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What was your first fly rod/out?
- Thread starter WBDluver
- Start date
Rusty Spinner
Active member
Started out using my Dad's then brand new 7 weight glass rod from LL Bean married to a Pflueger Medalist which I own to this day. He quickly bought me an el-cheapo Eagle Claw convertible rod which didn't do either - spin or fly - very well. I quickly moved on to a Cortland and a Fenwick, both of which are long broken and gone. There was a cheap bamboo in there that my grandfather gave me as well before I started buying the likes of G Loomis, Sage, etc. Started 42 years ago already. Seems hard to believe.
lightenup
A fan of Boobery
An Eagle Claw spinning/fly rod, Rusty, I think we had the same rod....with a Browning reel..It was free, my Grandfather gave it to me....I quickly moved to a Winston, that was custom made by a local builder...that was free also because I am AWESOME, oh and so are my friends!!!!! THANKS!!!!!
Pete
Trout Hunter
In the 1950s, an uncle gave me an old rod, after I hooked myself while attempting to fly cast with a bait casting rod.
A 3 piece - two tip, Montague Cane (1 tip "short)", with a Shakespeare "Kazoo" reel, and a worn level line.
The rod didn't survive my attempts to teach myself fly casting, but I still have the reel.
A quick Google search indicates the reel is from the 1920s, I assume the rod was of similar vintage.
A 3 piece - two tip, Montague Cane (1 tip "short)", with a Shakespeare "Kazoo" reel, and a worn level line.
The rod didn't survive my attempts to teach myself fly casting, but I still have the reel.
A quick Google search indicates the reel is from the 1920s, I assume the rod was of similar vintage.
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Pete
Trout Hunter
Rusty, LU
If you're talking about the Eagle Claw "Trailmaster"....
I got the 7' version at the Army Rod & Gun Club in Neu Ulm, early 1967.
It's a bit slow by today's standards, but at the time it was considered serviceable.
I don't use it much now, but when I still had the stamina for long hikes, it was my most "packable" rod.
Also fit nicely in a carry on bag when I was traveling.
If you're talking about the Eagle Claw "Trailmaster"....
I got the 7' version at the Army Rod & Gun Club in Neu Ulm, early 1967.
It's a bit slow by today's standards, but at the time it was considered serviceable.
I don't use it much now, but when I still had the stamina for long hikes, it was my most "packable" rod.
Also fit nicely in a carry on bag when I was traveling.
tomfly
The only thing left should be foot prints.
My first fly rod was bought at Shannons. It is a Kunnan 6 weight fly rod. I still have the fly rod and use on occasion. Still to this day I have landed more fish on that rod then any other rod I own. I was in Shannons one day with my father and brother the early 80s when I first saw the rod. It wad listed for $50. It might as well have been a $1000 for a 12 year old. I was playing with the rod. I put it back on the rack. The next time I was in Shannnons. I would play with the rod put it back on the rack. The third time in the shop I was playing with the rod , Les yelled at me. He said ether buy the F@@king rod or put it down. I said I don’t have the money for the rod but I have been saving for it. He said what do you have saved so far? I said $20.00. He shook his head and said take it. The next thing that happened astounded me. Les also tossed in a Martin multiplier and a Cortland 333 line with the rod. That is the type of guy Les was brash with a big heart. To this day I will never sell that rod and reel. It is a special fly rod to me. Les knew how to put a smile on the face of a 12 year old.
WBDluver
Official NEFF pot stirrer
After I hooked my fist fish on that HI standard rod it got the car trunk slammed on it. My next "real" fly rod was a Fenwick S glass. It came with a nylon bag and plastic triangle tube (classy). I saved up the money for it and plunked down the $42 at Eynon Drug in Peckville. I still have this rod.
MACFLY
Too many streams too little time
That was beautiful you boob
MACFLY
Too many streams too little time
Of course you won't sell the rod...it ain't worth shit
...just kidding thats a good story but never buy a gook rod. Ctobias will come after you with his K bar knife
Rusty Spinner
Active member
Mine is the Trailmaster, but 7 1/2' for a 7 weight. It's a big, limp noodle rod. I inherited my brother's identical rod and have two of them. My wife wants to use the butt sections to make curtain rods for my office
LostnLovinIt
Dont leave fish to find fish....
My grandfathers Effingers "flatbrook" rod with a Pflueger Medalist reel. I have no idea the history of the rod but it still reminds me of visiting the old effys with my pop!!
PRomano
Fishizzle, I never use worms!
My first fly rod was an Old Pal 7 1/2 foot 6 weight fiberglass rod with aluminum ferrules. The tip and butt sections didn't match up correctly so they gave me a huge discount.
The reel was a Garcia Mitchel 754 and the line was a Cortland double taper. I purchased the outfit at the Paterson Rod and Gun store sometime in the early 70's. The first fly I purchased was a March Brown nymph from Two Guys department store in Totowa. I landed my first trout (wild brookie) on Little Equinunk Creek in PA. I also landed an 18 inch brown trout in the same creek the following day. Not sure if it was a wild fish that migrated up from the Delaware or just a nice stockie. I enjoyed many great outings to Equinunk Creek in my youth. One of these days I should return and see what the fishing is like today.
