I just received a Hardy Graphite Smuggler 7 piece fly rod, serial number CG41794. Based on the CG in the serial number I believe it was manufactured in March 1984. It looks like it has been fished at most only a handful of times, i.e., only slight discoloration on the cork reel seat and no signs of paraffin on the ferrules.
My question is: Using modern weight forward floating fly line what weight line is this rod designed to use? It looks to be either 3 weight or 4 weight. Also, what would be a good fly reel to match up with this rod? Any information you can provide would be very much appreciated.
Would have to reference old fly fishing magazines for the specific info, but either the Hardy Flyweight, Featherweight or Sunbeam reel was probably a matching balanced outfit. From The Complete Anglers Guide by Scott Roederer 1985 : Hardy offered 3 smuggler rods : 7’ for #5, 8’ 2 1/2" for #6 & a 9’5" for a #7.
I believe all the Smugglers were full flex rods bending right down to if not into the grip. This explains the smaller diameter butt section compared to today’s very fast action tip flex rods.
The 1985 matching reel for a #6 would either be the Sunbeam 5/6 ( WF5F + 100 ), 6/7 ( WF6F + 100 ), the Featherweight ( WF6F + 40 ) , the LRH lightweight ( WF6F + 80 ), the Princess ( WF6F + 140 ) or a Marquis 6 @ 60 or 7 @ 105 for a WF6F with backing.
