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streamcaster	Niche or Maker	Lead	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 122 (08/26/08 11:59:18) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	What are you looking for in your next purchase, a rod for a particular niche (stream /wind/fish type) or something by a particular maker that you either don't have, or want more of? To be honest, I'm looking for both. I have a Hardy JET 8' 6 weight, and I've always been curious about how these compared to the S.A. System rods -- System 6, in this case. So now I'm looking for a System 6 to compare with what I already have. And the Hardy is a work-horse rod for me, not a niche rod. On the other hand, I went back home to California in July, and my son and I went up into the San Gabriel mountains. The stream we headed for just longs for a deliberate, light 7 footer. A niche rod for me, since my favorite trout size is an 8 footer. But I'm starting to look for one. May just be suitable for this drainage, and maybe I could find use for it in the Smokies. But definitely a niche. So what why did you buy your last rod, and why are you looking for your next? Streamcaster
corlay		#1	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 156 (08/26/08 13:20:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I really want to get my hands on a glass-ferruled 70's 7' Silaflex, to compare with my earlier o-ring model. Also, I'd really like to try a Cortland 'Leon Chandler' 7.5', to compare with my FR-2000. If it could conduct these "taste tests" I'd probably weed out one from each maker, and keep/buy the other... A 7' brown-glass Heddon Pal pro weight is high on my list to try, too. (I currently don't own any from that maker...) Eventually, I'd like to break out of my 5wt. "niche", sometime (all 5 of my 'glass rods are 5wt, in 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, & 8 foot lengths...) and add a 6/7wt. rod for bass poppin'; and maybe a 3/4 for delicate dry fly work. But that's a ways down the road, I think... Lastly, I'm intrigued by why, exactly, a Phillipson commands such a high price, in relation to other rods of the same period. I guess I need to try one of those, too... And then there's the whole looming Tom Morgan thing... "From my observations I think that most of us spend too much time worrying about our tackle and too little time learning the intimate characteristics of the fish and streams we fish most." - Ray Bergman Trout, New York: Knopf 1938 Last Edited By: corlay 08/26/08 13:23:06. Edited 1 times.
waynebh		#2	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 114 (08/27/08 13:28:06) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Right now I'm concentrating on Garcia rods, primarily in the heavier weights. That is 8wt & 9wt to throw some heavy Bass bugs. Bought quite a few Pro Crests in the 5 & 6wt range but have enough of those for now. I'd like to find a Phillipson/Orvis Phillipson 8wt so always keeping an eye out for that. I think this winter and spring I will look into the lighter weight rods 3 & 4wt Lamiglas, Kettle Creek etc. Waynebh
streamcaster		#3	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 123 (08/27/08 17:53:09) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You just won tht Garcia 2404T on the ebay, didn't you, Wayne? I just couldn't keep up! I'd really like to know what you think of its action when it comes in. Fish on! Peter
Cornmuse		#4	[-]
Posts: 607 (08/27/08 18:26:59) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'm still collecting 8-foot six-weights. To be added to my collection in no particular order: Hardy JET, SA System 6 or other Fisher blank rod, Phillipson (likely in an Orvis dress) and a Steffen Bros. Probably a Fenwick ff806 in there somewhere, too. I'll add those to the 7 I already have and probably be happy with that.... In terms of niche rods, I'd like to get a short, slow true 7wt in the 7' range for fishing larger smallmouth flies in small creeks for prespawn fish and I'd also like an 8.5' 5wt just because I don't currently have one in graphite or glass. Oh yeah, and a McFarland 7wt Ultimate Warm Water rod and one of Mr. Morgan's 8'3" 6wt blanks. The Steffen will be the next purchase, which has been decided but not acted upon for about two months. Once I stop traveling for a week or so and catch my breath I'll be placing the order. Joe C. "Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." - Henry David Thoreau Visit www.flyfishohio.com for great fly fishing and fly tying articles, the "Adventures in Fly Tying" monthly video podcast and the "Adventures in Fly Fishing" monthly audio podcast. The Midwest isn't a place you fly over to get to good fishing - it's right here in our own backyards. Think globally - fish locally.
bulldog1935		#5	[-]
Posts: 3503 (08/27/08 20:49:31) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	my niches are so full...from tiny fish or Big Fish in Tiny creeks to bobbing in blue water I'm at the point of buying the rod only for the desire to fish it... Phillipson? I have Fisher, Orvis, I've had Wonderod, Heddon, Fenwick - I haven't tried them all...- I like Silaflex, I'm afraid of modern glass rods except for Japanese glass (the Japanese makers seem to get it). There are two rods I like better than my Phillipsons - Vince Cummings and the 6'3" Para/metric. And even these rods don't displace the comparable Phillipsons, they're just different. Otherwise, the genius of Bill Phillipson's glass tapers stand alone. Last Edited By: bulldog1935 08/27/08 20:51:39. Edited 1 times.
