I am considering the Stowaway 5 piece and the 7 piece. My purpose is for using it as a backpacking rod in a 4 or 5 wt.
Foregoing the answer - ‘Cast one for yourself and see’(not possible), I’m wondering about your opinions if you’ve used one of these models.
Thanks.
Allan
I recommended these rods to several friends based on reviews and postings others had made praising them. These were beginning fly fishermen/woman and they had no idea where to start. I got to try these rods when I took these folks fishing again and I was impressed with the rods. Easy to cast with what I would call a moderate action. As you would expect, the hardware was not the best available, but it was not bad either. I think that they are well worth the money and make a decent rod for what you’re looking for. Just one man’s opinion…
Jim Smith
Allan, I have the 5-piece in a 6 weight and the 7-piece in a 4 weight. The Stowaway 7 is the former spigot ferrule model that they’ve discontinued. My 5-piece is an OK rod, but has started feeling a little top heavy for me. I really love the 7-piece. I can’t comment on the ones with standard ferrules, but if you can find a Stowaway-7 with the spigot ferrules I think it will make you very happy.
I own a 5 pc 3 wt 8 1/2’. I have cast a 7 pc- it was shorter and a 4 wt I believe. The fittings on the 7 pc are better and IMO the 7 pc is a nicer looking rod. I don’t care for the SP type winding check on the 5 pc but other than that the grip/reel seat looks exactly like a St. Croix Legand Ultra…birds eye maple wood and Pac Bay metal. If I’m correct the 7 pc had nickle silver metal on the reel seat.
My 3 wt is softer than the 4 wt 7 pc. The 7 pc was very crisp and guick.
Allen
I have the LL Bean 5 piece and love it. Wana cast it at Roscoe? I’ll probably bring it anyway.
The thing I don’t like about it for backpacking is the tube. It’s the cordura, heavy weight and the sock is also thick. I’ve got to get a cheap light tube and a light weight cloth sock.
[This message has been edited by lou t (edited 09 January 2006).]
Allan
I love mine. I’ll loan it to you if you would like to play with it for a month to see if you like it.
Harold
I own a 5pc. 4wt.(7.5’) and use it all the time. I line it with a WF 5wt. line and it cast nice. Its caught a mess of fish! I’ll also have it with me at Roscoe.
I also have a 5 piece 4 wt. Like it a lot.
CJ
The only limitations we have are the ones we put on ourselves.
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the comments and advice. I failed to mention that I was thinking about buying the blank, probably as a kit, and completing the rod myself.
So, given that last bit of information, would you select the 5 piece or the 7 piece?
Allan
I have the 5 piece in a 5 wt and the 7 piece in an 8 wt. and i love them both. That being said, I’d get the 5 piece unless you reallly need the 7 piece (which fits nicely in a suitcase)–the less ferrules the better, as far as ease in assembling, breakage, etc.
[This message has been edited by D. Micus (edited 09 January 2006).]
Allan, I have the 3wt, and love it. Casts just fine, not as fast as more expensive rods, fit and finish is good, and it fights fish just fine. Modesty prohibits me from adding a pic of it lying beside a fish.
Er, the edit is to tell you I have the 5pc 3wt. Ahem.
Dennis
[This message has been edited by DG (edited 09 January 2006).]
TyeFlies,
I bought three of the 5 pc. 3 wt. blanks when they dropped the price last year (or was it the year before?).
Built two so far. I did use all ceramic guides, and spent some time ‘prettying up’ the rods (I built mine for a kick around keep under the seat rod, but I still like to play with them some) with feather inlays and such.
I’m impressed with the rod. Not too fast, which I beleive to be a plus on 3 wt. rod. Loads easily for short casts and has some power in the butt section. Performance is on a par with rods costing lots more. All in all a great blank for the price.
I’ve not cast or even seen the 7 pc. blanks up close.
Good Luck!
Buddy
tyeflies,
I have a 5 piece Stow Away and VEE has a 7 piece. Both rods are nice casting rods, though if I had had a chance to cast the 7 before buuying the 5, I would have gone with the 7 piece instead. The 7 is a little faster than the five piece, but either would serve your purpose well.
REE
Like Oldfrat, I have a few of older spigot ferrule model 7 piece stowaways, and if yiou ever get the chance to grab one of these, jump all over it. My 4 and 6wt are my current favorite rods, and they go everywhere with me.
I have a 8’2" for 6 wt Hardy Smuggler. 7 pieces with spigot ferrules. It is a wonderful medium action, think Winston WT, trout rod.
Does anyone have a picture of the spigot ferrules?
What is the difference from the “usual” hardware?
(I have the 5 pce 4wt and 8 wt and am happy with the action/ performance for the price.)
DuFf
Some days it’s just not worth chewing through the restraints…