching enough fish to justify the claim.
10 seconds might be stretching it a bit.

8

4 piece or 1 piece that the norm now days just about sold all my 2 piece rods only own 2 older ones that I will keep.

9

I ask the same question. Especially when I had to shell out over $100 to replace a BLANK Sage tip section.

There are some 2 pc. blanks out there. Batson still makes them. If you decide to go that route.

10

I started off with 2 piece rods, then 3 piece rods and now 4 piece rods (with a few 5 & 6 piece rods tosses in for good measure). I totally prefer the 4 piece rods for travelling reasons. They have perfected the ferrules so there is no negative impact on casting the multi-piece rods. Two piece rods seemed to get their tips broken far more often than 4 piece rods for some reason (doors, tail gates, etc). I am a firm believer in 4 piece rods. Now, if you are talking Tenkara then that would be a one piece rod most of the time. :slight_smile: Larry —sagefisher—

11

Tenkara is multi pieces slid in side each other. Just bought 2 Hardy 1 piece unbelievable feel while casting and fishing . I have really enjoyed these rods. Hard to believe the difference you need to go cast one.

12

If you are going to fish with 2 piece rods you must have proper Rod Carriers :mrgreen:

13

I thought my rocket launcher was formidable, but it is obviously no match for yours.

P.S. Mine holds 3 fully assembled weapons, up to 9 1\2’ long.

14

Airlines charging extra for baggage and disallowing carry-on of cases long enough to hold a 2 piece.

I, too, prefer a 2 piece, but if you plan to fly with a rod, you’re probably looking at a 4 (or more) piece.

15

Seriously?

Are we getting bored a bit here?

Buddy

16

This is very strange, because the rest of the fishing world, baitcasting and spinning, are going more and more and more to one-piece rods. Obviously, the small majority (fly fishers) must be right and everyone else must be wrong…

17

Interesting essay if you will in Mid Current: http://midcurrent.com/gear/fly-rods-no-more-pieces/

18

There are a wide variety of 2pc blanks available. No reason to go without the rod you want.

19

I think it’s a matter of how we travel and how we use our rods. When my primary target was bass I relied on feel transmitted up the line through the rod to my hand much more than I do with a fly rod. I really didn’t want a 2 piece rod and traveled in a vehicle large enough to accommodate my rod and with a boat behind me. I never carried my casting or spinning rods on an airplane. I have carried my fly rods on several trips by airline as the primary mode of transportation. Shoot, I have even taken the air out of my boat and taken it to AZ in my luggage a few times.

20

I suspect consumer demand, or lack thereof, may have contributed. At the shop I work with people just quit buying mid to high end 2 pc rods. The 4pc rods really started to sell much better after the 9/11 attacks changed the way we travel. Most customers spending on the mid to high end rods had no problem paying the slight up charge for 4 pc rod. They quit buying 3pc rods too.

Also over the last few years as fuel prices rose more anglers here started driving economy cars to local fishing spots instead of their trucks and SUVs. Even on longer range trips to the eastern Sierra many downsized their vehicles. I have a truck and a Toyota Corolla and I started using the car more. A 9ft 2pc rod does not fit into the trunk well. Living in an urban area where there is a segment of the population that likes to go shopping in other people’s vehicles, both near by and in the local mountains, many do not like leave their gear or even rod cases in plain view in the vehicle. Rods with 4 or more sections are preferred by many because they fit in a trunk or storage bin.

Today we sell about 10 4pc rods for every 2pc rod even at the budget levels. There is actually more interest in 1 pc rods by many anglers who have boats.