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Featured Topic History of Fiberglass at Winston | |
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 Pocono |
TL Johnson Synergy SG rod |
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Guide
Posts: 105 (08/05/09 03:59:34) |
I'm considering purchasing an 8'0" Synergy SG rod from Terry Johnson. Conceptually, I like the idea of using graphite in the butt section to give
it a little more power and to keep the blank profile thinner. Does anyone have any experience with this rod/blank? If so, I'd appreciate hearing from you
before I go ahead and make the purchase.
Thanks, Pocono |
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gearboy |
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Master Guide
Posts: 397 (08/05/09 04:07:36) |
Pocono, Check the post by PaulRitten in Fishing with Fiberglass about a TL rod. I've only ever heard great things about any of his rods. They don't
get mentioned much here and not sure why.
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Cornmuse |
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Posts: 863 (08/05/09 06:10:57) Administrator |
I reviewed that rod in detail here. It's fast and powerful, but
responsive. I like it best with a WF6 and it's one of my favorite creek smallmouth rods. It's action is pushed a bit further up the rod and its a bit
faster than the 8' 5wt Hardy.
"Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the
drink, taste the fruit,
- Henry David Thoreau
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Pocono |
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Guide
Posts: 106 (08/06/09 04:05:19) |
Thanks for the feedback. When I talked to Terry he said that he was making the Synergy SG with E glass, not S glass. He also has a new blank color; which
he's calling buck. He was going to send me some pictures of the new blanks (he described the color as similar to the old Phillipson eponite blanks), but I
haven't seen anything from him yet. It's the 8'0" 4 wt. that I'm interested in.
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Mountainshark |
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Guide
Posts: 148 (08/06/09 06:48:58) |
Pocono, you will not be disappointed in any of the TL Johnson rods. I have the 8' 5 wt, 7'6 4/5 wt, and 7' 4 wt, all of the rods cast great and
have the look and feel of the high quality glass rod that they are. The work, service and knowledge that comes out of his shop is second to none. The 8'
5wt is one of my favorite rods when I hunt big fish, it performs like glass, but has power down deep in the butt section when it's needed. The 4 wt's
are wonderful dry fly rods for the rivers and streams I fish here. So far, I have not had a single complaint from anyone who has used one. I'm not sure
why some guys get hung up on the fact that there is graphite in the butt section. To me it seems like not buying a modern car because there is plastic parts on
it.
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paulritten |
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Sport
Posts: 10 (08/06/09 11:08:04) |
Mountainshark:
I agree - his workmanship is second to none. I have been lucky enough to see in person his entire line of rods and he will soon be making me a graphite 7wt to replace a Winston that I just can't get comfortable with (although he doesn't know it yet...). His service is unbelievable as well - how many builders will hand deliver a rod to you after apologizing that it took 2 weeks instead of 1 to get your rod done (due to a family emergency I might add). Add to that the fact that his blanks are rolled in his own shop to tapers that I find outstanding, and what's not to like? When you compare his prices and rods to those of the big boys - no comparison in my mind. I'm sure Steffen and others are the same, but it seems like Terry gets overlooked a bit. Paul |
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Cornmuse |
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Posts: 864 (08/07/09 08:35:53) Administrator |
FWIW, I have one of the prototype new glass rods on the way. Not for published review, but for feedback. I'll post pics and impressions when I've had a
chance to get it on the water.
"Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the
drink, taste the fruit,
- Henry David Thoreau
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swampsavage |
my 7' 4wt showed up on the doorstep a few days ago... | ||||||||||||||
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Sport
Posts: 8 (08/08/09 12:57:14) |
...first off, it's a beauty!...quality of wraps and finish is every bit as good as my Scott G2 at less than half the price...I won't be able to give it
a thorough workout 'till late fall but, judging by the reviews, it may well be my "go to" small stream rod...Terry sure knows how to build a rod
and they roll their own blanks to boot...get one by all means
John |
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Pocono |
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Guide
Posts: 107 (09/06/09 07:43:16) |
I ordered the rod last week; an 8'0" 4 wt.; part of the new glass line that he's building. He's calling this line the "Vintage'
series. The blanks are a "buck" colored. I ordered it with maroon wraps with black tips; wood inset and the hardward that he's recommending
with the rod. I'll post pics when it arrives.
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Pocono |
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Guide
Posts: 108 (10/15/09 03:45:26) |
I talked to Terry yesterday. The rod should ship by the end of this week. Pics when it arrives. I am ready!
