Fly Fishing Rods
Charles Turner
I go fly fishing here in the UK a few times a year, but I might now go a bit
more frequently, mainly reservoir / river. I'm thinking of getting some new
tackle and am just looking for a bit of advice.
I have a really old glass fibre rod (20 years??). It's a Shakespeare Sigma
Supra 1725 - 285. 9.5 ft AFTMA No. 8-9. I also have a multi turn fly reel.
Am I right in thinking that virtually no-one uses the drag on a reel to play
the fish? I've certainly never seen anyone doing it, so is there any point
in paying £200+ for a reel?
So I'm guessing that the real value lies in the rod / line combination. Now
from experience of other sports (tennis / squash etc) that use carbon fibre
equipment I've always found that there is quite a big difference between the
lowest price and around the 60% of top price, but very little difference in
the top 30-40% of the upper price range. Is this the case for rods? I.e I
can imagine a big difference between a £59 rod and a £250 rod, but what
about between the £250 rod and a £500 rod?
Regards,
Charles
Tim Lysyk
> Hi Guys,
>
> I go fly fishing here in the UK a few times a year, but I might now go a
> bit more frequently, mainly reservoir / river. I'm thinking of getting
> some new tackle and am just looking for a bit of advice.
>
> I have a really old glass fibre rod (20 years??). It's a Shakespeare
> Sigma Supra 1725 - 285. 9.5 ft AFTMA No. 8-9. I also have a multi turn
> fly reel.
>
> Am I right in thinking that virtually no-one uses the drag on a reel to
> play the fish? I've certainly never seen anyone doing it, so is there
> any point in paying £200+ for a reel?
It depends. For larger fish you might. Some people consider the reel as
just a place to store flyline, but I like a reel I can play fish with.
It probably boils down to personal preference, but I like a disk drag
reel. You could probably get one for a more reasonable price than what
you quoted.
>
> So I'm guessing that the real value lies in the rod / line combination.
> Now from experience of other sports (tennis / squash etc) that use
> carbon fibre equipment I've always found that there is quite a big
> difference between the lowest price and around the 60% of top price, but
> very little difference in the top 30-40% of the upper price range. Is
> this the case for rods? I.e I can imagine a big difference between a £59
> rod and a £250 rod, but what about between the £250 rod and a £500 rod?
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Charles
A good line is important. Probably best to not scrimp on the line. As
far as the rod, your casting ability is what is most important. Where I
live, there is a big difference between a low priced rod and a medium
priced rod. Most people will notice a big difference in their ability to
cast the two. Paying the extra for high end rod may not be as
worthwhile. Get the rod you can cast well with, and don't feel shy about
asking to try it out first.
Tim Lysyk
Charles Turner
Dave Lane
HI Charles,
fwiw, you should be able to get a decent rod under £100 - I'm still
using a Daiwa WF98 9'6" rod after umpteen years - and as for a reel,
I've never had a dragged type, just a cheapo Shakespeare. Line - I
guess that you may have to choose between buying a single expensive one,
or 2/3 less expensive types, to give you a choice when river or
reservoir fishing. Until recently, I had a Michael Evans Arrowhead
line, which was good at dealing with the windy conditions on the lakes
here in N. Wales, but I didn't find it so good on the small river, when
I would switch to a lighter, DT type. Personally, I'd rather have the
choice, instead of sinking all my dosh into one line.
hth, and good luck
Dave
Charles Turner wrote:
> Hi Guys,
>
> I go fly fishing here in the UK a few times a year, but I might now go a
> bit more frequently, mainly reservoir / river. I'm thinking of getting
> some new tackle and am just looking for a bit of advice.
> <snip>
W. D. Grey
<charles...@btinternet.com> writes
>Hi Guys,
>
>I go fly fishing here in the UK a few times a year, but I might now go
>a bit more frequently, mainly reservoir / river. I'm thinking of
>getting some new tackle and am just looking for a bit of advice.
>
>I have a really old glass fibre rod (20 years??). It's a Shakespeare
>Sigma Supra 1725 - 285. 9.5 ft AFTMA No. 8-9. I also have a multi turn
>fly reel.
