New Small Stream Fly Rod

[MACFLY]

Greetings all

About a month ago I had the opportunity to cast the latest and greatest in fiberglass fly rods. The rod I tried out was a Scott 6 foot 6 inch rod which I believe cast a 2 weight line. As I have been fishing a lot more this year I figured it was necessary that i have a small stream rod and decided I would go for a fiberglass rod because well... I dont really have a good reason I just wanted one

I didnt want to pay 600 bucks for a Scott so I did some looking around on the internet and came across a JP Ross fly rod for small streams that looked interesting. He made about 10 of these rods to see if there was interest. The price was fairly reasonable considering what goes into the rod. I got one with a spalted maple reel seat that has an awesome engraved trout in it. Each rod comes with nickel silver ferrules (old school),a feather inlay and rod tube with a solid brass cap. All of this for under 300 bucks for the rods he has already created. He also makes custom rods for all kinds of flyfishing. Here are some pics so you can get a sense of the work this guy does. I just picked up a reel for this rod and hope to test it out on some wild trout streams very soon.

 

[Eagle Claw]

I have noticed the new interest in fiberglass rods but am wondering what is going on with these. I thought rods were made of fiberglass 50 years ago and then came the new improved graphite rods. Why is fiberglass popping up as something new and great ? Is todays fiberglass of a superior quality better than graphite ?

 

[MACFLY]

I have noticed the new interest in fiberglass rods but am wondering what is going on with these. I thought rods were made of fiberglass 50 years ago and then came the new improved graphite rods. Why is fiberglass popping up as something new and great ? Is todays fiberglass of a superior quality better than graphite ?

Good question...Not sure I have a great answer but I can tell you when I cast the Scott Rod the action was very impressive. As you expect these are slow action rods. I dont have a basis for comparison with older fiberglass. I can tell you the one I cast and the one I bought were both very light and I suspect this is probably a lot different than glass rods of old. Honestly I was in the market for a small stream rod and the JP Ross ones caught my eye. He does make a graphite version with a slower action on it as well. Cant beat the price as the ones he has already made he is selling for just under 300 dollars and that is with the trimmings I described.

 

[Bamboozle]

I have noticed the new interest in fiberglass rods but am wondering what is going on with these. I thought rods were made of fiberglass 50 years ago and then came the new improved graphite rods. Why is fiberglass popping up as something new and great ? Is todays fiberglass of a superior quality better than graphite ?

Not much is new with glass except that it offers an option for folks that aren't into super fast rods which seem to be what graphite is all about these days. It's not a quality difference, it's an action thing.

Most glass rods are considerably slower than just about all graphite sticks and in my experience, a lot slower than most bamboo rods made on "new, modified or original" tapers. As a result, fans of slow to medium rods are finding glass a refreshing alternative, especially for small stream work where their ability to load with a minimum of line make them ideal for close-in fishing.

A few years ago, I didn't own any glass. Today, I have more than a few glass rods and fish them more than the bamboo or graphite rods I own. I love them but I like that kind of action.

If you like fast, faster, fastest or light, lighter, lightest...

...you'll hate 'em, no matter how pretty they look!

 

[Trouser Trout]

I think the high modulus graphite and plastic resins used to make more modern rods are lighter than fiberglass as well. If weight is of little importance and you are looking for a full flex or slower action rod, fiberglass is a great choice. It should be less expensive and a lot more durable than graphite. Fiberglass rods are neerly indestructable, unless you snap the tip in a car door or do something very stupid.

 

[redietz]

I think the high modulus graphite and plastic resins used to make more modern rods are lighter than fiberglass as well. If weight is of little importance and you are looking for a full flex or slower action rod, fiberglass is a great choice.

Glass rods are getting lighter now, as well. You still need those resins for fiberglass, and there are some glass/graphite composites out (Hardy makes one) that give you glass action with graphite weight. Plus, there are a lot more lower line weight glass available now than in the past. Back in the day, you never saw a glass rod for less than about a 5 five; now days 2 and 3 weights are common, which make for a lighter rod as well.

