my philosophy regarding $$$$$$ fishin stuff, I POPPED. About a week ago, to my surprise, I received a payment from a client who went through some hard times about 10 years ago. About that LONGago, VERY apologetically, he informed me he would be unable to pay me the balance due ( approx $1200 of a $9000 total ). He did state that when times got better, he would make good his debt. Basically I lost nothing except the additional $1200 in profit. All help was paid and in reality, NO BIG DEAL. December 23, last year, I received a check for $1600 from him with an accopanying note stating that he was very sorry for any inconvenience he may have caused me and a sincere THANK YOU for understanding. I sent him the $400 difference so fast his head would probably spin with also a note expressing my appreciation for fortifying my faith in mankind ( actually I just simply appreciated the gesture).
Long story short, I took the enexpected funds and popped for an Orvis Hydros somthinorother outfit complete with matching reel, line etc. So NOW, having expended funds WAAYYYY over what I deem “sensible” I fully expect full creels henceforth. By the way, it’s a blue one and it arrived today ( Ukrainian Christmas eve and we DO celebrate same)
Mark
PS: It’s a 9’, 4 pc, 4 wt with Hydros I Titanium filled WF, large arbor reel.
And NOW, having rod in hand, I’ve fortified my previous reluctance to buy on line. This rod is a “tip flex 9.5” and in NO WAY is it what I “assumed” it would be. It’s like a WET NOODLE . I heretofore “assumed” a “tip flex” would be a relatively stiff shaft with flex mainly in the upper third or quarter. This rod bends almost to the last ( butt section) with a minimal resistance. Is it ME or am I misundrstanding what the rod description signifies? Or perhaps is the rod mislabeled? I whatever case, we’re talkin RETURN.
So sorry the rod didn’t turn out to be what you expected…I do recall something said here about never buy a rod you haven’t cast 'tho. Make up for it on the replacement, right?
Hugs,
LF
And I, of all people, who has the gall to enter " We do it RIGHT the FIRST time" below my business letterhead. Sage advice LF, although obviously not heeded but, from now on…
I’d march that puppy down to one of the local outlets(there are 2 in the Chicago area) and wiggle every rod in the store until you find one that suits you. An exchange at the store for a mail order buy has never been a problem with Orvis. http://www.orvis.com/intro.aspx?dir_id=2204&subject=1648
Brad,
Perhaps even as you “spoke” I was at the Orvis store in our Yorktown SC. It IS a COMPANY store and my “wiggle” options were PITIFULLY limited. I would understand if this were an “authorized dealer” with a limited selection but this WAS a COMPANY store. I chose to drive the 40 miles “assuming” I would have HUNDREDS of rods to choose from. NOT SO. Maybe 30 or so were available and very few in my Hydros model in various lengths and wgts. We did cast two in the parking lot but that was not near enough of a basis to compare. I brought my original rod home . I’m thinking that the LENGTH and the WGT ( in THAT length) does not suit my style or casting taste. My next try will be a 5 WGT in 9’, 8.5’ and 8’ . I have Cabellas’ nearby and can, per Tyrone’s suggestion, test the Sage models . The saga continues.
Hap, you’ve pinned the “old” on me correctly. As far as the “rich”, only if SIRI ( Sirius XM radio) goes back up to near $5 where I “jumped” on it ( currently about $2- a GREAT buy at that $:))
These places that live on catalogs have very disappointing stores - like the Cabela’s in Coeur d’ Alene, Id - I thought I’d find al kinds of interesting stuff, and just had to force myself to buy a jacket that I don’t really like now that I have it. Another was Madison River Fishing Company in Ennis - such a nice catalog, but the shop was about the size of some startup. Guess they don’t plan for people to come in to shop, they must have some humongous warehouse.
It's only a #4 weight & a short fiberglass 1 piece rod isn't nearly as much of a wet noodle as any WondeRod or what you describe ! It takes 30' + to get the 5'4" rod to bend a whole lot, but it's not as if it's overlined with a # 12 weight tarpon flyline; which would define WET NOODLE ! Have an old T3 Orvis tip flex #9 that bends almost to the last section when 60' of line is in the air before the last haul of a double haul but the older 4-piece Orvis Superfine #7 weight from the 1980's loads at 35-40', which has a moderate bend in most of the rod for a medium action. Fast tips cast more of a crisp tight loop dry fly action than a wet fly open flyline loop. Check the flyline weight, try flies in the #14 to 26 range or maybe the rod is mislabeled .
Oldfrat,
That’s the deal I took advantage of. Rod, reel,line, tax and shipping for $545. MOST I have ever spent on an outfit. ( I know, a mere bag o shells for some of y’all )
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