The spec for the rod seems to be fine for UK reservoir fishing, but I
would recommend a new rod made of modern materials. Fibre glass is sooo
yesterday :-) A rod with s fast top action is what you need.
>
>Am I right in thinking that virtually no-one uses the drag on a reel to
>play the fish? I've certainly never seen anyone doing it, so is there
>any point in paying £200+ for a reel?
On still waters or reservoirs, usually the fish are played by hand
lining in the line. I can't say if this is the best way, but it is the
most common way.
>
>So I'm guessing that the real value lies in the rod / line combination.
>Now from experience of other sports (tennis / squash etc) that use
>carbon fibre equipment I've always found that there is quite a big
>difference between the lowest price and around the 60% of top price,
>but very little difference in the top 30-40% of the upper price range.
>Is this the case for rods? I.e I can imagine a big difference between a
>£59 rod and a £250 rod, but what about between the £250 rod and a £500 rod?
You will be able to buy a rod that will cast a good line for less than
£100, especially if you match it up to a WF 8 or 9 line. Floating is my
first suggestion and I prefer Cortland 444 but things surely must have
moved on since I last bought a line.
>
--
Bill Grey
Derek
"Charles Turner" <charles...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:l9idnfGRAoC...@bt.com...
I'd go with Bill's suggestions habitually I use a Mitchell 710 automatic
for most river and still water fishing usually with 6 or 7 wf floater
(rarely sink tip) coupled with a Normark Carbon blank fibre 9ft 6in ( I
do have a lot of rods to suit odd conditions but that is the maid of all
work ) the auto reels are simply line storage tho' they do supply drag for
those rare fish that need to be in the next county. The only advantage
being if you are stalking fish the slack is back on the reel in a trice
. If you boat fish a 10ft 6in 6/7 does afford that bit extra when lifting
to dabble the dropper or letting the belly in the line pull the trace round.
From the bank your 8/9 9ft6 is standard artillery -if you are a bigger
bloke and extra 6 inches won't kill you if you use weighted flys maybe up a
line size or two . Difference in cost? I'd reckon the finish on the rod
should be superior possibly hand done rather than machined you would expect
the fittings to be better too but that aint always so - whether that is
worth an extra £250 ?? not to me.
My favourite rod (for small rivers / streams) is a 7ft carbon fibre #4/5 I
built 25 years ago on a £20 blank if you allow for inflation the blank
would be rather more expensive but not into the hundreds and beyond and I
have yet to pick up a rod I feel is that much better ( I deliver to Orvis so
the dealer plays devils advocate to tease me ) I think with a gearfly
(small) and line it weighs in at about 6-7 ozs and its a joy to use- ah
nostalgia.
If you are in the area the Midland Gamefair is on 21/9 go down and see what
you fancy if previous years are anything to go by you should have an
opportunity to try a few rods on the water and maybe get a bargain you are
really happy with. Watch out for my gundogs on the back cast tho' :-)
always worth a look is an old mate Steve Partons website ( he probably
thinks I'm dead I do so little fishing these days ) he talks a lot of sense
about rods and his stillwater book is IMO necessary reading
http://www.spartonfly.co.uk/index.html
Derek
Derek Moody
<URL:mailto:Bi...@graigroad.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> In article <l9idnfGRAoC...@bt.com>, Charles Turner
> <charles...@btinternet.com> writes
> >Hi Guys,
> >
> >I go fly fishing here in the UK a few times a year, but I might now go
> >a bit more frequently, mainly reservoir / river. I'm thinking of
> >getting some new tackle and am just looking for a bit of advice.
> >
> >I have a really old glass fibre rod (20 years??). It's a Shakespeare
> >Sigma Supra 1725 - 285. 9.5 ft AFTMA No. 8-9. I also have a multi turn
> >fly reel.
>
> The spec for the rod seems to be fine for UK reservoir fishing, but I
> would recommend a new rod made of modern materials. Fibre glass is sooo
> yesterday :-) A rod with s fast top action is what you need.
Maybe Bill, but he might find the slow action more suitable if he's no need
of long casts or wanting to fish awkward/encumbered banks.
