As I searched for a 8’ 5 weight in a two piece rod I quickly found out that I had little to no choice in a high quality factory built rod,all I could find were Mega piece “travel” rods offered.Has the companies the great notion that everyone will be traveling to far off destinations?I thought there were hard times now with few people taking expensive trips.Or is this just a trend and the good old two piece rods will return once again.
Always heard less ferrels less troubles more sensitivity in two pieces,wonder how a solid rod would feel?
I can’t speak to quality comparisons. I switched to multi-piece rods for a number of reasons. They cast just fine. They are way easier to store and to carry for travel. They don’t seem to carry much of a price premium. I can’t think of any reason to prefer a 2-piece rod, but that is just me.
I haven’t used a top of the line rod (i.e., expensive) but I have found the TFO rods to do what their info says they will at a moderate price. They have a 2 piece 5 weight.
oldfrat has it right. With todays materials and manufacturing advances the old saw of more ferrels making the rod stiff is just not true.
Also there will be a time when the portability of a 4 (or more) piece rod will prove to be a blessing.
I do carry my rods as one would a 2 piece rod when fishing locally so I can get back in the water faster.
Jack, I’m like you in that regard. The one disadvantage of a multi-piece rod is that it takes more time to set up for fishing. But I carry my rods to fishing in an interior rod rack, all set up and ready to go. I’m currently using a commercial interior rod rack a good friend gave me for this because my current car doesn’t lend itself to a DIY solution. Previously, DIY interior rod racks made from bungee cords and hooks have done just fine.
First off, I’m not buying into the premise that a multiple piece rod is not more subject to fracture; and that it’s performance equals a two piece (all things being equal). Maybe, too, there’s a physiological factor. But in my experience the two piece performs better and to that end I’ve sold off the multiple piece rods on eBay - except I still have a 3 piece that rides in a case behind the seat in my truck. When I travel to far away places by air I ship the two piece in a rod case and a section of PVC pipe, either by mail or UPS, which always arrives and returns in great shape.
Heck try finding a small stream one piece rod! Unless you pay a rod maker or make a single piece banty from an old rod you can forget about it. I too prefer less ferrules if for no other reason than the rod just looks better to me with fewer ferrules.
Nighthawk,
About 1 piece rod:
Quite a few years ago I was fortunate to win the ‘Monthly Prize’ here on FAOL. It was a 1 piece, 6’ 5wt, bamboo fly rod made by Farlow of England(?). It was a copy of the rod personally prefered by Lee Wulff. Not sure if it’s still being made. You may wnt to check.
Allan
Thomas,
There has been a great decline in the number of 2 piece rods being manufactured. I’ve read many times that the newer construction style of rods negates any performance differences between 4 piece and 2 piece rods. I don’t have any preference of a 2 piece or multiple piece rod. I own plenty of both…probably more 2 piece rods than anything else. I usually drive to where I am fishing, so breakdown length really hasn’t been an issue for me. Maybe I’d give the 2 piece an edge for being easier to set up and break down…and maybe a little more peace of mind while fishing. Less to go wrong and less to worry about.
All of the big-name, high-end rod manufacturers have moved to 4 piece rods. A few years back, you could get the newest rod in either a 2 piece or a 4 piece. The Sage XP is a great example of this. But now they have the Sage VXP and it is only available in 4 pieces. I dont think that Sage sells a new rod that is 2 pieces. I also didn’t see any T&T 2 piece rods. Orvis has some 2 piece rods available in their Access series of rods to go along with the 4 piece counterpart. And the 2 piece is the same price as the 4 piece.
So it seems that the big manufacturers don’t believe that there is any difference in performance. I don’t know if it’s just a trend or if it’s here to stay. I would guess the latter.
Brian
Not at all. I’ve bought several two piece cane rods new this year.
As far as I’m concerned the ONLY reason to own a 4 or more piece fly rod is to be able to fit the fly rod in a smaller space when you store or travel with it. Everything else about these multi piece rods is a disadvantage compared to 2 piece rods, and I’ve never heard anyone say they cast or fish better. I sure hope that manufacturers like Sage do not stop making 2 piece rods altogether becasue that will probably be when I stop buying new fly rods (I bought a new Sage Z-Axis 2 piece rod last summer.)
I bet if you talked to the fly rod manufacturers they would tell you that the demand for multi-piece rods from th buying public was the reason for the shift from 2 pc rods. And I would bet that if you blind folded the average fly fisherman and had them cast a modern graphite fly rod, he or she could not tell you how many pieces the rod they were casting was made of.
Of course you could always switch to bamboo. I’ve seen many 2 pc 8’ 5wt rods for sale on various boards and websites. Both vintage and modern rod builders.
Kinda off topic and this rod isn’t 8’ but if you want a quality 2 piece 5 wt. for a decent price check this out; http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/showthread.php?47623-Sage-SP-586.
Follow the link. Many two piece models available, in most lengths, weights, and “actions.”
Hexagraph rods are about as high quality in all regards as you can buy, and they are outstanding fly fishing rods.
John
P.S. This is a lifetime deal - they are virtually indestructable. I’ll had a few incidents with my Hex that would have shattered graphite and likely would have broken boo. Not a scratch on the rod.
For my purposes I only look for a 8’ in 5 weight or a 7 1/2 in four weight and try and buy in 2 piece form.If I see one of two older brands show on eBay I make sure I am the winner by putting a $1000.00 bid up to make sure that’s enough.
I.have wondered on building a one piece on a loomis SR series spinning blank.As for keeping the rods assembled in rod racks.in the vehicle why buy multi piece at a higher cost?As you see with my rod lengths two piece models are harder to find as compared nine foot models.
