I hesitated to post this but I really think people need to know. I just came back from Sportsman’s Warehouse in the Spokane Valley where I was (of course) looking at fly rods. To make a long story short, the Loomis GL2’s I saw, looked terrible. The butt end of the cork handles was chipped and ragged on every rod I saw. And, excess glue was oozed out by the forward reel seat hood. I showed these flaws to the guy working in that department and he was accordingly appalled. I asked him if Sportsman’s Warehouse was perhaps buying seconds from Loomis and he assured me that would never happen. The kicker was that when I left, he had put the rods back into the for sale rack. :shock:
I just thought folks ought to know.
Admin. Perhaps this post is better off in the Sound Off forum. Sorry I thought of it after I posted. My bad :?
It’s unfortunate that a company capable of producing some otherwise terrific rods hasn’t taken more interest in their products’ appearance and cosmetics. From what I’ve seen in the past, chipped grips, rough wraps, and crooked blanks all went into the Loomis experience.
Are these not the low end rods? Could the cork have been ‘shop worn’ in the store? Low grade cork does not hold up well. It just seems kind of odd that they were in such bad shape. Any more ideas on why? G Loomis is not a sponsor but, I have never seen any really bad rods, ever.
Right before the fish-in, I called them on an Expeditor warranty service for a GL3 rod. Since they don’t make that rod in the GL3 line any more, they “upgraded” me to a different rod.
Now, the way the expeditor service works, they ship you the new rod, you take the new one out of its mailing tube, put the old one in, slap on the return label, and hand it back to the Fedex guy.
But ya know, that only works if they send you a tube (containing a 3 pc rod) which is long enough for the old 2-pc rod to fit. NOT. I spent more than a week trying to find and purchase a suitable mailing tube to get the old rod sent back. With a mildly sarcastic note about the mixup included. Now I have to find a Fedex shipper to send it from (more than a dozen miles away, and only open M-F).
The clerk assisting you probably has no clue if those rods were purchased as #1, blems or clearance rejects. By mirroring your emotions he connected with you and became your ally for the moment. They’ll end up selling all of them to people who have no idea what they should be looking at (newbie with some bucks?), or worse yet, to people who have become accustomed to poor quality. Since I began building my own rods, I have become much more critical of what I see on the racks.
Well I am not totally surprissed since they were bought out by Shimano I believe. Now Shimano make great reels, but rods? I guess they are not quite as good as their reels. What a shame!
most factory rods look like crap, there is only 2 companies that make rods that I think look good the best would be Redington, and with Winston as second.
I agree with Joe V that that kid didnt know if they were factory second, and I bet he could care the least too
Fuel to the Gloomy Loomi…two diff friends casually made same comment. “I don’t buy Loomis because they break too easy.” Interesting they neither one no each other…but went thru such similar experiences on their own that they came to the conclusion…Loomis break too easily.
Not a factory rod but get a rod from Fetha Styx. You won’t fnd a flaw.
I own three of them.
That was my first thought too Jim, but all the GL2’s looked identical. I was really surprised because Loomis has always had such a good reputation in my book.
Like Castwell said, they’re the low end. Made in Asia. If Gary Loomis still owned the business, I doubt you would see a cheaply built rod like this. I think Shimano uses the Loomis name to sell these rods. Good business practice if you ask me.
If you want a real Loomis rod you’ll have to spend a few more bucks than the GL2 costs.
OOOPS. Forgot to mention…in additiion to the two people stating Loomis break too easily…I was out fishing in a boat with my good friend, and last year’s local fly club pres when he hooked into a fish and his Loomis GL-3…whatever that is…BROKE! Now before you rant about how rods can be damaged…he is a very good fly fisherman…perhaps one of the best on the mountain. He knows how to treat a rod…but his Loomis broke…right before my eyes.
I know a couple guys with similar experience with newer Loomis stuff…On the bright side, I just purchased a Reddington 9’ 6wt, took it out yesterday on the Rogue for the first time. Excellent rod.
Great action, loads well, and feels great with a fish on (Steelhead, around 20", but he tossed my fly)
Also a very nicely finished and good looking rod. My first Reddington, but not my last…ModocDan
I have had the same observation as Joe. Since I have been building my own rods, I am much more critical of what I see on the rack and actually surprised of the flaws in many of the production rods. Many of these are cosmetic things, but it makes you wonder if they are not watching the structural things too. I am not just talking low end rods either.
I owned a dozen 9ft, 6wt GL3 rods for my casting school. I kept paraffin on the ferrules and in all the years we ran the school, none ever came apart and/or broke. And these were not cast by good fishermen. They were one of the strongest and most durable rods they ever made.
My brother fishes one of the Pro Bass tours. I asked him if any of his bassing cronies had heard anything back about a deteriation of quality in Loomis Rods. His response was negative. Hopefully Loomis is producing a quality product.
Maybe an anomaly, probably the reality of today’s market…a dozen GL3’s of years ago made by Gary and Steve are not a dozen GL3’s made today by sam sushi.
But, I can attest to Mao’s folks and Redington (a sponsor). I saw the RS3 sale and figured as I was in the market for an 8wt. I’d give a 4pc. at try at $129. Took it out in the rain and 30mph winds and it cast as if it were a nice calm day in June. That was with cheap SA AirCell WF8F Bass Bug taper at $24.95.
Just take the Made in China sticker off the fighting butt, duct tape the Redington name, give it to an “expert” and you’ll be surprised at their responses to your taste test. Get their comments on fit and finish, also. You can bet there’s a Sage employee enjoying chinese food and casting a discriminating eye at the factory.
I suggest the Loomis boys get their name off those rods if quality control is asleep at the wheel.
Right before the fish-in, I called them on an Expeditor warranty service for a GL3 rod. Since they don’t make that rod in the GL3 line any more, they “upgraded” me to a different rod.
Now, the way the expeditor service works, they ship you the new rod, you take the new one out of its mailing tube, put the old one in, slap on the return label, and hand it back to the Fedex guy.
But ya know, that only works if they send you a tube (containing a 3 pc rod) which is long enough for the old 2-pc rod to fit. NOT. I spent more than a week trying to find and purchase a suitable mailing tube to get the old rod sent back. With a mildly sarcastic note about the mixup included. Now I have to find a Fedex shipper to send it from (more than a dozen miles away, and only open M-F).
And I don’t particularly like the new rod.
DG
LOL! You’re supposed to break the rod to make it fit in the tube they sent you. They usually give you the option of rod you wish to change to if the one you send back is no longer in production. I think their return/warranty policy is second to none, hands down the best in the business. Do you know you can go the slow route for only $20.00. The expediter is great if you really need the rod though.
I have several loomis rods. I have always liked them. The old GLX set the standard by which all other rods were judged for a long time. It’s still a great rod. They have always been built right on the edge of what graphite can do and that’s why they might break more often than other rods. I have broken my fair share of them over the years but anything is going to break when stepped on by a dog or slammed in a car door.