> >Am I right in thinking that virtually no-one uses the drag on a reel to
> >play the fish? I've certainly never seen anyone doing it, so is there
What size are the largest fish you expect in your preferred waters? If a
6oz brownie then no drag required, if 15lb+ then it probably is.
> >any point in paying £200+ for a reel?
I never have.
> On still waters or reservoirs, usually the fish are played by hand
> lining in the line. I can't say if this is the best way, but it is the
> most common way.
I usually reckon that once you are playing on the backing the reel ought to
be used - but that's just imo.
> >So I'm guessing that the real value lies in the rod / line combination.
> >Now from experience of other sports (tennis / squash etc) that use
> >carbon fibre equipment I've always found that there is quite a big
> >difference between the lowest price and around the 60% of top price,
> >but very little difference in the top 30-40% of the upper price range.
> >Is this the case for rods? I.e I can imagine a big difference between a
> >£59 rod and a £250 rod, but what about between the £250 rod and a £500 rod?
Apart from the extremes - under £20, over £500, there is very little
difference in the blanks and many of the budget rods are made on the same
blanks as the upmarket ones with different furniture and finish. Ask to
handle a few of last years models ('out of date' and so cheap) - pick the
cheapest one that feels OK.
> You will be able to buy a rod that will cast a good line for less than
> £100, especially if you match it up to a WF 8 or 9 line. Floating is my
> first suggestion and I prefer Cortland 444 but things surely must have
> moved on since I last bought a line.
You should be able to get a complete outfit for under £100 - use what you
save on a refresher casting lesson and a couple of fishing trips. :-)
Cheerio,
--
Fishing: http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/
Writing: http://www.author.casterbridge.net/derek-moody/
uk.rec.fishing.game Badge Page:
http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/urfg/
rdean3...@bellsouth.net
wrote:
Absolutely. In fact, I saw a couple of used setups - rod and reel, no
line to speak of, one a Daiwa and the other a Shakespeare, both usable
fishing tools in graphite, offered for 20USD (about 50p UK
nowadays...oh, OK, if it's necessary: <G>). Either of which would make
decent gear for a beginner/novice and still-usable for anyone. I even
thought about dickering a bit, just to have them around for guests, but
don't really need them, so I left them for someone who might be able to
really enjoy them. IAC, these types of things seem to turn up
regularly, at least IME, so the OP might do a little digging around
locally so as to see what might turn up. If the OP is fishing for
smaller quarry, just about anything with a reel seat and basically
straight guides will work and a reel is merely a line holder - anything
above that is desire rather than necessity on such quarry.
TC,
R
>
>Cheerio,
W. D. Grey
rdean3...@bellsouth.net writes
>Absolutely. In fact, I saw a couple of used setups - rod and reel, no
>line to speak of, one a Daiwa and the other a Shakespeare, both usable
>fishing tools in graphite, offered for 20USD (about 50p UK
Fishing last Wednesday I tried out a rod/line combo for a pal.. I didn't
think to find out the name of the rod but he assured me it cost
40ukpounds and the line - a WEF 8 cost 10 ukPounds. I easily managed to
cast the whole line off the reel. The line just wanted to go - fantastic
value. It was a well matched outfit which was the important thing.
--
Bill Grey
rdean3...@bellsouth.net
Money is what we choose to spend...obviously, one doesn't _need_ to
spend to fish, and speaking for myself, I'd rather have fun with an
inexpensive rig than fret over a pricy rig...as always, YMMV...but I
suspect your energy expenditure is somewhat similar to mine...OTOH, what
the fuck do I know...have you gots you a Jag with a passel of Webers...?
TC,
R
W. D. Grey
rdean3...@bellsouth.net writes
Just a Ford.... KA :-)
Difficult to get a decent rod in the back though!
--
Bill Grey
Dave Lane
you want to try getting a 14 foot double hander into a mini???
Even in 3 pieces.... :+)
W. D. Grey
<pss...@bangor.ac.uk> writes
Your maths are in terrible state - 3 doesn't go into 14...:-)
How are things Dave - any salmon this season yet?
--
Bill Grey
Derek Moody
> you want to try getting a 14 foot double hander into a mini???