The reel was a Garcia Mitchel 754 and the line was a Cortland double taper. I purchased the outfit at the Paterson Rod and Gun store sometime in the early 70's. The first fly I purchased was a March Brown nymph from Two Guys department store in Totowa. I landed my first trout (wild brookie) on Little Equinunk Creek in PA. I also landed an 18 inch brown trout in the same creek the following day. Not sure if it was a wild fish that migrated up from the Delaware or just a nice stockie. I enjoyed many great outings to Equinunk Creek in my youth. One of these days I should return and see what the fishing is like today.
lightenup
A fan of Boobery
Yes....The Eagle Claw....It is packable, and fishable, but not that enjoyable.........The rod tube says it is a 7'5" 5 wt...The rod says a #7 line, it is a 4 piece rod, it had a red bag, and an aluminum tube, it was given to my Grandfather as a gift in 1983, he never used it (he didn't like that guy).....It was great to learn on, because when I got a decent rod casting seemed easy, I still try to muscle it sometimes, because you had to with that rod, and bad habits are hard to break.....a midget could use it as a switch rod also......I am glad this was thread was started, because I had a water heater start leaking in my basement a little while ago, forgot the rod was on the floor next to it.....I took it out because of the thread....It was covered in mold, and soaking wet.....
maybe that is where this rod belongs.......I still like it more than my G.Loomis Pro 4X, by the way that one is for sale..it is a 8' 5" 5 wt....cheap!!!
Vintage Rods | Eagle Claw
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flymantis73
I am haunted by waters
the $40.00 pfluger they sell at dicks.
:looser:
got a small brook trout on it on the musky.
that was about 2009 0r 2010.
:looser:
got a small brook trout on it on the musky.
that was about 2009 0r 2010.
tomfly
The only thing left should be foot prints.
Of course you won't sell the rod...it ain't worth shit
I read right through your rhetoric Mac. Just admit it. If someone hints at a fly rod sale. You have to dismiss it immediately. It is oblivious you do not want anyone hording in on your territory.
dcabarle
Administrator
Hahahaha... Now that's funny!
Pete
Trout Hunter
Rusty, LU
Re: Trailmaster
I stand corrected. It's a 7-1/2 foot rod for 7 wt (I used an HDH)....
The last time I used it, I did notice the "wet noodle" thing.
When it was new, it was definitely a step up from the cheap fiberglass Montague I used in college.
Modern fiberglass and graphite have just "spoiled us".
LU - The old ones looked a little different. (Duct taped sling added by me)
When new the color was a bit more "yellow".
EDIT - I see yours has those new-fangled nonmetalic ferrules
Re: Trailmaster
I stand corrected. It's a 7-1/2 foot rod for 7 wt (I used an HDH)....
The last time I used it, I did notice the "wet noodle" thing.
When it was new, it was definitely a step up from the cheap fiberglass Montague I used in college.
Modern fiberglass and graphite have just "spoiled us".
LU - The old ones looked a little different. (Duct taped sling added by me)
When new the color was a bit more "yellow".
EDIT - I see yours has those new-fangled nonmetalic ferrules
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Rusty Spinner
Active member
Pete - the two I have are both bright yellow still.
In about 1966 I bought a Shakespeare Wonderod complete outfit (with a level line) at the Terminal Army Navy store in Easton PA for $15. It was one of those sets on a cardboard sheet covered with shrink wrap. $15 was a lot of money so I had to put it on lay away, and the woman who ran the place set it aside for me. Way soft by todays standards, but I loved it. It fell apart over the years so I don't have it anymore. My first decent rod was an 8' Fenwick rod I made in 1970. Couldn't afford to buy the rod, so I bought the parts from Dale Clemens and built it myself. First effort was awful, but it worked better than what I had before.
Eagle claw rod 2 pc 5/6 wt from x-mart and a pfluger reel. It cost less than $30. It was a very whippy rod. I had no rod tube and no clue. The rod lasted until I closed the trunk on it.
I caught my first trout on a dry fly in the upper fly section of the Little Lehigh. The small brownie took a royal wulff that I finally got a good drift with - AND/OR the fish was really stupid and hungry.
My second rod was a Sage RPL+. I learned a lot from that rod and still use it today.
I caught my first trout on a dry fly in the upper fly section of the Little Lehigh. The small brownie took a royal wulff that I finally got a good drift with - AND/OR the fish was really stupid and hungry.
My second rod was a Sage RPL+. I learned a lot from that rod and still use it today.
One of those Berkley all in one kits that were sold in sporting goods stores. Was probably an 8' 6 wt rod with about 5 line guides on it and a click drag reel. I did manage to teach myself to cast (more or less) with it, amazing considering this was years before instructional videos of any sort existed. The rod that I learned to fish with was the nearly ubiquitous Fenwick 7 1/2 foot 6 wt. Used that for nearly 10 years and it is still in its tube in my basement. I haven't used it in probably 30 years but I can't get rid of it, too many memories.
Steve
Steve
