I have read a lot about these rods and would like to hear if anyone has any experience with them. The more I read about them the more I like them but we all know that marketing words are there to encourage purchase. Has anyone any experience with these great looking rods?
You might try a Product Review here: [url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/prorevw/hexagraph.html:d1def]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/prorevw/hexagraph.html[/url:d1def]
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
here we go
Thanks Ladyfisher
JC, I am not quite sure that I understand your comments…
[This message has been edited by dleo6446 (edited 29 March 2005).]
dleo,
I have one, 5wt. got it used in a trade. Original hex I think, has Walton’s name on it.
Really like it and consider it as a dry fly rod. If you like rods super fast this would not be the rod for you.
Kind of fun, many will ask you if you are fishing a bamboo.
Haven’t tried the “new” ones, since Walton Powell dropped his involvement. Like all rods, cast one and if it fits your style and stroke buy it.
baldmidge
Thanks for the input bald midge. I usually do fish bamboo and enjoy the feel of the lovely reed. I have bamboo that ranges from very slow with a lot of reserve power to nearly as fast as some graphite. Lately, I have read a lot about this Hexagraph and then when a friend of mine asked about their performance I decided to embark on a knowledge quest from those that have fished it rather than just from those that sell it. It does sound like it could be a pleasing rod to fish.
I noticed in an ad the other day that they are now making 1 pc rods up to 7’. That sounds like an intresting rod to try.
Pete
[url=http://blacklabfliesandsupplies.com:c51f6]http://blacklabfliesandsupplies.com[/url:c51f6]
Hey Pete, that 7foot one piece sounds like a nice little stick. One of htese days I am going to make a 7’ one piece in a 4 wt just to say that I did. I think it would be pretty cool to have a 7’ one piece in a classic taper.
I just ordered a 7’6" Hex from Harry, and I look forward to fishing it. I read a lot of reviews and talked to a lot of people that have had great success with theirs. Should be a pretty nice rod.
I took a look at your site, pretty nice stuff you make there Pete. Most impressive thing was that little 'gill rod!! Nice looking blugill too!
dleo
was traveling and just caught up with your Hexagraph query. I have 2 of them, both of the Walton Powell redesign vintage. The 1st was an 8’ #3-6 (! seriously, and all 4 sizes do work) that I got one autumn in Jellystone. The other was a custom 7’6" #4-5 that Don Douple put together.
If you like cane, you will like Hexagraphs, at least since the production went down to Houston. The actions are very reminiscent of a solid hex (which of course these are too) in a moderate, Orvis type action. They are heavier in the hand than hollow graphites, but have a very stable feel that translates into great fishability for feel, feedback during the casting stroke, striking and fighting hooked fish.
I most value these Hexes for their sturdiness and durability. Anytime I’m bushwhacking through dense cover, I gravitate to the Hexes. And anytime I’m in a boat with solid gunwales, Hexes are there with me. In other words, hollow plastic tubes scare me in both these circumstances, especially high modulus graphites.
tl
les
tl
les
I have a new 6 wt “Hexagraph” model, and it is very very nice. All Hexagraph models use the same blanks by the way, its just the finish that differs. I like mine very much. You have to cast slower though. Write Briscoe, the president, and he will answer your questions. He even took mine out to test cast it before shipping it and recommended many things to me, like the line to get and the casting style.
Migs
Deanna (sweet lady that she is) just put me onto this discussion line. I sincerely appreciate her doing that. Recognizing that this forum is not one for commercial venture, I’ll try to comment in the realm of discussion and for information purposes (the rods actually sell themselves). One might expect that any commnents about our rods coming from me would carry with them an element on “owner’s bias” and I will freely admit that right up front. Let me just add this, though, and then see where things might go. I bought Hexagraph from Walton Powell over ten years ago, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience since then (and I miss him and value the time I had to get to know him). I thought that Walt had a “unique” idea then, and after these years believe that still today. I don’t push the Hexagraph as the “perfect” rod for every single situation - or personality - but I will gladly refer you to (send to you)a stack of ten years worth of testimonials from happy customers - and very few complaints. Beyond that, I will let you read about the 30-day free trial policy we have, and personally tell you that if you take one out, fish it for 30 days and decide it’s not for you, I’ll send every cent back. Further, if you decide you love it, but you wish you’d gotten a different model or size, I’ll exchange it with a smile. Here’s why … I believe this is a fabulous fishing rod … and many others do as well. I want them in the hands of folks who will appreciate them … and I want the people who have them to be happy. I’d be happy to talk to you directly or through the email and address any issue or concern that you might have. Thanks for the interest. (By the way, if you decide to take the 30-day trial, be forwarned - in about 8 years I’ve only gotten about half-dozen back!).