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Mojorizing |
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Master Guide
Posts: 578 (10/16/09 17:03:50) |
Pocono wrote: Pocono, are the new ones- Vintage all glass or do they have the graphite in the butts too?
"If opera is entertainment, then falling off a roof is transportation!"
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Pocono |
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Guide
Posts: 109 (10/25/09 17:34:57) |
Well, the rod arrived last Friday. As previously posted, it's build by Terry off a new blank that he's calling his "Vintage" series.
It's E-glass, but it has some carbon fiber in it to add some stiffness, in particular in the butt section.
The rod is beautifully finished. I went back and forth with Joe (Cornmuse) about this rod. As you know, Joe had received rod #1 built on this new blank; an 8'0" 5 wt., and he was very positive about both the look and the performance. The blank is buck colored; almost reminds me of the old Phillipson Eponite blanks, but a lighter. The wraps are whatever you want, as is the wooden reel seat. I opted for burgundy wraps and Terry chose the seat material to go with it. I think he did a good job. I've lawn casted the rod and it gets a DT4F line out there an easy 50-60' with very little hauling. It's real forte, though, seems to be in the 45' and under range, where the presentation is close to telepathic; the rod simply drops the fly very lightly wherever you want to place it. For me, under 5 wt., I like the feel and the presentation that I get from a good glass blank. Small fish; primarily native Brookies, don't go as well with fast action stiff graphite rods as they do with slow-medium action glass rods; at least they don't for me. I have it paired up with an Abel Creek #2 reel and the balance is pretty good for a glass rod; just in front of the cork handle and with a light rod blank, that's fine for me. With a Young Beaudex on it, it balances just behind the front of the cork. Here are some pics of the rod. Hope you enjoy them.
I took it fishing this afternoon. Not a lot ot show for it, but I did get a nice little pickeral on a woolly bugger. So, it's first day out and a fish. That's the way that I like it. 
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gearboy |
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Master Guide
Posts: 436 (10/25/09 18:16:11) |
Thanks for posting the photos, Pocono. Could you post some pics of the writing on the rod along with the bag and tube please ? thank you, Jay
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Cornmuse |
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Posts: 923 (10/26/09 08:01:56) Administrator |
Very nice! I love the burgundy wraps and reel seat, very classy package.
Joe C. "Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the
drink, taste the fruit,
- Henry David Thoreau
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Rockthief |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1410 (10/26/09 12:07:43) |
oh great, my rod lust has been revived big time.
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scud dog |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1585 (10/27/09 05:21:35) |
Looks great and you have a cocobola spacer to match your cocobola on the reel!
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gearboy |
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Master Guide
Posts: 437 (10/27/09 06:13:38) |
Correct me if I'm wrong here, but didn't Terry originally say that he wanted to make this series all glass with no added graphite ?
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Pocono |
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Guide
Posts: 110 (10/30/09 18:20:46) |
Gearboy - I'll post those pics this weekend. The rod tube is compartmentalized internally; there is no rod sock. Yes, he originally planned to make the
Vintage blanks all glass, but they do have graphite in the butt section.
Scud Dog - yup, but it was a coincidence, I didn't mount the Abel Creek #2 reel because of the cocobola winding handle and shaft cover (at least not consciously!). Cornmuse - thanks for the report on the TL Johnson 8'0" Vintage 5 wt. that you tested. You got me into this rod. |
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Pocono |
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Guide
Posts: 111 (10/30/09 18:24:02) |
Rockthief wrote: I've got some good (or bad) news for you - I don't think that I bought the last one! |
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Pocono |
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Guide
Posts: 112 (11/15/09 19:25:52) |
Gearboy,
Here are some more pics for you. Sorry it took so long. The writing shows up best in the first photo; the close-up shots that I tried to take all ended in failure. 
Here are a couple more shots (yes, I do like this rod, a lot!) 
And here's the rod tube. As an 8'0" 2-piece rod, it's got some length to it. There is no rod sock; it's like the set-up on Sage rods; separated compartments contained within the cordura case: 
And up close: 
It's a sweet stick in the 35-50' casting range. Let me know if you have any more questions; I don't get tired of talking about this rod. Pocono |
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Cameron |
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Posts: 3846 (11/15/09 20:06:13)
Administrator &
Chat Room Host |
Pocono...beautiful rod and thanks for posting all the photos. Oh...the Abel reel isn't to bad either!
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