Personally, I've long felt that the main advantage of graphite is weight. I still occasionally fish the Silaflex I bought in '78 (first rod I bought with my own money) because I like the way it casts, but it sure puts a hurtin' on my shoulder after a couple of hours. With the availability of lighter glass, I'm seriously considering getting back into to it.

 

[Pete]

Although I do over 99% of my fishing with graphite, every so often I break out my old Browning Sila-flex, or Fenwick Ferrulite. I don't feel the least bit "crippled".... As a matter of fact, the 7-1/2' Fenwick seems to be easier to roll cast than an 8-1/2" or 9' mid priced graphite.

Of course they won't cast as far as typical graphite, but I don't do much lake/pond/big river/saltwater fishing anymore.

Since the typical 5-6 weight in those days was 7' to 7-12', I don't feel any need to get a more modern rod for small streams.

 

[Eagle Claw]

I also love slower action rods, its such a relaxing carefree cast, but mine are mid to full flex graphite. Strange how things come around 360, not too long ago fast was the rage. Maybe creels will come back into vogue, actually I was thinking of customizing one with webbing pockets for fly boxes, tippet and stuff instead of a vest.

 

[WBDluver]

nice looking rod, let us know how it compares to the Scott.

 

[MACFLY]

I had this rod out on my lawn the last 2 days and i paired with 3 weight, 4 weight and a 5 weight line. Its advertised to throw anything from 2-5 weight. Amazingly to me the rod loads with any of these lines. I prefer the 3 weight but they all worked great. i also neglected to mention the other cool features. One is the hook keeper folds down when not in use and the guides all have gold inlays. The attention to detail on this rod is just awesome. Cant wait to get a trout pulling on the end of this line.

 

[Randyflycaster]

The old, slower, Orvis Superfine.
Randy

 

[Trouser Trout]

ORVIS 3WT Trout Bum, 6'6" full flex, Martin 3/4wt reel, loaded with 3wt, floating WF line. Casts remarkable. If I could just catch a fish on the damn thing......

 

[MT319]

Martin 3/4wt reel

3/4 Mohawk River?...if so that's a fucking great reel, both in terms of function and aesthetics..especially for the price...I use the 5/6 version on my 5wt

 

[BRK TRT]

MAC,

Thats a fine piece of glass.

Lots of workmanship there.

If I were a brookie I would not mind being taken on that rod.


Thanks,

Brk Trt

 

[Denlon]

As I mentioned several times on this site over the past 2 years or so, I have a custom made "Flea Rod" made by Bill Dettmar from the old Delaware River Outfitters Fly shop in Pennington. Actually, I bought the rod from Mark Dettmar just before he passed away. It is a 2 wgt rod only 38 inches long and it handles very nicely for short casts up to about 25 feet on small streams. It doesn't roll cast very well because it is hard to get a large enough roll loop started to carry the loop forward. It is however a dream to carry and navigate through brushy narrow paths along small streams.
Below is a picture of me using it on the KLG a few years ago. Look hard and you can see that it allows a fairly respectable line trajectory for such a short rod. (Click on thumbnail below to see a larger size picture,)
Denny

 

[Trouser Trout]

3/4 Mohawk River?...if so that's a fucking great reel, both in terms of function and aesthetics..especially for the price...I use the 5/6 version on my 5wt

It is a mohawk river....my only regret is i think it is made in China...and I have come to despise everything about China. That being said it is a nice reel, but a 6'6" 3wt doesn't really need a reel does it. lol

 

[feathersandsteel]

I fish with Diamonback diamondglass fiberglass rod. Picked them up at Gander mtn on liquidation a few years back for $120 a pot. Fell in love with the series and ended up purchasing the complete line. They were still being made in the USA..My favorite one is a 6ft 5 weight and runner up is the 7 and 8 ft 4 weights. Great bay fly rods manufactures excellant fiberglass s2 rods and short one also. They are located in New Hampshire and all their rods are made in USA. Aprox. under $300 check them out.

 

[flatbrook2wt]

I have the scott 6ft 1wt fiberglass rod with a tiny galven reel on it and DT1wt line i use it a lot on toms creek off of 209 in PA. Its a great small stream rod great action. I also just bought scotts fiberhammer spey rod goin to find out how it is this fall steelheadin in PA.