> Even in 3 pieces.... :+)
I haven't had a chance to try getting my 14 foot double hander into anything
yet this year - getting a bit late now 'though I might take it piking before
the weather goes cold.
Just spent a couple of weeks in Ireland, far -too much- water though. There
were a couple of Shannon tribs we could have fished but even finding the
river under all that floodwater would have been a feat. Not knowing the
water the conditions would have been too dangerous. Even the sea fishing
was badly affected by the mile or so of dirty brown runoff surrounding the
coast.
Lazarus Cooke
<derek...@clara.net> wrote:
>
> Just spent a couple of weeks in Ireland, far -too much- water though. There
> were a couple of Shannon tribs we could have fished but even finding the
> river under all that floodwater would have been a feat.
Hi Derek whereabouts were you? I've been thinking it would have been a
great season on the Irish rivers I usually fish on the Foyle system -
it's rare for Irish rivers to have more water than they can handel.
Lazarus
Dave Lane
> In article <gal5q9$1rm$1...@south.jnrs.ja.net>, Dave Lane
> <pss...@bangor.ac.uk> writes
<snip>
>>> Just a Ford.... KA :-)
>>> Difficult to get a decent rod in the back though!
>>
>> you want to try getting a 14 foot double hander into a mini???
>> Even in 3 pieces.... :+)
>
> Your maths are in terrible state - 3 doesn't go into 14...:-)
>
> How are things Dave - any salmon this season yet?
Hi Bill - sadly no - not yet. The river has been up and down like a
yo yo, and I don't think that I have ever seen it so high - bit dodgy
being down there sometimes. I've been flogging away at all of my
favourite places, and a whole bunch of new spots, which have been quite
nice to explore - but just the once had the line suddenly slap tight -
really gets the heart going, doesn't it? It's chucking it down again
this morning, so no prizes for guessing where I'll be later today :+)
I was up at Idwal over the weekend, had a bunch of small trout, but
might not make it up there again before the end of the month, and we
didn't seem to get the mass heather fly fall - still time yet if the sun
should suddenly decide to reappear.
cheers
Dave
W. D. Grey
I fished when the Tawe Disabled Fishers visited a local put an take
fishery. I managed three nice rainbows on each occasion. All the fish
weighed near as dammit 2.5 lbs each -(well graded stockies)
Our local river - the Tawe has really been showing its strength this
year with all the rain we've had up the top end of the Swansea Valley.
--
Bill Grey
Derek Moody
We were touring, looking for any sort of fishing. On the RTE news there were
bridges washed out on some of the E coast rivers, Ireland had a -lot- of
rain. Caught a few mullet and bass of the shore and some small coarse fish
but the trip, generally, was below par.
I did have one sea-trout follow a lure on a rocky foreshore at the start
of the trip - looking for bass that day.
I'm sure those with local knowledge could have taken a few salmon/sea trout
but the sheer weight of water meant that detailed local knowledge was
essential and, significantly, no locals were out.
Dave Lane
Well, hold the page... caught my first salmon on the fly yesterday
afternoon. Unfortunately, it was only 4" long, with lovely thumbprints
all the way down the sides. D'you think it counts?
W. D. Grey
<pss...@bangor.ac.uk> writes
>
> Well, hold the page... caught my first salmon on the fly yesterday
>afternoon. Unfortunately, it was only 4" long, with lovely thumbprints
>all the way down the sides. D'you think it counts?
If it only has thumbprints then No. It needs fingers to count :-)
--
Bill Grey
riverman
> In article <gaqfjk$hq...@south.jnrs.ja.net>, Dave Lane
Hilarious
--riverman
Dave Lane
groan....
rdean3...@bellsouth.net
Gylwnn yslyn g'dyn baegig f'ubyar laegogll drflyyl yyyyl aeaeaeae...
y Gymraeg,
R
...hyll, evyn y'll Welsh f'ylks wyll, er, pry'll wyndyr...thym whyt
dysn't spyek 'th lyngynge wyll wyndyr...