I will make any practical length rod you want in either two piece or one piece. It will be in bamboo. Hollow built bamboo is very comfortable to fish all day all the time.
I believe there is a weight difference between 2 and 4 pc rods. The 2 pc will be a tad lighter and cast a bit differently.
Most stress type rod breaks occur at a ferrule, just above the female ferrule. This is due to the fact that a ferrule does not distribute the force equally but centers it at the convex point of the female ferrule. A ferrule must also resist twisting force which will loosen a ferrule. As the ferrule loosens, this become a “hinge” point and the upper section fails. This is why many spey rod caster actually tape their ferrules. Their casts loosen the ferrules and the rods are so long, it becomes a hassle to check them.
Fewer ferrule means fewer ferrule failures. I once broke both of my two 4 pc Sage fly rods at exactly the same place, just above the middle ferrule during a two day fishing trip. Just remember to check that the ferrules are tight. I have found that as the ferrule loosens, the rod gets less responsive.
http://www.springbrook.ca/images/TFOFLYRODWARRANTY.pdf
“Loose ferrules will also result in breakage. Regularly check the joints throughout the day to ensure they are tight. If they are constantly loosening, apply a very light rub of white candle wax to the male section… To avoid having sections twist (when Spey Casting) and prevent breakage from loosened joints you should always tape the joints, black electricians tape is recommended.”
http://americanangler.com/technique/busted
"5. UNSEATED FERRULES
Another easily avoided rod breaker is an unseated ferrule, which is like a time bomb, says Johnson: ?It?s an almost surefire way to break a fly rod. ‘The ferrule sections loosen up during casting, and if a fisherman does not reseat those sections, they will eventually break,’ warns Jim West. ‘It happens all the time.’
If you are casting weighted flies, sinking lines, or a Spey rod, it?s imperative that you check your ferrules regularly. The constant stresses and twisting action of casting will inevitably loosen those fragile connections."
The top over tip ferrule and the spigot ferrule systems have decreased the stiff spot but have not eliminated them. If a caster is given a random 2 vs a 4 pc rod to cast, most would not be able to tell. However, I do believe that if a fly fisher has use a 2 pc rod for years and you blind fold him and have him cast his 2 pc vs a 4 pc version of his rod, that most would be able to tell. It is a question of muscle memory. I think there is a difference in how these rods cast but the difference is small and requires a practiced hand to tell the difference.
For practical reasons, I use mainly 4 pc rods but I have older 2 pc rods that I also use. Whether a 2 pc or 4 pc makes you a more effective fly fisher is debatable. In an actual fishing situation, I don’t think it matters. the fly caster will compensate for the slight difference.
I believe there is a weight difference between 2 and 4 pc. rods. The 2 pc .will be a tad lighter and cast a bit differently.
Most stress type rod breaks occur at a ferrule, just above the female ferrule. This is due to the fact that a ferrule does not distribute the force equally but centers it at the convex point of the female ferrule. A ferrule must also resist twisting force which will loosen a ferrule. As the ferrule loosens, this become a “hinge” point and the upper section fails. This is why many spey rod caster actually tape their ferrules. Their casts loosen the ferrules and the rods are so long, it becomes a hassle to check them.
Fewer ferrule means fewer ferrule failures. I once broke both of my two 4 pc Sage fly rods at exactly the same place, just above the middle ferrule during a two day fishing trip. Just remember to check that the ferrules are tight. I have found that as the ferrule loosens, the rod gets less responsive.
http://www.springbrook.ca/images/TFOFLYRODWARRANTY.pdf
“Loose ferrules will also result in breakage. Regularly check the joints throughout the day to ensure they are tight. If they are constantly loosening, apply a very light rub of white candle wax to the male section… To avoid having sections twist (when Spey Casting) and prevent breakage from loosened joints you should always tape the joints, black electricians tape is recommended.”
http://americanangler.com/technique/busted
"5. UNSEATED FERRULES
Another easily avoided rod breaker is an unseated ferrule, which is like a time bomb, says Johnson: It’s an almost surefire way to break a fly rod. ‘The ferrule sections loosen up during casting, and if a fisherman does not reseat those sections, they will eventually break,’ warns Jim West. ‘It happens all the time.’
If you are casting weighted flies, sinking lines, or a Spey rod, it’s imperative that you check your ferrules regularly. The constant stresses and twisting action of casting will inevitably loosen those fragile connections."
The top over tip ferrule and the spigot ferrule systems have decreased the stiff spot but have not eliminated them. If a caster is given a random 2 vs a 4 pc. rod to cast, most would not be able to tell. However, I do believe that if a fly fisher has use a 2 pc. rod for years and you blind fold him and have him cast his 2 pc. vs a 4 pc. version of his rod, that most would be able to tell. It is a question of muscle memory. I think there is a difference in how these rods cast but the difference is small and requires a practiced hand to tell the difference.
For practical reasons, I use mainly 4 pc. rods but I have older 2 pc. rods that I also use. Whether a 2 pc. or 4 pc. makes you a more effective fly fisher is debatable. In an actual fishing situation, I don’t think it matters. The fly caster will compensate for the slight difference.
This may sound dumb but let’s say you wanted X brand rod in 2 piece but could only get it in a 4 piece blank,could you actually epoxy two ferrels.and wrap thread at the joint to make it a 2 piece rod.
Thomas, I’m no expert but I would think that would change the balance of the rod.
Ed
P.S. I’m not saying that it would be better or worse, just different. If you tried it as a 4-piece rod and epoxied it into a 2-piece rod, the balance and speed might be very different.
That could mean a different reel to balance our the rod. I’ll let those more expert fill in and expound.