Cameron		#6	[-]
Posts: 2260 (08/27/08 20:54:37) Administrator & Chat Room Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	bulldog1935 wrote: my niches are so full...from tiny fish or Big Fish in Tiny creeks to bobbing in blue water. I'm at the point of buying the rod only for the desire to fish it... I realized a week or so ago that I now have "niche within a niche" fly rods. When you have a half dozen five weights from six foot to eight foot...you're covering a lot of bases. And then there are the three, four, and six weight fly rods. I know my collection pales in comparison to others around here...but damn...when am I going to fish all these fly rods? The flip side is that I am always dreaming of the next build and which grand builder on this site to do it with. Then of course I have to have a fly reel to pair with it... www.FishyKid.org www.TheFiberglassManifesto.com Last Edited By: Cameron 08/27/08 20:58:55. Edited 1 times.
scud dog		#7	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 1013 (08/27/08 20:56:10) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have/had the Hardy JET 8' #6; Hardy Fibalite 8' #6 and SA System 6. IMO: JET is slowest and the System 6 is fastest. Truth is, the rods are more similar to each other than different. The JET is the lightest and is the most dry fly freindly. It has the thinnest of the tips. The Fibalite is the true all-rounder. IMO; it's a nice fluid casting rod. The System 6 is what I like best for what I need in a 6wt. For me, a #6 is a specialty rod that gets fished a few times in the winter when the water's high. It's the powerhorse I use to flush out trout with streamers and weighted nymphs. Advice: look carefully at the pics for the wraps. The Hardys were wrapped with silk and the coatings are light. If the pics show the wraps look dull...beware. I plan to re-wrap one this winter. My hope for another rod: I have the blank, a 5'7" #3/4. Wouldn't mind getting a 7'6" #4/5 Riffle blank. Wouldn't mind getting a Takada #3. Wouldn't mind... Well, I'm a gear freak like the rest of you!
bulldog1935		#8	[-]
Posts: 3505 (08/27/08 21:02:52) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Cameron wrote: ...but damn...when am I going to fish all these fly rods? I always have a tough time paring down. You've been a happy recipient of that. If I was fishing dry flies more often I probably wouldn't have let go of that Heddon. I know almost every bridge within 150 miles of here. Between the changing flows, the overhang, the weather that puts the fish high or low, I usually pick my rod like a golfer would pick his club - in his case, for his swing - in mine, for Today.
rvreclus	Niche or Maker	#9	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 138 (08/27/08 22:08:21) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I would have to say I fill my needs based on "niches". That said makers are important to my selection of equipment, I will always select a proven rod maker over speculation on an unknown rod. The rods I fish are all similar, in regards to the rod's actions, from my shortest and lightest weight rods to my heavy duty one's. I prefer progressive action rods, with flexing into the butt a product of the power I'm applying in my casting stroke. I've never been able to find a parametric that fit my preferences. The 6' para's you guys mention are rods I've never touched, if they cast like I think, I know some tunnels they would fit. Respectfully RV Reclus
waynebh		#10	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 115 (08/28/08 06:26:30) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi Peter; The Garcia 2404T is a deeper flexing/slower action than any of the other Garcias I own. The one I obtained is a little baet up. The 1st snake guide on the tip has been poorly rewrapped and the rest of the snakes to the tip are bent in a little. I test cast it for a short time yesterday with a wf7 which seemed like a bit much but didn't have a 6wt line with me at the time. The only rod I can compare it to is a Phillipson Eponite. similar action but not quite the same as a Phillipson Eponite. But then again the purchase price is the fraction of a Phillipson. The reel seat is quite handsome and the agate stripper is classy looking . All in all it's a beautifull rod and seems like it will be a pleasure to fish with. Richard(flyfishingforgoldentrout) highly touts this series of rods and now I can see why. Waynebh
middlemac		#11	[-]
Posts: 834 (08/28/08 07:09:45) Projects Coordinator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think I need an 8-6 or 9 footer for lake and river fishing in Ireland in '09 and have been assuming that a rental there would be the plan... but I could be convinced to buy if I heard some suggestions... My 8-6 brown blank St. Croix Pacemaker lines a WF8F but I'm not quite convinced it's the right rod... I'm going to fish it again this Sunday and consider. All in all I'd actually rather spend to ship a rod I'm familiar with than rent over there... comments? middlemac Last Edited By: middlemac 08/28/08 07:13:19. Edited 1 times.
Duff		#12	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 234 (08/28/08 07:34:38) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'm pretty well niched out but sure would like to see what the Phillipson thing is all about. Then I have to stop this madness - and I was the guy who wanted to pare down!

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Niche or Maker

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