Michael...@googlemail.com
> On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:55:59 +0100, "W. D. Grey"
>
> >In article <gaqfjk$hq...@south.jnrs.ja.net>, Dave Lane
> ><pss...@bangor.ac.uk> writes
>
> >> Well, hold the page... caught my first salmon on the fly yesterday
> >>afternoon. Unfortunately, it was only 4" long, with lovely thumbprints
> >>all the way down the sides. D'you think it counts?
>
> >If it only has thumbprints then No. It needs fingers to count :-)
>
> Gylwnn yslyn g'dyn baegig f'ubyar laegogll drflyyl yyyyl aeaeaeae...
>
> y Gymraeg,
> R
> ...hyll, evyn y'll Welsh f'ylks wyll, er, pry'll wyndyr...thym whyt
> dysn't spyek 'th lyngynge wyll wyndyr...
Just in case any of you UK lads are wondering, this is one of the real
nasty bastards from ROFF. Treat with caution. Indeed, best to ignore
him altogether.
TL
MC
rdean3...@bellsouth.net
wrote:
DAMNED RIGHT, LADDIE-O's!!! If you dare reply, be VERY, VERY
cautious...lest you be unmercifully included...or excluded, as the case
may be...
HTH.
R, one of them nasty ROFF bastards...
...oh, hell, what the hell do I care - ignore, reply, bitch, moan, or
complain...
>
>TL
>MC
Lazarus Cooke
<derek...@clara.net> wrote:
> the sheer weight of water meant that detailed local knowledge was
> essential and, significantly, no locals were out.
I'm just back from Exmoor where the sheer LACK of water on the Barle
meant that no locals were out either.
I caught nothing except a few wee trout.
Lazarus
Derek Moody
> <derek...@clara.net> wrote:
>
> > the sheer weight of water meant that detailed local knowledge was
> > essential and, significantly, no locals were out.
>
> I'm just back from Exmoor where the sheer LACK of water on the Barle
> meant that no locals were out either.
If you'd only asked the Irish nicely at the time I'm sure they would have
been happy to let you divert their excess...
> I caught nothing except a few wee trout.
Barle trout are very pretty though.
marika
"Derek" <del.wattsdonts...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:DtBvk.112110$OR5....@newsfe20.ams2...
>
> If you are in the area the Midland Gamefair is on 21/9 go down and see
> what
> you fancy if previous years are anything to go by you should have an
> opportunity to try a few rods on the water and maybe get a bargain you are
> really happy with. Watch out for my gundogs on the back cast tho' :-)
> always worth a look is an old mate Steve Partons website ( he probably
> thinks I'm dead I do so little fishing these days ) he talks a lot of
> sense
> about rods and his stillwater book is IMO necessary reading
> http://www.spartonfly.co.uk/index.html
> Derek
>
>
>
do they sell cheap gas?
mk5000
"Don't make it a big deal, don't be so sensitive
We're not playing a game anymore
You don't have to be so defensive
Don't you plead me your case, don't bother to explain"--sleep to dream,
fiona apple
Halfordian Golfer
> "Derek" <del.wattsdontspamsocloset...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
Hi Charles,
I'm a bit of a scrooge but please know that I have caught my fair
share of trout in Colorado with equipment completely outfitted for
less than $100 and am a Pfleuger and Martin man. The Cortland Crown
series is also cheap and ubiquitous.
The fish sees only the fly my man.
TBone
'tis a poor fisherman that blames his gear...
W. D. Grey
<394e850f-a270-4523...@m3g2000hsc.googlegroups.com>,
Halfordian Golfer <walk...@gmail.com> writes
Hi Tim, fancy seeing you here!
Nice to hear from the Halfordian Golfer.
Best wishes to you and your family.
BTW I've had no new for a couple of months - ISP problem hopefully now
fixed.
--
Bill Grey
Lester Mosley
> Halfordian Golfer <walke...@gmail.com> writes
I am waiting for 1.98 a gallon gas. when that happens i am going to
buy 3 gallons.
marika
"Lester Mosley" <lester...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:aa749dc0-2caa-4d0a...@i24g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>I> am waiting for 1.98 a gallon gas. when that happens i am going to
>buy 3 gallons.
I think you will need a time machine
mk5000