Harry Briscoe, President Hexagraph Fly Rods, hexagraph@hexagraph.com
Thanks for that great comments. I must admit that my excitment grows daily as I wait for my hex to arrive from Chico…Harry, I really appreciate and feel your heart in the hexagraph rod and that is what makes it what it is. That is what makes it so successful, you are in it because you love it and believe in it and to me that is worth a heck of a lot more than a written warranty. I loved the store you sent to me about the use of the rods in “River”…I read it several times and printed it on some antique paper that I have. That will look good and will read well in my rod room for sure. I can’t wait until it gets here and as soon as it does, I plan on christening it on the Caney Fork…Thanks to all for the input on this great rod…
My Hexagraph arrived today and I couldn’t be happier. Now all I have had time for is a little lawn casting…then my bride of 37 years called me in for dinner so I had about 30 minutes on the back lawn with it. I only took one reel out in the anticipation of feeling this action and that was an Orvis barstock with a 4wt Sylk line on it. I was very impressed with the smoothness of the cast and with the feel. This rod is somewhere between graphite and boo, that is for sure, but I was laying out 60 to 70 feet of line easily. I have no doubt that this will be a very much fished rod in my arsenal. Thanks Harry Briscoe, a fantastic rod that meets my expectations, and then some. I may have a new favorite and will be able to tell you after a trip to the river on Saturday…
Hi Harry,
Appreciate the comments and the way you do business with regard to your rods. Perhaps you would comment about this:
A non-fly fisher who lives about 300 feet from me won a Hexagraph rod more than 10 years ago. I don’t think it’s been out of the tube more than the one time I actually cast it. That was way back when and as I recall, I thought it handled nicely. I am thinking of making him an offer for the rod since it just sits in his closet and he doesn’t use it. So my question is this, ‘How did you like the Hexagraphs before you acquired the product’?
Thank.
Allan
JC. What are you talking about? This can’t be you. Why? Your statement make no sense and your spelling? It’s “believed” not “beleived” and it’s “waste” not “waist”! Please explain.
Dear bluehackle and fly2fish,
Please just let it go. The original question has been answered quite satisfactorily.
Thank you,
Will
Dleo,
Thanks for taking the time and checking out my site. That is our Own Jim Hatch with the monster shellcracker. He tells me he gets them even bigger than that one. Good luck with the new rod and give us an update once you get a chance to fish it.
Tight lines,
Pete
[url=http://blacklabfliesandsupplies.com:25f5d]http://blacklabfliesandsupplies.com[/url:25f5d]
A response to TyeFlies question regarding whether I liked the Hexagraph before I bought it -
The Hexagraph acquisition is an interesting little story. I knew nothing of the Hexagraph until an unfortunate circumstance lead me to it - by accident. In about 1990 or 91, I was returning from a trip to the Bozeman area when all of my fly rods were stolen in “checked baggage” - 5 rods, reels and spools, flies, glasses - everything in one big bag - a disaster (that’s another story - airlines!). I’m just a regular fisherman - average skills - so I set about the arduous task of buying myself a complete new arsenal (worse things can happen). Among the things I had lost was a favorite wading staff. I had contacted a fellow about a new staff, told him my sad story and he just happened to ask if I’d heard of Walton Powell and this new “concept” in fly rods - Hexagraph. He was a friend of Walt’s and was persistant - one thing lead to another. I had a free travel ticket on Continental that was going to expire worthless and Walt was doing a show in late January in Somerset NJ. With nothing else to do on a winter weekend I decided, what the heck, and flew up to meet him. Walt gave me the entire pitch and I was intrigued because the rod was in fact unique - technologically and aestheically -right in between cane and tubular graphite with elements of each. Walt “sold” me a rod at a discount (no free stuff from Walt - ever). I brought it home and began to lawn cast with it and frankly was, at first, puzzled by the timing of it being so different from what I had been using - fast and super-fast tubulars. The more I used it though, the more I was intrigued. Walton was looking for “investors” to get the concept moving. My first opportunity to fish it was late that Spring and I went to Colorado for my convincing. I remember the moment specifically, as though it were a photograph — I was standing in the Eagle River near Vail and an awesome caddis hatch started. In moments fish were rising everywhere around me. I was so absorbed in the hatch that I was not paying any attention to the rod when suddenly I realized that I was casting in all directions, at all distances, at all angles, practically in a complete circle around me – and I was doing it without any effort whatsoever – and without false-casting at all - not to change directions or distances - I was just picking up and laying down and the cast was going absolutely spot-on to wherever I was looking - it was as though it were just automatic - telepathic, almost. It was an amazing half-hour and I learned that I had to “let” the rod do the casting - much like “letting” a sports car take the road. I was literally amazed, climbed out of the stream, got home, called Walton and started the adventure.
So, to answer your question, “No, not right at first … it took a little getting used to.”
One of my favorite testimonials is from a fellow who compared casting the Hexagraph to one’s first experiences with single malt scotch … “an acquired taste, but once acquired then almost an addiction - nothing else will do quite the same.”
It’s been a lot of fun casting since.
Harry J. Briscoe
Hexagraph Fly Rods
hjb