I am interested in getting one of these rods. I think I want the 5’6" 5wt but am also intrigued by the 7’ 3wt. I guess I am looking for any feedback on these rods, good or bad.
Thanks, those comments are what actually got me interested. Just looking for other opinions as well.
georgiared, I have the 7’ 3 wt. I love it for fishing midge emergers on extremely light tippets. It’s a noodle for casting, but does a wonderful job of protecting light tippets and fishing small flies. I’m a devoted fan of Dorber rods, and their customer service can 't be beat, IMHO.
How about, they ([b]The Global dorbeR Group, Inc.)
/b have been a supporter of FAOL for over seven years? Gotta count for something! 
JC, yep, that too!
Just browsing the site myself, looks like a fine rod for sure.
Mike
You are in Luck!!! The Global dorbeR Group, Inc., has the following policy about ther RODS:
With the trade-in policy, try the rod of your choice for 30 days. If after that time you feel it’s not quite the right one, trade it in** for the one you’re really after. We really understand how difficult it is to make a purchase sight unseen. And we want you to have the equipment that best suits your fishing application.
Fishin’ Jimmy
I just ordered a 5’ 2# blank from 
Looking forward to getting it wrapped up and out on the water with it’s older brother.
We are going to have Dorber make some blanks for us! We received some samples from Ray a couple of weeks ago and quite frankly, we’re impressed. Very innovative and fishable designs. And they’re made in the USA!!! Yeah!!
Ron
I was impressed, when I called to place my order the other day, Jeff answered the phone, and said “Just a minute, I’m back in the plant” You could actually hear manufacturing going on in the background. I find it a testament that they can produce product here in the U.S., and sell it at a very reasonable price.
Would this be the 9 1/2 footer?
I’ve had a chance to fish the 5’ 2# Global Dorber pretty regularly now for the past several weeks. The rod has become my favorite rod for bluegill fishing, but to be honest, it takes some time to get use to the way it handles. I’ve never casted a rod before that was so specific in what it required regarding timing and application of power. Alot of that is due to it’s short length, if there is any slack in the line during back or forecast, there is not much travel available in the tip of the rod to eat up the slack. It’s also very easy to overpower the rod. The rod responds best to a gentle farily slow casting stroke. Once mastered, it’s a very pleasant rod to cast.
The rod also shoots line amazingly well. First time I cast it, it actually ripped the line out of my rod hand. You actually feel a recoil once the available line shoots.
Of course the best part about this rod is the way it feels when a fish is on the line. It a blast.
For the $55 invested in this rod, it’s a super great value, as long as you are willing to be patient and spend some time getting use to it.
I have the 5’ 5wt Lil’ Steamer. I am not impressed with it. However I have no need for a short rod or I might be. It is just not a rod I favor.
BTW it is only 48" from grip to tip… but has “8” snake guides and a tip. You really think it needs 8 double foot guides for a 48" shaft? I don’t. I would use half the guides and single foot guides as well. I know their theory about less slack between guides. But when the line is shooting it will not have any slack between guides in my mind. So to me that just means it just has many more guides to rub against while shooting out. Therefore more friction against the line as it is passing out the rod.
We just had a scout a rama yesterday. We had a casting pond set up for the kids with rods. However the fly club only provided 9’ rods for the kids to play with. Had I known I woud have taken some much smaller rods for the youngsters to experiment and learn to cast with. I mean one little boy just looked so out of place being so small and trying to false cast and cast with a 9’ rod. We did get an award and a plaque for most outstanding community booth. That was fun. It was more fun showing the kids how to tie flies, cast, and build rods. Basically it all went well though.
Anywhoooo…that Lil Streamer woud have been perfect for the youngsters to use on the first ever casting experience instead of 9’ graphite rods.
Having said that I have dealt with Global Dorber several times and will continue to do so. They are fine people.
To be honest, I’m not sure the 5’ rod would be a great rod to get somebody started. Maybe it’s just me, but I find the 5’ Dorber the most temperamental rod I’ve ever cast in 45 years of fishing. Once you get it figured out, it’s a very nice rod to cast, but there is very little room for error in terms of timing, power application and having any slack anywhere in the casting cycle.
I thought 9 guides was a bit much for a 5’ rod, but I will say it does shoot line like nobody’s business, so I’m not going to argue with their recommendation/design. I guess the proof is in the pudding as they say.
pszy22
Thanks for the explanation on the Dorber shoret rods. I probably didn’t give it much of a chance. I am not one that can pick up any rod and within minutes be casting perfectly with it. I am on the rookie side and need to just find a rod that suits me. I will never get to that great point as a caster that I can cast with any and every rod. So…it has a learning curve to get good with it. Good news. I will have more fun playing with it.
But I like what you explained about the lil streamer. It is a pretty neat little rod. I am wondering if it would be good to use in windy conditions since it is only a 5’ rod but strong enough for a 5wt line. I know my 11’-6" six wt is horrible in the wind.
I’m not sure that the Dorber 5’ would be particularly good in the wind. Not only is it a short rod, but it’s also a slow rod, so it doesn’t develop alot of line speed. Since it throws a fairly slow line, the line stays up in the air for a while, which allows more time for the wind to effect it.
Having said that, for some odd reason, which I don’t understand, I started casting the rod sidearm. I never cast that way with any other rods, but it does work very well with my 5’ Dorber. The advantage being that the line stays low, close to the ground thru out the entire cast, hopefully avoiding the full brunt of the wind.
I don’t know if anyone else has noticed, but here in Michigan, it seems to be ALWAYS windy. It was windy all winter, and it has been windy all spring. It seems like everyday. OF course, it could just be my imagination.
These rods were developed by a gentleman named Bob Brunsell for fishing small streams where there was little room for a backcast. They were never meant for long casts or for carrying a lot of line in the air. They are designed to use with a level line, and to shoot line with as little as 5’ of line past the tip. Having known Mr. Brunsell, I am familiar with his rods and the way he meant for them to be used. He fished the small streams of Wisconsin, and the 5’ 5wt. was his personal favorite.
These rods were developed by a gentleman named Bob Brunsell for fishing small streams where there was little room for a backcast. They were never meant for long casts or for carrying a lot of line in the air. They are designed to use with a level line, and to shoot line with as little as 5’ of line past the tip. Having known Mr. Brunsell, I am familiar with his rods and the way he meant for them to be used. He fished the small streams of Wisconsin, and the 5’ 5wt. was his personal favorite.
I look at the blank and think PERFECT for a young child’s rod. I have a four foot ECHO indoor casting rod and I was thinking of ways to convert it for my grandson who’s 4. The Dorber looks like it fills the slot I was looking for.